Vigilante validation?

David Chen, the Toronto grocer who was arrested after chasing down and apprehending a shoplifter last year, walked out of court a free man after charges were dropped against him Friday.

The case became a cause célèbre across the country, with many hailing Chen as a hero for taking the law into his own hands against a serial shoplifter when police wouldn’t respond. Some argue the decision supports vigilante behaviour, while others say his actions were justified even if illegal. What do you think?

Comments

[Ed2]

After the fact:

The shop owner can still not rest assured the criminal, however viewed as minor, will learn from his behavior, and I foresee another court date and 'Turnstile Justice'.

We place our faith in the courts and watch lawyers play out a plea.

Jaffer comes to mind. And bye the way, why was MADD Canada so quiet about his case. If drunk is drunk, and properly tested, as is the case, why has MADD not called out his case?

Politics and justice make for strange bed-fellows.

MADD; Your silence makes me mad.

[Len Brittain]

Where was Eugene McDermott and his crusade for justice, when Richard Peck withdrew the charges against an obviously guilty Michael Bryant...and the judges are allowing this behavior in our Hallowed Halls....

[D. Stark]

The only issue I have with this case are the ‘what if’s: What if Mr. Chen had tied up this person to the point where he choked to death? Should stealing flowers result in death or serious injuries? We have a Police force that ‘should’ be responding – why were they basically unresponsive to these shopkeepers issues? What if the next Mr Chen is wrong about a suspected shoplifter? What if he receives incorrect information from his staff and restrains or ties up the wrong person – an innocent person? Would I resist Mr. Chen and his friends from tying me up if I had done nothing wrong and they wouldn’t listen to me? Yes I would and I might add that Mr. Chen could be injured as I’m very capable in self defence situations – and further – Mr. Chen would be unable to pay my legal settlement thereafter. The central issue is not the shopkeeper – it is Policing and THEIR response to what they consider a non-priority call or non-violent call. It’s the same with reported break in’s at residences – people call the Police and they take your report over the phone – no visit – no investigation. You’re given an incident number to give to your insurance company. This not Policing – it is abrogating your societal and statutory duties to the public. The next member of the public to have to do what the Police ‘should be doing’ may end up in court and the outcome may not be dropped charges if someone is hurt or killed. The solution isn’t giving increased powers of citizens arrest rights – the solution is having the Police do the job they are trained to do and are paid to do!

[Brian Hinkley]

David Chen is neither a hero or a vigilante. He is a good citizen. Citizenship is about doing the right thing. Is it any wonder that many scared citizens do not come forward to help police or testify in court against criminals? The police and the courts cannot be relied upon to support good citizens. Something is very wrong. David should had never been charged.

[Enterprise]

He should never have been charged. This law needs to be changed. Too much discretion left to the police and prosecutors. Has the whiff of racism unfortunately.

The law and the police need to protect law abiding citizens.

[Ed2]

He, along with many of us are fed up with little criminals and big criminals that own the streets and play our courts as a cheap fiddle.

He, the shop owner, used reasonable force to keep this person on hold for police. Now it is up to the courts to enforce in the criminals mind and attitude that turnstile justice is over. They won't though, and from media reports, the criminal in question kept up his behaviour until his court date.

It's high time for the courts to crash down on these people. This KEENUR idiot in Hamilton has the same respect for us because his Criminal Record as a child, keeps his Adult Name out of the media. Why not give the Key to the City to this idiot as he has free range and roam protected by the same courts that failed to teach him about paying back to or paying for his crimes, no matter how simple they may seem.

In the end, the public must do what the laws and courts won't, even though they have the rights and right to do so.

[ed]

Just about every night cops ask us to help them find criminals. I guess its ok if they ask. Doing it on your own lands you in court. Nice to see a politician snaking around with champagne looking for votes,...nice!! where was Jack?

[Paul]

Vigilante? Hardly, he was simply reacting to a situation where a crime was commited against him. are we all to just fling up our hands and hope police are there in time? no. It was dangerous, but mainly to Chen as he did not know what the criminal was capable of. But he took the risk and succeeded. We should not allow our laws to prevent people from protecting themselves against crime.

[johnny wad]

Although there is serious risk in doing what Mr.Chen did, I believe one has the right to protect his livlihood and family.Arresting this man and taking him through the courts is simply ridiculous.If I had my way,I would promote fighting fire with fire,and a tooth for a tooth.

[Dave]

I think more people with the mindset to DO something about criminals as opposed to those who wish only to sit idly by and watch them waiting on the "authority's" to intervene is a far better choice.

Congratulations to Mr. Chen on being treated properly on a "citizen's arrest" a RIGHT we as all citizens of this country STILL HAVE and should be using more often.

Lawyers and lawsuits are the bane of humanity!