Pandemic Alert

Last night when I went to bed Newsworld was reporting 60 deaths in Mexico due to swine flu. This morning I find that number has already increased to 81. A quick scan of Google news headlines revealed that governments around the world are on high alert and this thing is spreading rapidly. We now have suspected cases in New Zealand, France, Israel and America. Video from Asia this morning shows people being video taped and checked as they arrive off planes at the airport. President Obama was just in Mexico the other day. He was given a tour of a Mexico City museum by Felipe Solis who dies the next day with flu like symptoms.

The Philippines is the latest country to implement thermal screening, using special cameras to spot travelers that have a fever as they emerge from aircraft at airports. They are also asking citizens not to shake hands, to keep their mouths covered and not to kiss each other on the cheeks as a greeting. Mexico says 1,324 patients with flu symptoms are also under observation. There have been 11 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States - in New York City, California and Kansas.

So far Canada has no reported cases. I must admit that all this news really has my head spinning. The big question being how bad will this outbreak get?

Sad Story In Scarborough

 

Two women have died in a house fire early Thursday morning in Toronto's east end.

The fire appears to have started in the basement of the house, where the body of one victim was found, according to Toronto fire Chief Bill Stewart.

The other woman was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead.

The fire happened in a house on Wantanopa Crescent, near Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East.

Neighbours said two people lived in the home — a woman in her 80s and her daughter in her 50s.

Stewart said the first person to arrive on the scene was an off-duty firefighter.

"He reported to crews that the flames were fully visible coming out of the front of the building and out of the basement area," said Stewart.

"The crews leaving the [fire] station could see heavy smoke as they were approaching the call this morning," he added.

Stewart said the cause of the fire has not been determined.

The Ontario fire marshal's office is investigating.

Guns and Gangs

One in custody and one sawed off shotgun off the streets. G+G always gets its man .. Or on this case boy. He was a YO.

Book "Em Danno!

Last night was was a great night. Just after 5am about 1000 police officers fanned out across the GTA and made early morning wake up calls at 100 doors. While some may question how many of these people will actually be found guilty, some forty guns are now off the street. In my mind that is a huge victory for police and the public.

Here is a little of the News Release.

Project Fusion began in mid-2008, and focused on a series of violent crimes  dating back to 2003.  It is alleged that those involved in this investigation are leaders, members and/or associates who participate in two criminal organizations that operate in concert with each other, known as the “MNE” (Markham Road/Eglinton Avenue East), and the "400 Crew" (400/McCowan Road).   They're located in the southeast area of Toronto however their criminal activities are not limited to this area but cross into Durham Region and throughout the GTA.   

The focus of this investigation was not only the alleged criminal organizations MNE and 400 Crew, but the people alleged to be responsible for the supply of firearms and illegal drugs to these criminal organizations.  


A total of 100 homes and 61 vehicles were the targets of the search warrants.


The following were alleged to have been seized during the investigation:

-  34 handguns,
-  two AK-47 rifles
-  a Cobra 11 machine pistol
-  two rifles
-  a sawed-off shotgun
-  a Taser
-  759 rounds of ammunition
-   four bulletproof vests
-  42.75 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of $1,940,000
-  64.7 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $588,000
-  30,000 tabs of ecstasy with a street value of $750,000
-  41 grams of Oxycotin, with a street value of $1,700
-  344 grams of Crack, with a street value of $34,400
-   $431,340 cash,
-   12 motor vehicles.