Shootings & murders are up in Toronto 2020 and as I read this article I can’t help but want to scream.

Until long-term problems are addressed, including poor education and employment prospects for the city’s disadvantaged populations, “we are going to have these incidents occurring, if not increasing, over the next decade.”

The concern among many community advocates and crime-prevention experts is that the social conditions that lead to violence — including poverty, inadequate housing and education, and a lack of community supports — will be exacerbated by COVID-19. Some already worry about the consequences of the closure of hubs and drop-in centres for youth.

“A rise in poverty and inequality and a reduction of services for adults and youth increase the likelihood of violence, we need long-term progressive policies to address these issues,” said Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, manager of advocacy with the YWCA Toronto, which offers services to help families bereaved by gun violence and recently authored a report on the gendered aspects of gun violence.

Source: The Star behind a paywall but available in incognito mode