Tragedy In Toronto

   Canada's largest city is in the news again. And again for the wrong reason. The story has gone worldwide about a street party turned tragic. You've probably heard about this. 2 people are dead, and at least 22 injured, including a 22 MONTH old baby after 2 people exchanged gunfire Monday night. A 14 year old girl and 23 year old man were killed. The baby will recover.
   Now, cops in "The Big Smoke" fear reprisals. Why? Because the shooting was apparently gang related, and some of the people at this block bar-be-cue were targeted. And police should be concerned. It was about 6 weeks ago, 2 people were killed and 6 hurt in another exchange of bullets at the downtown Eaton Centre, a major tourist draw. What they are or have not said is if Monday's shooting was a reprisal for the one 6 weeks ago or not.
   These are the 27th and 28th killings of the year in Toronto, but Hogtown's mayor insists his city is safe. And when you compare it to a place like, say Detroit, it is. The motor city had almost 150 murders by this time last year. Or, you could look at Mexico, where thousands have been killed by rival drug cartels.
   Even still, the last thing this country needs is another black eye. Especially after the Luka Magnotta story a while back. (See my blogs of May 31st and June 4th.) To answer the question a lot of people have been asking "Is Toronto Safe?" In my view, it's no worse than any other big city in Canada. Would I feel safe there? Yes, I think I would.
   Lets just hope the cops crack this case before anyone else gets killed. But, unfortunately, if it turns out this IS gang related, they may be in for a war. In which case I might re-think my position.
   'Nuff said.