Westwind Brass Band Concert Cut Short

At this time of year, one of my favorite hours of the week is to attend the Westwind Brass Band Concert in the Park on Sunday night.  Last night was supposed to be their patriotic concert, including their salute to the members of the military who have served our country.

Due to ominous weather conditions, the concert started early.  The lightning was moving in from the south and the wind picked up. The schedule of songs changed, and the third song was changed to be the salute to the military branches. I decided during this song that my personal level of safety was exceeded by the closeness of the storm.  I picked up and went to my car. I did not want to be disrespectful, but others had also departed.

After I got to my car, and was getting ready to drive away, a police vehicle drove up.  The officer went down a side street near the park, and that was the street I take to go home, so I was right behind that car. The officer was stopped by a vehicle in front of him. I sat there with my windows open, and listened to the band, and the announcement that the concert was being cancelled due to the impending weather.  

I wonder if the police officer was there to tell the band to stop the concert, but did not have to because the director was wise enough to do so.  I did not stay to see what the police officer did, once we were able to drive on. The police car went down another side street abutting the park.  

Caught!

So, after I finished my errands and went home on October 26, 2017, I decided go out again. I took my usual route for this particular trip which took me north on Indiana to 50th Street, then west on 50th.  50th Street is three lanes, each direction, with either a center barrier, or a center turning lane. 

As I turned left onto 50th, I saw a Lubbock Police Department SUV behind me with the lights flashing in my side view mirror.  This did not compute, so I looked in my rear view mirror, and I just barely could see the roof top light bar on the SUV lit up, just for me.  I thought about stopping in the left most lane, but decided that was not safe on 50th Street, so I slowed and pulled over to the right most lane looking for a place to pull off 50th Street.  I found it.  The CVS parking lot.  So, that is where I went with my tail behind me.

I stopped the car and shut it off, lowered the window, then remembered to leave my hands on the steering wheel where they could be seen.  The officer approached and said "I bet you don't know why I pulled you over."  I said "You are correct."  He proceeded to tell me I had a brake light out.  I think he said it was on the left side, but I was too rattled to remember. He asked if I had my insurance and license and I said I did. I produced the insurance first, folded into a tiny little square. He looked at it and returned it to me, noting he folded it the way it was.  I then gave him my license, which he took to his unit.

Shortly thereafter, he returned and gave me the license back. I apologized to him if I did not stop soon enough. He said that I was fine, that if I hadn't stopped in a timely way, he would have "given a bump of the siren." He then thanked me for responding by slowing down, pulling to the right and finding a place where we were both safe. He then asked me to get the brake light fixed at my earliest convenience.  He came to the car without his summons book open, so I figure that was his plan all along. 

As we were talking, I saw his partner get out of his vehicle. I suspect the partner thought I was giving the officer some grief.  

The officer at my car said they would back out of my way, so I could go. I told him I was going to go out the other direction and get the brake light repaired right then.  He thanked me and I thanked him.

I went to Bolton's Oil Change just down the street, where I get the oil changed in the Vue and have inspections done. Since my oil life was down to 36% at the beginning of October, I decided to get the oil change done the same time I had the brake light repaired. I told them I had been stopped because of the brake light, and they got a kick out of that. They were surprised when I said I did not get a ticket!

Then I went to a very late lunch.  As I paid out, the cashier asked my how my day was, and I told him that it was good, that I had been stopped by a police officer who told me I had a brake light out, and asked me to get it fixed but did not get a ticket.  I said I thought the Lubbock Police Department is a good police department, and the cashier agreed, and then I said Lubbock was a good place to live, and he agreed.  He seemed sincere, but what do I know.

So, later I got on the Lubbock Police Department website, and learned you could send complaints or commendations to the Internal Affairs Department. I sent a thank you acknowledging I did not think to get the officer's name or badge number, but he was very polite and professional.   

Detroit

I went to see the movie Detroit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5390504/ today.  It was a very brutal movie, about a very brutal time in our history.  However, I am a firm believer that we need to know and understand our history because it can help us to improve our future.

I remember the news stories about riots across our country when I was a teenager.  The horror, the senselessness, the destruction.  I learned about the rage of black people who had been subjugated for years and years. As I watched the movie, I recalled the news about the Algiers Hotel.

