Concerned Falstaff community meeting over recent gun violence
Posted August 6, 2019 4:09 pm.
Last Updated August 6, 2019 11:33 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Many Falstaff residents say they don’t feel safe in their neighbourhood and haven’t since well before a teenager was gunned down outside one of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) buildings last week at 30 Falstaff Avenue.
A 16-year-old boy was killed after being shot multiple times in a stairwell in the building. Three suspects were seen fleeing the area, but no descriptions have been released.
York South-Weston councillor Frances Nunziata said she would be attended the regularly-scheduled TCHC meeting, but the topic shifted focus to the gun violence causing concern for residents.
TCHC announced new security measures to the tenants of the Jane and Falstaff buildings during the meeting. They include improved security cameras, additional lighting and an increased number special constables at the buildings.
Police Chief Mark Saunders was on also on hand for the meeting and said he wants the community and law enforcement to work together to make things better.
“The majority of tenants, I would say all of them, would like to see 24/7 security and they don’t feel safe in their building,” said Nunziata, prior to the community meeting. “I’m hoping Toronto housing and their security can talk about the security they have in the building and if necessary, they would have to increase that.”
She said most of the issues that she has received from TCHC residents in particular, are from the buildings that are managed by an outside management company. However, she admits that the Falstaff building where the teenager was shot is managed by the city.
Nunziata has moved for the TCHC to re-examine those contracts to make sure those companies are conducting proper maintenance.
TCHC released a statement last week following the fatal shooting saying their staff is working in the community to support tenants and connect them with trauma-related supports.
“We are saddened by this senseless act of gun violence and tragic loss of life. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones and the entire Jane-Falstaff community.”
The four apartment buildings at Jane Street and Falstaff Avenue in North York include 669 rent-geared-to income units.
