BY: Isabella Dearlove
In the fabric of our community, there exists a haunting thread that weaves through the narrative of countless lives- that being gun violence. On Friday, February 16th, 2024, in the Jane and Finch area, two shootings unfolded in less than 24 hours. These shootings were described as indiscriminate, and two completely innocent individuals fell victim to these horrendous crimes. The first victim was a 16-year-old boy who was on his way to a volleyball game, but miraculously, he survived the horrific crime. However, the second victim, Adu Boakye, a 39-year-old father of 4, had arrived in Canada three months prior from Ghana. Boakye tragically succumbed to his injuries. Described as a "good man" and "angel on earth" by his peers,
Boakye's untimely death has left a profound void in the community. A vigil was held to honour his life; dozens attended to pay their respects. These heartbreaking events have wholly shaken the community and stressed the need for tangible solutions to put an end to the tragedy that is gun violence.
Councillor Anthony Perruzza, who currently represents Ward 7 from Humber River to Black Creek, heard this call to action from the community and organized a roundtable event. This two-hour meeting took place on March 6th and brought together key stakeholders, including community leaders, politicians, police officers, and city officials. Perruzza stressed the importance of collaborative discourse, stating, "People have a right to feel safe in their neighbourhood. People have a right to feel safe in their community." Individuals in attendance created both short and long-term goals to address the issue. Immediate actions included investing in enhanced lighting around densely populated areas such as the Driftwood Community Centre and Toronto Community Housing. A long-term strategy that was developed was collaborating with at-risk youth, providing them with opportunities to aid them in making more appropriate life choices and strengthening access to positive future pathways they may choose to partake in.
The roundtable discussion highlights the need for a continued and strengthened sense of community during these times while we navigate this issue. We mustn't be paralyzed by fear; instead, we need to collectively share an unwavering resolve and allow the memory of those lost to gun violence to fuel our determination to transform our community into one that is safe for generations to come.