This is nuts! This article reminds me of the incident that took place back in Dec 2006 in Oregon. The Portland Police tasered a 15 yr old AUTISTIC boy! Here is one story on this from Feb 2007:
Family of autistic boy files federal suit The legal guardian of a 15-year-old autistic boy who was subdued by Portland police officers last December with Taser shots and baton blows has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.
Pastor Mary Overstreet-Smith, who raised her great-grandson, Sir J. Millage, since he was 4 1/2, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland.
U.S. District Judge Garr M. King sealed the lawsuit, filed earlier this week, making details of the claim unavailable. Overstreet-Smith’s attorney, Ernest Warren Jr., did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Police have defended their actions, saying Millage was shirtless and shoeless on a cold early winter morning and carrying what appeared to be a stick or a metal rod. Police said Millage appeared older and under the influence of intoxicants, and he failed to respond their commands.
Officers said they could take no chances with the 5-foot-10, 260-pounder who had been walking amid traffic on the Broadway Bridge and might be “unstable and possibly violent.”
Overstreet-Smith has said her great-grandson has the comprehension of a 2-year-old and can barely talk. She said police had a disability identification card on file for the teenager, but he carried no ID after escaping from her home.
At a meeting last month sponsored by the Autism Society of Oregon and the Northwest Autism Foundation, Central Precinct Cmdr. Mike Reese described the incident a "tragic situation."
The episode illustrates the difficulty police face in distinguishing between people on drugs and those with mental illness or disabilities.
I'm really in two minds over this. Britain is currently suffering from a break down in law and order, mainly led by the under 20's. Stabbings, shootings and random violent attacks have become common. School outfitters are now selling kevlar rienforced anti- stab uniforms, local police are dressed in stab vests and combats, it's all getting out of control. The jails are full, courts are instructed to only imprison the most extreme offenders, and the kids know it. They will front up to the police and attack police cars, fire crews and ambulances. Tazers are an attempt to stay one step short of having to arm the policeforce. It's a sad state of affairs. I fear the kids, I fear the police with Tazers. Their use will be abused, there will be mistakes and maybe worse. Stop the world, I want to get off!
I suppose it is relative to what you consider a child. Obviously, if a 16 year old is harming someone and the police tazer him, I don't really have a problem with that. However, I think they should draw some sort of line as to age and the crime. I remember a few years ago a child was acting up in class, a 10 year old girl. Since the teacher couldn't control her, the school called the police. As I remember the police tazed her and took her to jail. It was really ridiculous.
3 comments:
This is nuts! This article reminds me of the incident that took place back in Dec 2006 in Oregon. The Portland Police tasered a 15 yr old AUTISTIC boy! Here is one story on this from Feb 2007:
Family of autistic boy files federal suit
The legal guardian of a 15-year-old autistic boy who was subdued by Portland police officers last December with Taser shots and baton blows has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.
Pastor Mary Overstreet-Smith, who raised her great-grandson, Sir J. Millage, since he was 4 1/2, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland.
U.S. District Judge Garr M. King sealed the lawsuit, filed earlier this week, making details of the claim unavailable. Overstreet-Smith’s attorney, Ernest Warren Jr., did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Police have defended their actions, saying Millage was shirtless and shoeless on a cold early winter morning and carrying what appeared to be a stick or a metal rod. Police said Millage appeared older and under the influence of intoxicants, and he failed to respond their commands.
Officers said they could take no chances with the 5-foot-10, 260-pounder who had been walking amid traffic on the Broadway Bridge and might be “unstable and possibly violent.”
Overstreet-Smith has said her great-grandson has the comprehension of a 2-year-old and can barely talk. She said police had a disability identification card on file for the teenager, but he carried no ID after escaping from her home.
At a meeting last month sponsored by the Autism Society of Oregon and the Northwest Autism Foundation, Central Precinct Cmdr. Mike Reese described the incident a "tragic situation."
The episode illustrates the difficulty police face in distinguishing between people on drugs and those with mental illness or disabilities.
-– Ashbel “Tony” Green: tonygreen@news.oregonian.com
Source
If this had happened to my child, I would have had all their asses in a sling!
I'm really in two minds over this. Britain is currently suffering from a break down in law and order, mainly led by the under 20's. Stabbings, shootings and random violent attacks have become common. School outfitters are now selling kevlar rienforced anti- stab uniforms, local police are dressed in stab vests and combats, it's all getting out of control. The jails are full, courts are instructed to only imprison the most extreme offenders, and the kids know it. They will front up to the police and attack police cars, fire crews and ambulances. Tazers are an attempt to stay one step short of having to arm the policeforce. It's a sad state of affairs. I fear the kids, I fear the police with Tazers. Their use will be abused, there will be mistakes and maybe worse. Stop the world, I want to get off!
I suppose it is relative to what you consider a child. Obviously, if a 16 year old is harming someone and the police tazer him, I don't really have a problem with that. However, I think they should draw some sort of line as to age and the crime. I remember a few years ago a child was acting up in class, a 10 year old girl. Since the teacher couldn't control her, the school called the police. As I remember the police tazed her and took her to jail. It was really ridiculous.
Post a Comment