I was raised to respect police, and not until I was well into my adult life did I realize or accept the fact that police and authority figures in this country could be just as unlawful and vicious as criminals.  I should have known better. But I was too gullible and accepting.

I am glad that in this day and age, with body cams, cell phone videos, street cams and other security surveillance, we have information about how people behave in public, including the police. We have information about police being inappropriate, and we have information about police having to make impossible split second decisions that involves deadly force.  Policing is a very difficult career, and we have to allow them to do their jobs, but criminal behavior by police is still criminal behavior.  I think that was brought home very clearly in this movie.  

I do not find it ironic that this movie was produced during this time of high scrutiny of police behavior and possible misbehavior. 

Memorial Day 2017

In recognition of Memorial Day, I went to the ceremony at the City of Lubbock Cemeteryhttps://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x86fe6cbc2b936f5d:0xd97d0d076c73dc91!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4shttp://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page%3Dcr%26GRid%3D492%26CRid%3D151541%26!5scity+of+lubbock+cemetery+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-prod/photos/2012/349/CEM151541_135561713366.jpg&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjokNms55XUAhVq_IMKHYOlA3YQoioIdTAK
The service is organized by the Nancy Anderson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution http://www.texasdar.org/chapters/NancyAnderson/.  There was a nice crowd, and after the service Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts put flags on the about 2000 graves of veterans in the cemetery.

After the service, I went to the Lubbock Area Veterans War Memorial https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x86fe7271a5c99123:0x5618d02a9f4624e7!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4s//lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ISsJq0rjoJc/WQvYR_XnsuI/AAAAAAAAAEE/PWY73y_dTFYrn1y-jNmaFzcOoGh3vD_YgCLIB/w213-h160-k-no/!5slubbock+area+veterans+war+memorial+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e3!2s-ISsJq0rjoJc/WQvYR_XnsuI/AAAAAAAAAEE/PWY73y_dTFYrn1y-jNmaFzcOoGh3vD_YgCLIB&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH6dCO6ZXUAhXs64MKHa-YB14QoioIbDAK.  There was a good number of people there, including one veteran who was explaining about the meaning of Memorial Day to two young girls, presumably a daughter or both were daughters. I do not have roots in Lubbock, so most of the names mean little to me.

In the same park is the statue of William "Willie" McCool http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/23173 who lost his life on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003 when it disintegrated upon re-entry.  One year, I was at the statue, and Astronaut McCool's father was there.  That was an honor to meet him.

My last stop was the Lubbock Regional Public Safety Memorial https://www.facebook.com/LubbockRegionalPublicSafetyMemorial/. I did not know any of the fire department, EMS or police honored, but some of the names and stories of the honorees are familiar to me, having heard about them on the news.  I knew the wife of one of the firemen. I was the only person at the memorial at the time I was there. 

Community Engagement Task Force

I went to the Community Engagement Task Force https://www.ci.lubbock.tx.us/city-government/community-engagement-task-force community meeting tonight.  This is the 3rd such community meeting.   I missed the second, I did not know about it until it was too late to go.  The two meetings I have attended have been very informative and interesting.  I am glad I have attended.  I have seen social workers at each meeting, the Catholic Charities director at the first meeting. and some Lady Raider Basketball players at the meeting tonight. I need to remember to send out an announcement about the next meeting.  It is tentatively set for November 29, 2016, location unknown.

This is a good community activity. 

The Community Engagement Task Force

I went to the Community Engagement Task Force meeting tonight http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2016-09-01/lubbock-mayor-police-chief-face-tough-questions-community-forum#.V8j19o-cFxI.  I met some nice people, saw a few people I know, and listened to the comments of others. I made no comment.  I was just honored to be able to participate in such a forum. I want to watch for more.

National Night Out

National Night Out https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/180775.pdf has been occurring for more than 30 years, I think.  I remember when Tonya was spending the summer with Ken and I one year, and she wanted to be sure we kept the front porch light on for National Night Out.  We were in the house on 91st Street, so that was between 1984 and 1988. The article says 1985 was the first year.

