Councillors call for more prevention after police say city has seen record-breaking number of shootings

Ward 3 councillor Nrinder Nann called for "greater investment in social services," amid reports from police showing an increased number of shootings in Hamilton.

"Especially from upper levels of government, in order to give people the support and options they need to make different choices in their lives," she told CBC Hamilton in an email. "We know that prevention is key here."

Hamilton Police Service (HPS) told reporters on Monday that 2024 has seen the most shootings ever in the city. At the same time, homicides in the city remain lower than usual, with eight victims. There were 11 homicides last year, five in 2022 and 20 in 2021.

Investigative services superintendent Marty Schulenberg said 54 shootings have occurred in the city, with 48 of them investigated by HPS's shooting response team.

"This focused approach is producing results, but there's still much work to be done," he said during the press conference.

Nann said, "any amount of gun violence is too much."

Majority of shootings happen in the lower city, police data shows

According to a map released by police, the shootings are concentrated mostly in Wards 2 and 3.

While he said he doesn't consider himself an expert in community safety and politicians who "don't have that expertise shouldn't be offering up their opinions," Ward 2 councillor Cameron Kroetsch said Hamilton is working with other municipalities to look for solutions "outside of policing" to address community crises.

"Communities who have both police services and non-police crisis response services have been successful in bridging gaps and offering more comprehensive services," he told CBC Hamilton in an email and added city staff will be addressing this in the "near future."

Nann said the police report correlates with the "increasing concerns residents have of the proliferation of toxic drugs."

"I've also heard from some neighbours concerned about 'trap houses' and sexual exploitation which they associate to gangs and drug trades in the City," she said.

Schulenberg said most shootings have a connection to the "illicit trafficking of either goods, substances, drugs, and or human trafficking."

Not enough people coming forward with information, police say

Schulenberg said on Monday that "community involvement plays a critical role in addressing this issue."

However, Kroetsch says some residents have told him they are not coming forward to not become targets themselves.

"Being involved in a lengthy criminal investigation, including a potential trial, is not only emotionally difficult but can be a considerable time commitment," he said.

Nann said although it can feel scary to come forward, "it remains critical that folks do so to directly address this criminal activity."

Kroetsch said he's heard from some people who live in Ward 2 concerned about their safety.

"Some have said it has made them feel unsafe and increased their worry and anxiety, while others have said they recognize most of this violence is targeted and involves organized groups or gangs and may not impact them," he said.

However, Kroetsch said, people in his ward are worried that "when they call police for help, police don't come."

He said he's concerned his constituents are not receiving services they ask for, especially because those services are budgeted for and "make up the largest part of the city's budget."

"Police have suggested they don't have the resources they need when it comes to addressing these issues despite the majority of Council voting in favour of every budget they've ever put forward," he said. 

"I find that confusing."