One year later, community gathers to remember Lecent Ross’ death
Posted July 9, 2016 6:13 pm.
Last Updated July 9, 2016 10:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Residents, politicians and community leaders gathered Saturday in Rexdale to mark the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of Lecent Ross.
The 14-year-old girl was shot dead inside a home on Jamestown Crescent last summer. Two youths have been charged in connection with the murder, including a 13-year-old.
“Something gotta change, this has to stop,” said Lecent’s mother, Alicia Jasquith, at a memorial BBQ which was attended by Mayor John Tory and other community leaders in an area of the city that has seen an increase in gun violence this year.
Tory admitted the city has a daunting and complex task ahead to try and stem the violence.
“They’re right, there’s lots to do here and for years we weren’t doing much, to be candid,” said Tory.
“These are deep rooted social and economic problems, a lot having to do with lack of access to opportunity, some of it having to do with elements of discrimination that still do exist in our community.”
Tory added there are plans to meet with all three levels of government and the school board this month to discuss solutions.
“The federal government, for the first time, also took some money and targeted this very area for special help with respect to jobs. It’s only a start, but we’re starting to pay really focused attention.”
Last month, the Liberal government announced it would spend an extra $600,000 to help create summer jobs in Rexdale and other at risk neighbourhoods which have been marred by high youth unemployment and violence.
A big part of Saturday’s event is also creating an opportunity for this community to create a better relationship with local police.
“It’s the dialogue we can create with people and people feeling comfortable to approach police and talk to them about whatever issue, be it a community issue, a crime issue or a social issue,” said Superintendent Ron Tavener.