More than 1,00 people have signed an online petition calling for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to be installed in the Garnett Janes neighbourhood to help deter and solve crime.

The petition for cameras was initiated by Toronto Police in a social media posting.

Police last month were called to investigate a drive by shooting in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Brown’s Line area, in which a victim was driving a vehicle when four shots were fired by gunmen in another car, which sped off.

The victim was hospitalized for gunshot wounds as officers escalated a search for two men.

Police said the cameras can help them monitor shooters as they move around the area. There has been at least six shootings in the Garnett Janes area in the last month.

“Unfortunately the neighbourhood has also been affected by gang activity for some time,” police wrote in a proposal for cameras. “These gang members hang out in the buildings, on the streets, and in Lakeshore Village Park as well as Eighth Street Skate Park.”

Police said the Garnett Janes neighbourhood has seen a ‘disproportionately amount of violent crimes occurring within its’ borders as compared to other neighbourhoods in south Etobicoke.’

The cameras are proposed for the corners of Garnett Janes Rd., and Ninth St., Coin St. and Tenth Street, Etta Wylie Rd. and Garnett Janes Rd., and the corner of Ninth St., and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

The Garnett Janes neighbourhood is a shining example of why Toronto is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, according to police. The residents are hard-working and family oriented but are being exploited by gangs.

Police said images captured by CCTV will be automatically over-written within 72 hours, unless required for use as evidence in a case.

Many residents of the community seem to be in favour of the cameras.

A virtual Town Hall meeting will be held to seek you input into the pending security on July 13 from 7 p.m. to 8:30  p.m.  You can join by dialling 416-216-5643. The access code is 1322609635