So another kid stole a car and went after pedestrians.
The police aren't releasing many details for fear that this is a copycat type situation.
Lets think about that.
Why would someone want to copycat this? And how can we curb it??
I say make a public example of last weeks case. Charge that person, FASD or no FASD, with attempted murder and anything else possiable and give him the max sentence with no eligibility for parole.
What's the max sentence for a kid? Maybe we should rewrite the law and make car theft a public endangerment issue. Kids that habitually break the law could possibly be locked away in preventative detention.
CTV News has learned Winnipeg police are investigating another case of a pedestrian being deliberately targeted by a stolen vehicle. Police say early Saturday morning a stolen vehicle rammed into a police car on Leila Ave. Police say the vehicle also attempted to make a run at a pedestrian. It's the second such incident in two weeks. Police are releasing few details because they feel media attention on such incidents might glorify them and result in copycat acts. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in the latest incident and faces charges that include dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
[quote][cite] alex:[/cite]Frustration is growing in the police department.[/quote]
Yeah, and frustration is growing in the 'public' too.
So the police can't really do anything, and vigilantism (dealing with the issue yourself) is not an option.
What am I as a pedestrian to do? Just deal with the fact that at any moment a car could jump the curb coming straight to me and that it's totally acceptable??
I heard about this on the radio this morning apparently there were 4 youths in the car. The car was stolen and they hit a 17 year old girl by opening the door and hitting her with that. That sounds like attempted murder to me. But of course the judge and the lawyers will get the charges reduced to something stupid and really pointless the kids will do some community service and be out doing it again within a week.
or maybe the spring '07 fashion trend in Winnipeg will be to wear an inflated truck inner tube around your hips (good for daywear or beachwear!)
Not sure about the vigilantism angle. if I've been run over by a car I'd love to punch the guy's light out but would probably have more pressing concerns at the time.
Unless we should proactively go after drivers. if you see a car stopped at a light that you think has the potential to run you over later, run up to it and pull the driver out and kick the sh!t out of him.
Well its tough to say until you're in that exact situation.
But I can speak to the situation where my girlfriends car along with about 20 others were smashed in and ransacked.
In that situation, where if I came out of a concert and some punk was going through the car after going though 15 others, I will most certainly physically assault and recover my possessions through any means possiable.
Maybe my fists, maybe I'll just scare him, and maybe a switchblade will find its way out of my pocket.
[quote][cite] mrchristian:[/cite] Unless we should proactively go after drivers. if you see a car stopped at a light that you think has the potential to run you over later, run up to it and pull the driver out and kick the sh!t out of him.
I heard what Stonekiller heard this morning, and I couldn't believe it. Apparently these are NOT the same youths as last crime.
From the FreeP there's not much more:
Another pedestrian deliberately targeted by driver, police say
Updated at 12:05 PM
Winnipeg police are reporting another case of a pedestrian being deliberately targeted by a stolen vehicle. Police say early Saturday morning a stolen vehicle rammed into a police car on Leila Avenue, fled the area and rammed into another police cruiser before hitting a hydro pole.
Police say the vehicle also attempted to make a run at a pedestrian — the second such incident in two weeks.
Sgt. Kelly Dennison released few details.
He said he’s concerned media attention on such incidents might glorify them and result in copycat acts.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in the latest incident and faces charges that include dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm. -- Canadian Press
I think cc has it right - the public is getting tired of this crap. You know why kids are doing it? Because they're getting away with it. I think it is time for some real consequences.
My smart ass comments aside ... that truly is scary if hat becomes a norm amongst thieves. At least other forms of crime if you have your wits about you sometimes have a chance at impacting the outcome but someone coming at you with a vehicle is not much different than a sniper popping off rounds. You're really up to their mercy.
I think the charge should be attempted murder - good grief.
Regular, non-criminals (read, white) kids drive around in cars yelling, swearing, threatening pedestrians all the time. Or they throw slurpee and fast food cups, garbage, bottles, etc. at them. Mothers with strollers, middle-aged people with dogs, and, of course, the apparently homeless.
[quote][cite] rgalston:[/cite]Regular, non-criminals (read, white) kids drive around in cars yelling, swearing, threatening pedestrians all the time. Or they throw slurpee and fast food cups, garbage, bottles, etc. at them. Mothers with strollers, middle-aged people with dogs, and, of course, the apparently homeless.[/quote]
The only reason we don't have a bigger problem from the richer kids in the southern part of the city, is not as many of them know how to steal cars. But they're still causing plenty of trouble. I hear vandalism and all the stuff we worry about in the innercity is going on everywhere.