[VIDEO] ~ Was this cop justified in punching this girl in the face?

[roho76]

If someone gets hit while jaywalking, it's their own fault. I'd rather it be that way then have more BS laws.

Jesus fucking Christ. THANK YOU.

We wouldn't need jaywalking laws to protect drivers if pedestrians had no recourse for being retarded. This is nanny state bullshit.

 

[John Taylor]

Jesus fucking Christ. THANK YOU.

We wouldn't need jaywalking laws to protect drivers if pedestrians had no recourse for being retarded. This is nanny state bullshit.

I completely agree with you guys, but I think we're talking past one another. Jaywalking laws exist to establish liability for the pedestrian, and to prevent the driver on the road who hit the person out of the crosswalk from being liable.

 

[loveshiscountry]

She didn't "punch" him; she shoved him. After which shove, he was several (safe) feet away from the girls and no longer grappling with the first girl. It is very likely it could have ended there. Maybe at that point he needs to approach the shover and try to arrest her for assault, but whatever the case, lunging with a punch was not necessary.

Why would anyone, who has been shoved by an aggressive person, think the assault will stop there? I don't think many here have been in a fight, lol.

 

[John Taylor]

Why would anyone, who has been shoved by an aggressive person, think the assault will stop there? I don't think many here have been in a fight, lol.

Exactly. Having been in fights on Martin Luther Blvd (in another city---think extremely large rust belt city), there is little doubt that the strategic application of force, once someone physicially resists a police officer, is crucial to maintain control of the situation.

(This is not to say that this situation should have been handled in this fashion, or that this woman should have been struck).

 

[fisharmor]

That is one of the stupidest things I've heard and its why people think the tea party is nuts.

Interesting that you tie me in with a group I have never had anything to do with.

What about it is stupid? The total lack of objectivity in this situation?
Several people have openly stated that they want the police to make on-the-spot decisions about what laws to enforce and when.

There are two and only two consistent ways to handle this:
1) get rid of jaywalking laws
2) require every single person to carry electronic ID tags, set up scanners on the roads, and automatically ticket every single person who jaywalks every single time they do it - or come up with some other equally draconian scenario, like a cop on every corner.

Anything in between creates a situation where cops are free to determine what the law is in any given situation, and whether or not to enforce it. It makes an overlord who is free to do whatever he wants to whoever he wants to do it to, using the color of law behind inane nanny-state regulations, and if he crosses the line of decency, he gets a paid vacation for his infraction.

Debate the issue. When you stoop to name calling, you lose.

 

[fisharmor]

Why would anyone, who has been shoved by an aggressive person, think the assault will stop there? I don't think many here have been in a fight, lol.

Why would anyone think the cop should stop at punching her in the face?
Why not go for the tazer or the Glock?

 

[Krugerrand]

Interesting that you tie me in with a group I have never had anything to do with.

What about it is stupid? The total lack of objectivity in this situation?
Several people have openly stated that they want the police to make on-the-spot decisions about what laws to enforce and when.

There are two and only two consistent ways to handle this:
1) get rid of jaywalking laws
2) require every single person to carry electronic ID tags, set up scanners on the roads, and automatically ticket every single person who jaywalks every single time they do it - or come up with some other equally draconian scenario, like a cop on every corner.

Anything in between creates a situation where cops are free to determine what the law is in any given situation, and whether or not to enforce it. It makes an overlord who is free to do whatever he wants to whoever he wants to do it to, using the color of law behind inane nanny-state regulations, and if he crosses the line of decency, he gets a paid vacation for his infraction.

Debate the issue. When you stoop to name calling, you lose.

I disagree that there are only two ways to handle this.

Some laws should require a justifiable cause for enforcement. You rolled through a stop sign ... so what. You rolled through a stop sign causing another car to come to a screeching halt to avoid an accident ... justifiable cause. You rolled through a stop sign causing a pedestrian to jump out of the way ... justifiable cause. You did not use a turn signal ... so what. You did not use a turn signal which required another car that perhaps could have right turned on red after stop to wait needlessly ... justifiable cause. You jaywalked ... so what. You jaywalked which caused a car to swerve across the road and slam on the breaks ... justifiable cause.

There are some laws that should require a justifiable cause for enforcement. Because the policeman has an attitude issue is not a justifiable cause. Because a cop is on a fishing expedition for other charges is not a justifiable cause.

 

[lordindra3]

I live really close to where this happened. A cop just got shot over a routine stop over there. He was actually one of the few really good cops and he was shot for just checking out why someone was badly beaten. Im not saying these things are relevent to each other, but my point is that not all cops are bad and just because they are cops, doesnt mean they cant defend themselves.

Look, the thing I flippin HATE about calling this racially motivated or being called police brutality is that THERE REALLY IS RACIALLY MOTIVATED CRIMES AND THERE REALLY IS POLICE BRUTALITY so when we call people out for this little crap, then it hurts cases where it really does go on!

