Here’s Why Vigilant Policing Is Necessary

Commentary ^ | 05.03.2015 - 12:14 PM | Abe Greenwald

[robowombat]

Here’s Why Vigilant Policing Is Necessary Abe Greenwald 05.03.2015 - 12:14 PM

Brian Moore, a 25-year-old New York City police officer, is in a medically induced coma in Jamaica Hospital. He was allegedly shot in the head by Demetrius Blackwell in Queens on Saturday night. What spurred the shooting? Here’s the New York Post: “Blackwell had been fiddling with his waistband, a source said. The officers [Moore and his partner] pulled up behind him, and Blackwell realized they were cops.” In other words, the cops were so good at their job that their suspicions were raised by the sight of a man adjusting his pants in a particular way that indicated he might have had a gun—and he did.

That’s what good vigilant police work is. It’s picking out what’s subtly wrong on the street and getting to the bottom of it. It’s also what, under other circumstances, would wrongly be called racist harassment. Blackwell is black, and if it turned out he didn’t have a gun and if the situation escalated in such a way that that he ended up in critical condition, we can well imagine the outrage that would follow: First black people are told to pull up their pants. Then, when they do, they get shot. The point is the overwhelming majority of cops—good, smart, brave cops—don’t harass black people for sport. They don’t harass, period. They act on hunches and experience and put their lives on the line over the slightest irregularity to prevent civilian deaths, both black and white. In this case, one shooter is now off the streets; Blackwell is in custody. But one cop is in a coma. He saw a thug adjust his pants and understood that his vow to protect the community overrides any fear of being called a racist. It’s the very definition of both physical and moral bravery. Pray for Brian Moore.

[robowombat]

The point is the overwhelming majority of cops—good, smart, brave cops—don’t harass black people for sport. They don’t harass, period. They act on hunches and experience and put their lives on the line over the slightest irregularity to prevent civilian deaths, both black and white. In this case, one shooter is now off the streets; Blackwell is in custody. But one cop is in a coma. He saw a thug adjust his pants and understood that his vow to protect the community overrides any fear of being called a racist.

[originalbuckeye]

And Officer Moore was removed from life support and has died. This Admin is fanning the flames of discontent and I fear this is all going to get worse before it gets better.

[Alberta's Child]

The bigger point is that New York City is a police state where "fiddling with your waistband" is sufficient cause for a law enforcement officer to apprehend you and search you for a weapon.

Hey -- what the heck. As long as they're willing to get rid of the Second Amendment, why not just eliminate the rest of them and call it a day?

This Demetrius Blackwell mutant probably would have assumed room temperature a long time ago if New York had an armed citizenry.

[Former Proud Canadian]

I just got back to "civilization" from a small town that might as well be on another planet. Everybody smiles and waves to friend and stranger alike. We did not lock the door of our cottage, even at night. We didn't even take the key off the wall.

There is no crime. Leave your car unlocked, heck, leave your keys in the car. It doesn't matter. It will be there when you get back.

Not a cop in sight. The nearest police presence is at least 10 minutes away.

On the way back I had to drive through downtown Detroit to get home.

[Cen-Tejas]

Same here. Don’t have a key to my house!

[logi_cal869]

Um...the shooter should be dead had this actually worked. But the officers’ actions were affected by lib BS.

See

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3286173/posts?page=44#44

I think that’s being overlooked.

[trebb]

The point is the overwhelming majority of cops—good, smart, brave cops—don’t harass black people for sport. They don’t harass, period.

On the flip side, I check my weapon from time to time to ensure it's seated in the holster (use a lightweight with no flap/retainer). If a cop sees me doing it, should he assume I am likely carrying an illegal weapon?

I understand that the cops were right about the guy but where does our freedom start/stop when a officer of the law decides to stop you on a hunch? Many point out that if the thugs who get killed didn't do what they were doing, they would be alive today - it doesn't seem like such a good argument when the only difference is in which side is doing what got them killed.

Just a little stirring for those who want to bump it against the Constitution without emotions and see what they come up with....