[Regarding,“APD Announces Policy Changes in Wake of 2020 Protests,” Oct. 6, Xpress:] Absolutely the Asheville Police Department should be allowed gas, if necessary, for crowd control! Sometimes those involved give you no other option when they become so unruly. We don’t want any of our officers getting injured.
Even though I currently live in Hendersonville, I have lived in Asheville and may again. Officers from any and all departments put their lives on the line every day; we need to provide them with the tools they need to best provide a peaceful outcome.
— Candy Champagne Hendersonville
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8 thoughts on “Letter: APD should be allowed to use tear gas”
MV
Everyone should be allowed to use tear gas when peaceful measures fail–especially to fight off violent threats, domestic terrorists, and even greedy developers who want to wipe out our forests and pollute the French Broad River.
Lesko Brandon
Way to post leftist talking points!
luther blissett
“Even though I currently live in Hendersonville–”
Oh, well, okay. I guess in Hendersonville all you’d need for crowd control is to fire off a bunch of Werther’s Originals and that would scatter all of the senior citizens. But I doubt the good people of Hendersonville would appreciate Asheville residents opining on what HPD should do. If you don’t pay their salaries, they’re not your officers.
“Officers from any and all departments put their lives on the line every day”
The last APD officer to die on duty drove his cruiser off the Bowen Bridge in 2013 while doing 70 in a 50 — not in a pursuit — while not wearing a seatbelt. No other officer has died on duty since 1972. AFD Captain Bowen lost his life fighting a four-alarm fire, which is why the bridge honors his name and memory.
Mike R.
I think Hendersonville is close enough to Asheville (geographically, economically) that the comments should be considered relevant. Are you saying Mountain Express is only read by Ashevillians?
Your argument that policing isn’t dangerous is weak. Perhaps Asheville’s fatalities are low/nil in recent years. A lot could account for that such as: lazy police officers, low violent crime rate, luck. Look at the regional, state and national numbers and the writer is correct on this point. Just recently, I believe a Hendersonville deputy was ambushed and shot to death during a break in call by a terrified citizen in the middle of the night. If you don’t call that dangerous, well……
From the tone of your response, it sounds like you have a major axe to grind with policing or maybe just with the Asheville Police. Sarcastic comments and poor justification for a different position/opinion doesn’t help the discourse.
Finally, the ability to use tear gas by the police is essential because not only does it protect the police against worse (gunfire), it also protects the public/protestors against same. The ability to disperse an unruly crowd without using guns is critical. From my viewpoint, this just seems like common sense.
luther blissett
I’m saying that “we don’t want any of our officers getting injured” presumes a “we” and an “our” which, in this context, is specific to a municipality where the letter-writer doesn’t live and a police department the letter-writer does not pay for. I’m saying that different cities are different.
I’m saying that to “look at the regional, state and national numbers” is to admit that the local numbers don’t fit your narrative. It’s a very blatant dodge.
I’m saying that sanctimoniously regurgitating warrior-cop myths and clichés that aren’t relevant to the reality of policing in Asheville casts a smokescreen (or, if you like, a cloud of tear gas) over conversations that should take place among residents of Asheville about a municipal service they pay for and the residents of Hendersonville do not.
Lesko Brandon
Common sense? You’re talking to leftists here, you need to talk about FEELINGS!
Lou
Oh Lesko…still not enough privilege for you dear? It’s all you get…we’re all on to you good fellas.
Lou
Facts, thank you. Though I doubt the salivating righties will hear or believe you.
Everyone should be allowed to use tear gas when peaceful measures fail–especially to fight off violent threats, domestic terrorists, and even greedy developers who want to wipe out our forests and pollute the French Broad River.
Way to post leftist talking points!
“Even though I currently live in Hendersonville–”
Oh, well, okay. I guess in Hendersonville all you’d need for crowd control is to fire off a bunch of Werther’s Originals and that would scatter all of the senior citizens. But I doubt the good people of Hendersonville would appreciate Asheville residents opining on what HPD should do. If you don’t pay their salaries, they’re not your officers.
“Officers from any and all departments put their lives on the line every day”
The last APD officer to die on duty drove his cruiser off the Bowen Bridge in 2013 while doing 70 in a 50 — not in a pursuit — while not wearing a seatbelt. No other officer has died on duty since 1972. AFD Captain Bowen lost his life fighting a four-alarm fire, which is why the bridge honors his name and memory.
I think Hendersonville is close enough to Asheville (geographically, economically) that the comments should be considered relevant. Are you saying Mountain Express is only read by Ashevillians?
Your argument that policing isn’t dangerous is weak. Perhaps Asheville’s fatalities are low/nil in recent years. A lot could account for that such as: lazy police officers, low violent crime rate, luck. Look at the regional, state and national numbers and the writer is correct on this point. Just recently, I believe a Hendersonville deputy was ambushed and shot to death during a break in call by a terrified citizen in the middle of the night. If you don’t call that dangerous, well……
From the tone of your response, it sounds like you have a major axe to grind with policing or maybe just with the Asheville Police. Sarcastic comments and poor justification for a different position/opinion doesn’t help the discourse.
Finally, the ability to use tear gas by the police is essential because not only does it protect the police against worse (gunfire), it also protects the public/protestors against same. The ability to disperse an unruly crowd without using guns is critical. From my viewpoint, this just seems like common sense.
I’m saying that “we don’t want any of our officers getting injured” presumes a “we” and an “our” which, in this context, is specific to a municipality where the letter-writer doesn’t live and a police department the letter-writer does not pay for. I’m saying that different cities are different.
I’m saying that to “look at the regional, state and national numbers” is to admit that the local numbers don’t fit your narrative. It’s a very blatant dodge.
I’m saying that sanctimoniously regurgitating warrior-cop myths and clichés that aren’t relevant to the reality of policing in Asheville casts a smokescreen (or, if you like, a cloud of tear gas) over conversations that should take place among residents of Asheville about a municipal service they pay for and the residents of Hendersonville do not.
Common sense? You’re talking to leftists here, you need to talk about FEELINGS!
Oh Lesko…still not enough privilege for you dear? It’s all you get…we’re all on to you good fellas.
Facts, thank you. Though I doubt the salivating righties will hear or believe you.