Worries

[Athene]

I didn't think that even a slightly reasonable person could mistake a white or red folding cane for a gun under normal circumstances. But a quick Google search informed me that dumb cops DO on occasion.

In the off chance that you're in a public place and hear a cop yell "Drop your weapon!", assume that he/she could be talking to you and drop it, then LOUDLY state your disability and that it is in fact, a cane. Odds are there would be some decent people within the vicinity that would come to your assistance.

Bottom line is, you've got to use your cane and you've got to live your life. Try to not let the fear of such unusual occurrences consume you if you can.

---

Two facts. Both true.

A black person IS more likely to be killed by police than a white person - when figured by race percentages.

If you ARE shot by the police - you are more likely to be white than black - if you simply look at the numbers.

That aside - to the OP's question - 

The question of - are you more likely to be shot by police if you are carrying a cane is very like the following - Are you more likely to be hit by lightning while walking on a freeway - if you a re carrying an umbrella?

Probably.


But , you are far more likely to be run over by a car.

...

The parallel? Black people are far more likely to be killed by other blacks than by police.

I don't find being killed by someone of my own race more palatable than being killed by police.

I would think you are worrying about the wrong thing.

Blacks are more likely to be murdered by blacks, as whites are more likely to be murdered by whites.
People of any race who live in lower-income, high-crime areas are more likely to victims of crime than people who do not.

But none of that is particularly relevant to BQ's situation if she doesn't she doesn't live in "the hood" or a high-crime area.

Her concern is that she MUST use an assistive device that dumb, racially-biased cops can and do mistake for a firearm/weapon.
Every time she leaves the house.


Though it's not a reason for undue worry, it is a legitimate concern.