Video of cop shooting teen raises alarm: #tellusatoday

The city of Chicago last week made public a video showing Laquan McDonald, 17, being shot repeatedly. Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who is white, has been charged with murder in the black teen’s death. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

I love police but hate the actions of some, like this one. If his colleagues were honest, I bet the ones who spent time with him knew he wasn’t cut out for the stress of patrolling Chicago.

— Diane Phillips

The young man is dead because he was on drugs (an autopsy found PCP in his system) and dangerous. The cop will spend a lot of time in jail because of extreme use of excessive force. Two mistakes made by two people. No one wins.

— Eric Montgomery

This is why there’s so much distrust of the cops. Nothing was done until a judge ruled the video must be released, and then the officer is charged with murder. Every cop should wear a camera, suffer consequences if it’s not on or not working, and have civilian oversight.

— Sam Nada

POLICING THE USA:  Better officer training would prevent excessive use of force

We asked what our followers thought about Chicago releasing a video of a cop fatally shooting a teen. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

It was the right thing. The public should see what sometimes happens when officers are completely out of line.

— @punchthecore

It took way too long for the city to release it. Leaders in Chicago should be held accountable for the delay.

— @Rglenn828

I think it encourages more violence as it gets played over and over!

— @courtchauncey

It was the wrong thing to do! Now look at what the city has on its hands! Officials should have already tried the cop and sent him away.

— @MichaelMar54

Letter to the editor:

I am saddened that the use and need for body cameras and cellphone videos have taken over the days when we held police badges in the highest esteem, and no one dared to second-guess or question a law man’s judgment, or when a simple police command was all that was needed to stop a crime or subdue a perpetrator.

I now foresee the time when a teacher, a pastor, an attorney, a soldier, a judge, a physician or anyone with a smidgeon of authority will wear a body camera or need a cellphone to monitor his or her actions because citizens do not trust or respect those with any designated authority or power over others.

This is a sad state of affairs indeed, as disrespect, distrust and suspicion permeate our interactions with one another, and thus, we rely on surveillance to ensure civility, truthfulness and justice. How glad I am that I am in the twilight of my life.

Kathy A. Megyeri; Washington, D.C.

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