Silly Little Country

Today's Toronto Police Report

It was a hard call today but this one is worthy of a report:

Robbery (Swarming) - 42 Division

A 27 year old male reports that on July 26, 2005 at about 0120 hours, he was at a TTC bus stop in the area of Markham Road and Greenholm Circuit when he was approached by three male suspects. One of the suspects produced a knife, threatened the victim and removed a quantity of cash from his person. The suspect then swiped the knife towards the victim’s chest but missed. The suspects fled the scene northbound on Markham Road. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, white, 16 years, 5’7”, 169 to 180 pounds, medium build, short blonde brush cut hair, blue eyes. Suspect #2: and #3: Male. NO FURTHER DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE.

8904/89594/20:59

This raises ineresting questions. One is whether three guys can be a swarming. Looks like a basic mugging to me.

Another is the right strategy for the police to pursue chasing the suspects. We would not want any 'racial profiling'. So I hope it is recommended they pull over some young black males in order to catch suspect #1.

Moreover, ' "racial" profiling' and its objectionable character, are surely objectionable not merely because of race. Today news reports were full of difficulty with a focus on Muslims, and they cannot be defined racially - in fact surely this is one of the great things about a world religion. Sex should be fair game too. So I hope the police are apprehending women as well in looking for suspect #1.

posted by Alan Adamson @ 4:29 PM