Sault police take more guns off the streets in December
Sault Ste. Marie's police chief is urging the public to share tips with police about criminal activity, as the latest statistics from the Sault showing more guns being taken off the streets.
Officers seized 34 guns in December 2021, an increase from 11 in 2020.
Chief Hugh Stevenson said the majority of the guns are being found through the drug trade and at traffic stops.
"I can tell you the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has had more significant takedowns of people not from this city, peddling weaponry and narcotics on our streets," Stevenson said.
"These weapons are made to do one thing, and it's not hunting. So any time the public can bring information forward to police, that is the best way we can get them off the streets."
Sault police noted a rise in violent crime last year, with use of force numbers up by police. Stevenson said violent crime in in the city has risen more than 80 per cent in the last five years.
"In speaking with other northern police chiefs, that seems to be the trend right across the board," he said.
The chief said it's difficult to pinpoint exactly where the guns are coming from, but most are believed to be smuggled into Canada from the United States.
"Primarily, it's about intelligence information," Stevenson said.
"It's about how we manage informants, it's about how people talk to us and know they can talk to us without getting in trouble, and it's that collective responsibility for public safety that drives people to tell us."
Police have also increased patrols in the city's downtown core through its dynamic patrol initiative.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.