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Friday, May 23, 2014

Here's a story that makes you want to say, "Stop the world, I'd like to get off please."



A British Columbia woman who was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill a mother and her three children following a violent confrontation on a city bus has been charged with assault, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

Witnesses say the woman, Leah MacKay, boarded a Langley bus on Tuesday and got into an argument with the bus driver when she refused to pay her fare.

When the mother of three complained about the profane language used, MacKay allegedly threatened the mother and then tossed a drink in the direction of the baby. This led to an altercation caught on video.

Hanna Koekman, who shot the video, said the bus driver then pulled over to the side of the road.

“He just kind of stood there and watched them, he didn’t intervene, nobody really did,” Koekman told CTV Vancouver.

In the video shot by Koekman, the bus driver can be seen standing near the women during the altercation.

Koekman said the bus driver then ordered both women to get off at the same stop.

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6 comments:

Bicky said...

The woman getting pounded had no way to defend herself. That video just makes me ill.

Nora1968 said...

I have read several accounts of this bizarre situation. I find myself unimpressed with the transit commission's statement that their drivers are "trained not to intervene" (allegedly to avoid making matters worse) and that the driver in this case "acted appropriately".

Really? If this happened on a street, in a restaurant, a mall or any other public place, witnesses could reasonably have been expected to do the obvious thing - call the police (which supports imminent resolution and requires no direct physical intervention). As the person in charge of the bus, I fail to understand why this is not a minimum part of their protocol for a situation like this. Furthermore, ordering BOTH women (and kids) off the bus is also suspect - the woman being attacked is a victim, not a perpetrator, and forcing her and her small children off the bus in tandem with the psychopath who had been attacking them meant almost certain danger (which in fact, was borne out by the continued attack on the street).

Disgusting all around, in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

All this lady did was ask the woman to watch her language around her kids and she got nearly killed for it.

This is why I wait for the day when CJ gets a knife in the chest from a footrider. It can happen and it's not a matter of it - it's when because it will. This video/incident proves it.

I only say this because although I admire people who speak their mind and have more courage than I do, we no longer live in a world where people respond well to criticsm.

Valentino Assenza said...

@Anonymous,

"...This is why I wait for the day when CJ gets a knife in the chest from a footrider. It can happen and it's not a matter of it - it's when because it will. This video/incident proves it..."

That's speaking your mind and then some.

Maybe, it's just me but doesn't anyone else find that statement a little extreme?

There's potential for shit to happen to any one at any time, but I can't say that I am waiting for it.

I hate what Rob Ford has done to the city I was born in, grew up, and came to love so much, but am I waiting for the day he drops dead of a heart attack? No, in the end he is a guy with a name, a wife, and kids. While I think he and his brother should be nowhere near the vicinity of politics and this rehab thing is a sham, I sincerely do hope he does get better, as a bigger guy myself I would actually be happy to see it.

If I am not mistaken, I think the purpose of "This Crazy Train," which we are all rather faithful readers of, is to create awareness, and so that maybe not all, but some of us will maybe think about misstepping if we have before. Or if we haven't spoken up, to speak up. CJ seems to be touting the pursuit of kindness, courtesy, and being just generally good to your fellow man, and she's done it in a way that takes a for the most part mundane commute, and given it some perspective for all who are a part of it. Sadly our society if you ask me is in need of such a thing.

C.J. Smith said...

I must have given the impression I come off as aggressive at some point in this blog's life span. No way man.

I go at every situation with a keen sense of self-awareness. I assess every possible confrontation and plan an exit strategy and for god's sake, I sure know when I would be over my head and should call Transit Security, or move to a different section of a bus or train.

Anonymous' concern, although poorly expressed, is a valid concern. One that's been voiced by family, friends and even folks I've met who work for GO Transit.

Generally, people respond well to me or they ignore me or they mouth off but I haven't had anynoe throw a punch at me yet. I also have learned the art of un-engagement.

The only scary incident I had was when someone followed me off the train and right onto the bus afte I casually commented whether they needed a pillow after noticing them sprawled out on a bench seat on a later train home. I had my exit strategy ready. As the driver shut the doors, I jumped and yelled, "Let me off I'm gonna be sick - I'm pregnant!" The driver screeched to a stop and off I hopped and ran inside the station. The bus driver left (as he should).

I don't do anything that could result in me being cornered or confined. I also know when to shut my mouth. If a person is being outwardly aggressive and if I had been the mother in this situation, I would have pushed the stop call button and exited the bus and waited for another one rather than confront someone who was already looking for a fight and continue to subject my children to foul language.

Bicky said...

The problem with not speaking up, is that it gives the uncouth clods "permission" to continue with their rude and bullying behaviour.

At the same time, you have to be careful because you never know what's going to set someone off on a rampage.

It's truly sad that (some of) society has sunk so low in good manners and common courtesy in public settings.