Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jun 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC) 
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Spencer Smith

FIREMEN SHOULDN'T BE COPS

This idea of firefighter police squads will blow up in our faces with
regards to the safety of our firefighters.

There are also privacy issues surrounding the constitution and the
Charter of Rights.

Besides the police telling firefighters where alleged grow-ops are
located, I don't see how power consumption can be a determining
factor. Especially since most of these criminals are stealing power.

This Surrey initiative looks more like a hollow scare tactic.

I also question whether firefighters are trained to deal with
criminals who may become violent. What happens when a firefighter is
injured or killed because he isn't dealing with Mom or Pop?

While we all agree this is a problem in our communities, I believe
criminals should be dealt with by the police. They have the training
and the mandate for such responsibilities.

This is a disaster in the making and definitely a wrong approach.

Spencer Smith,

Abbotsford
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin