Transit police post unusual comments on Twitter

VANCOUVER — Metro Vancouver’s Transit Police raised eyebrows on Wednesday night after a series of curious postings on the force’s official Twitter page.

"Its best to use AH against AH," read one of the mysterious tweets, posted under the handle @TransitPolice.

"Omg r u in a hospital. U should be. Really life on transit is not like u portray," read another one.

Two minutes later: "Oh okay now we see your true colours, u just hate all police. U should be able todo what u want when u want."

Then: "U r truly a confused person," and "Go canucks."

The messages were posted in response to tweets by Pierre Honeyman, an amateur photographer who took his disdain for Transit Police to Twitter under the handle @phoneyman.

Honeyman said he had had many run-ins with Transit Police over the years for taking photos at various SkyTrain stations — he was admittedly often at fault — but felt the force was often overzealous in its response.

Honeyman said in one incident, after Transit Police tried to stop him from taking photos, he swore at them. In response, he said the officer then banned him from the site for 24 hours and put him in handcuffs and ticketed him when he would not immediately leave the property.

"My behaviour is far from exemplary, and swearing at them is probably not the best tactic, but they clearly use bullying behaviour to get people to do what they want," Honeyman said.

On Tuesday, Honeyman tweeted: "O NOES, @TransitPolice! I saw someone ELSE with a camera AND SHE TOOK A PICTURE!"

On Wednesday, Transit Police began its strange series of tweets with: "Who is phoneyman. Do tell us who writes these intelligent dribs."

Several other users jumped in, mocking the tweets.

"Is a 12-year-old running their PR dept?" wrote @greghoekstra.

"Transit cops hire teen trolls for Twitter duty?" wrote @BrownieScott.

"Intern from Sweet Valley High," commented @GraemeMcRanor.

By 10:45 p.m., all of the rogue tweets had been deleted.

It is not known whether Twitter Police’s account was hacked, or who was behind the curious tweets.

Transit Police did not return a call from The Vancouver Sun on Wednesday night.