Tonight, Lubbock had several neighborhood National Night Out Celebrations, and one was in my neighborhood at Leftwich Park, which is my neighborhood.

http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/lubbock-neighborhoods-invited-to-participate-in-national-night-out-on-tuesday-august-2.  It was sponsored by Redeemer Church http://redeemerlubbock.org/, YWCA Sun and Fun Club http://www.ywcalubbock.org/, the Lubbock Police Department http://www.mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/police-department/home and the Lubbock United Neighborhood Association http://www.lubbockunitedneighborhoodassoc.elisting.us/.

I went to the park, and stood in line for dinner, a brisket sandwich or hot dog, watermelon, chips, water, cookies.  Sides included snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. It was all free. The speakers were difficult to hear, but were from the Police Department and the YWCA. The music was canned. There were bounce houses for children, and free admission to the YWCA.  Whoever set up the park knew what they were doing because much of the area took advantage of the large shade trees in the park.  There was a police truck, an unmarked police car, a Semi truck kids could climb into the cab, a police helicopter periodically circling overhead, and a firetruck for the kids to look at (that was very popular.)  The police did children's ID kits (fingerprints) http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2014-05-23/lubbock-police-providing-children-id-kits-national-missing-childrens-day#.V6FteI-cFxI.

It was a nice evening. I spoke to some folks I knew. I talked to every police officer and fireman I could approach, thanking them for their service. I toured the YWCA facility that was free and open to the public, which was not the case for their grand opening in May, when admission was charged. (I suspect this was a good will gesture to the community, because their business has caused bad traffic congestion in the neighborhood.  I have not complained, because I think the benefit of the facility probably outweighs the traffic congestion, but I am still not happy about it.)

The Caprock Neighborhood used to have a neighborhood association and community garden.  I know. I helped to develop it.  That was 20 years ago.  I left the neighborhood after a while, and the organization could not sustain.  I regret that.  But I was pleased to see the activity tonight.

The Hard Truth

I was watching The Late Night with Stephen Colbert http://www.cbs.com/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/ show.  Bill Maher http://www.billmaher.com/ was on the show tonight.  He had a lot to say about the current problems with police in the United States.  He made comments such as in the 60's we called police "pigs" and then to "make up" for it, they were allowed excesses in their behavior.  One of his points was that the excesses were always there, but we are just now seeing it. He talked about the people who become police sometimes do so because they have a need to be authoritarian.  He made a comment that being a police officer does not make up for being bullied in high school. 

I was sadly surprised that his comments did not receive applause.  He was not saying that all police are bad, but the bad policing needs to go.  We need more training and education of police.

I agree.  I watch the TV series Blue Bloods http://www.cbs.com/shows/blue_bloods/about/. One of the recurrent themes of the show is the difference in policing styles from when grandfather was a police officer and then, police commissioner, to when son was a police officer and is now police commissioner, to the present day, when both sons are police officers, and one son is a deceased police officer.  Additionally, the daughter is an assistant district attorney.

The biggest contrast is in the styles of policing between the two brothers. The oldest brother is a detective that is rough, tough, and sometimes is on the edge with his policing methods.  He is a veteran, and knocked around at trade jobs before becoming a police officer.  The youngest son has  a Harvard law degree, but opted for a career in the police.  His rise in rank is hindered because his father the commissioner bends over backwards not to give preference to either son over other officers. 

The youngest son has a policing style that is based on the community policing model:  Know your beat and the people on the beat.  Solve things informally, pro-actively, and with a win-win model. Have disputants talk to each other.  Get involved even when people do not want to file reports (domestic violence, for example.)  Disobey an order to write up a report (when someone else can do it) to accompany a young accident victim to the emergency room to be a support and a good police role model. Help young children understand why police do what they do, and sometimes the result is painful.

The reality is that our society wants our police to be like the younger son, but we hire police to be more like the old time police officers who administer wood shampoos and give preferential treatment to people of their own ilk, whatever that is. 

We have to take a stand. We have to decide how we want our police to police.  And, we have to support them.  Give them training, education, emotional support and the tools they need to do their jobs.  And, give them community support.  And, recognize the difficult predicaments in which they are placed, and that sometimes, split second decisions are not always the best decisions, but police are humans and are fallible. We cannot predict every situation a police officer might face. We cannot train for it.  So, we need to train for making reasonable, responsible decisions that protect the citizens and the police. 

