I refer to this article I read in a Cato Institute column: Overkill: The Latest Trend in Policing - by Radley Balko Remember the Andy Griffith Show? Sheriff Andy would and could keep the entire county including Aunt Bee, Opie and all the rest of the residence of Mayberry safe without even carrying a gun. In fact the most ammo the local law enforcement carried was a single bullet in the shirt pocket of Barney Fife’s uniform, and he had to ask Andy if for permission to load it into his gun. The times, they have changed. But why?
Why is it that we need such a militarized police force these days? Why do we need a SWAT team to serve a warrant? I can just imagine the local DA and Police Chief saddling up a whole squadron of camo-black clad assault riflemen sneaking around Rhododendrons and barking poodles to confront someone with unpaid parking tickets. They would arrive low over the morning horizon like Colonel Kilgore from Apocalypse Now,
every weapon strapped under their arms including the Wagner.I won’t say we’re becoming a ‘police state’ - But the police are better armed and armored than troops in Iraq. And Aunt Neddie with the check bouncing problem, is getting gassed, knocked to the ground, hog tied and dragged away naked on the bumper of an urban assault vehicle.
Sheriff Andy where are you?
Absolute power will corrupt absolutely. Somehow law enforcement went from being public servants whose job was to protect and serve to an institution that only answers to itself.
ReplyDeletegood night Mr. Knotts ... thank you
ReplyDeleteLOS ANGELES Feb 25, 2006 (AP)— Don Knotts, the skinny, lovable nerd who kept generations of television audiences laughing as bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show," has died. He was 81.