Pubdate: Fri, 12 Dec 2014
Source: Metro (Ottawa, CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Metro
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Ottawa
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4032
Author: Joe Lofaro
Page: 3

SHOOTINGS LINKED TO GANG FIGHT OVER DRUG TURF: COPS

Police Increasing Patrols As Area Sees Third Shooting in Two Weeks

With three shootings on Penny Drive in the past two weeks, Ottawa 
police have increased their presence in the neighbourhood and 
residents will continue to see more police patrolling their streets, 
says the force's chief.

But an increased police presence wasn't enough to stop the latest 
shooting Wednesday evening, when bullets ripped through a van and a 
residence in the 2000 block of Penny Drive. The van was vacant, but 
there were people inside the residence at the time of the shooting.

Police Chief Charles Bordeleau said at a news conference Thursday a 
patrol officer had just crossed the street in his cruiser minutes 
before the shooting occurred.

The series of shootings are among the 45 reported so far this year, 
which is 15 more than there were in 2013.

Bordeleau said they have a "direct link" to the drug trade, as gang 
members fight over distribution networks in the city.

At the media briefing, Insp. Chris Renwick told reporters drugs such 
as crack cocaine and marijuana, as well as prescription drugs, are 
fuelling the drug wars.

On Nov. 27, shots were fired into the window of a bedroom where four 
young children were playing at around 8:45 p.m. in the 2900 block of 
Penny Drive.

Also, last Thursday, the Guns and Gangs Unit responded to the 2000 
block of Penny Drive for a shooting that occurred just after 10 p.m.

Renwick said police have laid charges in about one third of the 45 
shooting investigations in 2014. Continued silence in the community, 
particularly from victims, is a constant challenge for investigators.

"It's not just a police problem, it's a community problem," said 
Bordeleau, who again urged residents with information to call the 
anonymous tip line, Crime Stoppers. "It's important for our community 
to step forward and come forward with that type of information."

Mark Taylor, the councillor for Bay Ward, which includes the 
Britannia and Michelle Heights communities, is holding a closed-door 
meeting on Tuesday with community leaders to address heightened 
concerns surrounding gun violence in the area.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom