MA: Police Get Black Uniforms to Instill Sense of 'Fear'

Fox News/AP ^ | 4/24/08 | n/a

[kiriath_jearim]

Springfield's men in black are returning.

The city's new police commissioner, William Fitchet, says members of the department's Street Crime Unit will again don black, military-style uniforms as part of his strategy to deal with youth violence.

[livius]

What needs to instill a sense of fear is the judicial system. The thugs know that the cops can dress whatever way they want - but they still won’t shoot - and that in any case, when the thugs get before the judge, they’ll still be let off with a wink and a nod.

[Farmer Dean]

So we are supposed to fear the police?Not a good way to foster cooperation with the community.

[Sax]

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Andy Taylor was the perfect cop. Respected by all, and only feared by those who really needed their butts kicked.

And then he put those size twelves to good use.

[Bender2]

Re: MA: Police Get Black Uniforms to Instill Sense of 'Fear'

Does Rev Wright... know about this?

[rabscuttle385]

Delaney said a sense of "fear" has been missing for the past few years.

Fear in the criminals or in the citizens? I dare say the latter. Criminals aren't scared of stark uniforms, but citizens will be.

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." (Thomas Jefferson)

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Not a good way to foster cooperation with the community.

They probably figure it's a lost cause so why not go all the way in the other direction?

[Domandred]

Fear != Respect

[Roklok]

And these people wonder why the general population does not trust them anymore. The youth of today will not go to a police officer for help anymore, because they are afraid of them, my six year old grand daughter included. They scared her out of her wits about a year ago at a traffic stop.

To many Rambo wannabes out there.

[massgopguy]

They should wear Orange Tuxedos so they look like Waiters and instill a sense of camaraderie.

[tacticalogic]

And these people wonder why the general population does not trust them anymore.

I think asset forfeitures have contributed to that. It has turned public perception of the police from "peace officers" to "bounty hunters". Apparently they think they're getting enough money out of the forfeitures that it's worth it.

[Lancer_N3502A]

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Police want to instill fear in the population to make them more compliant.

What other groups uses fear to force changes in their targets?

The Mafia? Yep.

Terrorists? Yes again.

Totalitarians? And once more, bingo.

Sounds like the Masstards are finally taking the wrapper off their shiny new police state.

[School of Rational Thought]

Collar pins to include a skull on one side and two lighting bolts on the other.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

The youth of today will not go to a police officer for help anymore, because they are afraid of them, my six year old grand daughter included. They scared her out of her wits about a year ago at a traffic stop.

It's not just the youths out there, they scare the crap out of me as well.

[6SJ7]

Won’t black uniforms show the powdered sugar from donuts?

[CASchack]

"So we are supposed to fear the police?Not a good way to foster cooperation with the community."

Springfield is a depressed area with lots of gang/drug crime. I have to go into some of the worst neighborhoods there, and IMO, it's worse than any of the rough neighborhoods in Boston.

That said, I don't know that these black uniforms will be the answer. How about just cracking down on the hoods?

[Tijeras_Slim]

“Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.”

Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

And it’s easy as well, since fear can be commanded, whereas respect needs to be earned.

[P8riot]

LOL!