I don't know what the fuss is about. He looks like a pleasant person to be around.

LOL MrPG!! Thank you for the daily giggle!

Poor guy only has two fingers and two thumbs....give him a break.

Typical Raiders fan.

"The lawyer representing Inglis says his client has been off his medication for some time."

There you go ... part of the system which saw such individuals put on the streets. Thank governments right accross Canada for doing that and not providing adequate observation while on their own.

It does not help those individuals and it does not help the street scene in Canada. This is a Canada wide problem, not just local.

Must be some sort of "street rap" sign language... cannot find that in my text of Standard American Sign Language. :-)

Sad to see... but somewhere along the way something went sideways.... we all do have a purpose... even if it is sometimes hard to make it apparent... tough stuff.

V.

Gang Signs no doubt! I wonder if his shoes are hanging from a power line somewhere! Seriously though, while the de-institutionalization of the mentally ill is at fault, the real issue is the governments refusing to create the community based resources that they promised to replace the institutions. This was to be the new paradigm but, once again the corporations got tax breaks instead of social programming.

Well at least he is in jail and back on his meds....But question remains? Is he really not all there? Did he not tell someone that he is not taking his meds therefore proving that he has a level of awareness? And if so, what measures did he take to try and get the required medicine? Just a thought....

Ask a pyschiatrist ... someone who has the expertise to respond to such a very valid question.

On top of that, this appears to becoming such an issue that I think someone working in the social services really needs to respond to the public about such FAQ.

1. Why are such individuals not monitored?

2. Are there not conditions which they have to meet in order to be on their own and trusted to take medications?

3. Has this individual started to display different symptoms?

4. What duties does the government through its social services have to the public to save it harmless from harrassment and even assault, remembering that the public itself has some people who need to be especially protected from such activities.

5. By leaving such people uncontrolled and to thier own devices what is the cost to the justice system, the loss of otherwise viable parts of the city, and even the loss of interest by outsider to enter the city as new residents, tourists, etc.

The BC government is to blame for all cases like this.
They are the people that closed all the institutions in the province because it is better to have all the citizens make their own lives without Govt interference.

The Govt is responsible for all the crime that is a result of letting these people wander amongst us.

I remember this guy from the McDonald's om Victoria. I was waiting for my Egg McMuffin, when he strolls up to my window (and sees the $10 bill I was holding to pay for my meal) and asks for change. I told him I didn't have any and he says to me, "Do you want a half million settlement out of court or a million dollar judgment in court?"

I quietly told him if he didn't step back from my property, he'd be getting his answer from the creator soon enough.

Thank god I'm an ugly mean looking SOB.

He pissed off and I filed a report with the police.

Psychiatric assessment? BS

He knows exactly what he's doing and belongs behind bars.

Damn sociopath!

"... part of the system which saw such individuals put on the streets."

I do not know if this person was ever a resident in a psychiatric institution and I do not know if the system put him out into the street from such an institution.

Another thing is that if he is supposed to be on a medication to control his behavior I am not aware of a system that can guarantee that he takes his medication on time, regularly and the proper dosage, unless his freedoms are taken away from him.

There is also a question about to what degree society can intrude into the private life of a person and freedom of movement and association.

This is a very difficult case and remanding him for Psychiatric Assessment is a step in the right direction and probably way overdue.

I do not think that the authorities acted in the interest of society when they ignored his irrational actions for such a long time without stepping in.

He may NOT know exactly what he is doing and he may (for the protection of society) belong behind bars - in an institution where he is confined and gets proper treatment.

Before I judge the man I surely would like to know all the details first.

Maybe his mother or father should have a talk with him about what is and isn't acceptable behavior. I have a sneaking suspicion he was from a broken home. Poor baby!!

Put away that creep for good before he attacks more old people.

Some of you likely would watch someone who fell out of a canoe and is drowning within 10 feet of shore and not do a thing. Probably even yell "what's the matter pal, your mother not teach you how to swim?"

Someone told me to have some compassion for people who died in an accident. Yet those same individuals who say that have absolutely none for a living human being unless they meet your standard.

Get with the program!!! We are all part of the same human society. Time to help being part of the emotional support system.

Hey owl. Ask the cops if you can adopt this kid. Ya know, be a big brother. All he needs is a friend to be an example he can emulate. Human Resources might even cough up a few bucks if you say he is yer foster kid. Win, win fer both of you.

That's right owl show some compassion, adopt the guy, possibly diplomat would like to share the heartache, er, the expenses with you. Just remember, the grave yard is full of compassionate people, but, what the hell, they meant well didn't they.

More than likely the guy sold his medication on the street, then used the money to buy drugs, now he needs to panhandle to get more money to buy more drugs.
Maybe he should go to work like the rest of us. Looks like a young fella, able of working.
I bet the system paid for his meds in the first place, what a joke !!!

Maybe this guy is a criminal?
Seems fairly young, physically capable. Get him on his meds, and then see if he chooses to get a job or be back on the street. There are, however, definitely those that need a place, a better Riverview, only in the community.

Midnight: "Maybe he should go to work like the rest of us. Looks like a young fella, able of working."

Alright! You hire him, give him a job! You say that he is likely on drugs, so just be aware of that fact! Not many people hire drug addicts, so perhaps you can set an example of compassion by employing him!

I repeat: Before I judge the man I surely would like to know all the details first.

And, by the way, we were threatened by him too, in front of the Northern Hardware store!

The guy is probably not employable, and likely has little interest in earning an honest living.

I'm not sure if I subscribe to the bleeding hearts' philosophy that people like this guy should be institutionalized somewhere, forced to take their meds, and receive a free room and board for life courtesy of Joe and Jane Taxpayer just because he doesn't play well with others.

Give me a break.

You will note a comment has been removed, it was potentially libellous.
Let's clarify a few things:
This man has been covicted of uttering threats and mischief, as far as we know those are his only convictions.
It is not a crime to be mentally ill, or to need medication.
In future, if a "suspect" comment is noted please contact Opinion250 so the comment can be reviewed and dealt with. We do not operate under the "guise" of free speech, we promote free speech within the law.
Free speech is not relegated to the comments of just one person, others will disagree, and debate will begin. What we need to do is strip away the anger and listen to what people are really saying.
1. There should be a better way to help the mentally ill,
2. There is a level of frustration among the public
If you would like to contact me to discuss this further, please do so at
elaine@opinion250.com

Elaine Macdonald

Maybe someone should tell this young man that displaying his IQ on his shirt doesn't quite impress anyone.