Hey You Can't Treat Criminals Like Criminals!
Howdy folks and greetings from the Great Plains of North Texas!
I'm sure some of you saw this story because it immediately went viral. This happened in Galveston, Texas. This guy was charged and arrested, after repeated warnings, for criminal trespassing.
The mounted officer's station was 2 blocks away so they escorted him over there on foot. So naturally, when a bystander saw what was going on and posted the images online...well, all hell broke loose. Activists went ballistic.
What year is this?! ..they screamed. And of course the Galveston police were accused of racism. The officers were actually following department policy and didn't think anything of it.
If the distance was 2 blocks and they're on horseback, because that's what the Mounted Patrol does, and a car wasn't available or they didn't want to wait on one, what other choices are there?
Since the officers had the lawbreaker's handcuffs attached to a rope, to keep him from running, the activists are saying they had a "leash" on him. lol.
Charges of racism of course
James Douglas, the president of Houston’s NAACP chapter, said that the photo shows a lack of respect for the black community and “poor judgment.”
“This is 2019 and not 1819,” he said in an email. “Even though the chief indicated that the technique would be discontinued, he failed to address the lack of respect demonstrated by the officers in the episode.”
The New York City Public Defender wrote: "Officers led him through the streets…on mounted horses. All as though they were slave masters, and he was their slave."
Criminals should be coddled?
So there you have it. You can't treat lawbreakers like lawbreakers, you have to treat them with the utmost respect.
Meanwhile police officers are assaulted by being drenched with buckets of water, yelled out, cursed out, pelted with debris, threatened, their families are threatened, called every name in the book and TOTALLY disrespected.
One of Mrs. J's friends from work(she works in the Criminal Justice system) said she saw a former inmate when she went to Walmart and the inmate saw her. When she came back out her tires were slashed!
Those heartless Texans!
Well, since it was such a bad look and terrible publicity... that policy has been abolished by the Galveston police.
I actually thought it was a great look for Texas. Afterall, this is Texas.
We take a hard stance against crime and criminals. If you want to be one, don't do it in Texas or there will be serious consequences. Ever hear of the Texas Rangers?
Signs of the breakdown of society?
It was also interesting that so many people were outraged and saying that the world was becoming lawless and asking how we got to this point that the police would be so disrespectful!
The officers doing their job is now the problem..according to the activists and liberals. But, the only thing standing between them and total chaos are the laws and law enforcement. So I don't know what they want.
Actually in most cases we could use some justice from 1819. It might send a message that crime doesn't pay.
What do you guys think, was this incident a case of cruel and unusual punishment?
Thanks for reading folks, God bless you all!
-jonboy
Texas
At the end of the day, I think it all comes back to this: perception. When I saw the picture of the officers riding a horse, I think it was cool mainly because it would really be easier for them to pursue offenders in "tight" corners which might not be accessible by car.
Looking at the picture and, I am just wondering, will this same people be yelling injustice, racism and whatnots if the arrested person came from a white background?
I understand that it was necessary to ensure that the offender will not run away- thus the rope and the handcuffs were there.
Howdy nurseanne84! You are SO logical! lol. I love that. Yes, the rope was just to keep him from running away, it was tied to his handcuffs, it wasn't a leash. We would not have heard from activists about this if it had been a white suspect, but like you said it's all about perception and you could not have designed a more inflamatory image! lol. It was just business as usual for the officers I'm sure, I'm sure they weren't mean racists but the optics fueled alot of outrage.
I never would have posted about it if I knew it was going to upset so many people! I just thought it was an interesting story and one that would not fit that look anywhere in the world except Texas because of our Western cowboy heritage. Thanks so much for commenting!
I think it looks terrible and they should have known better. One of the officers could have dismounted and walked the two blocks with the suspect instead of having fun treating him like an animal and leading him on a leash. Guess that makes me a liberal and an activist, huh? Damn straight.
In Tulsa the mounted Officers are not allowed to dismount. They can see better on horseback, and are more effective. The cuffs were enough, the leash was a dumb move, because a cuffed man can't outrun a horse...
Here the mounted Officers carry radios, and call for a cruiser to move a perp, even two blocks.
:)>lol! I know what you mean sir keith! It's a Texas thing. They were following policy and weren't leading him on a leash though. But hey, they changed the policy so those who don't like it should be encouraged by that right?
Apparently, the Galveston police chief agreed the officers exercised poor judgement in this case.
https://www.newsweek.com/texas-galveston-police-suspect-horseback-donald-neely-vernon-hale-trained-technique-1452713
Howdy sir blockurator! Yes sir he sure did, I read about that. He also put an end to the policy because of all the heat he got so his critics should feel better about that at least. Thank you so much for your contribution and the link!
