Skytrain Police

Over the past few days, I have been watching the developing story of the Skybuddy police carrying guns, on the news. They are governed by people who all are either part of law enforcement, or part of translink, save for one public member.

The Vancouver Police are governed by a board completely consisting of public non-law enforcement members, save for the mayor.

I personally think that they shouldn't carry guns. I think it is a ridiculous show of force. I don't see that much of a threat on the skybuddy that would warrant the use of guns. Now, I have a car, and don't often take it lately. But is it really necessary? Should they have that much power.

The VPD have enough scandal on their own, do you think that the ST Police will abuse their power?

[C_squared]

I'm on both sides realy... its only till some serious shit happens and someone gets caught in the cross fire will ppl start to raise more doubt (edit: think of the worst case scenerio). Altho I find that there will be a lot less crime on and near train routes.

[Gusto]

It doesn't bother me if they carry guns, because I'm not breaking the law (around them anyway, heh). I think it'll curb some of the violence and crime along the skytrain routes. You're right, there probably won't be much that will warrant the use of guns, especially when people know they have them.

[Cdn_Brdr]

The only way that a skytrain officer will be taken seriously if they have full police power AND presence. I've seen my fair share of violence and trouble on the trains and by having a stronger and more powerful presence I think that these instances will drop.

A stat provided the other day on the news said something near the amount of 90% of Vancouver crime happens in close distance to a skytrain... most likely due to the quick escape route it provides. That might even be reduced.

The fact is that crime is going to happen and if you want to be protected you've got to allow the people who are there to do it for you the tools in which to do it properly. If the power is abused then we may have trouble on our hands but if used responsibly this could clean up what I consider to be a pretty messy situation.

[TrixX]

Originally Posted by gusto

It doesn't bother me if they carry guns, because I'm not breaking the law (around them anyway, heh). I think it'll curb some of the violence and crime along the skytrain routes. You're right, there probably won't be much that will warrant the use of guns, especially when people know they have them.

my thoughts exactly!!!!! although i do get a little paranoid around guns.....out in the open at the station stops doesn't raise concern to me but the odd time they're riding the train themselves to keep an eye on passengers........guns in that small of a space would make me uncomfortable.....but then again that's just me right?

[Cdn_Brdr]

Originally Posted by gusto

especially when people know they have them.

Excellent point... if anything it's a deterrent.

I agree that something needs to be done to curb the violence and crime around the stations. Some of them are pretty skeezy to walk through. But the fact is, I don't believe in guns. I don't like any type of gun. Pellet gun, paintball gun, or any other type of sporting gun. I think they could be too easily turned on someone else.

But I also worry that they won't be governed properly and they will abuse their authority.

I have known several securtiy guards that have tried for the RCMP/VPD/Border Guards, and what not, and don't pass the psychology portion of the testing. They don't fit the profile of what is expected of a police officer. I fear that the training isn't as comprehensive, nor is the testing or the profiling.

[wishbone]

necessary!

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by Avana

I have known several securtiy guards that have tried for the RCMP/VPD/Border Guards, and what not, and don't pass the psychology portion of the testing. They don't fit the profile of what is expected of a police officer. I fear that the training isn't as comprehensive, nor is the testing or the profiling.

I agree with this, anyone who has a gun should be required to pass certain tests.

[Cdn_Brdr]

Avana, the fact is that a lot of people in this country don't like guns. The problem is that there's a lot of people out there who do... and a lot of them are far from good.

I hate guns myself but they are a necessary evil in today's society. Look at the rise of gun crimes in this city over the past few years. Nobody even bats an eye now when some poor sod gets shot up outside a club.... it's almost every weekend. The police aren't able to stop armed men with billy clubs right?

It sucks but in order to maintain the law and properly enforce it they need these things.

[pbreak]

I guess the point is whether or not we want them to actually police the skytrain, or simply be security guards for the skytrain. One way may actually have a direct affect on the amount of crimes stopped at or around the skytrain while the other will have a direct affect on the number of crimes reported but have nothing done about because the real police couldn't get there in time. And I definitely think there is enough violent crime centered around the skytrain to warrant a police force, so armed it is.

[Gusto]

I heard Shawn carries a 9mm in his back pocket.

[TrixX]

Originally Posted by Avana

I agree that something needs to be done to curb the violence and crime around the stations. Some of them are pretty skeezy to walk through. But the fact is, I don't believe in guns. I don't like any type of gun. Pellet gun, paintball gun, or any other type of sporting gun. I think they could be too easily turned on someone else.

