Our Thugs Are More Brazen Than Yours
By Wyatt Earp | January 24, 2012
Everything you need to know about this city can be encapsulated in this story.
Detectives didn’t have to go far to investigate the shooting of a man early Monday morning. The shooting happened at about 4 a.m. in the 5500 block of Osage Avenue, outside the 18th District police building.
Officers inside the building heard gunshots and went outside to their parking lot and found a 25-year-old male shot in the face inside a parked car. The male was rushed to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with a gunshot wound to the jaw. He is listed in critical condition.
You know, the police in this town take a lot of heat from all sides. Some of it is warranted; some of it is not. We try to do the best we can in an imperfect situation, but there is a segment of the population in this town that just doesn’t give a frak about the citizens, the police, and the law as a whole. These people think it’s acceptable to shoot a man in the face while he is in a police district’s parking lot.
We cannot fight people like these. We cannot stop them. We’re losing, and I don’t think we’ll ever get in the win column again. /rant
Topics: Philly | 12 Comments »
If I were a betting sort, I’d say someone was on his way to the police to report something that someone didn’t want reported, hence the shot to the jaw.
Always remember Wyatt, there are more law abiding folks than there are the scum. If it truly got/gets “that” bad, I have faith you would have some interesting back up. But I am an optimist!
Probably happens more than we realize. Many moons ago we’ve had killings of sworn desk personnel at the station desk. When I worked HQs back in the 90′s we were constantly shot at after 2300 hrs on our way to our cars.
But you absolutely correct Wyatt, it has just become a holding action and we are giving ground every day.
Howdy Wyatt! You said: “We cannot fight people like these. We cannot stop them. We’re losing, and I don’t think we’ll ever get in the win column again.”
And I hope that’s just a temporary – albeit natural – reaction to those events.
Cause if LE can’t fight these people, then what is left for the rest of us to do?
Greeting from VA! I run into the same types down here. The most frustrating part is having to remain professional when dealing with them. More than once I’ve thought to myself, “screw it, I’m just going to knock this one out!” But alas, then I’d be unemployed.
L.E. has their work cut out for them. They’re outnumbered, out-gunned and thanks to the media, their every move is scrutinized. You guys need a raise. This reminds me of one of my favorite bumper stickers “If you don’t like how the police handle things, next time call a crack head”
Think “Justified”. That’ll make you feel better.
Joated – Pretty good explanation.
Danny – I know. Not impugning an entire city, but with 28 homicides already, we’re on a downward spiral here.
LDIV – When I worked the front desk in the division, I always had my gun on my hip. If some armed thug came to the window, I’d be ready.
Real – It’s temporary. I’m just tired. Tired after almost 18 years of this, and knowing I have 20 more years to go isn’t inspiring.
Chris – After almost 18 years, I’ve had one IAB complaint, and was cleared. I’ve thought about smacking the occasional shooter around, but it’s an idea best left for after work thoughts.
DL474 – We don’t get paid too well in Philly – much less than other comparable departments – but our health benefits are second to none. So it evens out.
Roger – I’ll be watching it on TiVo after I get home tonight.
I just jinxed myself by commenting on this post. We just received two, count em, two calls for shootings in a five minute period. Gonna be a long night.
Stay safe Wyatt!
Don’t know about Philly, but where CCW is unrestricted or easier, we don’t have a lot of problems. The bangers don’t know who is packin’. Makes ‘em think [if they can].
Wyatt:
At the risk of sounding just terrible, I feel that it comes down to ONE simple premise:
ZERO tolerance…period.
And if that means opening a “season” for taking such predators down…let’s have at it.
Pennsy people LOVE to hunt, anyway.
(screw the cultural diversity pundits – it’s URBAN RENEWAL!)
The city could USE the money to be made in THOSE types of hunting licenses.
(and the streets WOULD be safer…by far.
You don’t try to negotiate with such people…you TAKE THEM OUT!
(and it ain’t to Geno’s)
Roll safe out there.