A community activist is renewing his call for a neighbourhood watch program in Forest Glade after five people were shot outside a nearby bowling alley over the weekend.
Four of the victims were involved in a fight just before the shooting. The fifth was a bystander just leaving Superbowl Lanes with his family early Saturday morning before the suspect fled through the streets of the east end community.
Many residents posted their concerns on Facebook, expressing shock and hope the victims would survive.
Director of Communications at Windsor Regional Hospital, Steve Erwin, told WindsorNewsToday.ca it could have been worse. All five suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including gunshot wounds to the shin and buttocks.
As of Sunday, police were still looking for the suspect, whom they believe was driving a four-door, light-coloured, mid-sized SUV or pickup truck, similar to an Explorer Sport TRAC.
(Photo courtesy of @OnLocation via Twitter)
"It was just a very unfortunate situation that occurred there," said Greg Lemay, who volunteers his time to improve the neighbourhood.
"The shooting comes on the heels of a murder in the heart of the Glade a few months back," he added, referring to a fatal shooting on December 30 on Forest Glade Drive near Wildwood Drive.
A year ago, Lemay and the past president of Windsor Crime Stoppers, Lina Busico, began recruiting residents interested in starting a Neighbourhood Watch program. After speaking with officials from the city and the Safety Village, they recruited 80 volunteers.
"We obviously need more because if you're looking at per block, we probably need three to four per street," he said. "So, we're a little bit short of where we want to be before we tie this all in together with the Safety Village."
Since then, Lemay has suffered a medical issue that has prevented him from going door to door to recruit more. He intends to hit the streets again soon.
Had there been more, especially on Forest Glade Drive, Ridge Road, and Esplanade Drive, he believes Windsor Police might have a suspect in custody by now.
Former Windsor Ward 7 candidate Greg Lemay. (Photo courtesy of Greg Lemay on Facebook)
"Can you picture if you had a community initiative like I'm talking about where we'd know, have documented, who has cameras," he said. "Which way did that car go? Oh, there's ten houses on this street that have cameras. Let's go check."
As a community activist, Lemay said he gets frequent calls about crime in the neighbourhood, especially about incidents around Forest Glade Park, but still believes the community is safe. He hopes people will not avoid Superbowl Lanes, stressing, "these things can happen anywhere."
He emphasizes residents are not helpless and can influence police presence in the community.
"The more you report these crimes to Windsor Police, things that go on in your neighbourhood, that's how you get a car to your neighbourhood," he explained. "There are only so many officers that you have on the road, only so much money to go around. If there's 500 things happening in a month in Forest Glade, and there's 40 things happening elsewhere, well, who do you think is going to get the car?"
Meanwhile, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens responded to the shooting, issuing a statement offering his best wishes to those who were injured.
"Like everyone, I am shocked and disturbed by this needless violence. After two years of pandemic restrictions, Windsor residents are craving an opportunity to socialize with friends and neighbours, and visiting a local bowling alley should be among the safest venues to do so," he wrote. "I'm grateful for the swift response of the Windsor Police and first responders, and hope the perpetrator is brought to swift justice."
WindsorNewsToday.ca has reached out to the operators of Superbowl Lanes but did not receive a reply by publication.
