re: #41 paladin183

That is an awesome picture. The St Louis PD and the MHP know how to deal with demonstrations a hell of a lot better than the St Louis County Sheriff Department and the Ferguson PD. And it looks like it’s got the results that the people and the police want: peaceful, calm, and most importantly, respect.

I recall on NPR today, the very act of the police (or any group) getting geared up into full “Battle Rattle” (Helmets, Load bearing equip, gas mask, shields, heavy weapons) changes the dynamics of their minds, the dynamics of how they are perceived, the way the situation develops.

There are times that going heavy may well be required, but the act itself makes the situation more likely to go south.

I think getting the Highway Patrol in to help control the situation was a good choice. The atmosphere between the local PD and the population was poisoned.

RBS