NCJ Number
83061
Journal
Canadian Criminology Forum Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1982) Pages: 115-123
Date Published
1981
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Police perceptions of their role in the 'skid row' section of Toronto, Canada are examined, and skid row residents' ('bums') views of police are determined.
Abstract
'Skid row' refers to that section of a city whose residents are predominantly single, unemployed men with some behavioral pattern (usually an alcoholic problem) that precludes their participation in a normative lifestyle of employment and social interaction. The findings of this study were derived from observations and interviews with police and bums in the skid row in Toronto over 1 month in the winter of 1980. Observations and interviews were conducted 2 or 3 days a week during the day and at night. Thirteen police and about a dozen bums were observed and interviewed. Police officers generally perceived themselves as unappreciated protectors of the bums. Such protection was viewed as consisting of breaking up fights which could result in injury or death and putting bums in jail when they had no food or shelter. While the police view themselves as benevolent protectors they view the bums as 'garbage' that has no social value. Bums, on the other hand, view the police as harassing them with heavy-handed tactics. In interviews, bums told of incidents where they were arrested by the police even when they were sober under claims that they were drunk and disorderly. Overall, the interaction between police and bums is one of mutual disrespect. Thirteen references are listed.