Local criminologist: Calgarians need to be reassured about focus on gun violence
Posted Sep 11, 2015 11:27 am.
Last Updated Sep 12, 2015 5:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One expert thinks Calgary’s interim police chief is going to have to re-assure the public his force has this recent spike in gun violence under control.
According to their numbers, so far this calendar year, there have been 19 homicides and 72 shootings.
The most recent was a brazen attack on 16th Avenue by Motel Village in the city’s northwest which killed a young woman in a targeted attack.
Mount Royal University Criminologist Doug King has no doubt another gang war here in the city is a big concern for the police force. King said they also have to be worried the public is losing confidence.
“The acting chief clearly recognizes this because he’s going to be making comments to the general public soon about what the police service is going to be doing,” King said.
Job number one, he added, will be to make arrests, get those responsible off the streets, and then to keep Calgarians informed about their progress.
There’s still no word yet from the city on how long it might take to find a permanent replacement for outgoing Chief Rick Hanson.
LISTEN: 660’s Ian Campbell talks to Mount Royal University Criminologist Doug King
