Letter: Police frenzy at parade wrong

How many Baton Rouge city policemen does it take to break up a fight? Apparently, all of them! How else do you explain the over-the-top frenzy of policemen that was witnessed by those who were attempting to escape the Beauregard Town area, at the culmination of this year’s Spanish Town Mardi Gras?

Scuttlebutt was that there was a police officer “down.” OK, serious enough to warrant a reasoned response from officers on site, of which there were many. But the actual response was not reasoned!

The thousands of parade-goers, many of them children, who were crossing streets and making their way from the downtown area to their parked cars never witnessed a high-speed movie chase more thrilling and dangerous!

One witness stated that at least 20 police cars and motorcycles responded to the call for assistance.

It was at least that many that raced, at high speeds, up North Street, sirens blaring, as dazed and scared parade-goers did their best to hurriedly escape the careening vehicles. You’ve never seen women, with babies in hand or in carriages, get out of the way so fast!

I personally witnessed the intersection of two police cars that nearly collided. At the speeds at which they were barreling along, the collision could have sent them rolling into those of us who were walking or sitting only a few feet away.

What was all of this about? The next day we learned that a female officer had attempted to arrest a drunk and had been punched in the face. This is what it had all been about? A policewoman had been punched in the face? You mean all of those wild-eyed cops didn’t know that that’s what had happened? There weren’t already enough cops on hand to break up a simple fight with no guns or knives? Give me a break!

The Feb. 10 Sunday Advocate featured a front page article on the dangers of high-speed police chases. A BRPD spokesman would not comment on the department’s specific high-speed chase policies. He did say, “all of our training and procedures are designed to do everything possible to help reduce and manage the risks involved, both to the pubic and our officers.” Really? Comforting words that, unfortunately, don’t seem to have a basis in fact. I’m a supporter of our men and women in uniform, whatever their uniform. This was uncalled for, though.

I strongly suggest that it’s time to rewrite the policies and procedures, to ensure that all of BRPD’s officers actually read the book, and that they don’t lose their collective minds the next time one of their own gets a bloody nose.

Wayne Sanchez

retail assistant manager

Jackson

Comments

1) Comment by billynurse - 18/02/2013

Amen, Wayne.

2) Comment by DMJ - 18/02/2013

Reminds me of that old joke: how many BRPD officers does it take to do one cop's job? 6

3) Comment by chem - 17/02/2013

@tradewinns: you must be joking. Nothing in that encounter in L.A. nor anything you stated in your comment justifies opening fire on a car!! The cops had no visual ID of the occupants yet in their infinite stupidity they almost murdered two innocent women. If that's your idea of law and order I'll take my chances with anarchy.

4) Comment by tradewinns - 17/02/2013

chem sounds like you always have an excuse to blame police or whatever represents law and order in society. if you will recall it was very early in the morning so individuals are not that visible in a closed vehicle, nor can the officers see in the back seat/etc to see if the ladies are being forced to do whatever by the fugitive. if you are going to look at any issue at least give some credence to both sides.

5) Comment by chem - 16/02/2013

There's always an excuse for the cops, regardless of what they do. And that is the problem. They need to be arrested, charged, and tried like everyone else. If found guilty, send them to jail like everyone else. Regarding the two women in L.A., I doubt that either of them looked like a 6' 2" 270 pound black man. These were ill-trained cops that should not be on the force. They clearly do not have the intelligence or temperament for the job.

6) Comment by tradewinns - 16/02/2013

cops should respond with overwhelming force to stop any illegal action in a crowd. as they do not know the "good" from the "bad" the quicker they stop the action the better for everyone. it puts a halt to that mob mentality. as for the ladies in the pickup that was shot, my understanding is in addition to their truck being similar to the one sought, the ladies did not respond to their order to stop the vehicle.

7) Comment by chem - 16/02/2013

Everyone's comments, including the letter writer's, are well taken. It is not just the BRPD, but it is a problem that is endemic to police departments across the country. Remember last week when LAPD opened fire on two women because they were driving a car that "looked like Dorner's." That is outrageous. Peruse the various news outlets across the country and you will find similar stories daily. Better training, better standards, and better applicants, along with a decent salary, would go a long way to reducing such incidents. I'm not anti cop. I am anti stupid cop.

8) Comment by speakthetruth - 16/02/2013

Mr. Sanchez and some of the comments are correct to a certain point. The original call of "officer down" creates a rush of adrenalin that, through training, officers should learn to control. Getting there quickly and safely, and being aware of public safety, should be a top priority. Since nobody was hurt (luckily) we have to commend the original officers that responded. My issue is with the officers that continued to pour into the area after it was broadcast the situation was under control, and the actions of the 20+ officers at the scene. Officers continued to drive at dangerous speeds through the crowd after the situation was under control, officers walking through the crowd dropping the f bomb to move people, officers loitering and laughing it up but acting like they were being bothered when asked a simple question like "what is the best way to leave the area of the fight", which caused a sarcastic response. I was embarrassed for the PD and BR. This kind of total disarray response can be attributed to the problems that have plagued BRPD since the day holden took over. The union is running the department which has created a "I'm don't want to be in-charge attitude" due to second guessing and attacks. The union bosses sit back and tell the officers you don't have to do what your supervisor says and if he makes you we will run to kippy and change it. The tail wagging the dog.

9) Comment by chem - 16/02/2013

If all cops can do is shoot people then we do not need them. If they are so afraid that all they can do is shoot people, then we do not need them. If the cops are going to pull out all stops for "one of their own" while putting others in danger, we do not need them. cops need to be better trained and have far more discipline than what is now imposed. Cops need to be held on a very tight leash to protect the public from these overzealous types.

10) Comment by On_The_Fence - 16/02/2013

I agree with spqr. Enough said.

11) Comment by spqr - 16/02/2013

Ever break up a really violent fight involving strangers in a city with some of the highest crime and HIV rates in the US, Wayne? Ever approach a violent person wondering if they have weapons or if they feel no pain from ingesting drugs? I will not blame the police for their so-called abuse. You appear NAIVE.

12) Comment by chem - 16/02/2013

It is disgusting to see cops act as they do when "one of their own" calls for help. You will never see that type of response if the average citizen needs help. Agree with the points in the letter.

13) Comment by Bighug - 16/02/2013

Police do go a little overboard when it's one of their own in trouble and not just a mere innocent citizen. In that chase for the killer in California who threatened to kill some policemen, some cop shot two women who were delivering papers just because they were in a vehicle similar to the one reportedly driven by the fugitive.

14) Comment by Attila - 15/02/2013

As I understand it, the original call was that an officer had been shot. If you want to see the police move a warp speed that is all that is needed. I cannot fault them for their response.