City
Police Presence Definitely Up
Travelling around the city tonight and yesterday night, I've been amazed at the police presence on our streets.
From being used to seeing police only where there's trouble to now seeing them stationed all over town is a bit alarming at first, but at the same time, comforting (i suppose). Comfort, not in feeling any more safe (have always felt safe in the city), but in knowing that the dept is following through with their promises to get out there on the streets and in communities. If if helps the innocent feel safe and the dangerous feel threatened, then by all means this is a fine time for it... even if it's, perhaps, a bit overboard.
All in all, within an hour I caught sight of at least 30 squad cars out there tonight. This photo taken at Keele Street where some kind of situation (probably robbery) appeared to have brought in at least 10-15 cars alone. Earlier this year, the same situation would have reeled in about 3.
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Yes, but understand that this is very much framed by your experience of growing up and hanging out in a relatively "safe" part of town, where there normally isn't much of a police presence. You'd be used to seeing plenty of police -- and police brutality -- if you lived in another, defamed part of the city. Oy, and don't even get me started on what they do to these communities, to the people who live there.
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Not all cops are "bad", but by no means do I automatically feel safe when I see those blue uniforms. It makes me feel suspicious and on-edge, if anything. I've seen too many bad scenarios play out before me to buy into the all-comforting "Officer Norm" caricature anymore...
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And another interesting point -- aren't we all "innocent" and deserving of safety? When do the rights afforded to citizens cease to apply? What makes someone "dangerous"? Poverty, which may drive them to steal? An upbringing punctuated by violence? Lack of economic or educational opportunities? Frustrating systemic inequalities and prejudices? What's the direct consequence of making someone feel "threatened"? Will it "scare them straight" (which I scoff at) or just aggravate the situation, widening already painful gaps in society based on class and race...?
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Things are never, ever so black-and-white (pardon the reference), and it's really important to be aware of all the interlocking pieces of this giant puzzle. Choosing to overlook the long list of issues at play in this situation (and I'm speaking genrally here -- on the part of politicians, police, regular citizens, etc) would be a grossly irresponsible, not to mention DANGEROUS, course of action.
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That's my winded rant. Sorry for all the scare quotes, I know they're annoying. Everyone in the city seems to have a strong opinion on the gun situation and wants to vent about it, which I suppose is a step in the right direction. 30 cop cars is a LOT of cops!