On the subject of Plaza rioting, today Council dude Russ Johnson made a quip that teenagers have been fighting like this since the days of Romeo and Juliet. That was probably the most intelligent thing anybody had to say on the subject and the rest was political factions facing off.
The most interesting discussion was related to police use of pepper spray:
"Wednesday morning, Sharp questioned the police use of pepper spray on hundreds of young black teens who were roaming the Plaza.
Sharp said there were just a few incident reports filed. He also said that there have been complaints from adults in the area which said that the use of the pepper spray made the situation worse.
Sharp said that according to the complaints, the pepper spray was used on some teens who were only walking around the area peacefully.
"The police pulled up," said Sharp, "Told them to move along, then gave 'em a pop" (of pepper spray)."
KCPD Chief Corwin defended the KCPD response. And I have to imagine that Council Dude Sharp is going out on a limb by defending rioting teens . . . Adding an element of alleged police brutality or bad conduct to this situation keeps it exciting in the imagination of the news watching public. For my money, even if the anonymous allegations are correct that's still far nicer of a response than what most Internet commenters are proposing . . .
SERIOUSLY, IT SEEMS THAT A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLIC REACTION TO PLAZA RIOTS HAS BEEN THE ENDORSEMENT OF RACIAL SEGREGATION IN KANSAS CITY!!!
It's all rather disappointing but, yet again, makes me realize that this town deserves to be third rate.
LINKS:
Police Chief, Councilman Clash Over Plaza Tactics
Top cop, councilmember debate Plaza response
KCTV-5 scaring whites from Plaza
Police To Convene Youth Violence Summit Monday
i DISAGREE. The police were far too kind.
ReplyDeleteAct like an animal get treated like an animal!
ReplyDeleteRacial segregration is bullshit. So is Councilman John Sharp's assertion that these kids were mistreated in any way. Business owners, workers, and patrons were mistreated. When you're part of a rioting mob, expect to be treated badly.
ReplyDeleteMr. Sharp ain't too.
ReplyDeleteWhat sort of parent allows their 11 yr old out alone at that time of night? Also, the Star reports that KCPD will work with the NAACP towards a solution. Why not give the kids some adderall and a good book?
ReplyDeleteThis is black on white hate crimes in its purest form. Blacks wonder why white people want to live white neighborhoods. People just want to earn a living, live in a safe neighborhood where they can raise their kids in peace... and enjoy life. If these kids don't want to better themselves by getting a good education and making something out of their life then let's arm the up to the hilt and send them to Afganastan. It's such a waste that the REAL MEN fight to defend this country so these thugs can terrorize their own countrymen. I'm tired of these titles, African-American, Mexican-American... We are all Americans (the legal ones) living in what used to be the greatest country (not so much any more). People of all races reach out and help those truly in need and want to help themselves. But when you have a growing black teen population that want to propel themselves back in the days of savages, then I for one feel no sympathy and hope they get prosecuted to the full extent of the law. A large contingency is being developed to put pressure on this city to stop these thugs in their tracks or else the city will be thrown into further decline. Now that we know more is coming, a strong group of concerned individuals will be armed with video cameras to catch these thugs as they storm the Plaza. These videos will hit the Internet to show the how these blacks have declared war on whites in this city. I suspect with a little social organization, these videos will go viral. Perhaps we can get the KKK back here for some rallies of their own. Blacks have declared war on whites here in KC.... in my humble opinion. Let's see what happens as the nation becomes aware of this brutish behavior.
ReplyDeletePeace
As I type this I see a lone young black kid, early teen ride his bike down the street of predominately white neighborhood.... unharmed... without a care in the world... good for him. I suspect he has a bright future. How sweet to be a black kid growing up in a white neighborhood.... I doubt if the opposite could ever be true.
