Michigan Riots over Motorcycle death in Police chase

[ultravorx]

I've been hearing a lot of different points of view on the riots in michigan. I feel that the town is being TOOOOOO racial over the issue. I have stong feelings about these types of things, and it really burns me up when the "race card" is played. The motorcyclist DID NOT pull over for the officer, instead he ran, and the officer of course WILL follow. Thats a given in ANY town in the U.S. During the chase, the motorcycle lost control, slammed into a house, and the driver died. Now if it were a white motorcyclist and white cop, it would just be a "normal"c hase that ended in tragedy. But since the motorcyclist was black and the officer was white, it sparked "outrage" in the community. Would it be diiferent if both officer and cyclist were black, darn right, it would be the same as white on white. Now, the community says "its the straw that broke the camels back", "its an outrage". They all need to shutup and look at the facts, if he didnt run, there would be no need for chase. No the whole "minority" community is rioting because of the issue, so what, now THEY want to get killed when police have to use force because their out of control? It's just so sad to see how people play the race card and try to use it for pathetic excuses. IT happens all the time, even here in CT, when a white officer shot a black suspect because he pulled a weapon on him. The victom was Malike Jones(sp?) You all probably heard of it. His mother was saying he was such a good boy, never got into any trouble! What a crock! If he was sooo good, why did he pull a weapon on the officer when he approached him. Ok, i needed to let that out, plus im curious to see what you all think about these issues.

Frank

[Charlie]

Ultravox--If analyzing this sort of thing were so simple.....

First and foremost, I often take a skeptical view on just about everything the meda puts out for the rest of us to see. They often *cough* have a habit of putting whatever spin they deem to be approriate which often has an effect on the facts or information.

What's going on in Benton Harbor other than what we've all seen on the tube? Who knows for certain. Perhaps people there have justification to be angry about this and other issues in the area BUT I certainly don't think the actions we've heard about are justified by any means.

Assuming there is some accuracy to what we've heard and seen, it's often a small group of people out of the majority of people. And, you always have to factor in the opportunists who'll conveniently use the situation to their advantage to commit a variety of crimes especially when and if caught by authorities. If the truth were known with some of these opportunist, I seriously doubt they really give a damn about the person who got killed in the first place! Course, they'd never openly admit that and I doubt the media would even put that out if it were known. They'll attempt to use the situation to justify their actions and hope sympathizers will come to their defense.

The saddest part is there are likley a lot of law-abiding people living there that are victimized by this situation. They're stuck there in the middle of it all and have to deal with it. Already we've heard of people having their homes burned or people getting assaulted because "people are mad about this situation." Makes no sense to me at all---i.e.: committing crimes, harming other people, killing other people, damaging property, etc.

Course, the rioters don't care anyways. In the end, the damage will be repaired or rebuilt and you can bet the rioters won't be the one's paying for it......:mad: :mad:

This "phenomenon" seems to be more and more frequent al over the country. It makes one wonder why it happens. And in some cases, why we seem to put up wth this "expression." I feel for a lot of the LEO's and fire fighters in the middle of that crap.....

Just a few of my thoughts.

--
Charlie

[txinvestigator1]

I spent a lot of time replying to this, but it vanished. I ain't typing it out again.. I say F em

[Stump]

I never heard that it was a black dude. I only heard a motorcycle club member died evading the cops and now all the motorheads are rioting...

[txinvestigator1]

These people are outlaws. We should treat rioters as terrorists and the area as a war zone.

[ArkLawman]

I'm with Tex, screw'em!!!

ArkLawman

[mcsap]

Apparently, the police in Benton Harbor have a no pursuit policy but the chase started in a neighboring township. Although the officer was white and the motorcycle rider was balck, both chiefs' in each department are black.

As has been stated before, if you don't run these things wouldn't happen. What does anyone expect if they do 100 mph in an urban area.?

[navyfiveo]

Over the past few years, Michigan police officers from various departments have gotten this "Bad Rap" due to instances involving suspects being shot or severely injured. What I just seem to comprehend is the fact that someone is making a racial issue out of everything that the police are involved in. Let's be frank, I haven't heard of one Detroit Police Officer using a Hatian at a plunger stand. I have a friend here who is an activated reservist. He is also a Detroit Police Officer whom just happens to be black. To hear the stories he tells, it isn't a black or white issue. It's a criminal, cop issue. When I was a civilian Police Officer, I worked community policing in a black neighborhood. There were a few instances where I got the , "You messing with me cause I'm black." My response is , "No, I'm messing with you because I am a cop assigned to this neighborhood and have witnessed you doing something wrong, therefore forcing me to "mess" with you. "

What do the people of Michigan, mainly Detriot and that other town across the river from St Joseph expect the police officers to do? Stop the pursuit because the suspect is black? Hold on folks, we can't shoot that guy who is pointing a gun at us because he is black! That is absolutly ridiculous for ANYONE to even think that. People need to face it. I didn't own slaves, and I had no control over what my great grand parents did. There is not ONE person left in this country who is alive who had to endure the hardship of slavery. Neither ME nor my parents, siblings, wife, in laws or ANYONE else for that matter owe ANYONE for something that happened hundreds of years ago. Quit trying to milk the government for everything you can. Get out, get a job, quit sucking up welfare and cooking crack that will eventually kill someone and realize that if you do bad things, WE, the police will be there to catch you. We may not be there all the time because our cities don't have enough money to hire more police officers and fire fighters because the money is going to things like "Cheese Day" or welfare. But we will, one day catch you, and if you run, I will chase you until you are caught or bagged.

