With the increase in gun violence in the city in the past few weeks, Crime Stoppers sped up the launch of its new posters, “You Remain Anonymous, Crime Does Not,” designed by DDB Canada.
The launch took place in 23 Division where two 15-year-olds, including Montaque, were fatally gunned down this month.
“We have been working on this for a couple of months and then, when the shootings started happening in the city and here in 23 Division with Jarvis, it was time to speed up this campaign,” said Toronto Crime Stoppers Chair Lorne Simon.
 He added that the posters will be displayed in Mac’s Convenience Stores’ digital monitors and transit shelters, on billboards and at Humber College.
Supt. Ron Taverner, unit commander at 23 Division, said it’s important that the new campaign was launched in the community that has been the victim of such violence.
“We can deliver it, not only in schools, but also public areas to get the message out there that we do need the cooperation of the public,” he said.
Montaque, who attended Father Henry Carr Secondary School, was murdered while listening to music with some friends outside his Jamestown residence. He’s the third 15-year-old to succumb to gun violence in the city this year.
Jarvis’s sisters – Tanasha Smith and Roshea Gunnis – made a plea for information that will lead to their brother’s killer or killers.
They said their brother was an ambitious young man with a bright future ahead of him.
“I just want to let everybody know that my brother was an amazing person and that he didn’t deserve to be taken away from us,” said Gunnis, before being overcome by tears.
“Jarvis did not surround himself with negativity. He came to Canada with an ambition to become a soldier and fight for Canada.”
 With that dream shattered, his grieving family is left with memories of a young life ended violently, while trying to come to grips with his death.
“Could it be jealousy or a girlfriend?,” Smith said, of the questions family members have been asking themselves since their sibling’s murder.
“Then, again, he had lots of friends, but no girlfriend. Not knowing why hurts so much.”
Smith said she has watched over the years as violent crime has increased in her community, snuffing out young lives in the process. She pointed out it does not take much these days for someone to pull a trigger.
“You could be wearing a colour or rapping a tune someone doesn’t like,” she added.
“Having a gun gives people a lot of power. As long as they have it, they become invincible and no one can do anything about that. They have the power.”
Displaying strength and equanimity in the face of a devastating family crisis, Smith appealed directly to the killer to surrender.
“Find a lawyer, find someone you trust, and turn yourself into police,” she said.
 “It will bring some sort of comfort to us to know that the person that walked up that night and pulled the trigger to end Jarvis’ life has come forward.”
Montaque’s death was the city’s eighth homicide of the year.
D/Sgt. Gary Giroux said he has all the investigative resources at his disposal to assist in finding the individual responsible for Montaque’s death. He, however, pointed out that witness participation is going to be paramount in the investigation.
“I need witnesses to come forward and to speak to me truthfully about the information they have received in regards to what happened to Jarvis on that particular night,” he said.
“That information I can take to the Crown Attorney’s office to move forward with criminal charges.”
Crime Stoppers coordinator Detective Darlene Ross also appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“Any information that you provide to us could be helpful in the smallest of ways and may send officers in the right direction to solve the crime,” she added.
“…These posters are the epitome of what the Crime Stoppers program is about. It’s about seeing the crime but not been able to identify the person who is providing the information.”
Anyone with information can contact the Homicide Squad at (416) 808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637) or Leave a Tip on Facebook.
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Thursday, February 28, 2013
Crime Stoppers targets gun violence
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