McManus and SAPD (crime, house, live)

[1StarRanch]

Ok, I'll be up front, I don't care much for Chief McManus. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on his job thus far. I ask because friends of mine were talking about violence that is seeming to get out of hand these days, with kids being shot in drive-bys etc. and all the "apparent" police brutality.

Can I hear your thoughts? Does he have to go, does he need to do more, should we give him more time?

[Bowie]

He needs more time. He's been on the job 2 months short of two years. It's taken him some time to clear out some people who needed to go, so that he could make the changes he wanted to make. Now that he seems to have the nucleus of his team in place, let's let him focus on those areas you mentioned.

[hamjeepr]

Law enforcement in general is a problem right now. If you look at the LEO from days past, they were referred to as "peace officers". Now, these guys are trained from day one as soldiers and everyone unknown is an enemy. As their time on the force increases, they become more isolated from general society and become part of the very separate "police" society made up of their peers. They also are exposed to little or no respect on a daily basis from not just criminals, but ordinary citizens as well. After a while, this develops into what we are seeing almost on a daily basis in the media- police brutality. This is not something a chief can repair in a couple years. It is a problem seated in basic fiber of our society and must be changed from early on. Let's not forget these guys wake up everyday and have to decide to do their job.

[TexasNick]

That's nice, but has anyone actually witnessed police brutality or have some raw hard facts they can back up?

[yosoyway]

I am not impressed with what he has done thus far. But crime in general has spiked recently nation wide.

In some ways I think it might be related to Iraq. Some soldiers were police officers, some parents are in the military and their kids are not supervised properly, their is less money being spent in crime prevention because it is used to fund the war in Iraq.

During the 60's there was a lot of crime and gangs. Maybe Vietnam had something to do with that and maybe that's what we're seeing today with Iraq.

Locally we've seen more crime, shootings, murders, more gang violence and don't get me started with the tagging. I've only lived here 5 years but tagging has gotten out of control lately. It was not like this 5 years ago.

Something is not working and unfortunately, you always look at top for answers and actions. Mr. McManus needs to step up.

[CreekKnoll]

You guys watch too much local news.

Here's the low down. Stay out of trouble, don't break the law, and everything will be alright.

Break a cruiser window, lunge at an officer with a knife, run from the police after you car jacked someone, then you may or maynot get your a55 kicked.

Now, I don't know about you guys, but I'm not an underage drinker, don't intend to car jack anyone, or plan on getting tasered and lunge at a cop with a knife in my hand, or break any law for that matter. So I think I'll be alright.

[1StarRanch]

I don't think Iraq has anything to do with it. Most of the people committing crimes are not in the service, nor are they immediate family members of service members. Service members are some of the most law abiding citizens.

I do agree, when there are troubles you look to the top for accountability. When there are praises the person on top gets it. It's part of the game played when you choose to take a position.

We can't deny, SATX crime seems to be getting worse.

TexasNick, you are right, is why I said in my original post "APPARENT" police brutality. I personally think most of these "APPARENT" victims probably got what they deserved.

[the_dimwit]

As some other poster already hinted, the problem is not the police force. The problem is the overall slide into social disregard for the sanctity of others that is the root cause of the growth in crime (not just short-term, but over the last several decades).

As for the cops, I think they have one of the toughest jobs out there. They are to "protect and serve" a population who, in growing numbers, couldn't care less whether police officers live or die. Indeed, a LEO must wake up each morning and choose to go to work. It's not a cushy job.

--Dim

[adtobias]

I am also not impressed. I have seen 100 percent more cop giving tickets while our kids are getting killed and house broken into. bad priorities

[SnappyBob]

I have a lot of respect for police officers in general but I have seen and heard of some pretty uncalled for stuff. Taser use being one of them. Tasers were introduced as an alternative to deadly force. I am seeing them used more and more as a tool for intimidation and aggravation. I heard a case not too long ago about a guy who, if I remember right, died as a result of being tasered. He was tasered because he tore up his paper work and pi$$ed of the cops at the station. So I guess if they hadn't had tasers they would have just shot him for being an uncooperative? For the most part though this kind of thing is the exception and not the rule.