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Those cops might have walked past those particular users, but that doesn't mean they didn't harass or arrest others. Keeping drugs illegal allows selective enf
by pmoriarty 4y ago
Those cops might have walked past those particular users, but that doesn't mean they didn't harass or arrest others.
Keeping drugs illegal allows selective enforcement, where people are treated differently at the whim of law enforcement.
- belval 4y agoThe uncomfortable truth is that selective enforcement is a way to deal with homeless people causing trouble and leaving those that are just staying in their corner alone. This will not lead to a quality of life improvement for people in Vancouver.
- throwaway92394 4y agoThat's not a good solution because it makes the law ambiguous as to where it should be enforced. The better solution is to treat it like alcohol - legalize it but make being a nuisance still be a violation (ie Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication). This makes it clear it shouldn't be enforced say in a night club or likely a homeless camp - but still allows police to intervene with people causing problems.
- pmoriarty 4y agoIt's not just troublemakers who the cops harass. It depends on the cop, the situation, who you are, and the cop's mood. It's the most vulnerable, powerless, and despised (like poor drug addicts) who are most likely to have some asshole, powertripping cop selectively target -- whether or not the victim is doing anything wrong.