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.
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.
“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.
“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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
The push to Parliament's summer hiatus is about to begin, here's what you need to know
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you’ve been to a party lately and haven’t seen someone drinking a BORG, you’re likely not partying with college students.
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection with US$100 million in financing commitments
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
What we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war between Israel and Hamas.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Q&A: Kevin Costner on unveiling his western saga 'Horizon' at Cannes
A month before Kevin Costner puts the first instalment of his multi-chapter western 'Horizon: An American Saga' into theatres, the actor-director came to the Cannes Film Festival to unveil his self-financed passion project.
Britain slammed in inquiry for infecting thousands with tainted blood and covering up the scandal
British authorities and the country's public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.'s infected blood scandal found Monday.