I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the news of the shooting of a 26-year-old man on Smith Hill last night. I am left, like so many other community members, wondering who could be the next victim and how we can restore a sense of safety in our neighborhood. To the victim’s family, I offer my prayers and condolences. To the Smith Hill community, I ask for your support. Be it the police or myself, no one person alone can end this disturbing violence. But together, we can.

The isolation and uncertainty we have all faced in this pandemic has put an incredible strain on the strength of our community, but if we come together once again as a neighborhood, I know that we can begin working towards a safer Smith Hill. I ask that as community members you come out to community events, play in our streets, and watch out for your neighbors because coming together will be our greatest act of strength.

I am working closely with the Council office and the Rogers Recreation Center to ensure our recreation center will be open until 11pm at night. Our youth desperately need positive spaces with adult mentors and programming to keep them off the streets. Without these spaces, youth most at risk of being impacted by violence are left without reasons to live.