‘One is too many’: WRPS Chief comments on local gun violence
Posted Jan 10, 2024 07:34:21 AM.
Last Updated Jan 11, 2024 11:49:23 AM.
Gun violence is at a concerning level according to Waterloo Regional Police Chief Mark Crowell.
After 2024 saw its first local shooting in Cambridge, Crowell shared details about gun violence in an exclusive interview with CityNews 570.
He said that there were 18 shooting incidents last year, and that WRPS is not satisfied with those numbers.
“One is too many,” said Chief Crowell. “When we look at the last five years, and I think that’s the most important statistic, it’s been an average of 19 [shootings] per year. This is a consistent trend across Waterloo Region.”
Of the 18 incidents in 2023, Crowell told CityNews half of the shootings involved someone struck by bullets resulting in two homicides. The other half of the incidents were related to intimidation and destruction of property.
The number of guns discovered by police in 2023 as well reached notable highs. From January to November, 269 firearms were surrendered to police during investigations and 339 were seized.
“We are seeing not just only the illegal possession of firearms, but replica firearms, 3D printed guns, paintball guns. If it’s not a real firearm, people are using an imitation of some kind… It’s very concerning… The bottom line is our officers are seeing more guns in the streets.”
Crowell added that there is also a new wave of “ghost guns” or guns with no trace that are made privately. Police are working with their provincial and federal counterparts to suppress the sharing of information online about how “ghost guns” are assembled.
Waterloo Regional Police officers are coming across guns and drugs more often during routine stops for Highway Traffic Act offences as well.
