Halifax police chief says he's losing sleep over escalating gun violence throughout the city
Halifax's chief of police says he's concerned with the escalating gun violence in the city.
Halifax Regional Police Chief Dan Kinsella told the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners the escalating gun violence around the city "keeps me awake at night."
"It's a very serious issue that's affecting us in our community," said Kinsella, during his opening remarks to the board. "I know that this is an issue on your minds and the communities' minds."
According to Kinsella, there have been 13 shooting incidents already this year, with eight people reporting gunshot injuries.
Halifax police responded to 47 shooting incidents last year, compared to 21 incidents in 2020 and 10 in 2019.
"Part of our approach has been to remove illegal guns from the street and we have been focused on that very heavily and will continue to be," said Kinsella.
Halifax police have already seized 163 illegal guns this year, compared to 264 guns last year.
"We are making every effort to further investigations involving guns and we are making every effort to get illegal guns off the street," said Kinsella.
Four of the six homicides Halifax police are investigating this year have been gun-related.
Commissioners questioned Kinsella about the root causes of the shootings, but the chief wouldn't give specifics.
"There are a number of factors that drive what's going, we certainly don't know them all, we do our very best. We're taking an intelligence-led approach, particularly in our integrated guns and gangs unit," he said.
As of early June, Halifax District RCMP says they've responded to six crimes involving guns.
"We are seeing an increase in gun violence in Halifax District RCMP area, as well as our seizures are up," said RCMP Insp. Jeremie Landry.
Halifax RCMP responded to 26 gun calls in 2021 and 34 in 2020.
With the increase in gun violence, Kinsella is appealing to the Nova Scotia public prosecution service for help.
"We have requested consideration for a dedicated crown prosecutor for firearm offenses," said Kinsella.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.