This is an article that should have been written over a decade ago. Fear stopped the process. Fear of push back. Fear of no one caring enough to take action. Fear of being targeted – but it happened any way and so, here is the story on gun violence in Toronto, Canada.
One night, years ago, I was visiting a friend of mine from university. While waiting for him to arrive, someone I met through him was present. We had a conversation about the community, issues and violence. What seemed like a normal conversation took a dark turn.
The man I was speaking to shared he was a former Toronto Police Officer. I did not ask what unit number at that time as I was unaware of these. However, I do recall he mentioned 31 division. What he shared shed more light on the root causes of gun violence.
In his words, as a former officer, he shared that he was part of the Jane and Finch Police Task Force. A special unit created and the “only one” was how he emphased it. I was expecting a story about how hard they worked to keep the community safe.
It was oppposite. This man shared he was on the force with other police officers whose task it was to burst into peoples homes 5:00am when people are sleeping to arouse fear. Get the residents to do what they want. Sometimes this might include assaults, harassment for non compliance or sexual assaults on women or threats of children being removed from their care.
Jane and Finch at that time was hot with gun violence. Gun violence has not cooled since. This man shared – actually, he asked “do you want to know how the guns got there? I was shocked by the question and replied “No! How?”
He looked at me with sparkle in his eyes, a smile of pride and joy when he replies “We put them there.”
Right then and then there, my blood started to boil, my heart racing and my mind – saying what the “F” did I just hear? Who am I looking at? A man proud he could walk with fellow Black Officers and set up the community. Yes, I call those ones Black not Melanin. There is a difference.
The man went on to say that the task force was made up of mostly Black | Brown men. And smiled again. With pride. That is what puzzled me. This man was sharing how “cool” it was to act with other Black men to bust into peoples homes – startle them – harass them – threaten them and as he said could solicit sexual favours to avoid prison or …..?
Recently, 12 division is dealing with a murder by gun violence of an 8 year old. Rest his soul in peace.
Councillor Frances Nunziata, Mayor Olivia Chow and other police forces have expressed their great dismay.
When we create a flow chart back 20 years and more. This is a list of politicians around during the time that my source was an officer with the Toronto Police Services.
Rob Ford – Rest His Soul In Peace
Doug Ford – Now Premier of Ontario
Olivia Chow
Frances Nunziata
Anthony Perruzza
Michael Thompson
Mayors
Mel Lastman
David Miller
Rob Ford
John Tory
Mayor Olivia Chow
and many others who are currently still in office. Many of those mentioned were contacted. Zero reply.
What really is the deal with gun violence?
On September 19, 2024, The Reset Community and concerned residents hosted a gun violence press conference. Read more about it here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/police-search-for-suspect-in-fatal-north-york-double-shooting/
For more about the Author visit:
THE RESET COMMUNITY 