If you watch the ENTIRE CLIP (not just the news clip) you will see that people are yelling at the cop, trying to intimidate him and threating him and egging the girls on and the chick first took a swing at the cop, so this chick deserved it. Im sorry, I have seen REAL police brutality and REAL racially motivated stuff, but we should just move on on this case. Nothing to see here folks, the bitch deserved it.

Black Terrel- Yeah, I know jay walking is a stupid crime, but Im white and when I drove a really beat up poor car, I got my ass pulled over and searched for the stupidest reasons! Its a poor area and cops pull over poor people because crime comes from poverty in many cases. So when my THEN girl friend (now wife) was driving a Mercedes AMG and I was in a 1990 beat up civic, the cops pulled me over just for following her and I was only following her home. Plus I was arrested for getting angry at a cop for pulling me over once. Im white, so I think cops can just be assholes. It doesnt mean they are not human and dont attack WHEN BEING ATTACKED.

 

[MelissaWV]

The confrontation should have never happened. Jaywalking shouldn't be a crime, period. Crosswalks create a very false sense of security and people around here (college town) walk into them without even looking. Some people skate or bike through the crosswalks without a second thought. As a driver coming down the street at 30-45 mph, it's a bit hard to swerve or brake safely to avoid these surprise pedestrians. If I were to hit one, though, I would be the one at fault. Jaywalking in general has its own best punishment, which is that you shouldn't just fling yourself into the street out of fear of getting injured or killed.

I'm actually in favor of safe crossings whenever feasible. We have several of these downtown and in the campus areas. There are bridges over the street, or tunnels under them, which provide safe passage for heavy foot traffic in congested areas. I'm also greatly in favor of drivers yielding to pedestrians already crossing when they're trying to turn right, etc.. This should come from common sense on the part of everyone involved. In pedestrian vs. vehicle, the vehicle has a huge advantage. Be aware of it. Don't be dumb.

Having said all of that, once the policeman was in the situation, and once someone went to shove or punch or whatever you want to call it... at him... his reaction was the same one most of us would have if we were physically confronted that way. He responded with a similar category of force. It's not that she shoved him and he shot her. It's not that she shoved him and he tazed her. She shoved him and he shoved back.

I am incredibly curious as to why none of you are similarly angry about the male towards the end of the tape who is NOT an officer grabbing and lifting a woman out of the scene. Is it because you believe he is protecting her? I'm surprised none of you booed him for pulling the second woman (who was still pushing and shoving at the police officer) off. If this second man thought physical force was warranted in order to stop the altercation from escalating, and none of you found fault with it, could it be the problem you have with the uniform the cop is wearing that's clouding your judgment a little?

Oh, and the girl in pink? She was so traumatized that she can be seen in the back of the police car grinning at the camera at 1:37 or so.

 

[Stary Hickory]

Well if she pushed him first.....I dunno. Looks like she had it coming. If you initiate violence expect a violent reaction. But I haven't seen anything but one little clip her pushing him and him jacking her.

Although I am not the type to make any exceptions just because she is female. You could argue that the law is stupid and the cop stopping her was only able to do so due to the threat of force, and that she merely reacted against that. I suppose that would be a way to defend her.

And really the cop did not HAVE to jack her in the face....restraining would have made more sense without a right cross to the face.

 

[Stary Hickory]

For some reason that video reminds me of this video, I think probably because some will call (what the black lady in the above video and the white guy with the video camera in the below video do) a shove others will call it a swing. In both cases though I agree it is assault.

YouTube - NC Tea Party Member Punched

Man pretty lame, the guy with the camera did not initiate force...what a sinister way to try and compare things in an inconsistent manner. And then imply racism is a motivation.

 

[JK/SEA]

//

 

[devil21]

Arresting someone over jaywalking?! Are you fucking kidding me?

My local PD (large southern city) has also started arresting for stupid and minor stuff like jaywalking, homeless men begging for money, even speeding 15 over the speed limit. It's a revenue generator for the jurisdiction. Not only because of the fines associated but the more prisoners they have in jail, the more DoJ money they get from the state and the Feds. Remember, it's always about money. ALWAYS.

His punch was probably justified but that's only if you consider his actions leading up to that point justified. He's lucky the people didn't go feral on his ass and really give them something to video tape. Arresting blacks for jaywalking on Martin Luther King Blvd? Yeah you're an idiot cop and a Darwin Award candidate.

 

[Stary Hickory]

My local PD (large southern city) has also started arresting for stupid and minor stuff like jaywalking, homeless men begging for money, even speeding 15 over the speed limit. It's a revenue generator for the jurisdiction. Not only because of the fines associated but the more prisoners they have in jail, the more DoJ money they get from the state and the Feds. Remember, it's always about money. ALWAYS.

His punch was probably justified but that's only if you consider his actions leading up to that point justified. He's lucky the people didn't go feral on his ass and really give them something to video tape. Arresting blacks for jaywalking on Martin Luther King Blvd? Yeah you're an idiot cop and a Darwin Award candidate.

