In Toronto, rising public fears of are underscored by alarming statistics: . There were 28 fatal shootings in the first half of 2024, up from 16 in 2023.
Author
- Ardavan Eizadirad
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Wilfrid Laurier University
Amid our grief for the victims, another sobering fact emerges: The average age of those involved in gun violence in Toronto .
This trend reflects a troubling cycle of , with youth firearm arrests . There has also been a rise in and .
Many of these youth often come from , some caught in . As youth violence escalates, .
Tackling violence
The debate on how to respond to reducing crime and violence typically revolves around two perspectives.
Traditional approaches tend to emphasize punitive measures, similar to what we have seen Alternatively, some advocate for a more lenient approach that This includes examining factors that
However, emerging evidence points to a third strategy: that tackles the root causes of violence using evidence-based interventions.
Violence directly or indirectly has a profound impact on Canadian lives and the economy. The average cost of . There are also costs associated with recovering from being a victim of violence as well as keeping people incarcerated. At approximately , gun violence is costing Canadians billions.
Given the significant costs of being tough on crime and keeping people behind jails, a third option could be beneficial for everyone.
The data-driven public health approach
that involve multiple stakeholders have proven effective in .
At its core, it is about – not harder or tougher. It is about allocating funding and resources .
Cities like Glasgow, Medellin, Boston and New York are seeing significant reductions in crime using this approach. They , apply , and implement to reduce poverty and unemployment and .
This approach is not anti-police nor soft on crime.
By prioritizing prevention through targeted interventions and community support, Canadian cities can shift towards creating safer, thriving communities while making better use of taxpayer dollars.
This approach not only aims to reduce crime but also addresses the social determinants that contribute to violence, ultimately benefiting all Canadians.
Not anti-police
The public health approach .
This collaborative approach involves data sharing and referrals. Two prime examples would be the and the .
Florida’s Pre-Arrest program diverts eligible individuals from the criminal justice system before arrest, offering them tailored support services instead of incarceration. It has successfully reduced reoffends, minimized criminal records, and promoted community trust by focusing on rehabilitation over punishment.
In Toronto, the Diversion Pilot Program diverts mental health-related 9-1-1 calls to trained mental health professionals. It aims to reduce police involvement in non-criminal crises. It has improved crisis response, reduced strain on police resources, and enhanced safety and support for people in crisis.
Critical to the success of these programs is . They have the respect of their peers living in vulnerable communities which allows them to .
Such training exists at the University of Chicago with the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy, Violence Intervention graduates are trained to implement strategies that can potentially reduce violence by up to 50 per cent in impacted communities.
Get ready to pivot
Institutions need to track the impact of different strategies over time, and if the data shows it is not working, pivot and try alternative strategies. Community activists and front line workers continue to push for as well as solutions grounded in lived experiences, with culturally reflective approaches .
As of September 2023, the U.S. has established an . , there needs to be a provincial and national office that guides institutions to work smarter and share data effectively across institutions.
Better use of funding = Reduction in violence
To create sustainable change, we must engage people and communities at risk of crime based on the factors they are exposed to. include limited access to economic opportunities, family instability and neighbourhood disadvantage. Without interventions that address these risks, vulnerable youth and adults are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour or reoffend.
A key vital component of violence prevention is . Many youth and young adults involved in violent crime experience deep trauma. This often stems from exposure to violence, unstable home environments and intergenerational poverty. better address the root causes of emotional and behavioural challenges.
By incorporating this into community-based programs such as those offered by and in Toronto as part of , we can more holistically support the needs of youth .
It is time to invest in long-term, data-driven solutions that support groups and communities most at risk through smart spending of money and allocation of resources. This will shed insights into where to invest, how much, through what type of resources, and more importantly in what ways to be effective with a meaningful impact.
