Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah highlighted troubling statistics regarding gun violence and shootings during his annual review at a recent regional council meeting.

In his presentation on gun and gang violence, Duraiappah revealed that Peel police responded to 75 shootings in Mississauga and Brampton between January 1 and June 30, 2024. This figure is notably high compared to the 80 shootings recorded throughout all of 2023.

“To reach 75 shootings halfway through the year is obviously alarming for us,” Duraiappah told the council during the July 12 meeting. He attributed the increase to the proliferation of firearms in the region, partly due to proximity to the United States, where access to guns is relatively easy.

Duraiappah reported that by June 30, officers had seized 100 guns related to crimes in Mississauga and Brampton and noted a 33-percent increase in firearm charges involving victims. Additionally, more than 500 rounds were confirmed to have been discharged in the area during the first half of the year.

On July 17, shortly after Duraiappah’s update, Peel police announced the largest single seizure of illegal guns in the region’s history. Known as “Project Chrome,” the operation resulted in ten arrests and the seizure of 71 guns, including 67 handguns and four assault-style weapons. Police believe 69 of these firearms were illegally imported from the United States. The operation involved coordination with police forces from York, Durham, Halton, Toronto, and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Duraiappah emphasized that Peel Region is not isolated in this issue; police forces across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are working together to address the growing problem of gun violence. He noted that joint operations and various initiatives supported by provincial and federal governments are ongoing priorities in combating this issue.