CMPD’s lack of transparency hurt Charlotte

Not releasing CMPD video fueled riots

Societies across America no longer accept that kind of condescension from government.

Instead, we get a police department more interested in self-preservation, showing blatant disdain for the public’s interest and demands.

That is unacceptable.

No such thing as partial transparency

So what we get in Charlotte is incomplete transparency?

I guess this happens when the police chief tells you what the video – that you and I can’t see – shows.

I mean how could I possibly be trusted to draw my own conclusions?

We ignore rule of law at our own peril

This article about N.C. gun laws misses the point.

We are a country that abides by the rule of law, and we have determined that our officers of the law are employed and empowered to enforce that rule.

Should we choose to ignore that, we do so at our own peril.

City waited too long to accept help

In retrospect, much of the violence in Charlotte could have been averted if Mayor Jennifer Roberts and Chief Kerr Putney had done two things.

First, accept the governor’s offer of additional resources to help quell violence when it was offered Wednesday morning.

Second, immediately release any and all video documentation of the shooting to the public to show what really happened. What good is a body camera if it is not used?

CMPD must require body cams for all

CMPD should require all officers wear body cameras and do daily shift inspections to ensure that it happens. No excuses.

Let the video and audio tell the correct and unbiased truth.

First step: We as a nation must disarm

I applaud the work police officers do everyday to keep us safe.

At the same time, I am sympathetic to those who feel some police have gone beyond the law.

One part of the solution is that we voluntarily disarm.

If police did not have to worry about guns pointed at them, I imagine they would be delighted to keep their guns holstered.

Please, let’s get rid of our guns and start talking peacefully.

City needs to get tough on looters

The Black Lives Matter movement is nothing but a bad joke. There is no basis for this movement.

I am so ashamed of the City of Charlotte for not arresting all those who broke the law, blocked the streets, and burned and looted.

Shame on the City for handling these law-breakers with kid gloves.

Get tough on these law-breakers!

One solution: Bring back trade schools

When I was a young man in Massachusetts there were many high school trade schools. Then, they went away.

I believe this would help raise all nationalities – Black, Hispanic and others – to a good living wage and self-pride.

This story was originally published September 24, 2016 at 3:30 PM with the headline "CMPD’s lack of transparency hurt Charlotte."