Police from Durham Region and Toronto were spotted this past weekend photographing members of the Satan’s Choice Motorcycle Club near Leslie and Lake Shore. Witnesses reported seeing dozens of Public Safety Response Team vehicles in the area along with what appeared to be a large drone gathering intelligence from above.
Police will argue this is proactive intelligence gathering tied to organized crime monitoring and public safety. Critics, however, will question whether this crosses the line into intimidation, over-policing, and excessive use of taxpayer-funded resources — especially if no crimes were actively taking place at the time.
This raises a bigger debate: when does surveillance become prevention, and when does it become targeting? Is this necessary policing, or budget overkill directed at people before any crime has occurred?
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