Quality of Life Crimes/Public Behaviour

[adma]

Maybe AP's point is, you made your bed, you sleep in it. i.e. if you're prone to taking public transit with the late-night yobbos, accept all risks, you dum-dum. *harrumph* *harrumph*

Otherwise apropos this thread, I'd offer the case of Soviet states pre- vs. post-Perestroika. It was probably a safer and even more congenial milieu pre-1989 in those endlessly depressing peripheral plattenbau zones with long lineups for bread + vodka, than it is now in the touristic heart of Moscow...

 

[cassiusa]

^AP has no point and is just being a jerk. If he is trying to say something or make a point than why not just come out and say or make it?

As far AP's last post, you'd need to be a complete idiot to think Alchemist is saying he rarely beats people up that are doing nothing wrong. He clearly is not saying that.

 

[AndrewJM3D]

Adma,so what you're saying to Alchemist is if he chooses to ride the late night he should come to expect and accept the fact that thugs thieves and hooligans run amuck on the rocket? What about those who don't choose to ride it the but are forced to due to what ever circumstance has led them to? We shouldn't be complacent when we encounter problems like this and discussing the issue is a good first step to solving the problem. Alchemist I to have wanted to punch a few idiots in the chops but like you I don't, does this make us psychotic violent misfits?

 

[Chuck100]

This brings back memories of a similar string of negative events that I witnessed a few months ago. Recall the thread
I started. The way I dealt with it was to move to a "better" neighbourhood and vote for Jane Pitfield. LOL.

 

[adma]

Adma,so what you're saying to Alchemist is if he chooses to ride the late night he should come to expect and accept the fact that thugs thieves and hooligans run amuck on the rocket?

Yes.

What about those who don't choose to ride it the but are forced to due to what ever circumstance has led them to?

Losers.

We shouldn't be complacent when we encounter problems like this and discussing the issue is a good first step to solving the problem. Alchemist I to have wanted to punch a few idiots in the chops but like you I don't, does this make us psychotic violent misfits?

Yes. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. And you chose Rome; that's your problem, not AP's. Live with it. Darwinism will take care of the rest.

HOWEVER...

^AP has no point and is just being a jerk. If he is trying to say something or make a point than why not just come out and say or make it?

Maybe your point's *my* point, too? (thus my sarcastic *harrumph* *harrumph*)

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Alch:

yeah, I thought about using the strip but then I thought about trying to explain to the special constable that, although there was no damage to either my property or the subway property I was very irritated and they made my ride unpleasant and spoiled my mood. How can I convey something at once pernicious but also so unquantifiable?

It has nothing to do with vandalism - it's a behaviour that can legitimately be viewed as a threat. Thus, the use of the strip is more than valid. Besides, the point isn't so much so to get the constables to arrest them or anything like that - but to send a signal that there isn't any carte blanche for this sort of behaviour in public. It's the transit equivalent to eyes on the street.

My only regret in your case is they weren't drunk enough to fall onto the third rail.

AoD

 

[TdotTrickyRicky]

I think enforcement of laws and by-laws for minor criminal and by-law infractions can definately help, but I really think the culture of behaviour has to come from people not government or the law. So in this respect I ask, particularly to those who have written a strong response what are each of us doing to solve any proceived problems?

I don't recall any anecdotal situations where I felt unsafe in the city over the last few years with the exception of driving a car. The area I live in has actually notably improved it's appearance and feeling of safety over the last 5 years.

 

[andreapalladio]

AP has no point and is just being a jerk. If he is trying to say something or make a point than why not just come out and say or make it?



As far AP's last post, you'd need to be a complete idiot to think Alchemist is saying he rarely beats people up that are doing nothing wrong. He clearly is not saying that. ?

How is that clear Cassie? He'd already said that he was twitching with desire to assault someone - then he said he doesn't always do it. Which implies that sometimes he does assault people, expecially in his context of wishing people feared they'd be shot, and his approval of a woman on a bus being assualted.

 

[Bogtrotter]

I've seen some pretty questionable behaviour as well but the TTC guys rarely seem to do anything. I also rarely see those constables on the trains. Are they roaming around daily or do they sit in an office and get dispatched when something is reported? When an incident is occuring how long does it take for the constables to show up?

