Politic?

This is a blog dedicated to a personal interpretation of political news of the day. I attempt to be as knowledgeable as possible before commenting and committing my thoughts to a day's communication.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Cautious, Not Adequately Measured?

streetcar-police-shooting

Suspicious, threatening activity in a public venue is frightening and those involved attempt to acquit themselves in a manner that will not bring themselves into direct danger, by calling in the proper authorities. When a young man on a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar whose interior he is temporarily sharing with other passengers brings instant attention to himself by exhibiting himself, people feel they are in the presence of a disturbed person, a sexual deviant at the very least.

When they observe further that he has in his possession a knife, their instinct for self-preservation kicks in, instructing them to put as large a distance between themselves and the stranger who poses as a threat, as they possibly can. That the peculiar individual has ordered them to leave the premises of the bus brings a huge feeling of relief to those anxious to disembark and leave the conveyance to him alone, where he can comport himself as he will.

But the strange behaviour does of course, call for intervention and an alarm is sent out from doubtless a myriad of cellphones to 911. Reports have it that police responded with huge alacrity, within minutes, while debarked passengers, passersby and residents close to  Dundas Street West, near Trinity Bellwoods watched nervously as a group of police, guns unholstered, ordered 18-year-old Sammy Yatim to put his weapon down.

The "interaction" between a lone and obviously disturbed young man and a group of Toronto's finest escalated swiftly from their shouted orders, to their being ignored, and the young man moving toward the door of the streetcar as though to emerge, knifeblade still extended in his hand. Warned to step back after he ignored the earlier warnings, he deliberately stepped forward. And was immediately shot three times, and then another six times. And then tasered. This might be characterized as overkill.

And it is quite possible that the Special Investigations Unit called in as they are routinely to investigate any such occurrences will find no possible justification for the police over-reaction -- if that indeed is what it is.  There is an unfortunate history of police confronting people who are in the throes of some mental disequilibrium, acting out in a threatening manner and as a result being shot, sometimes to death.

This is one of those times. Behaving in a socially inappropriate, even in a distinctly threatening manner seems little enough reason to lose one's life. But Sammy Yatim, who had left the parental home because of a disagreement with his father who seemed to be fed up with a recently graduated son not being gainfully employed and smoking pot and not being accountable for himself, will no longer be able to feel confused and lost, nor make anyone feel disgruntled about him.

Surely not his fault; he needed guidance, he needed help. Surely not his father's fault; how is one to differentiate between a young person who presents as uninvolved, uninterested, disrespectful and oblivious, to one who is involved in an intimate and frightening battle with himself? Whether his death will ultimately be ascribed to the fault of the 6-year-police officer who is now suspended from duties while multiple investigations proceed is another story.

A story that appears at first blush to be readily interpreted to point a finger of blame at police may simply be just that; a story of resentment and grief elevating the blame factor while inventing a new victim category; police whose professional duty it is to protect society, cynically working their own power agenda, and that is hugely unlikely.
"Like many members of the public, I have viewed the video of this incident. I am aware of the very serious concerns that the public has. I know that people are seeking answers as to what occurred, why it happened and if anything could have been done to prevent the tragic death of this young man. I am also seeking the answers to these important questions."
Toronto Chief of Police Bill Blair
"They are bulletproof. How could two inches of knife harm anyone? And why the nine shots? That's the question", stated a neighbour of Nabil Yatim, father of Sammy Yatim. Those questions will be resolved. A friend from Syria who had been a schoolmate of Sammy Yatim recalled how sometimes the young man would become confused in stressful situations in Syria. Who knows what represents cause and effect?

Protests from the public are understandable. That the grieving family would demand answers and accountability is well understood. A public movement to question the veracity and trustworthiness of police, their dedication to their duty of securing safety for the public is of no use to anyone. The various investigations that are underway beg for their results to be awaited. Until then, there are no conclusions.

Sammy yatim march
Family, friends and supporters of slain teenager Sammy Yatim march through downtown Toronto on July 29, 2013.    Global Post














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