Suspects show 'total disregard' for bail conditions: Toronto police chief

[Cross-posted from Gun Control Canada]

Suspects show 'total disregard' for bail conditions: Toronto police chief

[...]
Sheldon Gladstone Evans, 22, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with violating his terms of bail. Police allege that Evans was present during the weekend shooting of 11-year-old Ephraim Brown at an outdoor gathering in the Jane and Sheppard area.

Police said Evans has two bail orders placing him under house arrest. They also allege that Evans is a member of the 5 Point Generals (5PG) gang.

"One of the things that was demonstrated yesterday by that arrest is the total disregard that these gang members have for bail conditions," said Blair.

Blair said the police force has taken on responsibility for monitoring bail orders, because no other agency was doing so. He said they attempt to do compliance checks, but it's not enough.
[...]

Three for three. All three of the suspects arrested thus far should not have been loose on the streets. While you may argue that Michael Bryant can't rule the courts, two of the alleged participants were in violation of their bail, or pending serious charges on criminal offenses. Kwinter and Bryant both have a say, a big say, in the management of accused individuals, and the portfolios under their direct purview dropped the ball, as has been the case, time and time again. The death of Ephraim Brown rests on the shoulders of the Attorney General and the Minister of Public Safety. Both failed the Brown family, the City of Toronto, and with their reckless allegations against law-abiding firearms owners nationwide, haved failed the people of Canada.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant and Public Safety Minister Monte Kwinter must follow the lead of Mike Colle, and do the only honourable thing: resign, immediately.

"Elected Politicians and Stupid Games"

I originally had much more to say about the political response (and the absolutely drooling spate of editorials from the MSM) to the death of 11 year old Ephraim Brown on the weekend, but Jack at JacksNewsWatch has said all that needs to be said.:

In a day or so Toronto will bury another innocent child killed by unrestricted gunfire. Gunfire orginating from gang members who barely know one end of the weapon from the other. It is a pattern being repeated right acoss this country day in and day out. We hear the cries of people we elect beat an inanimate object to death as the “culprit” while they mourn for the gang members who must go to jail for life if they are caught.

Every excuse in the world is made for them and nobody hears the victims because they’re dead of course.

As Sandy correctly pointed out this morning our justice system is the true villain in this story aided and abetted by a moronic press pushing left wing values and the thought that we should be kind to criminals who are disadvantaged and only need to be understood [Sandy's writings are worth a journey on their own...Ed.].

Well, here’s what I understand.

Canada is awash in criminals that have fled Jamaica — and Jamaica is awash in cocaine — which is one stop on a known drug importation route that continues to supply North America with “happy powder”. The crime on that tiny island (and many others in the Carribean) has reached epic proportions and when things get to hot for said crooks they emmigrate to Canada, the US and Britain where they continue their nefarious deeds, completely heedless of our laws and our way of life.

They use our refugee laws (and many others) to seek sanctuary and immediately upon arrival they kill to establish their credentials in the “new world”.

Many others also flee from Jamaica. People tired of crime and death. They seek the protection of a country that enforces it’s law and they believe that their choice of a new land is the right one. How disappointing to end up in a neighbourhood living right next door to the thug that forced you to leave in the first place.

“Same old — same old!”

Another one of your kids die and you watch as our elected politicians (who are responsible for your safety) play games with a federal government as they seek political advantage.

It is to weep.

As a group, expat Jamaicans (and I know a few) should be infuriated by the recent actions of Dalton “McShifty” and David Miller who believe that more basketball courts will solve all. They should go ballistic as the Star and the Globe pander to said “voices of the people” and continue the lefty line.

Truth — everytime another innocent dies (of whatever color) the black community in Toronto should be all over municipal, provincial and federal elected politicians demanding to know why they are not supporting Stephen Harper and his crime bill, which proposes to “get tough” with the fools doing the killing.

I suppose that most are confused by the “gun argument” presently raging as very stupid (and uneducated) politicians make more excuses for something that should never have happened had they done their job.

