There have been 39 shootings across Hamilton so far this year, far eclipsing the 35 that happened in all of 2023. 13 of this year’s incidents took place in broad daylight.
Maureen Edorodion owns T & N House of Fashion on King Street East, she says she walks through Jackson Square to get to and from her shop because she’s nervous wandering around the neighbourhood.
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“It’s not safe. It’s right where people are passing, what about is somebody is passing and they just get shot just like that. Me? I walk in the mall, I’m afraid to walk outside. Outside is no good,” Edorodion said.
While gun violence is an issue across the city, many of the incidents in the past two months are concentrated in the downtown core. Many residents CHCH News spoke with feel uneasy downtown, “I don’t go out after nine.” Another person told us, “I have my personal business today, which is why I am here, but otherwise there is nothing downtown. It’s changed a lot.”
That wasn’t the case for everyone we spoke with, “I could see why some people would be quite worried about it, but I’m not concerned about it no, not really.”
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The Tax Court of Canada building in Hamilton has closed its doors for good, saying the public and staff members felt unsafe due to a number of gun violence incidents in the area.
In an email to CHCH News, the tax court points to a shooting that happened in broad daylight at a busy transit terminal down the street from the court’s Jackson Street location last month. One man was shot, and 15-year-old and 21-year-old males faced charges.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath called the court’s decision to shutter “problematic” and “disappointing.”
“It’s disappointing that the federal court is making that decision, it’s problematic and you know, I’m not pleased by it, let’s put it that way. They need to take some responsibility for being part of a community instead of just running away,” Horwath said.
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Hamilton police can’t point to why exactly gun violence is on the rise but say they’ve increased patrols in the areas deemed high-risk, like the downtown core.
Hamilton Police Media Officer, Krista-Lee Ernst said, “Our dedicated shooting response team is addressing all of these shootings within our community. We’re actively working to combat the gun violence within our community.”
Hamilton police also say they are changing up how they deal with violent repeat offenders, with a new bail reform bill that came into effect this year.
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