AN ATMOSPHERE OF MISTRUST West Enders Tell Stories Of Being Targeted By Police TROUBLE is brewing in the West End as a number of area residents claim they've been harassed by police, subjected to racial stereotyping and picked up off the street without reason. They've got the backing of Mayor Sam Katz who, after a three-hour meeting with a group of disgruntled West Enders, said he believes they're telling the truth. "I heard some genuine concerns from the people there," Katz said Friday. "When I heard some of the stories, disgusted would not be too strong a word. Some of the stories were shocking to hear." The West End has been the subject of massive police attention because of Operation Clean Sweep, a highly successful police operation that has seen 430 Criminal Code charges laid and more than $30,000 in drug proceeds seized. Even those residents who have an uneasy relationship with police praise the results of the intense anti-crime campaign. Still, the stories of harassment keep growing. They're stories like those told by 42-year-old Victor Pierre, an aboriginal man who is convinced he keeps getting stopped by police because of his race. "I was driving my car and they saw me," he said yesterday. "They turned around, followed me and pulled me over. They said it was because the car was registered to a woman and I was driving." Pierre, who has a criminal record, admits he's no saint. He still believes he's entitled to walk down a city street and not be afraid of being questioned by an officer. "This is Canada. It's not right that it's assumed I've done something wrong when I'm out for a walk." The stories are all anecdotal but Katz says he knows there is discrimination out there -- and he's determined to do something about it. "Now that we are aware of this, let's move. I want to see a good working relationship with every city department and our citizens." He said he has no question some residents have been hassled. "I listened very attentively and I believe I was being told the truth," he said. "As the mayor, my objective is to make sure everyone is treated the same." The initial community meeting was held in late January. Katz has scheduled a March 24 follow-up meeting at City Hall with a small group of community representatives, police representation and city staff. He doesn't know if police Chief Jack Ewatski, who was invited to the first meeting but did not attend, will be at the next session. Two police officers were present at the first meeting. Katz said he has not had "direct conversation" with the chief about his concerns. "I have discussed it with members of the department," he said. "I don't want to get into a debate. I acknowledge, yeah, there is a problem. It doesn't matter if it happens once or 100 times." Area resident Kathleen Booth, who organized the first meeting, said she believes police view most people in the neighbourhood as potential criminals. That's a bit of hyperbole, but her experiences make her wary. Her son, she said, was walking down the street when a police car pulled up and told him to go home. Words were exchanged and the 21-year-old ended up in the back seat of the cruiser. "The only thing he did wrong was go for a walk," Booth said. She's convinced most police are decent and hard-working but that a few bad apples are creating an atmosphere of mistrust in her neighbourhood. She said most people just want to be treated with respect. "It is awful. I am ashamed. I am embarrassed as a Canadian that there are complete infringements on our human rights. The perception has been well-established that the majority of people have criminal intent. They don't. They just want to go about their business." Booth and Katz are right. It doesn't matter if there's one incident or 100, one cop who treats citizens poorly or 100. The overwhelming majority of police officers are out there doing a tough job, one that few of us would sign up for. They deserve our support and respect. But if there is a minority, a few who have created an atmosphere of mistrust and unease in the West End, they should be ferreted out and fired. Because the citizens of the West End are correct: No Canadian, regardless of ethnicity or income, should be afraid to walk down the street.
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