West end neighbourhood is safe, RNC chief Bill Janes says

The chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says he understands why people in a neighbourhood in the west of St. John's are edgy about a shooting that sent a man to hospital late Saturday night.

But Bill Janes maintains that the spray of bullets near the corner of Boyle Street and Anspach Street is not typical of the crime in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Sean Frampton shot multiple times on Boyle Street

"In terms of firearms-related crime in our jurisdiction, we have one of the lowest rates in Canada and as well, year over year, our violent crime is down seven per cent from 2012 to 2013," Janes said in an interview with CBC's Here & Now.

"I do appreciate that this would cause concern in the neighbourhood. I want to ensure the public that we're doing everything we can to bring closure to this case," he said.

Sean Frampton, 26, was found wounded on a sidewalk on the street, suffering multiple bullet wounds.

It's the second shooting on the same street in a year. Last September, a 21-year-old man was wounded.

Janes would not comment on the case and the evidence that police have collected so far.

Frampton is known to police: he was acquitted recently of armed robbery charges.

No arrests have been made, although police believe that the victim and the shooter were not strangers.

"In most cases, the person who's responsible for the shooting and the victim of the crime are known to each other," Janes said.

"I think that that can cause or bring some reassurance to members of the public ... the risk is to people who are living this kind of lifestyle and surround themselves with these types of people," he said.