Travelling offenders responsible for most gun crime, northern Ont. police say

Following Tuesday’s shooting in Timmins, police officials say there’s been a higher number of weapons-related crimes in recent months.

Police say the drug trade and travelling offenders who don’t live in Timmins are responsible for some of the city’s worst cases.

Overall, police said crimes involving weapons — especially guns — seem to be ramping up in Timmins.

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Acting deputy chief Darren Dinel said the first two months of the year were quiet, seizing one firearm and stopping a gun-related call without incident.

And then a major spike in March.

 “We had two victims that received gunshot wounds,” Dinel said.

“We seized seven firearms in the month of March alone. In the first quarter, we seized eight.”

March saw 15 weapons-related calls, more than half of the 28 calls that quarter. Dinel said some of the worst cases involve more than just guns.

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“Most major offences they’re dealing with … drug trafficking-related crimes and that, as well,” he said.

And he said many of them are committed by travelling criminals.

“We have arrested, in March alone, five individuals from outside of this community that were involved in our higher-end offences, with the shootings, the firearms offences and the drug trafficking,” Dinel said.

Contending with an officer shortage, Dinel said Timmins police often rely on tactical support from Ontario Provincial Police for their most demanding calls.

Police say the drug trade and travelling offenders who don’t live in Timmins are responsible for some of the city’s worst cases involving guns. (Photo from video)

OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique told CTV News that officers are facing more dangerous situations.

“There’s more guns in our communities,” Carrique said.

“There’s more crime that happens in our communities and there’s not a shift that doesn’t go by that an officer doesn’t find themselves in a situation that something could go wrong.”

Carrique added that officers are well-trained and equipped.

Although staffing is lower than needed, Dinel said his officers are working effectively.

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“First quarter, we had 28 calls for service, for weapons … and 23 out of the 28 calls for service were resolved,” he said.

Dinel notes that not all calls lead to charges and unresolved calls are still investigated.