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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Who’s to blame for rising anger in society?

May 15, 2022 | 6:39 AM

THE RISE IN VIOLENT THREATS and hateful comments in person and on social media posts is extremely disturbing. And it appears it’s only getting worse.

People ripping up politicians over crime, comments against the homeless and other vulnerable members of our society, bullying in schools and in public, slights against immigrants and Indigenous peoples – this is just some of what’s taking place.

The insults by protestors against NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh this week are truly scary. It’s not the first time this has happened, but it shows that the trend is headed in the wrong direction.

And there’s so much false information out there.

Ian Mulgrew wrote in the Vancouver Sun this week: ”It’s time for a reality check on the many polls, anecdotes and videos of disorder that police, politicians and millionaire property owners claim demand an iron-fist: More police, more money for law enforcement and more imprisonment.”

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When the cost of putting these people in jail costs more than providing proper care for them, it’s foolish for small-minded people who can’t grasp the enormity of the big picture to propose things that will never work.

I’m not saying I wouldn’t be angry with constant vandalism, litter, and drug needles around my property, but the facts show that in many areas, the crime severity rate is dropping. Kamloops has a high crime rate for levels of crimes like drug dealing and so-called minor crime, but it’s certainly not beyond being fixable.

Blaming the City Council and senior levels of government for the problem, and suggesting changes to council’s makeup to “get tough” with street-crime, is just a blind reaction based on anger and no thought. We used to call it “letting off steam, but these comments are much more dangerous and violent than that.

These critics have some valid points and their views should not be taken lightly.

But their solutions are not fundamentally sound, and yelling at political leaders, immigrants and the homeless is not going to provide the fix they would like.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.