Relating to constructive experiences with police
I’m scripting this letter in response to the commentary I learn within the Yukon Information, dated April 22, within the Opinion column. [Defunding the police promotes safety by Kevin Walby.]
Professor Kevin Walby, who’s a legal justice professor within the College of Winnipeg, has an fascinating tackle defunding the police, and alternate options to security.
First, it’s ironic that this opinion piece was printed on the similar time when a standoff led to the arrest of an individual and an officer getting stabbed in Whistle Bend, Whitehorse. Additionally, extra ironic is the report, which can be printed in the identical version, from the commanding officer of the Yukon RCMP which states a rise in crime within the Yukon within the 2020/21 fiscal 12 months. The Authorities of Yukon declared an overdose emergency earlier this 12 months, however the one motion I seen from declaring that emergency is have a webinar on psychological well being. Individuals buying and selling illicit substances are properly conscious of what they’re doing, and extra crafty than the customers. It takes effort to not get into the police radar.
I’m a BIPOC individual, and the rationale for me stating that is that professor Walby in his opinion piece commented that the subject of police shouldn’t be a luxurious to debate for many individuals who determine as BIPOC. I’ve many tales to share on how the police have offered providers to me and my household of their capability.
This incident occurred round December 2021; it was a daily December weekend in Whitehorse and to wind down the day, I made a decision to seize some savories from a neighborhood retailer. I had a little bit of a tailspin whereas coming into a car parking zone. My passenger facet rear barely touched a parked car’s driver facet rear. I may really feel the jerk being within the driver seat and instantly turned again to see what injury this brought about. I noticed the purple taillights nonetheless shiny in each of our automobiles and sighed with reduction. I jumped out of the car to see what else was the injury. To my shock, there was not a dent or paint mark on the opposite car — the tail spin was not drastic, it was slight, however because of ice on the street I couldn’t management it. Double reduction, that I don’t should get insurance coverage concerned! My car took a dent and I used to be okay with it.
The motive force and passenger of the car that I touched, jumped out and on the similar time began yelling profanities at me. I perceive it’s surprising to be hit, particularly that they have been parked and have been at no fault. I apologized and on the similar time informed them that there is no such thing as a injury to the car fortunately. The profanities didn’t cease, the individual pulled out a observe and pen from her car and demanded my insurance coverage info.
Now I perceive that within the Yukon, police don’t must get entangled if there’s a minor accident and insurance coverage can cope with it. When you discover my earlier sentence, I stated that the individual demanded my insurance coverage info. She was not keen to offer hers, and so I refused to offer mine. She flared up and stated she goes to name the cops. I stated , “Please do, I can cope with them and never you.” The cops got here, did their factor and despatched us on our means. Within the technique of calling the cops, she said this; “When you had solely given your insurance coverage, I might not have referred to as the cops.” I’m glad the cops got here and dealt together with her rage. She didn’t have her car registration which is a complete totally different matter.
Me and my household have travelled world wide, and you’d have learn or watched information a few ghastly rape in New Delhi, India round 2012 the place the sufferer died after being admitted to the hospital. My spouse and I simply received married earlier that 12 months, and did a trip in New Delhi. We have been glad to see elevated police presence within the metropolis after that heinous crime. As younger {couples}, we undoubtedly had our issues.
When our youngsters have been slightly below two and 4 years outdated, we determined to make a journey to Israel. We stayed in Bethlehem, which is predominately Palestinian managed metropolis. Being vacationers, we have been cornered by avenue hawkers, asking us to purchase issues from them (bunch of fridge magnets). Strive strolling with 2 younger children and a bunch of males come and encompass you. I can combat again and would have fought again, however the penalties of my motion stored my rage underneath management. One hawker sees my pockets over my shoulder and says you have got cash, please purchase this stuff from us and name it a day. Police got here and dispersed them, as a result of at that second I used to be speaking louder than I ought to.
With the tourism season trying to swing again to no less than considerably like pre-pandemic ranges, I’m certain vacationers and passerby shall be extra comfy seeing cop presence across the city, understanding that they’re secure and don’t have to fret about automobiles getting damaged into whereas parked at a motel or lodge. Simply has how the phrase defund shouldn’t be seemed in a destructive means, the phrase police shouldn’t be checked out in a destructive means both.
Thanks,
Joel Pushparaj
Whitehorse
Nationwide day for fact and reconciliation within the Yukon
So, Yukon Authorities is suggesting having Sept. thirtieth turn out to be a (paid) vacation within the Yukon, in recognition of the abuses to First Nations individuals at residential colleges referred to as Nationwide Day for Reality and Reconciliation (TRC). That is already a paid vacation for presidency.
So, any First Nations individuals together with First Nation Governments which have paid workers within the Yukon or for those who personal a small enterprise with workers, you’d now be paying workers for this new paid vacation.
If authorities compelled First Nations to go to residential colleges, (we all know they did), many youngsters have been abused at these colleges together with my dad, and lots of youngsters died, why would a First Nations individual need a (paid) vacation to acknowledge today?
Why not have Sept. 30, that big day, as Nationwide Day for Reality and Reconciliation within the Yukon? However as an alternative of Yukon Authorities workers (Public Servants) getting that break day with pay, they work that day, and their wages are donated to enter an annual TRC belief mission fund for the First Nations individuals. Their wages would give one thing again to First Nations individuals.
Needless to say we have now a statutory vacation referred to as the Nationwide Indigenous Peoples Day on June twenty first.
David Dickson