DEar Mr. Tony: Community leaders like Mr. Sharp have already unleashed an explosion of violence in the black sections of KCMO in the past two years by unfair charges of police racism--the cops have stopped doing serious policing in black sections because they know if charged with racism people like the good councilman will get them fired without even a pretense of due process--and the local media will not give them even a pretense of fair coverage. So, we are now in the third year of an explosion of violence in the black sections of KCMO brought to these sections courtesy of people like Councilman Sharp and the Concerned Clergy Coaliton. I guess having destroyed his own community he now feels the obligation to spread violence and chaos elsewhere in KCMO. A veteran NYPD cop once said to me: "In the early 1990's in NYC the joke was that Al Sharpton has gotten more black people killed than David Duke of the KKK." Those who are shocked by this joke should consider a grim statistic: By 1992 in NYC, 1200 black people a year were being murdered as the NYPD abandoned the black sections of the city to the criminal elements in the aftermath of the Tawana Brawley controversy. The main victims of bogus charges of police racism are the black community. Sincerely and Respectfully, Ernest Evans PS: Those of you offended by this posting should remember the old saying: It is only the truth that hurts.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with city councils is that rather than deal with the real problems, they'll appoint a committee and get it off their desk.
ReplyDeleteThis is a police problem and this council has to let the police deal with it. If they don't for political reasons, well KC will soon end up being Detroit.
Police need to be firm. More pepper spray, some teargas, mass arrests and making their single moms and absentee dads come down and pick up their cherubs and dig DEEP in fines and legal fees.
Piss on outdoor basketball courts and youth committees to talk and talk... the wilding kids are doing what they want to do. Do in your face disruption. And society simply should not tolerate it.
I have no concern that some kids who were not pushing and shoving got sprayed. I goes away. Let them learn the term about standing too close to lawbreakers.
In Iraq, we call it 'collateral damage'. Stay home and you won't be part of it. That's what kids need to be told by black leaders on TV.
I didn't see that at 6pm.
John Not-So-Sharp has always been a racist. And yes, white men can be racist when they are always assuming the white man is evil and the black man is good, which is exactly what Not-So-Sharp does.
ReplyDeleteThe KCPD should laugh in Sharp's face... everyone else does. He's only in office because nobody else wants to be. C'mon 6th district... run someone who will do the right thing by your district. Vote against John Not-So-Sharp!
Regardless of what the complaints are, I have a completely serious question for the critics of what KCPD did last weekend.
ReplyDeleteIf you were tasked with dispersing a crowd of 700-1000 kids, who were fighting, damaging property, assaulting people, and committing robberies, what would your solution be?
What would you do when the kids said, "No, I'm not gonna listen to you"?
What would you do instead of using pepper spray to disperse the crowds?
I respect the fact that everyone has the right to HAVE an opinion on the matter, however for me to respect YOUR opinion on the matter, I first need to hear a legitimate alternative that you would have used. As former law enforcement, I am used to having people "Monday Morning Quarterbacking" my or my fellow officers actions. Like I said, if you were an officer on the Plaza last Saturday, what different would you have done?
I have listened to Sharp leverage this kind of event for political benefit for years. Defends the black teens, crap on KCPD and usually he gets the black vote. And who will be cited as a racist?
ReplyDeleteWill the Funk/Squids future son n law be accompanying them Saturday night and serve as a family consultant?
ReplyDeleteSharp has to defend the dark side because he's been taking a little taste off a young black chick.
ReplyDeleteJohn Sharp should stick to what he knows best: the meat and cheese tray. Who keeps electing this guy?
ReplyDeleteThe KCPD is utterly inept. Murder rates out of control. Can't catch the Waldo rapist. Can't control a crowd of children on the plaza. Seems like about all they can do is man DUI checkpoints, pick people's pockets, grope prisoners, and escalate loitering problems into riots.
ReplyDeleteJim Corwin needs to resign or be fired. Immediately.
Kansas City doesn't have a crime problem,... it has a ni@@er problem.
ReplyDeleteThe police Officer who posted is right. What else would you have done? What if some of these kids were armed? The Police wouldn't know for sure but you can bet the odds were good in that situation that some might be.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the Raytown Schools taking action and talking with their student's. KCMO should do the same. The new president should insist that a straight talk be given to their students on the subject.
As for Sharp, his children are African American so it is natural for him to have more than a passing intereste in AA affairs and issues. That doesn't mean he is right on this matter. I don't think he is. Like blaming the victim for the crime or punishing a store keeper for harming a robber. Lay off the cops and let them use their training to handle the situation. Sometimes the person does need a nightstick upside their hard head.