JULIAN FANTINO
The headlines, expressions of outrage, tears of helplessness and usual political platitudes have become the all too frequent responses to now routine occurrences of gunplay and gang activity in the GTA.
But, until political and community leaders and citizens work up the courage to delve deeply into the who and why behind this mindless reign of terror, meaningful solutions to violence on our streets will continue to elude us.
I believe there is a cause and effect contributing to the madness.
With every cultural, business and societal evolution, there is always an identifiable tipping point – a time and circumstance when significant change, good or bad can be pinpointed.
Before the latest significant increase in violence on our streets, the tipping point is actually the elephant in the room. The maligned, misunderstood, so-called police “carding” which was made out to be a race issue. Its demise has provided added protection for the criminal element.
Most of the rhetoric over police carding involved broad-brush allegations it was used by police to abuse their authority — an abuse made out to be racism. I am certain in some cases it was both.
It should not have been.
In plain language, the misnamed police carding initiative is a fundamental intelligence-led and data-driven policing strategy solely intended to prevent crime. It is especially effective at reducing gun violence to ensure safer communities. That’s it.
In my opinion, and that of many front-line police officers I speak with, the end of self-initiated street checks has been the most significant factor contributing to the escalation of gunplay and gang activity.
The broad labeling of carding as racism and, by extension, officers who conduct street checks as “racists” has had a very chilling effect on front-line officers.
The condemnation of carding, and new legislation designed to discourage its use, have in fact discouraged front-line police officers from proactive policing – the self-initiated intervention by police officers to engage suspects, gather intelligence, disrupt gang activity, drug dealing and gun violence. This is especially true in vulnerable communities, where officers fear being accused of racism.
The people who’ve benefited most from this chill are the criminal thugs willing to carry and use guns.
There are no excuses to be made for police officers operating outside the law, acting in a prejudicial or biased way whatsoever, or abusing their police powers and authority towards any person.
However, the overplayed carding rhetoric and the condemnation of street checks, a perfectly legitimate crime prevention tool when lawfully carried out, has become the crux of a serious public safety problem nobody in authority wants to acknowledge.
The tipping point is when things begin to go sideways. The chill on carding began, then gun violence began to spike. The correlation is stark!
Yes, more needs to be done to stem the flow of illegal guns into Canada. The judicial system needs to deal more effectively with gunmen. Improvements to prevention programs, social and economic infrastructure are needed. All good things.
But, in the immediate term, the most effective response to the wave of gun violence in our communities is to encourage, empower and support our front-line police officers to step up the lawful gathering of intelligence. It’s a proven, effective tool to deter gunmen, interdict guns, and disrupt gang and drug activity.
That’s just good police work in the interest public safety.
— Fantino is a former federal cabinet minister, commissioner of the OPP and chief of the Toronto, York Region and London police services.
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