I just don't think they really thought about. It only seems like bad judgment in hindsight because the photo is so jarring.
Yeah, my thoughts about it exactly. Just a little bad judgment.
Evidently being a "victim" is the in thing now. It seems everybody wants to be one. It keeps them from facing the fact that their actions are the reason they are failing in society.
Howdy sk43! yes there are consequences to breaking the law. I don't know where you're located but man, here in Texas they are STRICT. If you ever come through Texas don't get into trouble. lol. But to your point, yes it's very easy to play the victim card so you can shift the blame. Thanks so much for commenting.
Somehow when I was very young (grade school) I saw two sides to this issue that I think many still miss as adults. Yes, individuals need to be responsible for their actions. However, society needs to be responsible for its actions as well. Texas is a great state if you have some money, but not so great if you are poor. As with many states, the War on Some Drugs decimated many African American communities here. These were already hurt by decades of discrimination (see my other response here for more on that). Texas does a very poor job at providing a social safety net. In Houston, over 50% of the kids are below the poverty level, yet the schools are woefully underfunded. THe grade school our daughters attended had a food and clothing bank and would give food to kids on the weekend and at holidays, because otherwise the kids would have nothing to eat. And to think that this is in a nice suburb of Houston. We have half the police force that we need and the city is constantly in budget crisis. However, because property values are up, Houston has to give school money to other parts of the state. Social responsibility is severely lacking in Texas. I find it very frustrating when I hear people say "why should I care about supporting poor kids, poor people--they are not my kids or my relatives". You need to care because if they have no other choice they will turn to selling drugs and committing crimes. Keep at it enough and it just becomes their way of life. So yes, lets hold a person who commits a crime accountable, but lets also hold society accountable for creating a system that pushes or allows so many to commit crimes. Clearly, there is a limit to what society can do--there are plenty of stories of wealthy people who also commit crimes, usually through fraud. In some sense though, society plays a role in that by making it easier for those with money to get away with crimes, by political favors, etc.
Howdy again sir toddrjohnson! Brilliant, educational and informative points, thanks so much!
Possibly a photo taken at a right timing to cause the chaos...and the internet loves chaos. That's what makes it slightly self-contracting, humans should prefer a slightly calm and fun place, but the internet which is totally constructed by humans really love chaos.
Howdy lilacse! I agree that the internet loves chaos and controversy and sensationalizes things that never would have been noticed hardly. I think that's what happened here, I think these guys were out doing a routine action and could not have dreamed it would be a huge, world-wide story! You are so right. Thanks so much for commenting!
Mornin’ Cowboy! I wonder if anything would have been said if it had been a white person they walked down the street?
I agree 100 % that these bleeding hearts want to coddle criminals and society is paying the spruce.
Howdy redheadpei! Well in much of the country now the criminals have more rights than the victims. Makes me wonder what it will look like in another ten or twenty years.
I would LOVE to know the answer to your question! Would anything have been said if the man was white? ...not by the black activists, which I don't blame them. I think it still would have gotten criticism but just from whites and not as much since it couldn't be portrayed as racist. which I don't think it was since it was standard policy.
Superstar @janton
lol! Hey I wonder what you all would do if the Mounties marched someone down the street like that? I think we'd hear the wailing and screaming down here!
don't confuse me with pussy ass Canadians.
oh I know, I'm not talking about you sirbearbear. . you're a different kind of Canadian thank God!
yup.. very different kind.. Although I will say Americans are rocketing towards Canadian stupidity; almost half the country.
Exactly sirbearbear. It's alarming to see!
road pirates on horses just look utterly ridiculous 😂🤣
Howdy sir doitvoluntarily! I understand what you mean. It's a Texas thing. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
it's nice to see that the police chief has apologized for the stupidity of these 2 clowns in uniform 👍👍😄love when people employ a little bit of common sense
Howdy again sir doitvoluntarily! yes, I'm sure the pressure was overwhelming and he saw how bad it looked so it was probably time to put that old policy to rest!
@janton, insanity at its peak. Hope you are well.
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Howdy there clitadias! Yes there's alot of that going around these days! lol. Good to see you here, this is a great reminder to get over to your blog too, thanks!
Most welcome@janton😊
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Howdy Sir @janton, so if you catch a politician that embezzled millions he pulls the race card, by blaming the explorer that discovered the country.
If a white journalist writes any uncomfortable truth, he/she is called a racist.
If a white judge passes a heavy sentence he is called a racist.
What chance then do the cops have.
Blessings!
Howdy sir papilloncharity! yes you guys have the same situation over there where the race card and racism label is constantly used don't you? It's tough for everyone. The officers who are honorable men, like most of the ones in our small town get lumped in with the bad apples that make the news.
One of your politicians blamed whoever discovered your country for his problems? lol! Politicians are a special breed aren't they?