I was wondering why the police aren't carrying those wonderful beanbag shotguns? A crisis team might consider having them as an alternative to using bullets. Brandishing a machete and crowbar is a good example of where such a tool might have been a de-escalator.
Just a thought, from Stevens Square. Deidre -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Walt Cygan Sent: Monday, March 11, 2002 8:25 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] Re: police oversight continued I have been one of the biggest supporters of the police on this list, but even *I* know that something is wrong. I would appreciate it, however, if some people would turn down the rhetoric just a touch. I don't thing anything is gained by using words and phrases like "murder", "trigger happy" and "the taste of blood in its mouth." I still don't believe that individual officers go out on patrol thinking it's a good day to kill somebody. Robin Garwood said it best. We have to examine the "book", if indeed this incident went by it. We also have to examine the fitness of a Chief who could see nothing wrong with this shooting. One cautionary note, though. Be careful about the dangers of bringing about a mob mentality which demonizes the cops. If the average to excellent MPD officer feels that citizens are only out to find cops doing something wrong, those will be the cops that find jobs in other cities where the attitude isn't so polarized. What sort of cop will that leave us with? The ones who can't find jobs elsewhere. That won't be a good outcome for anybody. Let's remember that the carrot generally (but not always) works better than the stick in bringing about positive change. And I think we all want positive change. We have to demand accountability, but let's try to do it less shrilly. Let's examine the "book" and demand reform, but let's bring down the level of our voices so the Police Department can hear the words and not just the anger. R.T.: Thanks for reaching out to the community. Community: Try to understand that it is in no one's best interest for these incidents to occur. People of good hearts will try to fix what is wrong. Walt Cygan Keewaydin _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
