Curbing Gun Violence

 

"I believe this particular enforcement is going to put a dent in shootings and contribute significantly to the safety of our community."

"But is it a long-term solution? No, because there's underlying causal factors that have to be looked at in terms of security at the border and what's drawing the need for these firearms."

"We have some information but nothing we can reveal at this point."

"Officers that are on the street are stumbling across these guns. The number of firearms seized by virtue of traffic stops is an indication of how many firearms are on the streets."

Superintendent Marty Schulenberg, Hamilton Police Service 

"One Order gang members are mostly involved in drug  trafficking, firearms trafficking, extortion of community they control and other minor crimes, including different types of theft."

"[Some One Order gang members or factions] can relocate to other locations for specific duties."

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

 

"These [open air drug] markets have an impact on the surrounding community, fostering feelings of insecurity, increasing the risk of crime and deterring businesses and residents from fully engaging with the area."

"By addressing these issues, we aim to restore safety and rebuild trust in the affected neighbourhoods."

Hamilton Police Insp. Jim Callender

An image from Hamilton Police after busting an open-air drug market.

 

A research directorate released by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in September of 2023 revealed that the Deep South is one of several factions of the One Order, a criminal gang operating mostly out of Nassau, Bahamas. The Bahamanian Minister of State for National Security labelled One Order the "most violent gang" in the Bahamas, credited with over 200 murders.

In Hamilton, Ontario, Project Churchill, representing a year long probe by Hamilton Police into the activities of the Hot Mali Squad, responsible for significant control over crime in Hamilton's city core accused of trafficking firearms, was busted by police. Hot Mali Squad was believed by police investigators to be peddling guns for the Deep South, an offshoot of the Bahamas-based street gang known familiarly as One Order. The HMS gang smuggled the weapons obtained in the United States into Canada.

 

Superintendent Schulenberg of the Hamilton Police when asked how the guns crossed the border, responded by explaining that the vast majority of crime-related guns seized in Hamilton by police -- 89 percent -- are smuggled into Canada through the United States. Not a new trend, yet based on the frequency of shootings, gun crimes and gun seizures in recent months, the alarm has been sounded relating to the increased number of firearms circulating on the streets of Hamilton.

One clear example of the firearms' proliferation reflects the number of shootings that have taken place so far this year in Hamilton; 60 in number, a record for the city. Police had seized 359 firearms by November 2024, a substantial increase over the 282 recovered throughout the entirety of 2023. As though the number of guns illegally in Canada weren't sufficiently concerning, alarm has been raised over the number of seized guns that are modified.

Some of these firearms have been equipped with auto sears; devices that convert semiautomatic guns to fully automatic, as well as extended magazines containing extra bullets. "While this project may be over, our service will not stop in our dedication to getting firearms and illegal guns off our streets", pledged Chief Bergen at a police board meeting.

BUSTED: Alleged gang members. HPS

 

Three of the 24 individuals facing charges connected with Project Churchill are members of Deep South wanted for crimes in the Bahamas, including attempted murder and possession of dangerous drugs. Police have yet to explain how members with the Deep South, wanted on other charges in their native country, entered Canada claiming refugee or asylum status. 

A research directorate released by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in September 2024 revealed that the Deep South is one of several factions of the One Order operating mostly out of Nassau, Bahama.

Police say they executed 17 search warrants in in Hamilton, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and London on Nov. 13, 2024. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)

"Targeting this violent street gang was crucial in addressing the surge in Hamilton shootings because this group acted at the epicentre of gun violence, fuelling fear, instability, and harm in the community."

"[We are working] with authorities in the Bahamas to make sure they face the appropriate course of action in that country."

"We are also working with Immigration Canada with respect to their status in Canada."

Hamilton Police Service