London’s police chief says more officers and other resources may be the only way to control unruly gatherings in the city, following an alleged attack on an officer this past weekend.
A 19-year old man has been charged after police say the officer was hit and the suspect then reached for her gun. They say two men were fighting on on Fleming Drive and when police tried to break it up, one of the men allegedly punched a female officer in the back of the head.
“If people ask me if I’m angry today, I absolutely am," says Brad Duncan, London police chief. "Assaulting a police officer, in the execution of her duty, and then taking away her firearm, it is untolerable (sic).”
For Duncan, the attack, is evidence that education is not reaching everyone who lives or visits Fleming Drive.
“The only way to deal with this is resources, because we've done everything else the community would expect us too."
That puts the debate on how to manage that area of the city on the agenda again.
The new councillor for the ward is ready to talk about it.
Ward 3 councillor-elect, Mo Salih, admits he's inherited an issue that's difficult to solve. But he's hopeful further discussion with police, tenants, land owners, student associations and nearby Fanshawe College will help prevent further incidents.
The man charged, John Mitchell, is not a Fanshawe student.
Still the damage the attack does to the school's reputation can't be escaped, some say.
Zachary Taylor witnessed part of what happened.
"No matter what you do, Fanshawe is going to get tied to this. Most of these kids who do live here, do go to Fanshawe."
The college issued a statement to CTV News stating, in part, that it "is diligent in providing students with a safe and secure environment. This includes the communities bordering its campuses.”
The college also points out its ongoing efforts to work with multiple parties - including police - to encourage respectful actions among its student population living off campus.
