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Who is Simon Gares?
Simon Gares, a 44-year-old man, has recently made headlines after being arrested in Toronto. He was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for allegedly breaching his statutory release conditions. Gares has a troubling history, including a conviction for assault causing bodily harm in 2019, where he was deemed a dangerous offender.
His past actions have raised significant concerns regarding public safety, particularly for children.
The timeline of events
Gares went missing on April 7, prompting the Toronto Police Service to issue a public warning about him. He had been released from prison to a community-based residential facility on March 14, under strict conditions aimed at protecting the community.
These conditions included prohibitions on entering drinking establishments, consuming alcohol or drugs, and adhering to a treatment plan. Despite these measures, Gares’s disappearance raised alarms, leading to his eventual arrest by the Toronto Police.
Previous offenses and community impact
Gares’s criminal history is alarming. In 2016, he assaulted a five-year-old child, rendering the young victim temporarily unconscious. Witnesses reported seeing Gares kick the child with significant force while the child was entering a bakery with family.
This incident not only highlights Gares’s violent tendencies but also underscores the potential danger he poses to vulnerable members of the community.
Moreover, in 2013, Gares threatened to kill elementary school-aged children, expressing his anger towards the Children’s Aid Society for denying him access to his own children.
His lawyer deemed these threats serious enough to warrant police notification. Gares’s history of violence and threats has led to multiple convictions, including charges of threatening death and assault with intent to resist arrest.
Community response and safety measures
The arrest of Simon Gares has reignited discussions about community safety and the effectiveness of the statutory release system. Following his previous offenses, police had issued warnings to local schools, alerting parents about Gares’s threats to public safety. The community’s response has been one of concern, with many advocating for stricter measures to prevent high-risk offenders from posing a threat to innocent lives.
As Gares faces legal repercussions for his actions, the community remains vigilant, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue about safety and the management of offenders. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing rehabilitation with public safety, particularly when dealing with individuals who have demonstrated a clear pattern of violence.