They haven’t and they should all be fired because they are very sorry excuses for Canadian values.

Had that happened in the last election the criminals would now be aware (because they would be going to jail for life — and there would be no parole after serving “one sixth” of their sentence if they used a gun) they would be in “serious s**t”.

There would be no excuse if they were a “Youthful Offender” and ”major jail time” would follow.

Fact: There is no excuse for shooting another human being simply because you want to prove a point and that is what’s happening.

Jamaican crooks have brought their violence to Canada and so, nobody is safe.

The same holds true in Winnipeg with their large North American Indian population. It’s all about gangs and drugs.

Same in Vancouver as the East Indian and Chinese gangs wage war totally oblivious to our law and knowing that, even if caught, not much will happen. In that process our law is becoming a joke and citizens everywhere are alarmed. They leave their homes in fear when one of these fools run rampant when all they really need is a gun (for home protection).

Another truth — our population is aging and because they are they can no longer fight off a home invasion using “empty hand” techniques something more is needed to protect all we love and have worked for. That “something more” is a tool — “sorta like a skill saw” — but much more valuable.

It’s called a gun (loaded at that) and when your front door is “booted” in the middle of the night you have a response ready and waiting. If you blow that stupid person out of his shoes nothing should happen to you. It may be appropriate to send a few flowers to his (or her) funeral.

Never mind — to get back to the point.

Harper is trying desperately to change the picture of unending violence in our society through changes in the law. Stephane Dion and Jack Layton would have you believe he is wrong and all can be corrected through more basketball courts.

It cannot.

And innocents will continue to die unless we address the real problem.

“Guns don’t kill — people do” and I’m sorry to say that many politicians who are trying desperately to get their hands on your wallet will tell any lie, express any “other idea” in order to regain power. They are fools and only fools would vote for them.

There is more.

Our problems regarding violent death are not totally due to “piss poor” politicians. They may be laid directly at the feet of the court officials appointed by said politicians who continue to feel sorry for these “naked apes” hiding behind a Charter and Bill of Rights which protects them every inch of the way.

As far as left leaning politicians and our courts are concerned they are right and be damned the conseqences.

Well, the “consequence” yesterday was another dead child.

Let’s watch with anger as they try to explain that one.

We should also remember that public safety transcends “politics” and all should be on the same team.

Our judges and our politicians should follow a very simple thought:

“If you’ve done the gun crime pack your toothbrush. You’re gone.”

Much like we do with impaired drivers now.

Politics/Cartoons - Where the line is drawn... [Pt.6]

Bryant and Miller go on another diversionary rampage...

Toronto Mayor David Miller said the latest rash of gun violence shows why Canada needs to toughen its gun laws, tighten border security and issue a complete ban on handguns.

"It's very clear that gun violence is connected to the ownership of guns," Miller told the media. "Handguns are still allowed to be owned in Canada, and they're stolen from owners and used in crimes."

The fewer guns there are around, the fewer are used in crimes - it's jut that simple," Miller said. "We (shouldn't) allow people to collect them anymore- -- collections are for things like stamps, not things that, when they're stolen, are used to shoot people."

"We know where the guns come from," Miller said. "Half come across the border, sometimes more than half. We need real action on border security.

"And the second thing we need is to take care of our own house. Handguns are still legal in Canada, partially, and we've got to make them completely illegal."[Miller]

"there are over 250,000 registered handguns in Ontario, all waiting to be stolen" [Bryant, CBC]

Political grandstanding on the tail of personal tragedy is fast becoming the contemptible, and increasingly blatant stock-in-trade of Liberals and other ultra-left in Ontario. Witness the recent "outrage" [and multiple media sources -Ed.] from Michael Bryant, Ontario Attorney General [Liberal, St. Paul's] and David Miller, knee-deep in water as the captain of the sinking ship that is Toronto. 11 year old Ephraim Brown was apparently hit and killed by a stray bullet about 1 a.m. while at a party, in a gang shootout that resulted in nine shots being exchanged by rival gangs in a late night battle in Toronto's embattled Finch corridor.

