The Alarming Gun Violence Stats in Mississauga

While shootings are not exactly the norm in the city (so there’s no need to panic), it is true that gun violence is increasing.

Insauga.com recently received statistics from Peel Regional Police that paint a somewhat disheartening picture of escalating gun violence in Peel. The numbers apply to incidents recorded between January and July of 2014-2016.

According to the documents, there were 23 shooting victims in Peel in the first seven months of the year. That’s an increase of 187 per cent from 2015 to 2016. In 2014, there were four victims and in 2015, there were eight.

In 2014, there were 18 total incidents of shots being fired. In 2015, that number increased to 21. This year, there have been 43 incidents (this number does not include the very recent shooting at Sugar Daddy’s night club over the weekend).

As for stabbings, those are on the rise, too. In 2014, there were 93 stabbing incidents and two victims died of their injuries. In 2015, there were 104 stabbings and five people died. This year, there have been 114 incidents and one person has died. 

In 2014, there were 184 robberies committed with a weapon. In 2015, there were 183. This year, there have been 240. Assaults have also risen, with 2,496 incidents being reported this year so far. In 2014, there were 2,289 assaults reported and in 2015, there were 2,238.

Gun-related homicides are up as well. Seven homicides were recorded this year, six of which were committed with a gun. In 2014, there were only two homicides between January and July and both were stabbing incidents. Last year, seven homicides were committed within the same time period, but none with guns. 

 
The following statistics encompass a time frame of the first 7 months of each year, (January – July) for the years 2014 – 2016.

Shooting Victims

2014 – 4 shooting victims

2015 – 8 shooting victims

2016 – 23 shooting victims (an increase of 187% from 2015-2016)

 

Shots Fired

In 2014 there were 18 total incidents of shots being fired. 11 1-2 shot incidents and 7 multiple shots.

In 2015 there were 21 total incidents. 11 1-2 shots and 10 multiple shots.

In 2016 there were 43 total incidents, 16 1-2 shots and 27 multiple shots.

Stabbings

In 2014 there were 93 stabbing incidents with 2 fatal losses of life.

In 2015 there were 104 stabbing incidents with 5 losses of life.

In 2016 there were 114 stabbing incidents with 1 loss of life.

Robberies with Weapon

2014 – 184

2015 – 183

2016 – 240

Assaults 

2014 – 2289 incidents

2015 – 2238 incidents

2016 – 2496 incidents

Homicides

In 2014 there were 2 homicides between Jan – July, both were stabbing incidents.

In 2015 there were 7 homicides between Jan – July, none of these incidents involved a gun.

In 2016 there were 7 homicides between Jan – July, 6 of these homicides were commited with a gun.

Just some of the guns seized by #PRP in the last couple of weeks. Tell us about more at @PeelCrimeStopp pic.twitter.com/YE2qL3bHPD

— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPoliceMedia) August 17, 2016

The increase has been cause for concern for some time. Earlier this year, the Mississauga News reported that Peel Police Chief Jennifer Evans expressed concern about the rise in gun violence at a town hall meeting.

“I’m concerned about the trends of violent crime,” Evans said in April, as reported by The News. “We’re seeing an increase in shootings right now, so that’s a concern to me.”

Many of the shooting victims in Peel have been young men.

While the numbers paint a grim picture, it’s important to remember that Mississauga — and Toronto and the GTA in general — is very safe. While crime in Canada in general was up in 2015, the increase is largely attributed to growing crime rates in west coast cities. According to this 2015 report, Mississauga is one of Canada’s safest cities, and even with this year’s crime increases causing concern, it’s not exactly becoming Detroit. Also, while crime in Canada did increase last year, it’s still lower than it was in 2005.

That said, it’s important for government, law enforcement and community organizations to look at the stats and examine what might be associated with the uptick. This problem is certainly fixable and it’s important to determine the, as Justin Trudeau would say (to consternation and scorn, even though he’d be correct) root causes.