According to a recent poll conducted by Ryerson journalism students, majority of Ryerson students express a strong level of concern about gun violence in Toronto.
The results show that 55 per cent of the 1,081 students polled, are fairly or extremely concerned with gun violence.
“After hearing about the different shootings that have happened right downtown, I scheduled my classes to make sure I never had to leave class in the dark,” said second-year business student, Analena Ruffolo. “I feel like I’ll be in the wrong place at the wrong time and get caught in the crossfire.”
Despite the growing concern among students at this downtown university, statistics from the Toronto Police Service’s website show that gun violence has only increased by six per cent since last year. So why is there a pressing demand for a solution to the violence?
Divison 52, which consists of Yonge-Dundas Square, Ryerson campus and extends to North Bloor St. W., is historically known as having the lowest gun violence in Toronto, according to Toronto Police statistics. But in 2018, gun violence in this division increased by 67 per cent.
“I commute to Ryerson and always felt safe knowing I was in the busiest, most touristy part of the city. There’s literally people everywhere,” said third-year Ryerson student, Ila Samokish. “But now there’s gun violence all around me, it’s terrifying.”
Last May, an 18 year-old boy was shot dead in Yonge-Dundas Square, which Toronto Police call “the smallest but busiest division in Toronto.” A 17 year-old was charged with the murder, said Toronto Police Homicide Squad.
A few months later, two men were shot dead in broad daylight among busy walking traffic on Queen St. W., according to a Toronto Police report.
“I feel like all of a sudden it’s just real. I’ve lived down here for four years and shootings always seemed far enough away that I was safe,” said Zach King, fourth-year Ryerson student. “But now they happen literally beside our campus.”
Toronto’s two leading mayoral candidates shared their views on the importance of gun safety in Toronto in the video below.
“We are seeing an increase in gun violence across Canada and we are seeing lives lost here in Toronto,” Tory said in a tweet. Tory intends to hire 200 more police, ban handguns and invest in programs for at-risk youth.
I welcome the federal government’s move to hold nationwide consultations on a handgun ban. We are seeing an increase in gun violence across Canada and we are seeing lives lost here in Toronto. https://t.co/d0lVk7CysA
— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) September 20, 2018
The results are considered accurate to within plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Article by: Gracie Brison
Infographic by: Brooke Houghton
Video by: Cole Brocksom
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