Vancouver Transit Riders Tasered For Not Paying Fare

CBC Newsworld item aired April 13, 2008.
It documents the growing problem of Taser 'usage creep' by police forces across Canada.

When the Taser was introduced, proponents held it up as a less-lethal alternative to deadly force, saying you'd be better off being shot with a Taser than with a bullet.

Today, however, the reality is the abuse of the Taser by police has seen it evolve into a 'come along' weapon, used to gain compliance of citizens through the threat of pain. Far from being used instead of deadly force, it is now routinely deployed in situations where the use of mace or even a nightstick by police would be considered excessive force.

The latest evidence of this came from a CBC 'freedom of information' request to the police in Vancouver, Canada. It revealed that ten people in that city have been shot with Tasers by the transit police, who are charged with patrolling Vancouver's SkyTrain stations and ensuring people pay their fare before boarding the train.

The records showed that people have been Tasered for offenses as minor as failing to pay the fare, and the Taser was even deployed when the victim was not combative or violent.

If Tasers kill about 2% of the people they hit, then as a SkyTrain rider one now faces the reality that some grunt with a job half-a-notch above security guard has the right to subject you to a one-in-fifty chance of death - all for the crime of failing to pay the train fare of $1.75

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• taser
• death
• vancouver
• transit
• djiekanski
• rcmp

[infiniLor]

Law? if only the police would actually abide by the laws...

are you saying that someone would deserve to be killed because they didn't have $2.50 (or whatever) and needed to get somewhere?

we're all paying so many taxes that something as basic as city transit should be FREE for everyone - especially at this time when we need to cut fuel emissions, etc. etc.

everything is so backwards.

[StephenMaturinMD]

What f*cking law? There are no laws being broken here, only statutes which only have the force of law if agreed to by the governed, (that's us and the citizens who were illegally assaulted with tasers). See Rob Menard on here to find out why these cops have no right to assault people for breaking crummy statutes. Cops are now revenue collection agents and if they can't fine you, they will assault you.

[sophia80000]

On Christmas day, the transit fare was reduced to a one zone payment, even if you were traveling three. I saw the skytrain police bully an elderly person, because they only had a one zone ticket. When I asked them about this, they told me to mind my own business. Another time I saw three of them surround a kid and bully him and repeatedly and obsessively asking him his age when he was obviously just some kid. It was like they were crazy.

[70mrknowitall]

the transit cops are the biggest douchebags around .i have seen them beat up a kid for sleeping on the train .they have no one to answer to .a bunch of ex cops that were probaly fired for brutality .kill em all

[RoxHardy]

@bluecollarcanuck I gave you a description of what I was wearing and no little putz tried to start something so I guess you're lying. But that shouldn't come as a big surprise. If you have any balls, you'll let us know when you're coming over to the island, coward.

Still haven't put out your address, I see. no surprise that a small mad hides behind the anonimity of the internet. You're pathetic!

[bluecollarcanuck]

@RoxHardy Hey, shitstain, so was I. Guess you're the bigmouth here.

[RoxHardy]

@bluecollarcanuck I was at the ferry terminal like I said. Where were you? At home sobbing, no doubt. Just goes to show what a small, pathetic person you are. Here's hoping you turned yourswlf in to the police for the damage you caused during the hockey riot.

[RoxHardy]

@bluecollarcanuck I'll be at the Tsawwassen ferry on the incoming 10:00 a.m. boat on Tuesday, June 28. Red team Canada jacket with the briefcase. If you have any cajones, you'll be there at 11:45 for your beatdown.

[abnormalp2010]

there like the mafia dont pay up get hurt...

[jgda9rs]

the reporter's hawt

[RoxHardy]

You started this, you end it. Your info , flamer, or your just showing how big a coward you are flamer.

[bluecollarcanuck]

@RoxHardy Hey, what's yours, then, you fuckin' goof? Let's see you put your money where your mouth is . When you're ready to come over here, you let me know and we can meet. Either let me know when you're gonna be here or shut your trap.