Jasmine Crescent fatal stabbings prompt community gathering

The killings of two teenage boys, 17 and 18, that were stabbed to death just months apart on the same block on Jasmine Crescent in east Ottawa has residents searching for answers on how to keep youth safe — and out of trouble.

• Issaiah Clachar, 17, stabbed to death on Jasmine Crescent
• Connor Stevenson, 18, stabbed to death on Jasmine Crescent
• 'I just want to carry my son in my heart,' Connor Stevenson's father says

"It's very scary and it's heartbreaking," said Courtney Adkins, who has lived in the neighbourhood for almost a year. "It makes me feel like I don't want to go outside anymore at night."

Coun. Tim Tierney, whose ward of Beacon Hill-Cyrville includes Jasmine Crescent, helped organize a barbecue for residents to meet with community police officers, Crime Stoppers Saturday afternoon. Representatives from the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, a neighbourhood charity, also participated. 

"We're here for them. We want to make sure that people feel safe in their communities," Tierney said.

Ottawa police told CBC News the service is considering increasing presence in neighbourhood in response to the two recent fatal stabbings.

Jasmine Crescent resident Patrick Papineau said he would like to see "a lot more" police and "community watch" presence in his neighbourhood.

"We should have more security in this area. We should feel at home in our area than being threatened, being afraid," he said.

Both stabbings 'targeted'

Connor Stevenson, 18, was stabbed to death in the stairwell of a Jasmine Crescent highrise building in April. David Dubois, 19, was charged with second-degree murder in the case.

In September, 17-year-old Issaiah Clachar was stabbed to death next to the same building in a fight between a group of young men that also injured a 23-year-old man. 

Keanu Croteau, 18, and Mohamad Hamade, 25, were each charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder in the case.

Tierney said that even though both stabbings were targeted, not random, residents are concerned about security.

"These are their homes. Now there's a concern that this area has been tainted by these unfortunate incidents and we want to make sure that that is not the case," Tierney said. "This is a beautiful community, there's lots to offer and we're here to show our support."