As if Canadian authorities did not already have enough concerns on their plate.
From increased rates of rural property crime to extremism on both ends of the spectrum that has in recent years resulted in unhinged individuals like the Quebec mosque and Parliament Hill shooters lashing out, city police departments and the RCMP seem to have their hands rather full.
And now, there is a disturbing online community comprised almost exclusively of disgruntled males who have banded together under a banner labelling themselves “incel.”
For those of you who might be wondering what that even means — which up until the Toronto van attack included myself — the term is a reference to deeply embittered men who are involuntarily celibate.
Apparently, as The Rolling Stones would put it, they can’t get no satisfaction.
But not through lack of want or supposed effort.
A since deleted social media message allegedly posted by the attacker in Toronto hailed the “incel rebellion” and praised another mass murderer who in 2014 went on a shooting spree that killed several people on California’s University of Santa Barbara campus after sharing a confessional video expressing furious resentment at being rejected.
Yet despite this wanton, murderously misdirected anger, there seems to be hope.
Const. Ken Lam, the officer who responded to the Toronto van attack in what can only be described as the epitome of professional police conduct, was quickly hailed a hero by the public for arresting the suspect without even firing a single shot.
This despite clearly obvious attempts by the suspect to prompt the constable to shoot.
“I have a gun!” the man shouts in video captured at the scene while gesturing menacingly as though drawing a firearm and pointing it directly at Lam.
“I don’t care. Get down!” assertively replies the officer.
Moments later, the suspect was arrested without further bloodshed.
As we hear about crime rates and trends evolving, surely there is some solace to be found in knowing that there are people such as Lam who are selflessly putting their lives on the line in service to their communities.
Along with other emergency responders and volunteers who run towards danger while the rest of us seek the safety of cover, I can’t think of a much more praiseworthy calling.
In the face of senseless violence, they help to restore our faith in humanity.
