This is on the Pantagraph’s website right now.
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/04/30/news/doc4636091e66ca8079821886.txt
Much like recent Peoria cases, family members and witnesses are disputing police descriptions of the incident. What’s going on here? I’m not going to take any sides on any of the current cases, but does it not seem that there are more disputed reports between local police and citizens in the last few weeks?
Here are my other questions, based on the spate of murders and recent other stories (mostly culled from Peoria) about police v. citizens:
1) Are police TOO aggressive right now?
2) Do we really have, as some have suggested and rumors travel, some younger, more militant officers geeking up on steroids and maybe being a bit too quick to lose their tempers?
3) Are people willing to lie at all costs to dispute police?
4) In Peoria, can any sympathy be drudged up for families and witnesses when they refuse to “snitch”, and brag about a code that says not to? (And this is NOT just a black thing…there are many white kids, particularly in the Woodruff district, and I’m only saying that because of first hand knowledge, who also get into the “no snitch” attitude)
5) In Peoria’s case, are the TV stations and newspaper doing a decent job of fair reporting, or are they tending to lean towards one side over the other.
I honestly don’t have the answers for these questions, and I only have slightly formed opinions in a couple of them, if any. Looking for honest feedback here.
1 response so far ↓
1
chef Kevin
// Apr 30, 2007 at 6:41 pm
BJ –
Same question I asked. Last year, in August I believe, a young Peoria man was shot & killed nearby, getting into, out of, whatever an SUV. According to the PJS, a large crowd of people witnessed it, but nobody saw anything. No arrests, no one in custody, etc. within 24 hours. But a large crowd saw it. However, 80 people “saw” a couple of cops “beat” a drunk driver. I guess it depends on who is doing the shooting or beating or who is getting beat or shot.
I hope these people who practice “the code”, appreciate “the code” when a loved one of theirs is beaten, shot, raped, mugged or killed. See if they are bragging about it then.
Are police too aggressive? Maybe. But I’m also sure they are sick and tired of hearing that they do nothing or little about crime. The shooting in Lacon: Honestly, what would have anyone done if a person who was known to have some mental instabilitites is waving a knife around 10′ from you (not saying you, specifically, BJ)? Have a nice sit down conversation about his situation to find out what is irriating him over a cup of chai tea? How about just “wing” him? I’m sure not every cop can shoot the eye out of a mosquito at 50 paces like in the movies. Flip side I’m not saying what was done was justified. If this guy would have stabbed and\or killed the cop, we’d all be saying “his poor family, the officer was aware of this man’s instability, why didn’t anyone do anything – we need more protection for our officers”. It is easy for any of us to second guess what we would have done in these officers’ situation sitting on our couches.
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