As a background to carding, the police practice of gathering information to prevent crime, the linked column by Marcus Gee is useful. Still, many of the things which are cited by Mr Gee as newly-agreed upon at the police commission really seem rather obvious. One might have hoped singling out men because of their colour for questioning would long ago have been discarded. What is not mentioned in the column is the geography of carding as explained by the police last year. Carding, they pointed out, goes where the crime is. Maps of serious crime in the city reveal a close overlap with where the cops are asking questions. As has been said in the past, however much some people may dislike carding, there are many more residents of vulnerable neighborhoods who are protected by it. If it becomes necessary to stop and ask questions of young men in Leaside and Davisville Village because of crime, so be it. Globe and Mail
