Po-Po on Richmond Row
There's nothing like London's
Richmond Row, which attracts
thousands of students every weekend.
The streets are packed with
partiers lining up for their
favourite bar. But anybody who's
been down to Richmond Row on a
Friday night has noticed that the
crazy students are not all the
downtown core attracts.
According to Const. Dennis Rivest, public information officer for London Police Service, there are at least 20 police officers patrolling the Richmond Row on a busy night. It seems there is a like a cruiser around every turn.
"When you see that large presence of police officers in the downtown area, it's all about keeping people safe," he explained. "There are cars that are running around, there's people that are running into the road and not using crosswalks ... we police officers need to be there."
If you've noticed the police presence, you may have also noticed how the officers are received by partygoers.
Brian Masse, a student who frequently visits Richmond Row, said, "Every time I've been downtown and seen the police, there have been chants against them." He remembered one downtown experience he's not soon to forget. "I was downtown and I was trying to get (into a bar). The bouncer didn't believe my ID was legitimate, so they called the cop over. They both tried to intimidate me and made me sit in the back of the car while they ran my information ... and they let me out, but they gave me a bunch of stern warnings even though I hadn't done anything."
Although the police presence downtown is meant to keep individuals safe, it seems to cause feelings of fear in young people instead of security. Why are people so nervous of police if they no reason to be?
Perhaps it's because many behaviours are considered cause for action by police. Taunting or yelling at police can be considered "causing a disturbance," a criminal code offence that could earn you a ticket or even jail time. "You can't be drunk in a bar," added Rivest. "People think it's okay but it's actually an offence."
He said when the bars close is the most difficult time for police. "People are partying all night ... they've been drinking and doing whatever else, and they don't want it to end." Fights are also a big problem around this time, and an easy way to gain unwanted attention from patrolling officers.
Although Masse may have had an unpleasant experience with police, he still finds their presence necessary. "I don't understand why people have a problem with authority, but I do understand that people react negatively because their methods are a bit of an overkill."
If you do get into trouble and are approached by police, Rivest had advice to keep your consequences at a minimum. "Even if (somebody) has been drinking, if they're polite and respectful I'm probably going to react a lot different than somebody who is angry. Be polite and respectful and you will be treated with a lot more respect and politeness back."
According to Const. Dennis Rivest, public information officer for London Police Service, there are at least 20 police officers patrolling the Richmond Row on a busy night. It seems there is a like a cruiser around every turn.
"When you see that large presence of police officers in the downtown area, it's all about keeping people safe," he explained. "There are cars that are running around, there's people that are running into the road and not using crosswalks ... we police officers need to be there."
If you've noticed the police presence, you may have also noticed how the officers are received by partygoers.
Brian Masse, a student who frequently visits Richmond Row, said, "Every time I've been downtown and seen the police, there have been chants against them." He remembered one downtown experience he's not soon to forget. "I was downtown and I was trying to get (into a bar). The bouncer didn't believe my ID was legitimate, so they called the cop over. They both tried to intimidate me and made me sit in the back of the car while they ran my information ... and they let me out, but they gave me a bunch of stern warnings even though I hadn't done anything."
Although the police presence downtown is meant to keep individuals safe, it seems to cause feelings of fear in young people instead of security. Why are people so nervous of police if they no reason to be?
Perhaps it's because many behaviours are considered cause for action by police. Taunting or yelling at police can be considered "causing a disturbance," a criminal code offence that could earn you a ticket or even jail time. "You can't be drunk in a bar," added Rivest. "People think it's okay but it's actually an offence."
He said when the bars close is the most difficult time for police. "People are partying all night ... they've been drinking and doing whatever else, and they don't want it to end." Fights are also a big problem around this time, and an easy way to gain unwanted attention from patrolling officers.
Although Masse may have had an unpleasant experience with police, he still finds their presence necessary. "I don't understand why people have a problem with authority, but I do understand that people react negatively because their methods are a bit of an overkill."
If you do get into trouble and are approached by police, Rivest had advice to keep your consequences at a minimum. "Even if (somebody) has been drinking, if they're polite and respectful I'm probably going to react a lot different than somebody who is angry. Be polite and respectful and you will be treated with a lot more respect and politeness back."