In the wake of Ephraim Brown's shooting death early yesterday, Michael Bryant said he will push Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ban handguns, tighten up the gun registry and safe storage rules, and enforce the provincial weapons program.

[...]

Thousands of guns are stolen every year and there are too many on Toronto's streets, he said. It's time to crack down on illegal gun traders and make it harder to get a handgun, Bryant said, adding he will ask the federal government for support in "closing the loopholes that exist to get a handgun."

"We need to choke off the gun supply from legal gun owners to illegal gun owners."

Hyperbole doesn't stop gang warfare, and neither does targeting citizens who play no part. Canada's firearms laws already impose heavy burdens on ordinary Canadians while leaving the criminal element untouched. Its already illegal to possess an unregistered handgun. Its already illegal to use a firearm in the commission of an offence. Its already illegal to break into someone's home and steal their guns. Its already illegal to shoot at someone not in self-defence.

"We need to choke off the gun supply from legal gun owners to illegal gun owners" is nothing more than a thinly veiled threat to confiscate the firearms of citizens under the pretense of "public safety". The firearms of lawful citizens are not now, nor have they ever been, the issue in gang warfare by Toronto's thugs and street gangs. "Thousands of guns are stolen..." -back that up with real stats, Mr. Bryant. Canada has thousands of unregistered handguns circulating, and that isn't ever going to change. What Bryant needs to focus on is policing and sentencing of gangs and their members for criminal activities. The necessary laws are on the books, Michael, you have to work a little harder and smarter to catch the perps, dude. My legal rightfully owned firearms are nobody's concern but mine.

Come the fall, Ontarioans need to put a party in place that gets the big picture. It should be clear to all that it isn't Dalton and Company (if anyone needs further evidence of the multi-culti hypocrisy of the Ontario Liberals this ought to help you with that. Spin-mode is at warp speed currently).

As for Miller - the constant harping about handguns is diverting him from tackling the real issues in Toronto. Or is that the plan? Could it be that Miller still has no idea for Toronto, beyond tilting at windmills and finding new taxes to burden its beleaguered citizens?

[Update] Arrest made, with more details.

[Update 2]"TORONTO (CP) — A 21-year-old man who police say is “extremely well known” as an active gang member has been arrested in the weekend shooting death of 11-year-old Ephraim Brown.

The Grade 6 student was killed in the crossfire of a suspected gang shootout early Sunday at a house party near Jane St. and Sheppard Ave.

The boy was struck in the neck by a stray bullet during the shooting and died at the scene shortly after police arrived.

His grieving sisters have appealed for their troubled community to take action and ensure that no more innocent lives are lost.

Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux says he expects other arrests in relation to the shooting.

He appealed to the 50-70 other people at the party to come forward with any information. "I now expect the community to come forward," Giroux said.

Akiel Eubank, 20, of Toronto, was charged with first-degree murder after he arrived at a city hospital with a gunshot wound to the thigh.

The boy was one of four people killed by gunfire this weekend in separate incidents across the city; at least four other people were injured.

It’s the 43rd shooting death in Toronto this year."

[...]

12 Division
Community Bulletin – Oct. 1 st – 9 th
12 Division . Toronto Police Service . 416 808 1200 . 200 Trethewey Drive . Toronto . ON . M6M 5E6

ARREST OF THE WEEK:
SHARP EYED OFFICER ARRESTS MAN FOR A VICIOUS ASSAULT
AFTER HE INITIALLY ESCAPED CUSTODY OF ARRESTING COP:
It is alleged that: on August 4 th , the accused male along with several others entered Mario Bros. bar on Weston Road and attacked a patron, beating and stabbing him. The victim was able to identify the accused and a warrant was taken out for his arrest by 12 Division. On Monday, September 25 th , the accused was spotted by an alert uniformed officer who attempted to place the accused under arrest. A brief struggle ensued and the accused managed to make good his escape after assaulting the officer. The officer again located the accused on Monday, October 2 nd , and on this occasion, made sure that he was not taken by surprise. He was able to place the accused under arrest without further incident. He was taken to the station where he was charged accordingly and held in custody pending a mandatory bail hearing.

