Dick Morris: Don't Disarm Police Facing Rioters
Spurred by radical left-wing pressure, cities like Philadelphia, Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles are taking steps to rein in police officers as they seek to contain and control demonstrations, protests and even riots.
In Philadelphia, the city council banned cops from using rubber bullets, tear gas or pepper spray in containing demonstrations.
In Dallas, the police chief must approve any use of tear gas.
Chicago has instituted special training in crowd control and ordered police to be more respectful of demonstrators’ civil rights.
The Los Angeles Police Department has placed a moratorium on some foam projectiles.
Of course, one man’s demonstration is another man’s riot.
The left uniformly uses euphemisms to describe riots, often ignoring massive property damage, arson, smashed store windows, widespread looting and even deaths.
Many demonstrators and rioters throw bricks and other objects at police, causing widespread injury.
Unable to use their guns — or even non-lethal means of crowd control like tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray — how are police to contain rioters in the streets of major cities?
#Antifa smashed up another Starbucks in their Portland riot celebrating Chauvin’s murder conviction. Video by @jennytyoung: pic.twitter.com/xUEGfcoXvz
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) April 21, 2021
Gentle persuasion? Exhortations to patriotism? Or just plain begging and pleading?
In effectively disarming the police, the radicals in these cities are exposing their citizens and merchants to massive losses.
No wonder so many poor neighborhoods frequently lack grocery stores and other retail outlets.
Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd shows two photos of a “peaceful protest” and a “riot”:
“We can tell the difference and I’ll guarantee you that you’ll be able to tell the difference if you come here and riot.”pic.twitter.com/jRl9t51ppL
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 19, 2021
These measures are part of the campaign by the left to excuse radical demonstrations as expressions of the need for social justice and to characterize rioters and looters as “peaceful protesters.”
Must we wait for another round of riots in our cities before we repeal these restrictions and permit police to act effectively?
Nobody is recommending shooting into crowds, but Tasers, tear gas, rubber bullets, fire hoses and other alternatives to deadly force are often necessary measures to protect the lives and property of innocent citizens.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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