Hamilton residents discuss gun violence

About 150 people showed up a meeting in the north end of Hamilton last night to discuss the high number of shootings in the city this year.

There have been 11 shootings in Hamilton in 2015 so far, including five that happened on the street and many in broad daylight.

People last night wanted to talk about finding a solution to gun violence in the city,  but youth activist Jared Escalante said it will be difficult for the message to be heard by those who need to hear it.

“The one thing that’s missing right now is the youth aren’t here.  We need to make it so it’s approachable for them… people, youth don’t want to come here to a room full of police officers.”

Escalante was one of the youngest people in the room, and admitted he is afraid of police.

Councillors Jason Farr and Matthew Green, who organized the meeting, say they don’t expect the situation to be solved by one meeting and plan on making this the beginning of a conversation that has the potential to help.