'OUT OF CONTROL'

Shots Ring Out For The Second Time In A Week In Jamesville And A Top
Police Officer Fears The Worst

A top Hamilton police officer says multiple shootings and a community
gripped by fear shows the Jamesville neighbourhood has spiralled out
of control.

Shots rang out early Sunday morning for the second time in a week,
leaving the walkways throughout the public housing survey virtually deserted.

"We have several shootings and violent incidents and people are very
hesitant to come forward. They're obviously afraid," said Staff
Sergeant Ron Hayward.

The string of shootings have led some to compare the housing project
north of Barton Street to the notorious Jane-Finch area in Toronto.

A shotgun was fired twice at a residence near Ferrie and MacNab
streets around 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

The spray from the blasts shattered part of a kitchen window, leaving
its frame pocked and a sprinkling of glass on the ground. No one was
injured in the shooting, which occurred after off-duty officers
wrapped up their Saturday night shift. The police were brought on by
CityHousing Hamilton last week.

Residents believe the gun violence is being imported from other neighbourhoods.

"It's gangs and drug dealers," said a woman from the complex who
declined to give her name. "When they don't pay, they come after them."

Toronto police say the event bares a striking resemblance to some of
Toronto's most gang-plagued areas.

"A lot of the shootings in these places are fights in the area for
territory for the drugs," said Staff Sergeant Don Cole of the Toronto police.

Cole has worked in Regent Park and the Jane-Finch corridor, two of
Toronto's most troubled areas.

He said gangs will often terrorize communities that they don't reside in.

"They come in and cause their trouble because no one knows them,"
Cole said. "I'll put money on it that that's what's happening (in Jamesville)."

The latest incident in the housing survey has prompted local police
to re-evaluate their current tactics. The presence of more officers
hasn't been enough to stop the violence.

"We desperately need that community to assist us in taking back the
neighbourhood," said Staff Sergeant Mark Simchison. "We want to make
it well known wherever in the city gangs decide to operate, we want
to show them our gang is bigger than theirs."

To stop the reign of gangs, Toronto police say communities must come
together and co-operate with police.

"You've got to eliminate the reason they're coming there and target
all the drug houses," said Cole. "The people have to get together and
identify the places."

Ward 2 Councillor Bob Bratina spent yesterday in Jamesville
encouraging residents to break their silence and "be the eyes on the street."

A meeting will be held on August 17 at the Bennetto Community Centre
to outline the issues afflicting the area.

"Strength in numbers and constant surveillance. That's what needs to
happen in this neighbourhood," Bratina said.

There were few children riding bicycles and playing outside after
Sunday's disturbance. Many residents declined to talk to the media
out of fear they would be the next target.

"Innocent people are being terrorized. Could you imagine if you put
your name out? Everyone in the survey knows who I am," said a mother
whose two children are staying elsewhere after Sunday's shooting.

With the escalating violence, many Jamesville residents say they
regret moving to the area. Some have already put in their notice or
asked for a transfer.

"What happens is good people want to move out," said Cole, a Toronto
police veteran. "Then the whole area starts to go down."

CityHousing Hamilton has hired two special duty police officers to
patrol the survey on Friday and Saturday nights. But many residents
are angry that the officers' duty hours were disclosed in the media.

They say gang members wait until the police leave to carry out
illicit activities.

"You think they're going to beddy-bye then? No, they're partying.
These guys know exactly when (the police are) there and when they're
not," said a Jamesville woman who declined to give her name.

Still, police say they're doing what they can to bring quality of
life back to the gang-plagued community.

"We've had large numbers of officers in there. We've put in extra
patrols, not only in the uniform side. The guns and gangs unit is
paying attention to that area," said Deputy Chief Tom Marlor.

Police are continuing to investigate Sunday's shooting. They won't
disclose any details about the family whose town house was hit, other
than that they've been co-operative.

A neighbour, who declined to give her name, told The Spectator she
thought the shots were meant for someone else.

Sunday's shooting is just the latest in a stream of violence. A
19-year-old was shot in the abdomen about 2:30 a.m. on July 29 while
he stood on a walkway in the middle of the complex.

Two months ago, a 20-year-old was shot in the leg after he was
accosted by two men.

With files from Dana Borcea and Matt Kruchak