Vancouver transit riders tasered for not paying fares

It's their own fault for not speaking english.

Don't pay the fare, prepare to be shocked!

What does it cost, $ 5? And that is enough to carry weapons for?

And I should feel sorry for them? Simple. Ride the transit then pay the fare!

Brenda, it's a mis-use of the 'use of force' option and I can't believe they give them (Tasers) to glorified security guards.
In Ontario only police supervisors and tactical officers can carry them and this kind of misuse would see Ontario officers charged with excessive force.

I dislike the Transit Cops. I dislike the fact that they are an armed police force that is accountable only to Translink who themselves have proven to be un-accountable to Canadians and users of that system. There is no doubt in my mind that they have some serious abuse of power issues.

That said.. we have some of the most vocal and millitant assholes in all of Canada. I swear that the west coast is some kind of magnet for communist freeloaders and welfare bum anarchists. If they refuse to buy tickets and are abusive or disorderly, Taze the crap out of them for all I care.

They carry weapons because they are also peace officers maintaining order on the system is their job. Although tasering somebody for a fare is extreme.
In Calgary the transit cops have the right to arrest and detain anybody with that comes the need for self defense and protection.
Calgary transit has been under the microscope lately for the problems with drunks fights and murders, people want a higher level of security while riding the trains.

Too bad they are never around when some poor shmuck does a swan dive off the deck onto the tracks in front of a train....

I also wonder what it costs in dollars and time when they use a taser for a $5 fare....doesn't sound like a very efficient use of transit dollars...

Don't tase me bro!

Sorry, I couldn't resist

isnt everything in Canada a free ride? they need to change their welcome to Canada blurb at Immigration... the answer to this of course is turn stiles.
honour system? long gone in this country..

It's not so much about the $5 fare but the provision for the transit cop to protect himself. Prior to this, (semi-arming them) how many transit cops got badly beaten?

That said, a fleeing fare-cheater, does not represent a threat to public safety if he escapes. Private citizens may not fire on a fleeing burgler.....

Vancouver Tourism really needs to put a note on their site to tourists to watch out for tasers.

The honor system is still in place in Calgary, no turnstiles no gates. If you board the train without a ticket you take the chance of transit cops doing an inspection. Fine is 150.00 bucks.

Same as in Vancouver: If you are in the fair paid zone, you better have a ticket.



How many transit cops did get badly beaten?
I'm positive that far more bus drivers have been beaten and assaulted but these transit cops only ride the train and don't bother with busses.