Skip to content

LETTER: Guelph Police downtown sticker program already problematic, reader says

Reader is surprised that Guelph Police service is jumping on the bandwagon, and doesn't think the program addresses microaggressions or de-escalation
050321-pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3808904
Stock image

GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from reader Leslie Shapiro, who talks about the new sticker program Guelph Police Service is implementing downtown: 

I am writing in response to the new sticker program the Guelph Police Service is rolling out in the downtown core. When I learned that businesses would be putting up stickers in their windows as part of a pledge to create safe spaces for members of the LGBTQ+ community, it reminded me of similar programs that are currently offered by Arch Guelph, the Rainbow Diversity Institute and many other local organisations.

I have participated in many of these anti-oppression workshops, and witnessed first hand how much work goes into the facilitation as well as learning for the participants. Anti-oppression work is an ongoing process which must be committed to for a lifetime, it is not something which can be learned in a training session. 

We are lucky in Guelph to have access to so many resources and opportunities to continue learning (and un-learning!) That's why I was surprised to read that the GPS is jumping on the bandwagon, and even more surprised to learn of the low bar which they have set for themselves and the 60 business owners who are registered for the program so far.

The program seems to focus on responding to violent hate crimes that take place in the downtown core, but doesn't address micro aggressions, de-escalation, or really anything other than calling the police. The worst part is the lack of communication and input from groups that already exist and represent the diverse communities of Guelph. If the GPS can't even work WITH organisations led by LGBTQ+ people, BIPoc and people from marginalized groups, how can we expect them to speak FOR these groups. 

Although the program is brand new, it is already problematic. As the GPS acknowledges [in their announcement about the program on their website], people from marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ are less likely to trust police. If that is the case, how could a police sticker create a safer space, without putting work into making the police a safer and more trustworthy bunch? Especially when their program is replacing the programs that already exist and work towards long-term inclusion, safety and liberation.

When people talk about defunding the police and reallocating the funds to community-based professionals, this situation seems like a no-brainer place to start. I would like to see what Arch, the Guelph Black Heritage Society, Guelph Queer Equality, the Rainbow Diversity Institute, Black Lives Matter Guelph, or the Guelph Neighbourhood Support coalition could do with this budget.  The police simply aren't qualified, and replacing the wonderful programs that currently serve our city would cause harm. 

Leslie Shapiro