When cops see drugs being used on the streets, why tell them to go in an alley instead of arresting them?

Question

In Vancouver BC a cop will see a person smoking drugs(Crack cocaine, heroin) on the streets and tell them to go in an alley and smoke instead of arresting them

Answer 1

Time is money.
I feel that the police on street level have become the equivalent to "parking cops." They are merely there to point out what happened, get as much detail as possible on the situation and then give you your paperwork. The beat cop is now part of the gov't administration.

If the police were to arrest everyone they saw breaking the law, they would be writing crap down for 4 hrs out of 8.

Answer 2

a cop, or all cops ? did you observe this yourself ? I can assure you that a high percentage of police officers would take any necessary action after witnesses a crime in progress- this may simply be a case of a cop having a bad day or experiencing some job burnout- but obviously a bad practice and doubly bad as having someone in the public eye observe a lack of enforcement

Answer 3

Thats why Vancouver BC is all jacked up and its sad when the cops even look the other way when it comes to child prostitution. Too damn lazy to do their jobs and enforce the laws. Been there, seen it.

Answer 4

i think Canada has more relaxed laws concerning arresting minor offenders. is crack and heroin a problem in BC? usually cops may choose to let people carryin small amounts go, as compared to major dealers.

i also think Canada has more rehab options which are more helpful to junkies as opposed to the States mandatory jail sentences.

Answer 5

Because it is job security for the cops.