I couldn't agree with you more with all you said above. Could you imagine if every called the cops just because they saw someone holding out of the window that looked like a weapon?
In case people didn't know this, it's not uncommon for cops to harrass kurds back in their homeland, and am sure these folks were traumatized by the whole experience. I am not sticking up for them here, just put yourself in their shoes for a second.
The guy has actually played with some big names in the past, one of them being STING. Cops at times need to chill a bit, not everyone that isn't white in an escalade, merc or beemer is a criminal, the cars in this case could have been rented, since they were here filming a video.
Oh well.....am sure Fantino and his people will sort this one out
I disagree with everything you just said.
People are supposed to call the police when they see what appears to be a firearm being waved around. People seem to have given up their social responsibility, and will seldom phone in a suspected crime unless it directly affects them.
As for cops harrassing kurds in their homeland.. that may be the case, but so what? This isn't their homeland. This is Canada. They can feel traumatized all they want, fact is, the response was professional and by "the book". We can't coddle people based on whatever messed up country they came out of. "In my homeland, income taxes were used to build palaces to the dictator, I'm traumatized that I have to pay taxes here in Canada, and that I'm being taken to court over it."
I could give two shits who he has played with in the past. All people are to be treated equally under the law.
The assumption that the vehicle being driven was a reason for the type of police response is also false. It would have been the same if it were a Pinto, Escalade, Dodge Caravan,etc.
I also disagree with GreyMatter's position with statements like paraphrased: it's ok to react like that if: "they look like gangbangers, they're holding weapons ets". What they look like is irrelevant. I've frequently seen the most seemingly straight edged middle class white male be the scum of the earth, and the "tough" looking 'gang banger' dressed black guy be the clean , articulate, family man. Does that account for everyone? No. But the generalization is also a threat to officer safety.
The call
was that they were waving weapons around. So they initiate the traffic stop, and respond accordingly. You can't just walk up to a vehicle that has been
reported to have people holding/waving firearms and be like "hey guys, so do you have any guns?" That's a ridiculous affront to officer safety.
I realize the logic being presented , "but but the police shouldn't be able to run around pulling people out of vehicles at gunpoint because of a phone report!" Well if we have a sudden rush of false reports of vengeful people trying to send the police out after fake guns calls, then all those people will get public mischief charges and be dealt with.
