Most gun crimes in Toronto are robberies, and there are ways to avoid getting into a situation where a weapon is involved, says Const. Gary Gomez of Toronto Police Services. Here are some tips:

• Avoid walking alone, especially at night.
• Avoid taking shortcuts through isolated areas. Walk where there are a lot of people whenever you can. “If you take some behind the plaza shortcut, who’s there to help you? No one is there to see you, and no one’s there to call for help,” Gomez says.
• Be aware of your surroundings and of anyone acting strangely.
• Avoid using isolated bank machines. It’s best to use the ones found inside banks or convenience stores.
• Avoid going to parties where you don’t know anyone, especially those where you have to pay to get in. “If there are people there that nobody knows, then people might try to get in. Somebody prevents them from getting in, they get angry, and then maybe go find their gun somewhere,” Gomez says. “That’s a situation that could turn bad.”