Overkill

The latest bitch about the Occupy movement is that it’s cost municipalities across the country in excess of 13 million dollars. ( I won’t bother questioning where that number came from right now,.. although I most certainly do question it)

Of course, not-so-much mention of the trillion+ that what they’re protesting cost this economy. That would be gauche, because we all know that shit just happens when the “job-creators” get on a roll.  ( Somebody has to explain to me someday how big finance guys that create and trade financial documents that aren’t worth anything to anyone but themselves,  … somehow are “job-creators”. Somebody explain that to me, please.)

Back to the Occupy deal.—– I’m going to suggest a couple of things that would cut the police expenses considerably.

>  Adjust the cop to protestor ratios—- If you are dealing with maybe a thousand peaceful people who are only armed  with signs, laptops, video cameras, and smartphones, I would think you could whittle the number of police down to maybe a one to three ratio. If you’re fully armed, and maxed out in full riot gear, you probably can contain these protestors violent tendencies. Because they actually don’t have any violent tendencies.

>You can also save on equipment expenditures—- I’ve seen a few instances of overuse as far as tear gas, pepper spray, flash grenades, and rubber bullets are concerned. (luckily, tasers can be recharged, and batons will last through several beatings if you’re careful)  I think that a few of the officers might be taking the opportunity to have a little fun with their work. I wouldn’t condemn them for it normally, but they do have to realize the expense. Just bring it back a little, guys. You can still have your fun, but be a little more discerning.  The pepper spray seems to be a particular problem. It’s more expensive than you think. I would suggest that when you use it, it’s much better to be within 8 to 10 inches of the protestor’s face, for maximum effectiveness. Otherwise, a lot of it ends up in the air.

That is just a couple of suggestions that would bring the bill for this down to a more reasonable number. I will point to this photo of the LA police taking down an Occupy encampment last night, as a model to work by. You’ll notice that the officer has his rifle pointed within a few feet of the subject,– by doing this he maximizes effectiveness. No wasted rubber bullets. (assuming he’s using rubber bullets)  This is an example of good, cost-conscious police work. I’m going to go out on a limb, and guess that the protestor coming out of his little pup tent most likely decided not to make any trouble, with that rifle barrel in his face. I know that I would think twice before firing up my video camera.

Police Raid ‘Occupy L.A.’ Camp

 

Pepper Spray a ‘Food Product’

are you fucking kidding me?

 

Pepper Spray Guy

 

200 Kids — A “Riot”

Militarization of Campus Police

This is an excellent article from Bob Ostertag, a professor at UC Davis.

On Friday, the UC Davis Campus police,— decked out in full riot gear to deal with a couple hundred peaceful protestors, for some reason,— made the unconscionable decision to pepper spray a group of about 10 students who were sitting on the ground with arms linked in a refusal to leave when told.  A digustingly mean, cowardly, and completely unnecessary act.

I, for one, am really disturbed at what I’m seeing as a significant move towards something that could only be described as a Police state. A place where anyone questioning the system or it’s authority get dealt with pretty severely.

I don’t like it. I think that trend needs to be reversed. Video of the pepper spray assault on those kids went viral. I’m sure a large part of the country has seen it by now. The UC Davis police will have to answer to that.  Plus the negative publicity will make other police departments think twice before using excessive force like that. That in itself is a win.

Bob Ostertag gives a close perspective from someone who teaches at the school.

>>>>UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi sent a letter to the university last night. Chancellor Katehi tells us that:

The group was informed in writing… that if they did not dismantle the encampment, it would have to be removed… However a number of protestors refused our warning, offering us no option but to ask the police to assist in their removal.

No other options? The list of options is endless. To begin with, the chancellor could have thanked them for their sense of civic duty. The occupation could have been turned into a teach-in on the role of public education in this country. There could have been a call for professors to hold classes on the quad. The list of “other options” is endless.

Chancellor Katehi asserts that “the encampment raised serious health and safety concerns.” Really? Twenty tents on the quad “raised serious health and safety concerns?” Has the chancellor been to a frat party lately? Or a football game? Talk about “serious health and safety concerns.” <<<<

 

Fearing For His Life

In an obvious act of self-defense, this UC Davis police officer pepper sprays some students who were threatening him with bodily harm. Most people know that this ‘sitting on the ground with arms linked’ was a tactic used in the 60’s by protestors which often resulted in injuries to law enforcement officials. The very people sent there to protect them.

It was a horrible state of affairs then, and, as you can see from the picture, — is still a danger today.

I commend this officer for doing what was needed to keep the peace and prevent harm to himself and his fellow officers.

If you would like to learn more about this heroic act, you can view the article here.

And I found this article that contains 7 helpful suggestions from Ann Coulter about the #Occupy movement.

Here is number 6 from that list: 

6. “Remember the lesson from my book: It just took a few shootings at Kent State to shut that down for good.”