Yes. Especially jail time. Fines of police departments don’t seem to work all that well, since they just always seem to end up coming out of cities’ general funds. Now, if you could hit the police budget itself somehow, that’d be something. Maybe take away an armored personnel carrier for each incident of brutality. Cops do seem to love their toys these days.
The main thing that needs to happen, is that the police should stop assuming every black person they come across is guilty if something and dangerous. Also, cops and prison guards/wardens should be put in prison, if/when they’re found guilty of crimes.The police force seems to attract people with anger issues/racists/short-fused people. It’s like the Catholic Church attracts pedophiles. Both institutions have problems, yet refuse to acknowledge and/or correct the situations.Don’t forget, the cops are also getting away with the deaths and beatings of whites/Hispanics/handicapped/animals/women/etc. The problem is far bigger than Michael Brown.
Someone said to me, the kid was a gangster. But at that moment he was standing there, hands raised, saying Don’t shoot< he wasn’t doing anything wrong. You can’t justify killing someone based on their past behaviors! And that folks is called profiling. just because it walks like a duck, doesn’t mean its doing duck walks at that moment!
Hey, you know how it is… all you have to do is cooperate: no back-talk, no dirty looks, no raising your voice. Of course, you don’t have to submit to an illegal search; but saying “no” is back-talk. Just lie face-down with someone kneeling on your head, and you’ll be okay… oh, wait…
Sorry Keith, but I can’t get behind you on this one. The kid just got done strong arm robbing and assaulting a clerk. He and his friend fought with the police officer. If he had his hands up in surrender, why are 4 of the shots in the front of his right arm instead of the back? If he did have his hands up to surrender and the cop shot him, I’d be behind you. The evidence has suggested otherwise.In agrestic’s comment regarding Ferguson, none of the people arrested for looting and throwing maltav (sp) cocktails at the police, actually lived in Ferguson. The citizens of the city, just want to be heard and get some answers. The saddest part of that portion of the mess is that it has destroyed the economy of the area. No one has looting insurance. Most of those shops were mom and pop places that won’t be able to make a comeback. The cops stood there and did nothing for a week allowing the situation to plummet further out of control. As someone who lived in Ferguson back in the day, I’m saddened and sickened by this whole mess. As a Missourian, I’m ashamed of how the situation was handled.
agresticNo I am not a young black man. I do however, agree with Keith about his wish to never have to write one of these comics again. I’m not blind or stupid. I know very well that too many young black men die at the hands of police. I will never dispute that fact. I’m just not so very sure that this is one of those incidents. Most unwarranted shootings or murders if you prefer, do not involve suspects fighting with the police. My statement of Mr. Brown’s prior actions did not reflect what the cop was thinking at the time. He didn’t know about the robbery, but Mr. Brown and his friend did. That puts things into a different perspective. If they had just listened and gotten out of the street, Mr. Brown may have had the opportunity to get to college, receive an education and stop his repeated aggressive behaviors. I’m sorry that the situation turned out like it did. The reality is that when you put a cop Ina situation where he is outnumbered and scared, they will react. Was it warranted? We don’t know because all the facts still are not in.
Almost every time one of these stories comes up, I think the same thing: THIS IS WHY THE SIU EXISTS!
Here in Ontario, there is a civilian agency, (the Special Investigations Unit), that investigates every case of serious injury or death involving the police. It isn’t perfect, but it’s a damn sight better than having the cops investigate themselves.
agrestic over 10 years ago
Yes. Especially jail time. Fines of police departments don’t seem to work all that well, since they just always seem to end up coming out of cities’ general funds. Now, if you could hit the police budget itself somehow, that’d be something. Maybe take away an armored personnel carrier for each incident of brutality. Cops do seem to love their toys these days.
DebbieLakehurst over 10 years ago
The main thing that needs to happen, is that the police should stop assuming every black person they come across is guilty if something and dangerous. Also, cops and prison guards/wardens should be put in prison, if/when they’re found guilty of crimes.The police force seems to attract people with anger issues/racists/short-fused people. It’s like the Catholic Church attracts pedophiles. Both institutions have problems, yet refuse to acknowledge and/or correct the situations.Don’t forget, the cops are also getting away with the deaths and beatings of whites/Hispanics/handicapped/animals/women/etc. The problem is far bigger than Michael Brown.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member over 10 years ago
Someone said to me, the kid was a gangster. But at that moment he was standing there, hands raised, saying Don’t shoot< he wasn’t doing anything wrong. You can’t justify killing someone based on their past behaviors! And that folks is called profiling. just because it walks like a duck, doesn’t mean its doing duck walks at that moment!
agrestic over 10 years ago
There’d be plenty of room if they’d just release all those folks serving sentences for marijuana possession.
Hyphenman over 10 years ago
Keef,
Have you considered an online version of your slideshows for those of us unable to travel?
Awesome work as always.
Cheers,
Jeff
steverinoCT over 10 years ago
Hey, you know how it is… all you have to do is cooperate: no back-talk, no dirty looks, no raising your voice. Of course, you don’t have to submit to an illegal search; but saying “no” is back-talk. Just lie face-down with someone kneeling on your head, and you’ll be okay… oh, wait…
Jkiss over 10 years ago
Sorry Keith, but I can’t get behind you on this one. The kid just got done strong arm robbing and assaulting a clerk. He and his friend fought with the police officer. If he had his hands up in surrender, why are 4 of the shots in the front of his right arm instead of the back? If he did have his hands up to surrender and the cop shot him, I’d be behind you. The evidence has suggested otherwise.In agrestic’s comment regarding Ferguson, none of the people arrested for looting and throwing maltav (sp) cocktails at the police, actually lived in Ferguson. The citizens of the city, just want to be heard and get some answers. The saddest part of that portion of the mess is that it has destroyed the economy of the area. No one has looting insurance. Most of those shops were mom and pop places that won’t be able to make a comeback. The cops stood there and did nothing for a week allowing the situation to plummet further out of control. As someone who lived in Ferguson back in the day, I’m saddened and sickened by this whole mess. As a Missourian, I’m ashamed of how the situation was handled.
Jkiss about 10 years ago
agresticNo I am not a young black man. I do however, agree with Keith about his wish to never have to write one of these comics again. I’m not blind or stupid. I know very well that too many young black men die at the hands of police. I will never dispute that fact. I’m just not so very sure that this is one of those incidents. Most unwarranted shootings or murders if you prefer, do not involve suspects fighting with the police. My statement of Mr. Brown’s prior actions did not reflect what the cop was thinking at the time. He didn’t know about the robbery, but Mr. Brown and his friend did. That puts things into a different perspective. If they had just listened and gotten out of the street, Mr. Brown may have had the opportunity to get to college, receive an education and stop his repeated aggressive behaviors. I’m sorry that the situation turned out like it did. The reality is that when you put a cop Ina situation where he is outnumbered and scared, they will react. Was it warranted? We don’t know because all the facts still are not in.
rwpikul about 10 years ago
Almost every time one of these stories comes up, I think the same thing: THIS IS WHY THE SIU EXISTS!
Here in Ontario, there is a civilian agency, (the Special Investigations Unit), that investigates every case of serious injury or death involving the police. It isn’t perfect, but it’s a damn sight better than having the cops investigate themselves.