Cops are still ticketing the homeless
A law student writing for CBC raises the perennial question why police are still ticketing the homeless.
Emily Knox points out this amazing fact: “nearly 40 per cent of all tickets for bylaw infractions in Montreal are issued to people experiencing homelessness, despite accounting for less than one per cent of the population.” Won’t those tickets essentially end up costing the city money, as they drivel on through the bureaucracy but can never be paid? Even if some people feel the homeless should be relentlessly badgered and punished, surely the thought of wasted police and bureaucratic efforts might raise a spark of concern in their shrivelled hearts?
Ephraim 18:58 on 2021-10-27 Permalink
Wonder if there is a quota on tickets and this is a way that they can hand out tickets without getting citizens angry at them. Low hanging fruit….
Bob R 09:06 on 2021-10-28 Permalink
Sometimes the claim is made that this is about health and safety of those experiencing homelessness – not just to point out infracting behavior, but to track individuals who are exposed to dangerous situations. If so, this civil law system should be replaced with a social services system – which is also empowered to provide a sort of “ticket”, not with a fine, but to inform the person of the infraction, and track them over time, and try to encourage them toward services that can improve their well-being.