Shootings, hate crimes top of public concerns at ‘Safety Summit’

People living in Hamilton are worrying about their safety amid the rising rate of hate crimes.

Expressing their concerns at the mayor’s community safety summit today in the downtown, residents, community organizations, local business leaders and Hamilton’s emergency services gathered to explore practical ways to make the city safer.

This was an all-day event held at LIUNA Station downtown Hamilton, Ont. and hundreds of people showed up for it.

The main topic of discussion — how can Hamilton be a safer, more inclusive city.

Hamilton mayor Andrea Horwath says she’s heard the concerns from residents over safety in this city — that’s why she called a ‘Safety Summit’ – an opportunity to have open discussions with community members, police and city staff.

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“The increase in gun crime, last year particularly, was certainly of concern but the ongoing and increasing hate incidents in our city is also a concern,” said mayor Horwath.

“As the economy gets more precarious, we see a lot more tension, just naturally because people have a hard time in terms of their concerns for their families, for their safety , and it’s time to actually have this conversation and discover together what we can do as a community collectively.”

Personal stories were told and ideas were shared.

“Today we are talking about hate, youth violence, shootings, intimate partner violence – these are actually things that are actually consuming everybody’s life,” says Hamilton police chief Frank Bergen, who was also in attendance.

“By statistics, we have found that in fact, the violent crime severity index is trending now over the past few years,” Bergen said.

The chief adds that safety can also be measured by how the public perceives safety. He says he knows Hamiltonians are concerned after the deaths of Harsimrat Randhawa on Hamilton mountain and Belinda Sarkodie in Jackson Square.

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While the event boasted many community leaders, some residents also came out to share their concerns.

“Some of the concerns we have in Hamilton is that we have a number of fatalities of innocent bystanders who have been hit as a result of shootings,” said one resident.

“I think the police are doing a fantastic job but in order for them to do work people have to connect with them to let them know what’s going on, “ said another resident at the summit.

Ruby Sahota is the federal secretary of state for combating crime and she says Hamilton is getting support from the federal government.

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“There are concerns raised even in this room today when it comes to hate crime. So that is legislation currently going through the house of commons,” Sahota said.

“It makes it a stand alone crime and penalty to prevent somebody from going into a place of worship and intimidate them.”

The police chief says everyone can do their part to combat crime reminding the public that safety is everyone responsibility.

Bergen says is you see something, say something.

A report from the summit will be made public later this month.