Toronto community housing and Crimestoppers team up to boost safety

The Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Crimestoppers are teaming up to boost neighbourhood safety, after violence hit the community of Rexdale this summer.

The two organizations hope to make it easier for people who live in TCHC housing to report criminal activity when they see it.

• 2 teens accused in Lecent Amos-Ross shooting death appear in court
• Lecent Ross gun death brings grief, anger to Toronto community

Former Canadian Olympic boxer Troy Ross was in Rexdale Thursday to speak with the media about the new initiative. He says it hits home for him his 14-year-old niece Lecent Amos-Ross was shot and killed earlier this summerin a Rexdale home on Jamestown Cres.

He says his family is still trying to cope with the senseless death of his niece.

"I have lost my niece my brother and my sister in-law have lost their daughter. It's been very tough for us," he said.

Standing on the very same street where his niece was killed, Ross urged members of the community to step up and take action to help prevent crime in their community.

"You don't need to be cool and stand back and watch another person pass away, or die ... or to prevent a crime."

Ross applauds the new initiative, which promises more outreach to these neighbourhoods. He says there's no longer any excuse for residents not to come forward when they see a crime.

"Everyone out there that has any information, it's anonymous, call in," he said.

Signs are being posted in Toronto Community Housing Corporation neighbourhoods with information about Crimestoppers, including phone numbers to call with information.