What do you think is the answer to these riots?

2015-05-04T08:00:39-04:00

Recently, riots have started to occur more and more within the U.S. on race related issues. What do you believe should be done about these riots?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 4 at 2015 8:21 AM

2015-05-04T08:21:58-04:00

There is none because it will all boil down to rights and civil liberties arguments that will take years to unravel followed by the uber-extremism of mounting cameras on every LEO and every lamppost followed by more arguments over rights to privacy...

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 4 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-05-04T08:29:40-04:00

Tangentially related, what ever happened to those evil scary drones we were told were going to be unleashed on the populace?

Response by PO2 Kevin LaCroix made May 4 at 2015 8:44 AM

2015-05-04T08:44:40-04:00

I would say there is no easy answer. Many people feel anger against a system that is perceived to keep them down. In reality they are angry at themselves. Couple this with a mind set of"I'm going to get mine" in our current broader society makes for high tension.

The police have a tough job. With the increased militarization of our police forces, there seems to be less neutral or positive community interaction, only seems.

I think the mayor and police chief in Baltimore did an good job not escalating the situation and letting the populace vent and having the officers react to individual situations. When the crowd turned into a mob, I feel the responded with appropriate force.

To directly answer the question, there is no good response by police and NG. No matter what it will always be too much and too little.

Response by BG David Fleming III made May 4 at 2015 9:09 AM

2015-05-04T09:09:11-04:00

The majority of these unfortunate incidences erupted after someone failed to obey law enforcement, failed to comply with a lawful order or failed to comprehend the seriousness of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The answer to your question lies within a question and has never eluded me, "where are the fathers or significant male figures steering these kids in the right direction?" When we can honestly answer this question, you will have your answer!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 4 at 2015 9:43 AM

2015-05-04T09:43:28-04:00

The shop owners and basically all property owners must arm themselves against the second wave of rioting. If those verdicts are not what people want, they are going to burn that city down.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made May 4 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-05-04T09:46:20-04:00

The answer to the riots is to arrest and prosecute those who riot.

There is no excuse for the lawlessness nor the soft-handed approach to it. While I understand people's feelings about perceived injustice (which is largely spurred by the media, without regard to the facts), there is no excuse for criminal conduct. Peaceful protests are one thing. Riots, looting, assaults, etc. are quite another.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 10:34 AM

2015-05-04T10:34:08-04:00

There are people who are legitmiately angry and are exercising their right to protest.
The rioters on the other hand are exploiting the situation to act like fools and steal things while the police are occupied with all of the shenanigans. Public officials urging restraint is good to a point, but not standing back and watching the city burn down. The professional troublemakers need to be rounded up and outed for the scoundrels they are. The race-baiting and vitriol only serves to inflame tension.
I think we are better than that as a society, but too many are afraid to call it for what it is.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 4 at 2015 10:43 AM

2015-05-04T10:43:48-04:00

What is the message and cause. Why do riots occur when their sports team wins the championship?

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 4 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-05-04T13:20:41-04:00

What ever happened to "beat Cops?" When I was a kid, we knew the names of the officers that patrolled any part of town that we frequented. These officers knew the names, the situations, and relationships of those of their community. Beyond policing, they were a relationship between the law and its citizens. They also were a valuable source of intelligence for the police department. It's not the sole answer to prevention of stupidity. But, it might be a start. There has to be mutual interest in protecting a community.