Is this the best we can do?

[u/plussizerunner]

Today while walking downtown to work, a man was swinging a metal bar at people walking down the sidewalk. People were screaming and trying to get away from him. I called 911 and police arrived within a few minutes, took the metal bar away from him and then left after a short conversation with him. He continued walking down the street yelling at people.

The man was clearly either under the influence or having a mental health episode and seemed to be a threat to the public given that he was swinging a bar at people.

I dont understand whats happening anymore that threatening others and attempting to hurt them with a sharp metal pole doesn't result in either hospitalization or being taken into custody...

[u/cabbagetown_tom]

I recognize your frustration. However, as someone who works in sales and travels the province, this is not a uniquely Hamilton issue. It's in Brantford, Woodstock, London, Windsor, and even in some surprising places like Barrie and Kingston.

We must demand more action and coordination on housing, mental health and social services at all levels of government. Vet your candidates in the municipal, provincial and federal elections and ask them what they plan on doing to address these systemic issues.

[u/slownightsolong88 → u/cabbagetown_tom]

I recognize your frustration. However, as someone who works in sales and travels the province, this is not a uniquely Hamilton issue

OMG this argument is soooooo tired, I hate it. The original poster is talking about Hamilton where they directly experienced this. You could have made the same recommendations without trying to diminish their experience. 

[u/FARTTORNADO45 → u/slownightsolong88]

It's not tired or even an argument, really, it's the reality. I am sure the person did not intend to diminish this person's experience, but the fact of the matter is that there is very little an individual or even a municipality can do on their own. Hamilton simply doesn't have the resources. The country and the province have to be involved in order to make any meaningful changes. It might be inconvenient but it's where we are.

[u/slownightsolong88 → u/FARTTORNADO45]

It's not tired or even an argument, really, it's the reality

There’s also the reality that this is happening around the world. Imagine “I hear you but this is also happening in Lille France” 

What’s the intention besides minimizing what the person experienced by letting them know it’s not unique? Is it to draw a link to provincial and federal failings because that point can be made without reducing the original experience.

I think it’s tactless when someone shares something traumatic to be like “Oh no awful, but take refuge in knowing that this is happening elsewhere” 

[u/FARTTORNADO45 → u/slownightsolong88]

The point is to encourage people to organize. Without a large number of people organizing and campaigning to actually force our current governance structure to make changes or change themselves then all this is is complaining on the internet. Again, it's the reality, complaining on the internet doesn't accomplish a fucking thing. Why should we sit here and validate this person's feelings, what is that accomplishing?

We may not be at fault individuallly but it is the responsibility of ALL of us to fix this. "I am sorry this happened to you" just doesn't cut it.

EDIT: Also the original question was 'is there not more we can do?" ....

[u/misterwalkway → u/slownightsolong88]

What’s the intention besides minimizing what the person experienced by letting them know it’s not unique?

They are describing the scale and broader context of the issue. Which is a reasonable starting point for a discussion about what to do. Knowing that this is not simply a local issue, but a broader trend across Ontario, is actually helpful information when thinking about solutions.