Post by Police Moderator on Apr 5, 2013 11:15:19 GMT -5
Cease Fire? Great.
by Alex Teach, Columnist
April 4, 2013
by Alex Teach, Columnist
April 4, 2013
I was recently asked what I thought about a truce called by local gang leaders a few weeks ago (as of press time). My response was both quick and heartfelt: “Great.”
This solicited a look of caution from my host, but I understood. I’m a cop, and people tend to expect an all-or-nothing response, and with the topic being criminals, how could it be anything but negative?
I meant it, though, and went on to explain that in crisis situations any communication is “good,” even when it’s negative. Does that mean this is a crisis? Not necessarily. And does that mean the call for a cease-fire was in any way negative? Of course not. But I don’t disagree with their sentiment despite my disagreement with their lifestyle choices.
Emboldened by this, my host proceeded to ask that if this proves successful, would city police be willing to meet with gang leaders to negotiate further truces? “Of course not,” I replied. Then my host went from cautious to optimistic to ... confused. “Why not?” he asked, one eyebrow slightly raised.
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