Police could be doing more to prevent ‘brazen daylight shootings’: Criminologist
Posted June 29, 2023 3:47 pm.
Last Updated June 29, 2023 8:08 pm.
It’s a shocking video. A daytime, targeted shooting in the west Edmonton neighbourhood of Ormsby Place Satruday.
“Someone running down a street shooting random bullets can find their way to random places, and that is terrifying, but at the same time it shouldn’t create mass fear, because you are just not seeing this every day,” said Dan Jones, criminologist and former Edmonton police officer.
Jones says the brazen, daytime nature of this shooting with civilians around, reminds him of a string of cases he worked in 2005.
“Brazen daytime shootings in the inner city of Edmonton, almost didn’t make the news. So part of me is wondering if this is becoming more newsworthy because it is happening in communities that don’t expect violence?”
Acting Insp. Eric Stewart added “it is very sporadic throughout the city when we do have these events.”
EPS say the victim in this case was known to police, and is not cooperating with the investigation, led by the organized crime unit.
Acting Inspector Stewart says Edmonton currently doesn’t have many gangs, but those involved in criminal activity target each other.
“The short term solve and arrest our way out of this, hasn’t worked now and is not going to work in the future,’ said Jones. “We need to invest in the young folk, and we need to invest in helping people re-integrate from jail.”
Jones says studies indicate the best way to prevent this type of criminal activity is in deterrent work at a community level. Believing Edmonton police, could be doing more.
