Uncategorized · 19th November 2008
New Cumberlander
Within the last 30 calendar days,( the most recent being this past Saturday,) there have been two outrageous occurrences in Cumberland that seem to have gone completely unnoticed by most residents. Last month more than 20 vehicles on Penrith Ave & Maryport Ave. had their tires slashed. When I reported it to the Courtenay Police I was told that I was one of only "2" calls that reported the crime. That no one reported the slashings is shocking to say the least.
The second incident was Saturday November 15th. At approx 6pm. a large group of individuals threw an axe thru the front window of a Cumberland residence and then smashed the remaining windows in the house.
As a new resident to Cumberland my question is this:
In light of the severity of these crimes why do we not have local Police representation here in Cumberland? It's not lost on any garden variety thug that even if the Courtenay Police are summoned and immediately respond by the time they arrive there will be no one left to arrest. They will be long gone. This is just simple time & travel reality. Not much of a deterrent.
Surely I'm not the only resident who feels this way. If a local detachment is not possible then what is?
Policing versus community
Comment by Marcia on 22nd November 2008
Policing is a mechanism by the state designed to separate people from each other and to create fear. It isn't there to create harmony or safety. What do you think will happen if we create a law against people who slash other people's tires? Then, my guess is, those people will only find this more tempting and probably do it to spite the law. Only if it is realized that such an act is unkind to other people will the behaviour change. If the behaviour is curtailed because of external forces then it really is only repressed. Basically this person is a walking closet tire-slasher. If you don't believe me then ask any person who has been given a ticket for something that they did that was 'illegal' and see if they had some sort of epiphany at that moment which made them suddenly realize that what they did was wrong. You can also look into the stats for convicted felons who are repeat offenders. The proof is in the parole.
What I am suggesting is a new way of looking at community. And I do realize that it is a movement that goes beyond this simple incident. But what a great opportunity for Cumberland! I think that Cumberland would make a prime candidate for such a shift.
First, lets try to ask around, find out if we can figure out who might have done this, and start a conversation. If we use police and laws, my guess is that it will be far harder to find out who was involved and also much harder to have a conversation around it. Your example of the ax-wielding maniac is a direct result of being assaulted by fear-based media which is also designed to separate us. This ax-wielding maniac is in your mind. It is what you make of it, an ax is only a tool for chopping wood. All the stories that you have made up about how it got projectiled through the window are all based in fear.
WE CAN NOT MAKE PEACE FROM FEAR
It's a much better answer than yours!
Comment by Kr on 21st November 2008
Look beyond Marcia...look beyond!
Difficult Behaviors????
Comment by New Cumberlander on 20th November 2008
An axe flew thru a picture window. It could have killed someone sitting in that living room, perhaps a child. And you want to do what???? Sit down and discuss their difficult behavior with them? Is that while they are holding the axe or after they throw it thru your window?
Policing is not the answer.
Comment by Marcia on 19th November 2008
Policing is not the answer. This is a cowardly approach to handling difficult behaviours. If we want to have a community of coexistance we need to look at opening barriers, not creating more. Making rules, and enforcing them does not make peace. In the same way that war doesn't solve strife. I suggest instead opening up communication between people, make the idea of trashing another person's effects a degrading act, not an ILLEGAL act. This is an important distinction.