I got word of a possible gunman on Friday. My cameraman called me telling me to do the story. I ran to my house grabbed the equipment rushed outside, and slipped on the mud. All 300 pounds me slid under his car. All because a man had an umbrella on a rainy day.
The 25-year-old man was walking to work carrying an umbrella shaped like a sword when he was spotted by a concerned citizen. He spotted his own picture on social media and informed the authorities, but it was all too late. Two schools were on lockdown and the media was scrambling to cover the possible gun man.Fredericton Police Chief Leanne Finch said the reaction was necessary to ensure the safety of the public, and we’re all inclined to agree we need to be safe.
STU is implementing a new Campus emergency notification system. It’s not linked to the recent events, but it is clear more and more agencies are taking precautions.
“This was started because what we’ve seen in universities, primarily in the United States ,but occassionally here in Canada,” said Jefferey Carleton, university spokesman.
He went on to reiterate the system wasn’t rolled out in response to Fridays incident, but did say, “It’s just a reminder why we need to use better technology for those circumstances.”
The new system will allow UNB Security to directly message students, faculty, and staff about emergency situations and weather closeurs.
The fact remains, society is on high alert given the recent string of school shootings and the prevalence of violent crimes throughout the world. At what cost are we willing to feel safe?
Certainly not to disarm an umbrella wielding citizen. But are we at a point where the fear of shootings has led us to a 12-year-old-boy being shot in a park wielding a fake gun?
Tamir Rice was the 12 year old, shot after he failed to follow police orders to put his hands up.
Nearby citizens noticed Rice on a swing set pointing the gun at people. The fake gun also didn’t have the standard orange tip to signify it as a toy.
But this case shows the stark gravity of our time, is it a threat, or should kids be allowed to play?
Today it seems were faced with the ever mounting question of freedom versus safety. It’s the unending battle of our time.
It seems a scary world to me. I remember as a child taking on legions of imaginary aliens, orcs, and Cobra terrorists, with never a thought of looking like a threat. Simply a child lost in the bliss of his imagination.
It seems the prevalence of violence and mass shootings has truly changed our times and may have ended those types of childhood games.
At what cost is our safety bought in a world that is becoming all too dangerous. Should we take all threats as serious, because not doing so may cost lives? We’ve seen all too often the consequences of someone dismissing a threat as nothing and then months, maybe years later seeing that threat come true.
But the other stark reality is living on edge, having our lives constantly monitored. Two schools being shutdown because of an umbrella, and a 12 year old shot in a park to ensure the public’s safety.
