The story was first reported in the Globe and Mail.
Here's an excerpt of the story from CTV online and the police explanation for their actions:
"The officers defended their actions on Saturday, saying they warned 38-year-old Bela Kosoian repeatedly to grab the handrail inside a Laval subway station, but instead she allegedly shouted at them.
Police say they were concerned because a month earlier, a man had fallen on the escalator and suffered severe injuries to his face."
There's a lot to consider with that last phrase. Outrage should be one of them.
In "A month earlier" a lot of shit can happen. The guy suffered injuries to his face. Of course, that can mean anything. For all I know he was given a "Snoopy" band-aid and sent off with a toothbrush. Moreover, why and how did he fall? Was he trying to juggle watermelons? The permutations are endless. People in shopping malls beware. If there's a cop worried about your safety you just may find yourself facing a citation.
Think about their excuse to its logical end.
It all begins to fall apart like a moist shish-taouk once you consider it's highly doubtful she was the only one not holding on to the railing that day - or any day for that matter. And with all the hype surrounding the swine flu including the advice to keep your hands clean one could reasonably conclude the cops timing stank of swine shit.
Go figure. Yet, they can't do anything to protect abused women from psycho boyfriends and husbands.
Bela Kosoian, a native of Georgia who knows all too well how the police state functions, probably over reacted but in light of her "offense" I can see why. Until the truth comes out (assuming it ever gets followed up), it's possible the cop cuffed her not because he was "concerned" about her safety but because she dared question authority.
I will, because I'm fair that way, say one thing in defense of the cops. I'm sure the percentage of people mouthing off to them is fairly high and it's likely they usually proceed and act in moderation more often than not. In Bela's case, she probably could have saved herself trouble by simply handing over her ID when asked for it but then again who know how the officer asked.
The cops involved should have just chilled and given her the citation without all the pompous power tripping. What if she had an exam? Is it right she would miss it because some cops decided to enforce some obscure law? No it isn't. The STM doesn't even have such a law.Speaking of the law. I love when people who felt the cops are right, come out and say "the law is the law". Really? How many people were surprised to hear there was a "handrail" law.
As you can see, without context, this post can veer off into many directions.
In any event, the police force must remember they "serve and protect" us. We pay their salaries. They shouldn't be out to "get us" in an effort to "condition" the populace at large.
Then again, how badly do they want us to play good citizen? Isn't giving out tickets a cash cow?
We always assume cops and the government will "never" be irrational or legislate dumb laws. Think again.
By the way, for the record, the Laval police force is notorious for its corruption. I'm just stipulating what I've heard.
Just a few years ago there still was, and maybe still is, a law in the book stating that, from around 1905, a car driver planning a trip had to post his itinerary in the newspaper one week in advance so as to allow farmers to get their animals off the roads, for parents to keep their children inside and for anyone with a trip to take that way to ask for a ride. Since cars and tires were fragile in those years I figure the latter measure must have been widely accepted.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Laval cops are aware of that law...so go around Laval to reach the Laurentians.
That's some detour!
ReplyDeleteBut yes, there are many laws still on the books that make no sense and could in theory still be enforced.