As a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, the recent news of a Florida deputy fatally shooting Senior Airman Roger Fortson in his own apartment hits close to home. The deputy allegedly entered Fortson’s apartment, failed to announce themselves, and shot the young airman, all because he believed he was in the wrong apartment. It is a horrifying realization that a law enforcement officer can enter your home, unannounced and itchy on the trigger, and take your life without facing immediate consequences.
The lack of accountability in situations like these is deeply troubling. The deputy in question has been placed on paid administrative leave, which seems more like a reward than a punishment.… Continue reading
As reports emerge of a police officer firing his gun while clearing protesters from a Columbia building, it begs the question: how can someone entrusted with a 12lb trigger pull accidentally discharge their weapon? The Department’s nonchalant response of “Oops” only adds to the concerning nature of this incident. How does a situation like this occur, especially with no students present in the immediate vicinity, only other officers?
The thought of how this situation could have escalated into a dangerous and potentially tragic event is alarming. Negligence on the officer’s part should not be dismissed as a simple mistake. The lack of proper weapon handling in such a high-pressure environment raises valid concerns about the training and protocols in place within law enforcement agencies.… Continue reading
As I sit here reflecting on the situation unfolding at Columbia University, my mind is filled with a myriad of thoughts and emotions. Large numbers of New York City police officers are making their way onto the campus, responding to protests and unrest that have escalated dramatically. Student reporters from the university station have been diligently reporting live, trying to capture every moment as it happens. It’s a chaotic scene, filled with tension and uncertainty.
The protests at Columbia University, centered around the Israel-Palestine conflict, have sparked a wave of controversy and division. It’s disheartening to see fellow students pitted against each other, with differing opinions and beliefs clashing in such a volatile manner.… Continue reading
Georgia is making headlines once again, but this time for all the wrong reasons. Emory University is currently grappling with the fallout from the police response to a protest on campus. As an Emory graduate, I am disheartened and outraged by the excessive use of force against unarmed protestors. It is absurd to think that in the state of Georgia, a barber requires more training than a state trooper. The fact that armed shooters are met with complacency while peaceful protestors are met with aggression is a stark reminder of the skewed priorities of law enforcement.
The scenes of police brutality at Emory University are reminiscent of past atrocities where authorities have used excessive force to crush dissent.… Continue reading
In the midst of ongoing tension and turmoil, more than 100 protesters were arrested as police cleared an encampment at Emerson College. The scene of students peacefully protesting, advocating for their beliefs, suddenly turned into a chaotic display of law enforcement intervention. The question that arises is whether these arrests truly serve to deescalate the situation or further ignite the flames of dissent.
The swift action taken by authorities to disband the encampment raises concerns about the treatment of peaceful protesters. It seems contradictory that students expressing their opinions are met with handcuffs and legal repercussions, while those involved in violent acts against democracy are often allowed to go unpunished or face minimal consequences.… Continue reading
As I sit here, digesting the disturbing content of the bodycam video showing a handcuffed man pleading for his life, uttering the haunting words “I can’t breathe” before his untimely death, a wave of emotions floods my mind. The footage reveals a deeply troubling sequence of events, from the arrest itself to the moments of neglect that led to the tragic outcome. The initial arrest, while belligerent, seemed valid as the man was handcuffed and left alone. However, it was the subsequent failure to check on his well-being as he lay unconscious on the floor for five agonizing minutes that truly ignites a fire within me.… Continue reading
As I read the horrific news about a York police officer being arrested on rape charges involving a 13-month-old child, my heart sinks to a depth I never knew existed. How could someone commit such an unspeakable act against an innocent baby? The sheer brutality and depravity of the crime is beyond comprehension. It is a stark reminder of the monsters that walk among us in human form.
The details of the case are chilling – severe bruising, broken bones, and sexual violence inflicted on a defenseless child. The fact that the accused first tried to blame the injuries on trivial excuses like diaper rash, a fall, or even the family dog, shows a level of deceit and malice that is difficult to fathom.… Continue reading
Judge awards $23.5 million to undercover St. Louis officer beaten by colleagues during protest. This headline alone sparks a myriad of thoughts and emotions within me. The fact that a police officer, who is meant to uphold the law and protect citizens, was brutally beaten by his own colleagues is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted issues within law enforcement agencies. Luther Hall, the undercover officer who was attacked during a protest following the acquittal of another officer on a murder charge, suffered severe physical and emotional damage as a result. He underwent surgeries for herniated discs, jaw injuries, and complications from gallstones.… Continue reading
As I read the heartbreaking news about the LAPD officer who will not face criminal charges in the killing of a 14-year-old girl at a store during a police confrontation with a suspect, I feel a surge of anger and frustration. The sheer injustice of the situation is mind-boggling, to say the least. The fact that a young life was senselessly taken and no one is being held accountable for it is beyond comprehension.
The excuse that there wasn’t enough time to assess the situation and that it was a “tragic but unforeseeable accident” is nothing short of an insult to our intelligence.… Continue reading
It’s truly disheartening to hear about instances where law enforcement officers, who are meant to protect and serve the community, abuse their power and commit heinous crimes. The recent case of an off-duty officer charged with murder after shooting a man in a South Carolina parking lot is a stark reminder of the ugly side of law enforcement.
When we delve into the details of this tragic incident, it becomes evident that the officer, DeLustro, initiated the altercation by instigating a fight with the victim, Michael O’Neal, using derogatory slurs. The situation escalated to the point where DeLustro’s gun fell out, and his wife even tried to prevent O’Neal from leaving.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker