« The parents must face justice too | Home | Looking forward to the new Morrissey record »
Vancouver East side "terrorists" step up their campaign
Posted by Mike Klassen on February 13, 2009 in Vancouver
Ah, don't you love Vancouver. Apparently running a volunteer-oriented community safety office puts you in league with The Man. Yes, the giant jackboot is coming down on Vancouver's rebellious Commercial Drive district with the help of a middle-aged office coordinator and a bunch of youth and seniors in reflective vests.
For those who haven't followed the story of what's happening at the East side Community Policing office, it's basically the F*** the Police crowd smashing front window panes at $3000 a pop. They've already broken the window three times, forcing the office with it's tight annual operating budget to raise money on their own to replace the glass.
Now the brain surgeons with brickbats are postering the neighbourhood in a stepped up attack on civility on the Drive. If there is one thing I know, it's that getting volunteers to donate hours of time for foot patrols, covering graffiti, and conducting community safety watches is a very hard thing to do. Throw in a bit of intimidation and the punks will win.
Heck, let's let the Drive fend for itself if that's what they want, and throw away any rules and emergency services. As someone familar with the community policing system in Vancouver said to me, "these guys are terrorists. There is no other word for it."
Tagged: commercial drive, east vancouver
2 Comments
Leave a comment
« The parents must face justice too | Home | Looking forward to the new Morrissey record »
This is terrible. The lack of civility, the strategic and ongoing destruction of public and private property, contribute to a growing feeling of being under siege. It's hard to sympathize with anyone who resorts to such tactics. It's also incredibly frustrating for those of us who simply want to enjoy the comfort of a safe street in a safe city. "Terrorists" is an apt label; we should deal with them as such.
Hey Michael. I'm in total sympathy with your viewpoint, but "terrorists" who break window panes? Let's try not to debase that term any further.
I think we're all on board with calling these people vandals, punks, criminals, douche-bags and other assorted terms of non-endearment, yes?
It's a frustrating case. But as for letting the Drive fend for itself, I'm not sure about that. In this case, the solution seems to be pouring more resources into the area, not taking it all out.