This issue has been bothering me for some time. One obvious example is the increasingly common paramilitary-style uniforms that are designed and selected to intimidate. Another common example is that every call or traffic stop now seems to require overwhelming force. I live in the metro Washington, DC area, and here a traffic stop with only one law enforcement vehicle present is the exception. Typically there are 2-3 vehicles, and, often, some of them are unmarked. But something happened today near my house that really brought the issue "home" to me.
I live in an area dominated by student rental housing. I am one of only three resident owners in the neighborhood. Although I like students, I enjoy breaks because the streets are empty of cars and everything is relatively quiet. The quiet is made more noticeable by the increased party activity at the end of the term...
This morning I was peacefully digitizing, adjusting, and tagging old family photographs when I heard the unmistakable sound of a bullhorn or announcement made through the PA system on a police car or fire truck. I went out of my front door to investigate and saw several police cars on the street and a group of half-a-dozen or so officers with shields and pointing military-style assault weapons at the house across the street. One of the weapons, from my distance appeared to be a short version of a bazooka; probably meant to launch gas canisters or something. I later thought that the "bazooka" might have been a battering ram to break through the door, but when I first saw the officer with it, it was on his shoulder and pointed up at the house.
Upon viewing that scene, I quickly stepped back inside, wondering what in the world could require that level of weaponry in my neighborhood. Terrorists? Kidnapping? Meth lab? As I watched though a window, the group of officers approached the front entrance to the house. There was then another loud announcement of some kind and the officers entered the house. Shrubbery prevented me from seeing how they entered. While that group was in the house I watched as another 6-8 officers appeared from various locations. One of them was wearing a much more formal, nice looking uniform, and appeared to be watching the proceedings and taking notes. That temporarily raised my hopes that this was a training exercise of some sort.
After 10-15 minutes, the team from inside the house came out empty-handed and there was a large group discussion on the front lawn. Slowly the officers and weapons dispersed. While the first group of officers were still in the house I noticed one officer talking to my neighbor on his front porch. When things had died down I went out and asked my neighbor what had happened. And his answer was...
They thought that a burglar was in the house. Yes, that's right, a potential burglar rated one paramilitary team with assault weapons and an equal or larger number of officers on the "perimeter." As I noted earlier, this is a student dominated neighborhood and during major breaks like the Christmas holidays, they virtually all go home or at least leave town. As a result, burglaries during this time are distressingly frequent.
Let me be very clear about a few things. I hope that the police catch these thieves and try them in court followed by actual incarceration if they are convicted. I am also grateful that local law enforcement is taking these seasonal burglaries seriously. I respect law enforcement personnel and appreciate the risks that they routinely run on our behalf. I do not intend to offend any law enforcement personnel with this story. My point in this rant is the disproportionate scale of response to a potential common house thief. Maybe house thieves carry heavy weaponry these days - I don't know. Shucks, ole' Sheriff Andy Taylor would have just talked that possible burglar into giving up...
It seems that many police actions these days use disproportionate manpower/firepower. In my observation, much of this change in local law enforcement tactics has arisen since 9/11. It appears that every call, every traffic stop, is treated as though it will involve terrorist activities or terrorists themselves. In additional, much of this increased use of manpower per incident comes at a time when police and public safety personnel are being reduced due to local budget situations. Fewer officers available coupled with increased manpower on each call has to result in increased gaps elsewhere.
I remember a time not so very long ago when every effort was made to help the public view law enforcement as friends. It gets more difficult to do that when they are dressed in dark paramilitary uniforms - designed to intimidate, and respond to virtually every call with overwhelming force and firepower.
I also remember a time, not too long after Nicolae Ceausescu was deposed, that I visited Romania on business. There are three strong memories of that trip. First was how warm and generous the Romanian people were when they had so little themselves. Second was how difficult it was to gather the supplies necessary for a small dinner party - each item required a visit to a different vendor. And finally, I remember the police. Roaming the streets in gangs of ten and more. Those gangs were very, very intimidating. Not only to me, but to the local population as well.
Maybe it is that memory that has made me sensitive to the increasingly common police response I see in the U.S. today...