Jasmine Crescent fatal stabbings prompt community gathering

The killings of two teenage boys, 17 and 18, that were stabbed to death just months apart on the same block onJasmine Crescent in east Ottawa has residents searching for answers on how to keep youth safe and out of trouble.

• Issaiah Clachar, 17,stabbed to death on Jasmine Crescent
• Connor Stevenson, 18, stabbed to death on Jasmine Crescent
• 'I just want to carry my son in my heart,' Connor Stevenson's father says

"It's very scary and it's heartbreaking," said Courtney Adkins, who has lived in the neighbourhood for almost a year. "It makes me feel like I don't want to go outside anymore at night."

Coun. Tim Tierney, whose ward of Beacon Hill-Cyrville includes Jasmine Crescent, helped organizea barbecue for residentsto meet with community police officers, Crime Stoppers Saturday afternoon. Representatives from theEastern Ottawa Resource Centre, a neighbourhood charity, also participated.

"We're here for them. We want to make sure that people feel safe in their communities," Tierneysaid.

Ottawa police told CBC News the serviceisconsidering increasing presence in neighbourhoodin response to the two recentfatal stabbings.

Jasmine Crescent resident Patrick Papineausaid he would like to see "a lot more" police and "community watch" presence in his neighbourhood.

"We should have more security in this area. We should feel at home in our area than being threatened, being afraid," he said.

Both stabbings'targeted'

Connor Stevenson, 18, was stabbed to death in the stairwell of aJasmine Crescent highrisebuilding in April.David Dubois, 19, wascharged with second-degree murder in the case.

In September, 17-year-oldIssaiah Clachar was stabbed to death next to the same building in a fight between a group of young men that also injured a 23-year-old man.

Keanu Croteau, 18, andMohamad Hamade, 25, were each charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder in the case.

Tierneysaid thateven though bothstabbingswere targeted, not random, residents are concerned about security.

"These are their homes. Now there's a concern that this area has been tainted by these unfortunate incidents and we want to make sure that that is not the case,"Tierneysaid. "This is a beautiful community, there's lots to offer and we're here to show our support."