Police officers in metro say they’re dealing with a different level of criminal activity this decade than in previous ones, a situation which came home to roost last Friday morning outside RNC HQ in St. John’s.
A man assaulted a civilian employee outside the building around 7:00 Friday morning. A responding officer was also injured in the altercation.
Jamal Omer is now facing charges of aggravated assault, assaulting a peace officer, uttering threats, resisting arrest and disarming a police officer.
RNCA president Staff Sergeant Mike Summers (VOCM News file photo)
RNC Association President Mike Summers says until six or seven years ago the weapon of choice in a crime like armed robbery would have been a knife or some type of bladed item; but now firearms are more common than they once were.
“Home invasions, the number of calls to do with firearms have gone up drastically over the last number of years,” says Staff Sgt. Summers.
RNC HQ (VOCM News)
The police force is taking a look at security at Fort Townshend, something with which Sgt. Summers agrees.
“It is a concern of our officers and the employees here,” here says the officer. “And we may also have to take a look at other detachments – Mount Pearl, CBS, Corner Brook, Labrador…”
He hopes to meet with the minister of justice and public safety to talk about the PCs’ plans for “safer communities,” one of their campaign cornerstones.
