My sleep was seriously disturbed Saturday night. I was woken at 3:00am on Sunday morning by a helicopter hovering over my house and shining a search light into my window. This went on for over an hour. There were police walking down the back lane and the K9 unit was called to search the area. Sirens were going for hours.
That being said, one would think there would be something in the media to explain what was going on, or at least a Police Release stating a major search was underway. But no. There was nothing.
The only thing that was reported as going on Saturday night in the North End was a shooting on Dufferin Avenue. That took place at 10:50pm. A man was shot in the head, taken to hospital, and thankfully upgraded to stable condition. The media reported that the Police are looking for a 20 or 21 year old "Aboriginal in Appearance" male, bald head and clean shaven, wearing black clothing. I am not aware of any other event taking place late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
Now, when I heard about the shooting on Dufferin, and the fact that the person was shot when answering his door, the first thing that came to my mind was October. You know what I mean, the three shootings that took place in late October. The two that died were men who answered the door to a shot gun.
But Saturday night, there was no mention of a shot gun, and there was no mention of a link to October, and no mention that there was any similarity to October. What I want to know is, was the search that took place in my back yard and surrounding area in relation to the shooting on Dufferin? Did the K9 unit track a scent that led the Police to my neck of the woods? Did the helicopter see someone run from the 400 block of Dufferin to my block? I would like to know that. I would like to know if the Police were out tracking this person, and I would like to know if that person is hiding on my block, or near me.
And if the Police were in my area on a completely different incident, I would like to know that too. I want to know what was so terribly important to bring out such a crowd in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Really. I want to know.
Not only do I want to know what all the Police resources were doing in my area, I want to know why the helicopter needs to use the search light so much. I mean, they have the ability to locate a person with heat seeking or night vision technology don't they? Wouldn't they be able to use that in their efforts to locate someone, instead of hovering over my house with their search light on over and over and over again?
All I really know is that I am now moving all of my bedroom furniture into a room on the main floor. I am moving out of my bedroom that I love so much, and going into a small room downstairs so I can sleep at night.
I get that the Police have a job to do. And I get that it is a hard job. Believe me, I do. I just want to know why I have to move. And I want to know what went on Sunday morning. I just want to know what is happening in my neighbourhood. Is that too much to ask?
But if the helicopter caught someone it would have been front page news. At least Winnipeg didn't paint their helicopter black with orange flames like the Edmonton Police Service did.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand I would like the police to keep public posted by way of media or blog or something. On the other hand I would like that time spent catching the bad ones and letting them know by way of their actions that they are constantly on top. Kudos to the police for making sound decisions.
ReplyDeleteI'd cover my windows with someting that won't let light in and find some type of blind that will help as a sound barrier.
It's funny, but I actually find the sound of the helicopter rather reassuring. I haven't had it come down low over my house but I hear the "ptptptptp" sometimes at night. I turn over and go to sleep knowing the jerkoffs are running scared instead of skulking in my back lane. If people want to help, put your outside lights on at night so there is no where for them to hide. Build a fence if you can afford it and light up your property. Things that live at night don't like the light.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what was happening in your area, but us scanner owners know all too well that what gets officially released to the public is only the tip of the iceberg.
ReplyDeleteTake a strange incident that happened the other day: a daylight mugging at Corydon and Stafford, followed a short time later by a report of a thief, with an identical description, walking barefoot into a North River Heights home and stealing the owner's shoes. The suspect was arrested on Academy Rd. shortly thereafter.
Two strange incidents, the first on a street not exactly known for having lots of daylight muggings, the second in a neighbourhood where people often leave their doors wide open until well after dark on warm evenings. Yet it wasn't reported as far as I know.
The best under-reported crime had to be the robbery of a St. James adult video store about 12 years ago or so. The robber wasn't after money, drugs or smokes -- just an inflatable love doll. You could tell the dispatcher was trying to resist the urge to laugh.
Maybe the Winnipeg Sun should bring back the weekly summary of crimes around the city they used to run about 15 years ago.
Did you read the Black Rod yesterday?
ReplyDeletehttp://blackrod.blogspot.com/2011/05/is-north-end-spree-killer-back-at-work.html
Thankyou for that link Anonymous. I too noticed the Free Press article and shooting that followed. I wish the Police would provide more details or ask for more assistance in these cases. They may find more law abiding citizens helping if we were allowed 'in' just a little bit more.
ReplyDeleteI was given the link to a post on the Black Rod from Anonymous: http://blackrod.blogspot.com/2011/05/is-north-end-spree-killer-back-at-work.html
ReplyDeleteThankyou for that link Anonymous. I too noticed the Free Press article and shooting that followed. I wish the Police would provide more details or ask for more assistance in these cases. They may find more law abiding citizens helping if we were allowed 'in' just a little bit more.