 

[spmarshall]

I confronted some dick smoking on the subway platform at Wilson. I started by pointing to the huge no smoking sign, then told him he can't smoke in here, then I saw a TTC employee, who told me of course that I'd have to get a constable to enforce the bylaw.

In Chicago, I saw station agents come out onto the platform to yell at some guy smoking away.

I'm starting to become quite mouthy to people on the buses and subway who show no respect. I yelled at one teenage bonehead yakking on her cellphone while taking up two seats on a packed Orion VII right at the front, while some 80 year old woman was hanging on for dear life right in front of her.

 

[Bogtrotter]

^ Sounds like the TTC guy didn't care that much- too much bother for him I guess :rolleyes

How do you call these transit constables anyway? Where are they- what do they do all day?

 

[building babel]

Most of them are in plainclothes I think, prowling the system looking for stragglers from the fare-paying herd to pick off one by one and charge with bogus misdemeanours. They nest in the back room at the Yonge and Bloor station and occasionally swarm out into the little boy's room to arrest exhibitionists.

 

[The Mississauga Muse]

Bogtrotter wrote:

I've seen some pretty questionable behaviour as well but the TTC guys rarely seem to do anything. I also rarely see those constables on the trains. Are they roaming around daily or do they sit in an office and get dispatched when something is reported? When an incident is occuring how long does it take for the constables to show up?

These TTC "special constables" are essentially municipal enforcement security personnel and, as was pointed out in another thread, the only thing they have in common with real Police are --they wear uniforms.

These constables/municipal enforcement officers have no civilian oversight. If one of them decides to tap dance on your head, you're totally out of luck. It's impossible to launch a complaint against them. Beware. Seriously.

spmarshall wrote:

I confronted some dick smoking on the subway platform at Wilson. I started by pointing to the huge no smoking sign, then told him he can't smoke in here, then I saw a TTC employee, who told me of course that I'd have to get a constable to enforce the bylaw.

That YOU'D "have to get a constable to enforce the bylaw"?!

Like is it possible to care any less? (I mean outside of Mississauga?)

spmarshall continued:

I'm starting to become quite mouthy to people on the buses and subway who show no respect. I yelled at one teenage bonehead yakking on her cellphone while taking up two seats on a packed Orion VII right at the front, while some 80 year old woman was hanging on for dear life right in front of her.

Again. Beware. Do that often enough and it'll be YOU who's targeted as disruptive and a nuisance. You're insisting that employees take control and enforce their rules. Not good, sp.

Municipal employees/Enforcement personnel go to astounding lengths to avoid accountability. And their municipalities back them! Again. Beware.

Yes, yes, you witnessed "one teenage bonehead" taking up two seats while yakking on her cellphone "while some 80 year old woman was hanging on for dear life right in front of her". It matters not.

If you complain (and repeatedly complain), you will be told that "SOCIAL ISSUES SHOULD NOT CONCERN YOU" and since you're the only one to see the problem, then it really isn't a problem.

And by the way, sp, YOU'RE The Problem. Really.

Bogtrotter wrote:

How do you call these transit constables anyway? Where are they- what do they do all day?

Where are they? Look for people looking officious --usually black uniforms. And their true talent is having eyes open but not seeing anything. Think, Sargent "I see NOTHINGGGG!" Schulz.

What do they do all day? That one's easy.

Try to create the impression among the public that your municipality is addressing societal (I knew I couldn't type this with a straight face) ...concerns.

I'm serious when I say beware of these types. Many have minimal training, some are frustrated wanna-be's who didn't make the grade into a police force. And something far worse.

Ready?

They view themselves as a "security force" yet (unlike Police) have no accountability mechanisms in place --not subject to the Ontario Police Services Act unless they actually physically hurt you. Even then, they can iwithhold information because of "security".

Inviolate --untouchable. So much so in fact, that a couple months ago, I designed this logo that I believe, should be on all Ontario municipal "special constable" uniforms (front and back)

Hmmm... come to think of it... on their patrol cars too.

 

[SD2]

This kind of behaviour is by no means exclusive to Toronto - you'll find it everywhere, unfortunately.

 

[Bogtrotter]

Geez- I didn't realize the system was so unprotected. I'm going to start carrying my bowie- or at least some bear repellant.