Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Letter: Putting Sea Lots protests in proper perspecitive

I am writing to applaud the Police Service for handling the tragedy that occurred early Sunday morning in Sea Lots. Whilst many, especially the residents, thought their actions were justified I beg to differ and I am glad that the Police handled the manner in the way that they did. 

These people did not understand that this was a crime scene and they attempted to contaminate the scene by rummaging through the vehicle of the accused and attempting to handle the bodies that were thrown all over the road. 


This is a familiar scene with many accident victims. My cousin, who overturned her car on the highway last year, laid trapped in her car while people who should have rushed to her assistance robbed her of her cellular phone, wallet and jewellery. 

Yes, such is the people that walk the earth now and I fear that this particular driver’s fate would have had a gruesome outcome if these residents were left to contaminate the scene.

We are all aware of the repulsive behaviour these residents often display; we have seen it in past protests and on a daily basis. So what do we expect from them in such a heart-rending incident? 

However, whatever the circumstances may be procedure is procedure and it is ought to be followed. I shall cut some slack because the majority must have been unaware and overcome with grief and shock. The police were merely conducting their duties as per protocol and the residents should not have interfered. The vulgarities and stone throwing were illegal and they are lucky that were not arrested and charged.

I think the news have highlighted these residents in an excessively sympathetic light tantamount to warranting their unruly behaviour. The police officers, though fully justified, were the ones cast with nasty looks and condemnation for the use of rubber bullets and tear gas. 

This is unfair and misguiding on the part of reporters and it is as though they are condoning the actions of the residents, which on any level was outright wrong.

Despite the unforgettable incidents we must maintain some sort of civility and allow the authorities to conduct their investigations without having to run for cover. Having to deal with all that and attend to the victims must have been a tiresome struggle and probably attributed to the lengthy delay in reaching to the hospitals.


We cannot resort to such behaviour every time such a tragedy occurs regardless of our emotional state of mind.

Tamara Bernard | Maloney Gdns.

No comments:

Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai