Toronto van attack latest incident of vehicle used as weapon

Stopping folks from utilizing automobiles as lethal weapons is a troublesome job for regulation enforcement officers, specialists say. Automobiles, vans and vans have been used to ram folks greater than a dozen instances all over the world lately, typically with lethal outcomes just like these in north Toronto on Monday. Federal Public Security Minister Ralph Goodale mentioned Monday night time what occurred doesn’t seem like related to nationwide safety, however he referred to as the incident a “horrific attack.”  Heads up if you happen to’re travelling round @unionstationTO. There at the moment are obstacles for cover which want slightly navigation. Any questions on security or considerations pls search out @GOTransitSSD who’re round together with @TPSOperations pic.twitter.com/R7rXCVddIn —@femwriter Not all latest vehicle assaults have been linked to terror teams, says Candyce Kelshall, an adjunct professor with the terrorism, threat and safety research program at Simon Fraser College in Burnaby, B.C. She says there have been no less than three incidents in Germany lately the place folks have pushed automobiles into teams or buildings, however didn’t have any reference to Islamic State militants or different terrorist organizations. ‘Troublesome factor to police’ Regardless of the motive, it is robust to cease somebody from utilizing a vehicle to kill, Kelshall says. “You possibly can’t cease folks driving automobiles or strolling on streets,” she says. “It is a troublesome to factor to police.” Autos are a well-liked weapon as a result of they’re accessible, says Alex Wilner, an assistant professor with Carleton College’s Norman Paterson college of worldwide affairs in Ottawa. The non-violent arrest of the Toronto van attack suspect is being praised by many. Video taken by witnesses reveals the suspect apparently pulling a gun when confronted by a lone police officer. The officer is seen to get the suspect to face down, drop what he is holding, and make the arrest with out incident. 5:07 “It is lethal, it is simple and it is low cost. So, if you happen to put the maths collectively, it does not take rather a lot to kill folks,” he says. Cities are more and more on the lookout for methods to position obstacles between automobiles and pedestrians, Wilner says. In some locations, rubbish and hearth vans are being put in place at entrances to festivals or markets, he provides. Related security measures have been in impact in Toronto on Monday night time, with streets closed close to the Air Canada Centre the place the Maple Leafs have been taking part in an NHL playoff recreation. ‘A felony will attempt to take no matter they’ll’ Wilner says a number of automobiles used in latest assaults have been leases and there could also be some urge for food for making a registry to assist stop comparable occurrences. What a registry or database would seem like is unclear, he provides. Mubin Shaikh, an knowledgeable on counterterrorism, says he thinks a no rental record can be a reactive measure that may have minimal influence. If there are restrictions on leases, folks can nonetheless borrow or steal automobiles, he notes. Folks in Toronto are shocked by the van attack — many of them believing that such an incident would by no means occur of their metropolis. Sometimes identified as a protected and welcoming metropolis, some Torontonians at the moment are doubting that status. 3:50 “A felony will attempt to take no matter they’ll, nevertheless they’ll,” he says. “Will it deter the decided attacker? In all probability not.” Shaikh, who’s from Toronto, mentioned he heard about Monday’s tragedy after touchdown at an air drive base in Germany the place he was scheduled to present a briefing on assaults utilizing automobiles. “Sadly, that is the truth through which we dwell these days,” he mentioned, including that he is turn out to be hyper-vigilant when strolling down the road and is consistently on the lookout for cement planters or pillars that he may disguise behind if a vehicle jumps the curb. “On the finish of the day, it is not possible (to stop). We dwell in an open society and automobiles are in our proximity on a regular basis. That is regular metropolis life.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-van-attack-vehicles-weapons-easy-cheap-expert-1.4632765?cmp=rss