I saw a post on Social Media the other day where a woman was at a local mall in the food court having a meal with her family when allegedly a woman approached her table and loomed over them demanding food. The woman gave her money to get her away from her kids. My first reaction is to be aggressive myself. But I have lived long enough in this lifetime to know that aggression could lead to more significant consequences. Sometimes turning the other cheek is the better choice. Many people commented that giving in is enabling and encouraging the behavior to continue. Valid point. I’m not going to judge how the situation was dealt with but I know, as so many do, that it is incredibly ocmplicated dealing with crime, homeless, addictions, panhandling, intimidation. The situation in this city, and I’m sure any western Canadian city right now, is so complex. For instance having officers or special constables – essentially transit police dedicated to be present on certain routes. This is something that is in play but then you have to have the bodies. In our annual meeting with the Saskatoon Police Service this week – we being the media – learned that within the police force’s operational structure and funding – they would welcome with open arms 30 qualified people – today. But it’s finding the qualified people. As of September last year, at least 3,400 additional front-line RCMP officers were needed in Canada. So its not just Saskatoon. I wish those folks who like troll social media would put as time and effort into perhaps joining a civic board or commitee to help find solutions.