Posted on Feb 3, 2021
Protests In Rochester As Lawmakers Move To Ban Use of Chemical Irritants On Minors
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New York state lawmakers have introduced legislation that bans law enforcement officers from using chemical irritants on minors.
It was a quick response to Rochester Police pepper-spraying a handcuffed 9-year-old girl as officers were responding to a call of a family disturbance last week. Video of the girl's encounter with police was released by city officials, sparking protests in the city Monday evening.
City officials have "removed three officers from patrol duties" that were involved in the incident, according to the Rochester Police Department. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the encounter "disturbing and heartbreaking."
Braving freezing temperatures hovering in the 20s Monday afternoon, a crowd of roughly 100 demonstrators gathered outside a police precinct not far from where the incident took place.
"Keep your cuffs off our kids" and "Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!" the crowd chanted.
A spokesperson with the Rochester Police told NPR on Tuesday no protest-related arrests were made.
It was a quick response to Rochester Police pepper-spraying a handcuffed 9-year-old girl as officers were responding to a call of a family disturbance last week. Video of the girl's encounter with police was released by city officials, sparking protests in the city Monday evening.
City officials have "removed three officers from patrol duties" that were involved in the incident, according to the Rochester Police Department. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the encounter "disturbing and heartbreaking."
Braving freezing temperatures hovering in the 20s Monday afternoon, a crowd of roughly 100 demonstrators gathered outside a police precinct not far from where the incident took place.
"Keep your cuffs off our kids" and "Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!" the crowd chanted.
A spokesperson with the Rochester Police told NPR on Tuesday no protest-related arrests were made.
Protests In Rochester As Lawmakers Move To Ban Use of Chemical Irritants On Minors
Posted from npr.org
Rochester
State of New York
Police
Law Enforcement
Children
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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Some years back I ran group homes - all teenage boys, all removed from their caretakers by the State. No criminals, no crazies - a lot of screwed-up kids. Occasionally things do get physical.
A 6'2", 200 lb 15-year-old kid is also a minor, but I'd rather gas one than shoot him.
A 6'2", 200 lb 15-year-old kid is also a minor, but I'd rather gas one than shoot him.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SGT Edward Wilcox - The proposed legislation is not a ban on chemicals for 9 year old girls. It is a ban for ALL minors. Which SSG Dennis R. was trying to show COULD be problematic.
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If you keep your kids under control and teach them respect, they most likely won’t be put in this unfortunate situation.
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SGT Tim. Wilson
PO1 H Gene Lawrence Isn’t it nice when someone who has obviously never done the job jumps in after reading a basically one sided report and wants to condemn anyone that doesn’t have the same view or outrage as they do?
Yes, if this is the same situation that I saw a video of where the Mother was instigating the daughter being upset then it could have been handled differently, like by keeping the mother out of it! But once you are on scene and have the person, no matter the age, you can’t just walk away from the call without doing your job!
Unfortunately there are idiots everywhere that really don’t understand that!
Yes, if this is the same situation that I saw a video of where the Mother was instigating the daughter being upset then it could have been handled differently, like by keeping the mother out of it! But once you are on scene and have the person, no matter the age, you can’t just walk away from the call without doing your job!
Unfortunately there are idiots everywhere that really don’t understand that!
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SGT Tim. Wilson
PO1 H Gene Lawrence Just to add it is of the incident of the video I previously viewed. The girl was concerned about her Dad because she believed her Mother had stabbed him. That was in the video. The mother was belligerent as all get out and I would have probably taken her in for assaulting her daughter, in front of me if I had been the officer there. The mother escalated it and even after the cop got her to walk away she tried starting a fight with a car passing by! The whole thing was messed up! Was not a good situation and under the circumstances not sure what else they could have done to get the girl to comply with fully getting in the car, other than putting her in a hogtie and putting her in on her stomach. But then they would have bitched about that too!
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PO1 H Gene Lawrence
SGT Tim. Wilson - while I was not Military Police, I did a stint in a DOD Police agency on base, dealing with Military personnel and families. As a Sheriff’s Deputy and a Police Officer, I have definitely experienced actions similar to what you have.
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I have concerns about this. How does the officer, in the heat of the moment in a situation which is threatening enough to warrant the use of pepper spray, verify age? What happens when a mature-looking 17 year old is pepper-sprayed? What will be the backlash when an immature-looking 18 year old is not pepper sprayed and goes on to injure an officer?
Additionally, these chemicals are often used in lieu of more damaging alternatives. Pepper spray is painful, yes. But a baton or a bullet is worse. How often will police now have to start using more damaging alternatives because chemicals have been taken out of the list of options?
I do not endorse abusing anyone, regardless of whether they have reached the age of majority. But I fear this is going to be one of those poorly crafted, poorly worded reactionary laws that ends up causing avoidable harmful unintended consequences.
Additionally, these chemicals are often used in lieu of more damaging alternatives. Pepper spray is painful, yes. But a baton or a bullet is worse. How often will police now have to start using more damaging alternatives because chemicals have been taken out of the list of options?
I do not endorse abusing anyone, regardless of whether they have reached the age of majority. But I fear this is going to be one of those poorly crafted, poorly worded reactionary laws that ends up causing avoidable harmful unintended consequences.
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