Preventative Arrest?

[sags]

A police officer was on tv talking about the 34 arrests at the Montreal subway station.

I found his comments and attitude somewhat disturbing, when he said the people hadn't done anything wrong or committed any criminal acts, and the arrests were simply "preventative" measures.

Huh?................what is that?

People who looked like they "might" do something were arrested and detained?

I fully understand the need for security and allowing the flow of subway users.............but the police should at least have to wait until someone actually does something illegal..........don't you think?

[Spidey]

I agree that it is unfortunate. But it was probably a choice between that and not having the race.

“Some of those arrested were people police recognized from earlier student demonstrations that had been deemed illegal,” said Montreal police district commander Alain Simoneau.

“In the interest of public safety, we decided to detain these people.”

Masks, rocks and knives were among the objects seized by those arrested. Most of those arrested will be released without charge, while others arrested in neighbouring suburbs could be charged, Mr. Simoneau said.

<snip>

Lots of tourists come from all over the world. If people start to disrupt the race it’s not good for the country or the province.”

The anti-capitalist group organizing Sunday’s protest had suggested packing the subway with as many people as possible, making it difficult for fans to get to the race.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle4244730/

One thing that I'm not getting. If we get rid of capitalistic endeavors, which seems to be what this protest is morphing into, then where will the money for the free tuition come from?

[carverman]

People who looked like they "might" do something were arrested and detained?

I fully understand the need for security and allowing the flow of subway users.............but the police should at least have to wait until someone actually does something illegal..........don't you think?

These days where large crowds get out of hand and start smashing and looting
(the Vancouver riot), and the G8 summit riot in Toronto, Grey cup riots, etc;
police now days are given instructions to arrest first... and ask questions later.

In a crowd, usually at some point mentality takes over..
someone does something stupid like smashing a window, incites the crowd,
and you have a full scale riot on your hands.

If you are in the subway, you are supposed to be there to use it and not abuse it.

Anybody these days that takes part in a protest movement these days, even if it seems innocent at first (and maybe for a good reason?) is taking a chance to be involved.

All it takes is one NUT CASE to join in, carry a weapon or a hammer,
next thing you know.....cars are overturned, windows smashed...

Coming from a city with a past history of mass shooters, Stanley cup riots, etc...I don't blame the city for taking action to prevent these crowds from getting out of hand.

In a lot of European cities, police carry loaded machine guns...after all this is the
21st century and crowd control depends on what political regimes want to do.
History lesson:
Going back to the last century, the Russian Revolution, overthrowing the Czar and then
murdering him and his family was incited by protestors being shot and killed by the
Czarist guards.