[Jynkxxie]

I am from Michigan and am sick of the Race Card...This whole situation is BS.

GROW UP...GET A LIFE AND QUIT USING YOUR RACE FOR $$$. HAVE SOME F'N SELF RESPECT.

You don't hear me throwing out my Native American roots everytime I want some money or attention.

And if you call pulling out a gun and shooting it at police officers who are trying to control a riot good protesting...then you deserve what you get.

[Scruit]

Three things bug me about this case;

1) When I heard an interview with one of the rioters, she was complaining about this being the straw that broke the camel's back becase there was poverty and no jobs and stuff. I don't see how a police chase relates at all to local economy. Seems like just an excuse to sound off.

2) Can you tell if a motorcyclist is black or white when he is fully clothed and wearing a helmet?

3) Why do people riot in support of criminals? The guy had a suspended license and was comitting felony eluding at the time he killed himself? If they peacefully protested over some white cop victimizing a law-abiding black guy then I'd be right there protesting with them, but I have no sympathy for someone who kills themselves during the comission of a felony.

It's a similar issue to the one that the Supreme Court is faced with every now and then... They have to make a legal decision that has major implications for freedom and law enforcement for the whole country for years to come - yet the specifics of the case they are dealing with makes people question how right that decision is;

example: Police ojnce used thermal equipment to measure the temperature of the outside of a person's house from the street and determined there was probable cause to suspect there were grow lamps in the room adjacent to the wall. They got a warrant and found grow lamps and tons of mary jane. The defendent argued that measuring the temperature of the outside of the wall of his house amounted to an illegal search. I never found the final disposition for this case (anyone know?) but could you imagine being forced to make a decision on the freedom/constituionality impact of that temperture reading based upon a case where a guy was guilty of the crime he was obviosuly guilty of? I'd much rather make that decision based upon a case where we are protecting the innocent rather than somewhat condoning the illegal actions of the 'victim' by saying the cops acted incorrectly.

Another case i heard of was in LA where they were considering putting up listening stations that would react to, and triangulate the source position of, a gunshot and relay that information to the police so the cops could go investigate. My understanding is that the technology was accurate enough to identify the source location to within a 50 foot circle. People were up in arms because fo the invasion of privacy. Like most major cities I expect LA bans the discharge of a firearm within city limits. So what? This system invades you privacy by automatically reporting your illegal activity to police? How about "Don't fire a gun" and you'll be just fine? i could understand the complaint if the listening stations were capable of recording conversations, but they are not - and there were only to be about 7 throughough the whole city of LA.

For more info on this system see http://www.shotspotter.com/index.shtml

[txinvestigator1]

In the thermal imiging case the evidence was found to be illegally obtained.

[txinvestigator1]

I will tell you a story I read in a magazine last night, it was either "Pen Computing" or "Tablet PC".

A state is considering using GPS technology in an effort to have an accurate method to track vehicles driven on the highways for road use taxes and tolls.

The thought is that people who use the most will be taxed the most, etc. Of course, this would require a cooperative effort with the auto industry and government to have gps receivers and a method to capture the data, but imagine the government to be able to know where your car was 24 hours a day.

How do you feel about THAT as an invasion of privacy.

I will see if I can find the article online.

[darrell]

About this Benton Harbor incident. I have friends (troopers) there and they say its bad but not as bad as it is portrayed. Here is a little history. BH used to be one of the richest town in our state, then in the mid to late 60's crack houses started spawning up and the town started to go down hill. Since then 3 minor riots have insued and 1 major one being this one. The cops have been fighting a loosing battle and have had a really bad rap in that town since the 60's. This is something that the town will not forget and the police will never recover from. Funny thing is that they are rioting against the Benton Harbor Police Department and they didnt start, end or were ever involved in the chase. It was started by a Deputy that clocked the bike at a 100 in a 45MPH zone. He was told to shut it down wich he did, however a Benton Harbor Twp. Officer decided to chase him and thusly the tragdigy we have now.

My point is this. They (citizens) have been looking for a reason to get rid of the department and cause caos for years now. This gave them the reason they needed.

The deceast was black yes, th eofficer was white ok so what. The dead was wearign leather on his body and a helmet, the officer had no idea the perp was black. So then how is it racial. BTW the houser he hit was burned to the ground by the citizens of the city.

[zander_zye]

This is yet another case of people destroying their own neighborhoods because they want to, not because of a man dying in on a motorcycle.

Remember the LA riots? Sorry - those clowns burned down their own neighborhoods and own jobs. If I was ever involved in something like this (and I wouldn't do this by the way..), I would have driven up to Beverly Hills and burned down their neighborhood. Man - no intelligence in this world - lol

[realpolice]

I have to agree with Charlie. As an officer, I'm so tired of how media generally twists stories around; you never know what to believe. Just my 2 cents... :D