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Mayor Ford Declares War on Gangs

Posted By: David Woodard · 7/17/2012 5:57:00 PM

Statement by Mayor Rob Ford

"Toronto is a safe city.  It's one of the safest cities in the world.  Toronto is a great place to live and raise a family.  It's a great place to invest and create jobs.  However, we cannot be complacent.  We cannot stand by and watch criminals bring violence to our streets and backyards.  It's time for all of us to work together to keep our city safe.

The events of last night are heartbreaking.  A fun, family-focused community event quickly turned into a violent nightmare.  Two innocent young people are dead because some idiot thugs decided to settle a disagreement with violence.  That is not acceptable in our city.  I will not accept it.  I am furious about it.

It's time to say "enough is enough."  It is time to take action against the spineless cowards causing this violence.

This is about gangs and gang violence.  Frankly, it doesn’t matter if they hurt people with guns or knives, bats or bricks.  There is no room in Toronto for violent gangs. 

Some people have suggested there is a gang war brewing.  I don't know if that's true.  But, I do know it's time for us to declare war on these violent gangs.

Earlier today, I spoke with Premier McGuinty.  I hope to meet with him in the near future to discuss how we can work together to combat gang violence.  I will also be calling on the Prime Minister for his continued support as well.

We must use every legal means to make life for these thugs miserable, to put them behind bars, or to run them out of town.  We will not rest until being a gang member is a miserable, undesirable life.

We will need your help to do this.  And you can start helping right now.  Hundreds of people were at the party Monday night.  Dozens of people saw what happened.  Many people know who the gang members are.  We have the greatest police service in the world, but they need your help.

If you were at the party last night – or if you know anything at all that may help police arrest these criminals – I strongly encourage you to call 43 Division police at 416.808.4300.  Or, if you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. 

We are all in this together.  With your help, we will catch these criminals and get them off our streets."

 

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  1. JayTee posted on 07/17/2012 06:09 PM
    What 'war' is he talking about? You catch these hoodlums, and the courts slap them on their wrists to go out again to harm innocent people once more. Time to 'wake up' Canada. Make the penalties reflect the crime!!

    Enough is enough!!
  2. vardit posted on 07/17/2012 06:35 PM
    The block started at approx. 10:30p.m. They were at a BBQ... Adam Vaughan BAN BBQ'S!!!!!!!!

    Really who goes to a block party at 10:30p.m with little kids, yet.??? Didn't the adults have to get up for work the next morning? Just askin....
    1. calvinhc posted on 07/18/2012 09:35 AM
      @vardit I have to ask 'why' you're just askin...

      While there may be issues of a block party that starts at 10:30 pm, the context of asking about it here is akin to a certain preacher wanting the laws changed about women's clothing to prevent rape.
  3. Aftab Mirza posted on 07/17/2012 07:23 PM
    THE ESCALATING GUN VIOLENCE IN TORONTO: THE TEARS OF CROCODILE SHED BY OUR POLITICIANS: The only thing that happens in the wake of one mass killing after another is the fake and phony expression of outrage and worthless pledges by the politicians about the stricter penalties and punishments for the perpetrators of the gun violence. Our experience has shown that their promises and pledges about curbing gun violence are like the New Year’s resolutions that are hardly ever fulfilled. I trust neither Rob Ford nor Dalton McGuinty to do anything about the escalation in the gun violence that has shaken the citizens of Toronto to their core. We cannot rely on our politicians who are not only incapable of providing a lasting solution to the problem of gun violence but are seemingly indifferent to the plight of the very citizens who elected them to their higher offices. To save their city, the citizens of Toronto must take the matters in their own hands by holding the largest ever convention in Toronto of the renowned crime experts from around the world. Invite them to Toronto and have them present their recommendation for bringing the deteriorating situation under control. In that vein I would urge John Tory to lead the charge on this front and organize a committee responsible for holding the aforesaid convention in Toronto ASAP.
  4. murray posted on 07/18/2012 02:26 AM
    It should read " War on the damm judges who go easy on these pukes has been declared" We have a criminial code that is sufficient. Use the bloddy thing. Been saying all along, we need to elect our judges. They are in a different world!
    1. Walter posted on 07/18/2012 09:28 PM
      @murray I used to think it was the judges fault, but I think it is the entire "justice system". These judges must follow legal precedence and the "Charter of Rights". We can change the laws to over-ride the "precedence", but the Charter will forever get in the way of solving the problem. The sooner we kill this Liberal monster the better.
  5. proton posted on 07/18/2012 10:18 AM
    don't count on dalton mcguinty. remember he's the one who let the natives in caledonia run roughshod over other citizens while the opp stood by watching. THAT sent a signal to EVERY criminal that it was okay to ignore law and order
  6. Aftab Mirza posted on 07/18/2012 03:19 PM
    MAYOR ROB FORD DECLARES WAR ON GANGS: Mr. Mayor, we, the Torontonians, are very familiar with the knee-jerk response to such events by the current and past politicians like you. People in your position said the same things 7 years ago during what has come to be known as the "Summer of Guns". The successive mayors and premiers have been making similar vows since then but to no avail. Rather than just declaring war on gangs, try to look into and eradicate the root causes of this problem. And the root causes are none other than the abject poverty, unemployment, and deteriorating social conditions for the groups of people who are engaged in and responsible for the on-going gun violence. You and the Provincial and Federal governments know who these elements are and try to improve their lot. For without addressing the issues of poverty and unemployment the problem of gun violence will continue to persist for the unforeseeable future.
  7. ArtC posted on 07/19/2012 10:48 AM
    just last week this mayor was the lone wolf on council voting against various youth programs for the city. i believe votes 34-1 and 35-1. he declined comment on why he was the only one voting against them. he also declined federal funds for crime prevention for Toronto.
    next week he has a meeting with senior provincial people. guess what this mayor is going to do? ask for money!!
  8. EdwardM_8180 posted on 07/19/2012 05:19 PM
    ArtC

    The Federal government gave him money to fight the gangs in the city and he refused that money. The other day as two families were grieving for their dead kids, when the bodies of those kids had not even been removed from the crime scene he stood in Scarborough and stated that Toronto is a very safe city. How did his city change in two days to require him holding a meeting with the premier? The danger is that it is these kids of people we have that govern us.

    But it is a more danger that radio stations like CFRB cannot ask him these questions for they crossed from the people side, from being reporters, to the mayor side.

    EM
    A Parent
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