Crime Report: East end shooting confirms ‘resurgence’

By Ann Hui –

Leslieville residents are not surprised after a shooting left one innocent bystander dead and four others injured outside the Duke of York in the wee hours of Oct. 25.

Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux called the incident a “brazen, cowardly act,” and likened it to the murders of Jane Creba and Ephraim Brown.

Giroux said that the tavern is not considered “a problematic area,” but Leslieville residents walking by the tavernlater that afternoon said that it is known around the neighbourhood for attracting a particularly rough crowd.

“I’m not surprised about it happening at this place,” says Don Leclair, a Leslieville resident. “You can see what comes in and out,” he noted of the tavern’s clientele.

Kathy Korimsek, head of Leslieville’s Neighbourhood Watch group, says that she’s received a number of complaints from other residents in the past about the tavern. “A lot of bar fights go on there,” she adds.

The incident follows what Korimsek sees as the resurgence of crime in Leslieville. Just a few years ago neighbourhood residents banded together with Paula Fletcher and 55 Division to implement several crime-fighting initiatives, including an area-wide prostitution sweep and the closing down of several known drug dens. After that, things seemed to quiet down.

However, in recent months, residents have been talking about what they see as the return of crime to Leslieville. The past month has seen a number of home invasions as well as sightings of drug use and prostitution. “Things are starting up again,” says Korimsek.

Contact the Leslieville Neighbourhood Watch group at korimsek@yahoo.ca.