Halifax police took the unusual step of releasing photos of three witnesses they'd like to talk to about Saturday morning's murder in downtown Halifax. 26 year old Kaylin Diggs was found lying on the ground on Argyle Street after an altercation. He died later in hospital. There have been no arrests yet in the case. The three women in the photos have now been identified and likely will be questioned by investigators looking for information that could lead to an arrest in the case. The question is however, if these women did not have any direct role in the murder, if they were indeed witnesses to a murder, were their lives somehow put at risk by having the photos circulated publicly through the media and posted online?
Durty Nelly's bar owner Joe McGuiness has lashed out at the violence in the city's downtown. On the CTV supper hour news last night, McGuiness says the murders are gaving the downtown a bad name, but more than that, he says it is tarnishing the impage the not only the downtown district but " the image of Halifax and Nova Scotia and its people." McGuiness says there's no need for violence, that "violence accomplishes nothing." I think he speaks for many Nova Scotians alarmed at the carnage that takes place regularly in downtown Halifax.
Despite Saturday morning's murder, and 24 hours previously, another altercation that saw two young men taken to hospital, the police department's 2nd quarter crime stats show a 15% drop in violent crime in the city and an overall 10% drop. Police say their efforts are at least partially responsible with more of a focus on people they know to be involved in the drug trade. Indeed, in recent days there have been several drug busts that led to the arrests of a group of street level dealers. Let's hope when the year-end stats come out, the trend continues.
Sackville-Eastern Shore New Democrat Peter Stoffer will tour the Camp Hill Veterans Hospital today. The NDP's veterans affairs critic wants to take a first hand look at the food preparation after complaints from some veterans the food at the hospital is bland and tasteless and they deserve better. The veterans affairs minister sent an assistant deputy minister to the hospital yesterday on the matter. Stoffer admits a surprise visit might give him better insight, he says that might come later. Today he'll talk to hospital staff and the veterans and maybe even sample the food. As I wrote yesterday, these veterans, men who served our country during hard times, do indeed deserve much better.
There's a new entry in the city's mayoralty race. Well not officially anyway. But say hello to Tuxedo Sam, a cat. Animal rights activists like Dr Hugh Chisholm are behind the feline's bid for the mayor's chair. It's to bring attention to the city's lack of a trap, neuter and release program. With estimates of up to 100,000 feral and homeless cats wondering about our city, the next city council needs to seriously discuss Halifax's so far pathetic efforts at doing something about it.
It was grand to see the large crowds on hand at Halifax International for the arrivals back home of our Olympic athletes. Gymnast Ellie Black, boxer Custio Clayton and kayaker Mark de Jonge all seemed genuinely surprised and very pleased at the reception. Welcome home.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