But I also worry that they won't be governed properly and they will abuse their authority.

I have known several securtiy guards that have tried for the RCMP/VPD/Border Guards, and what not, and don't pass the psychology portion of the testing. They don't fit the profile of what is expected of a police officer. I fear that the training isn't as comprehensive, nor is the testing or the profiling.

you're a fuckin' smart woman!

[PaIniNyErAnUs]

they need to be takes seriousley..what better way then carryin a gun?...ive seen alot of violence againt the actually translink ppl..the worst was a from when i was a teenager..but latley its calmed down a bit but it will always be there....mabey they having guns they will get taken seriousley..i personaly, will feel safer having a good guy with a weapon on the skytrain..

cops..skytrain cops wont be pullin a gun unless they need to..theres no power trip there...

[pbreak]

Originally Posted by Avana

I have known several securtiy guards that have tried for the RCMP/VPD/Border Guards, and what not, and don't pass the psychology portion of the testing. They don't fit the profile of what is expected of a police officer. I fear that the training isn't as comprehensive, nor is the testing or the profiling.

To my knowledge at least, the majority of skytrain "cops" are retired police in the first place.

Besides, since generally criminals carry weapons, so must anyone trying to stop them.

[Cdn_Brdr]

Originally Posted by gusto

I heard Shawn carries a 9mm in his back pocket.

Rat-a-tat-tat, ballah's got a gat.....

Me and a gun.... not really. The only guns I carry are my right and left biceps! WHO BOUGHT TICKETS TO THE GUN SHOW!?!?! hahahahaha

[Cdn_Brdr]

*Added Note*

All skytrain police have taken the same gun training required by law for a police officer in this country. That makes them as qualified as any other officer out on the streets.

[fable]

1) close to all long term major studies in criminal justice revolving around increased armament and prescence have in fact have failed to prove without a doubt that it was an optimum "deterent"

2)a team of 70 (all caucasian) police officers, of which a large percentage are pushing the ol midlife crisis, and are ex vpd.

3) most of the skytrain stops WERE BUILT in concentrated areas of high people traffic, and reletively high occurance of crime

4)apperently the budget spent on outfitting and "retraining" this new task force was the equivalent to the budget of creating a greater vancouver crime prevention unit.

5)guns that enter the general populace come from legitimate sources somewhere down the line, more need = more production = more "illegal" guns on the street

6)i find it scary that most crime prevention long term policy and research rarely takes into account the socio-economic changes that are sometime drastic in their scope and impact!?

7)i cant argue with the rising numbers of firearm related violence and death. So it seems that im arguing against on principle alone. More guns/more authorities is the bandaid solution, but how realistic is any other option at the moment? :(

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by Cdn_Brdr

*Added Note*

All skytrain police have taken the same gun training required by law for a police officer in this country. That makes them as qualified as any other officer out on the streets.

But then again, knowing how to use a gun is not the same as knowing when and when not to use a gun.

Shawn - I agree, there are some necessary evils. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the Scotland yard for many years, governed with Billy Clubs. I am sure that it was only recently that they stopped due to the threat of terrorists.

I just don't believe that this force of police officers has been trained or is necessarily ready to take on the responsibilty of this caliber. Canada still is very low on the murder mortality rate compared to some of the other countries in the world. And it is really only 5% of our population committing the same crimes. I think we need to start with the laws and how lax they are for putting these criminals back out onto the streets before rehabilitating them.

Gusto - I want to make a certain joke, but it just isn't PC.

[pbreak]

Originally Posted by fable

7)i cant argue with the rising numbers of firearm related violence and death. So it seems that im arguing against on principle alone. More guns/more authorities is the bandaid solution, but how realistic is any other option at the moment? :(

of course it's a band aid solution... really it isn't actually even a solution to crime in any way, but it could act as a deterent to crime at least along the rails and do it's main function of keeping commuters safer at least.

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by Avana

Gusto - I want to make a certain joke, but it just isn't PC.

I'm a heterosexual white male, I can handle whatever you have.

Originally Posted by gusto

I'm a heterosexual white male, I can handle whatever you have.

It wasn't a dig at you, but at Shawn, with the predictable 9mm in his front pocket, but it is gone now.

Next time maybe?

[Cdn_Brdr]

hate you both

I am sorry Shawn, Gusty just made it so easy.