Police use of force reports double in Sault Ste. Marie
Violent crime in Sault Ste. Marie is trending in a troubling direction according to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. Incidents involving the use of force have doubled in the first six months of the year compared to where they were in 2020, police said.
From January to June, 118 reports were filed compared to just 54 over the same span last year.
"Recently, we've seen a number of arsons, aggravated assaults, a number of homicides this year," said Police Chief Hugh Stevenson. "Our officers responding are well trained. They're trained twice a year in terms of what's presented to them and what level of use of force that they respond with."
Stevenson said drug trafficking has become a major factor behind the rise in violence in Sault Ste. Marie.
Sault police have also noted an increase in robberies in the first half of 2021.
"We know that the level of violence in the drug trade has increased," Stevenson said. "Untreated, long-term drug addiction and the opioid distribution will cause a greater amount of violence in this city."
An addictions treatment facility is slated to open next summer in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has also increased its nighttime patrols of the city's downtown core since August.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.