Arrested: EUBANK Akiel Tafari, 20 years of Toronto
Charge: Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest
Escape Lawful Custody
Fail to Comply – Probation
Assault with a Weapon
Weapons Dangerous
Assault
Threatening Death

So, an escaped crook with a long list of serious charges, including assault with a weapon, threatening death etc, and escape lawful custody, is back on the street, to be accused of using a firearm again, this time with deadly consequences?

Bryant, Miller, save your pedantic rhetoric about the "evils of guns", and get on with doing your job of incarcerating criminals, and keep them there. While you're at it, support federal initiatives for tougher sentences. Had you done so earlier, Ephraim Brown might be alive. His blood is on your hands, not the hands of hundreds of thousands of lawful firearms owners.

Requiem for a Pair of Little Giants?

Opportunity / Spirit
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Nasa/JPL is concerned about the welfare of Opportunity, and possibly Spirit, the two little robots that could, for more than three years, roaming about the surface of Mars dazzling humankind with a view and knowledge of the red planet that most, if not all of us, will never experience directly. Originally hoping to survive a three month mission, the pair have far exceeded their designer's greatest expectations, and their eventual demise, for some, will be like the loss of a long lost family member.

"For nearly a month, a series of severe Martian summer dust storms has affected the rover Opportunity and, to a lesser extent, its companion, Spirit. The dust in the Martian atmosphere over Opportunity has blocked 99 percent of direct sunlight to the rover, leaving only the limited diffuse sky light to power it. Scientists fear the storms might continue for several days, if not weeks.

"We're rooting for our rovers to survive these storms, but they were never designed for conditions this intense," said Alan Stern, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington.

If the sunlight is further cut back for an extended period, the rovers will not be able to generate enough power to keep themselves warm and operate at all, even in a near-dormant state. The rovers use electric heaters to keep some of their vital core electronics from becoming too cold.

Before the dust storms began blocking sunlight last month, Opportunity's solar panels had been producing about 700 watt hours of electricity per day, enough to light a 100-watt bulb for seven hours. When dust in the air reduced the panels' daily output to less than 400 watt hours, the rover team suspended driving and most observations, including use of the robotic arm, cameras and spectrometers to study the site where Opportunity is located.

On Tuesday, July 17, the output from Opportunity's solar panels dropped to 148 watt hours, the lowest point for either rover. On Wednesday, Opportunity's solar-panel output dropped even lower, to 128 watt hours.

NASA engineers are taking proactive measures to protect the rovers, especially Opportunity, which is experiencing the brunt of the dust storm. The rovers are showing robust survival characteristics. Spirit, in a location where the storm is currently less severe, has been instructed to conserve battery power by limiting its activities.

"We are taking more aggressive action with both rovers than we needed before," said John Callas, project manager for the twin rovers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

By Opportunity's 1,236th Martian day, which ended Tuesday, driving and all science observations had already been suspended. The rover still used more energy than its solar panels could generate on that day, drawing down its battery.

"The only thing left to cut were some of the communication sessions," Callas said.

To minimize further the amount of energy Opportunity is using, mission controllers sent commands on Wednesday, July 18, instructing the rover to refrain from communicating with Earth on Thursday and Friday. This is the first time either of the rovers has been told to skip communications for a day or more in order to conserve energy. Engineers calculate that skipping communications sessions should lower daily energy use to less than 130 watt hours.

A possible outcome of this storm is that one or both rovers could be damaged permanently or even disabled. Engineers will assess the capability of each rover after the storm clears.

NASA will provide mission updates as events warrant. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the rover project for the Science Mission Directorate."

Dust devils as seen by Spirit on Sol 1120

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Band of bright rock, Victoria Crater (Opportunity)

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell