vidTO: Plain-clothed Security Debacle

[ - take down outside a Toronto LCBO - runs 3mins - ]

Outside of the Bay & Dundas LCBO store, two guys tackle and attempt to restrain a third man. Confused bystanders are unsure what's going on, and one person decides to record the incident on his cell phone. Some punches are thrown, the three grapple and roll around, and the victim claims to be having difficulty breathing. "Back off!" yells the puncher as bystanders begin to intervene.

"They have security guards at the LCBO?" one bewildered person asks. "Stop fucking choking him... you're going to break his fucking neck" shouts another with concern.

What's really happening: a suspected shoplifter was tackled by plain-clothed LCBO security personel, but it wasn't immediately clear to anyone who they were. Despite repeated calls by the security guards for bystanders to call 9-1-1, no one did. Apparently the LCBO has seen the video and knows that it has been circulating on YouTube. They also have told the mainstream news media that they will be re-assessing their security strategy, and dressing their security in clearly identifiable uniforms as a result.

This video was shown on CityTV this evening, although the incident happened last October.