Yep he was justified. But the law was stupid and the girl was reacting properly against the law itself. Just she focused that anger on a police officer....which led to a nasty punch to the face. The officer was seriously about to lose control of the situation and this no doubt led to a viscous punch during a heightened state of alarm.

It would have been much better to restrain her, but I doubt it would be too possible with both of them there....the confrontation was over a dumb law.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I'm actually in favor of safe crossings whenever feasible. We have several of these downtown and in the campus areas. There are bridges over the street, or tunnels under them, which provide safe passage for heavy foot traffic in congested areas.

No one has mentioned the fact that this whole incident is taking place under a pedestrian crossing bridge.

Here's how it all works:

- Wide, busy street near a school.
- Kids jay-walk.
- Kids get run-over.
- Concerned parents demand pedestrian bridge.
- It gets built.
- Concerned motorists complain that kids are still jumping out in traffic in front them and not using the pedestrian bridge.
- Police told to enforce jay-walking rules at that location.
- Teens still jay-walk.
- Teens with no respect for anything think they can verbally and physically battle the Police.


Nothing is worse than people who walk out in front of cars without looking. All it takes is a driver who is slightly distracted by something (cell phone, stereo, kids, etc) to not see the kid and pow! Who gets crucified? The driver! Maybe a punch in the mouth is better than a slam from a big-rig...

 

[John Taylor]

no one has mentioned the fact that this whole incident is taking place under a pedestrian crossing bridge.

Here's how it all works:

- wide, busy street near a school.
- kids jay-walk.
- kids get run-over.
- concerned parents demand pedestrian bridge.
- it gets built.
- concerned motorists complain that kids are still jumping out in traffic in front them and not using the pedestrian bridge.
- police told to enforce jay-walking rules at that location.
- teens still jay-walk.
- teens with no respect for anything think they can verbally and physically battle the police.


Nothing is worse than people who walk out in front of cars without looking. All it takes is a driver who is slightly distracted by something (cell phone, stereo, kids, etc) to not see the kid and pow! Who gets crucified? The driver! Maybe a punch in the mouth is better than a slam from a big-rig...

+1776.

 

[JK/SEA]

No one has mentioned the fact that this whole incident is taking place under a pedestrian crossing bridge.

Here's how it all works:

- Wide, busy street near a school.
- Kids jay-walk.
- Kids get run-over.
- Concerned parents demand pedestrian bridge.
- It gets built.
- Concerned motorists complain that kids are still jumping out in traffic in front them and not using the pedestrian bridge.
- Police told to enforce jay-walking rules at that location.
- Teens still jay-walk.
- Teens with no respect for anything think they can verbally and physically battle the Police.


Nothing is worse than people who walk out in front of cars without looking. All it takes is a driver who is slightly distracted by something (cell phone, stereo, kids, etc) to not see the kid and pow! Who gets crucified? The driver! Maybe a punch in the mouth is better than a slam from a big-rig...

BS.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/359358_bus17.html

http://en.beta.rian.ru/video/20100128/157701882.html

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100522/articles/100529829

 

[Brian4Liberty]

BS.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/359358_bus17.html

http://en.beta.rian.ru/video/20100128/157701882.html

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100522/articles/100529829

 

[orenbus]

Man pretty lame, the guy with the camera did not initiate force...what a sinister way to try and compare things in an inconsistent manner. And then imply racism is a motivation.

Please show me where I said the guy with the camera initiated force?

Or how the implication you are saying that I am making is somehow that racism is involved?

I am merely stating that in both cases people have considered the physical actions of both the black lady and the white guy with the camera as shove others have seen it as a swing or a punch. This would be two different people looking at the same piece of video. In both cases the follow up action is a punch from their counterparts, in both cases whether you consider it a shove or a swing they should be considered assault. Not sure how you are reading more into this but whatever.

YouTube - NC Tea Party Member Punched

YouTube - Cop Punches Teen Girl In The Face Over Jaywalking Incident

 

[devil21]

No one has mentioned the fact that this whole incident is taking place under a pedestrian crossing bridge.

Here's how it all works:

- Wide, busy street near a school.
- Kids jay-walk.
- Kids get run-over.
- Concerned parents demand pedestrian bridge.
- It gets built.
- Concerned motorists complain that kids are still jumping out in traffic in front them and not using the pedestrian bridge.
- Police told to enforce jay-walking rules at that location.
- Teens still jay-walk.
- Teens with no respect for anything think they can verbally and physically battle the Police.


Nothing is worse than people who walk out in front of cars without looking. All it takes is a driver who is slightly distracted by something (cell phone, stereo, kids, etc) to not see the kid and pow! Who gets crucified? The driver! Maybe a punch in the mouth is better than a slam from a big-rig...

Oh well that changes everything! Why didn't you tell us sooner that pedestrian footbridges mean cops have the right to punch people that don't use them?