The Vancouver region's SkyTrain transit system is handy-dandy but risky. There's been a murder this summer, bum-pinchings and come-ons, and hella drug-trafficking. Now, an initiative to arm Vancouver's transit police is under attack.

The usual "fears" of "harrassment," where one immigrant minority's supposedly dubious experience is seamlessly transposed to the minority populace at large, is the basis for the worries. A standard variation on the old "When did you stop beating your wife?" meme.

Feh. Give the transit cops in Vancouver GLOCKS.

And NUNCHUKS.

I trust them to do much more for the common good than the hoodlums and creeps who make Vancouver's public transit problematic for law-abiding citizens.

And folks, if a transit cop, or any other cop, approaches you and wants information or cooperation of any sort, project highly viable karma, please. Meaning: be extremely judicious and respectful in your response. No attitude, no sudden movements. That especially includes not reaching quickly into any of your pants pockets. Even if you're just fetching your ID. Listen to them; let them set the pace. It's not so hard, really, and much better for your health, in the end.

Unlike wandering thugs and opportunists preying on decent citizens on public transit and city streets, cops (except for occasional instances in places like New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago and Albania - and certainly not in the munificent Northwest these days) aren't the oppressors. They're our PROTECTORS.

Eh, capiche?

TECHNORATI TAGS: VANCOUVER, SKYTRAIN, CRIME, GLOCKS, NUNCHAKU

TO COMMENT: The regular "comment" feature is not in operation. E-mail comments to address under "Contact" on main page masthead, and I'll add them, here.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at September 9, 2005 07:30 PM