To the editor,
I am deeply disturbed by the HRM police response to the recent surge in violence in the Spryfield area. It seems like everyone is ignorant to the problems we face in the area and these preconceived notions are evident in the actions of the police. Almost every incident that has occurred in the past few weeks has been drug-related. These are not random acts of violence—they are being planned and executed by members of organized crime rings and are being carried out against other members of the "underworld." The police response has been to increase their presence in the area. This has done nothing and will do nothing to stop these crimes from happening again and again. Setting up roadblocks and handing out various tickets for minor offences just creates and escalates animosity towards police. The police need to stop harassing common citizens and go after the real perpetrators of these crimes. It's the criminals who should pay, not the working-class Joe who can't afford to replace a tail light.
By Josh Whalen