9-11

I did not intentionally do much to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks. http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/on-sept-11-anniversary-appeals-to-remember-as-time-passes/ar-AAeap4l?li=AAa0dzB?ocid=ansmsnnews11  I started the day very conscious of the anniversary, and did put my flag out. At the football game the team's uniforms honored the living and dead first responders, veterans, and military members.  But that was it.

But I often think about how 9/11 changed us.  Our nation's citizens had rights curtailed by virtue of the Patriot Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act which allowed The Department of Homeland Security http://www.dhs.gov/ and other government agencies extensive liberties in surveillance, wiretapping, data mining, and invasions of privacy in the name of looking for terrorists or terroristic activity.

Our language has change: 9/11; ground zero; first responders (which was used previous to that attack, but not as prevalently as after); Homeland Security, to mention a few.

Our way of looking at things has changed.  First responders are more recognized as heroes.  Or at least, people who put their life on the line.  The members of the military are honored, and it is not uncommon for someone to approach a person in uniform, and to say "Thank you for your service."

In my way of thinking, we as a country are more leery about immigrants and refugees. Yet, I think some people have gone out of their way to be more aware of diversity and learn about different cultures, countries, religions.   

I also wonder if some of the police on citizen violence does not hearken back to the changes caused by 9/11.  First responders were given more authority by virtue of the need to seek out terrorists.  But when someone is given more authority, it is easy to generalize that to any or every situation. And, minority profiling, whether intentional, by policy, or unintentional, does occur.  So it became easier for someone so inclined to abuse their authority in certain situations.  We know this has happened for years.  I don't know if it has become worse recently, or we are just more aware of it, attuned to it, and seeing more unbiased evidentiary reports about it.

Of course, security at airports and the borders, even with our neighbor to the north, Canada, and to the south, Mexico, has increased. 

I wonder what exactly Al Qaeda https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda hoped to accomplish by these attacks.  To bring the United States down, in some way, shape, or form.  To my thinking, these attacks made our country stronger.  It started with Flight 93, when people did what they could.  Instead of being helpless victims on a skyjacked plane, they fought back, realizing they might not live, anyway. I think in many ways even though we have a lot of divisiveness in the country, we as a citizenry will rally together against any outside attach.

I think the public response to the Boston Marathon bombers, Boston Strong https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Strong, was a symbol of how the people of this country come together against outside attacks.

I personally am not sure how 9/11 changed me.  I have reflected that in the last few years, I am more conscious of thanking members of the military and first responders. I attend memorial services, and find myself tearing up when I hear patriotic music. I have passively accepted "security measures" while wondering if I should oppose the infringements on my rights. I feel stronger about wanting to defend my country. I feel stronger about wanting the wrongs in my country to be righted.

I fly very little, but do not find the impositions of searches and security measures that intrusive, partly, I think, because I work on a prison and search and investigation of personal effects is a regular experience. Except that the searches add so much time to the flight. But, I would rather drive so I can throw whatever into the car, even if I end up not needing it. Internet security is a problem, but it always was.

I think we have just settled into the "new normal" without realizing what we have lost or gained.   And that is the worst outcome of 9/11. Not being aware of what he have lost or gained.

Help for Substance Abusers and Police Departments

I watched this video and cried https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1084264371614420/?fref=nf.  It is about the Gloucester, Massachusetts, Police Department helping drug addicts to get rehabilitation services instead of being arrested.

Why can't we do that everywhere?  The money spent to incarcerate people would also pay for substance abuse treatment.

Why are we not thinking that way?  What is wrong with us?

Police Call

I am sitting at home, quietly minding my own business.  I had just moved from the computer room, to the living room, still watching the NLCS game, and starting a new knitting project.  There was a knock at the door. 

I have the windows cracked and locked open, so I turned on the front porch light and looked out the window.  Imagine my surprise when I saw a police officer on my porch. I asked what he wanted, and he asked if I had called. I had not and told him so. He left, and the patrol car drove away quickly.

I called the police desk and asked them about this.  They verified there had been a call to "this area." So, either someone gave the wrong address, or they got the wrong address.  I thanked them for responding, anyway.

I just wanted to verify this was a legitimate police call. It seems to have been. But not for me. But it got my heart thumping a little.