Lawyers Weekly on Carding and Geographic Profiling

Omar Ha-Redeye was interviewed by Dave Gordon of the Lawyers Weekly on carding and LegalSwipe,

Omar Ha-Redeye of Toronto’s Fleet Street Law said presenting such a card or using a smartphone app applies if one is a pedestrian and there isn’t a crime investigation. A driver of a bicycle or a car, for example, or someone questioned in a licenced establishment, is required to show identification.

While Ha-Redeye said carding is “a serious issue” he feels that “geographic profiling” is an “effective and legitimate policing method” — that is, information-gathering in an area where there’s been a crime. Co-operating in such an instance is useful and increases public safety, he said.

Still, he does support the idea of pedestrians saying as little as possible if they’re stopped for no apparent justification.

“Police are taking down names, addresses — we should also be taking the officer’s name and badge number as well,” said Ha-Redeye. “Yes, it could be confrontational and escalating, and that [card or smartphone app] may be construed as obstructing a police officer, but it’s within our rights to refuse [to speak].”