Beech Tree News Network

A lot can happen in a week, especially given our 24-hour cable news cycle and society’s growing addiction to social media.  We went from a horrible killing of a black man by the hands of police in Minneapolis that was condemned by all to peaceful protests, then to violent looting, rioting, burning and the killing of innocents.  Now, we seem to be in the hangover phase where a growing chorus of people and politicians are seriously advocating legislation to defund police.  Say what?! How did we get here?

Fortunately on the local level we haven’t gone that crazy.  In fact, a little over a week ago Morgantown was the site of a peaceful protest led by local folks.  It was well-organized, on target, featured some intense discussion but took place without incident.  Police officers were present and MPD Chief Giles Taylor spoke to protestors and answered questions.  Good for him.  There was dialogue.  Even better.  We will always defend the right of citizens to peacefully assemble and we appreciate the efforts of the protest organizers in how they were able to manage the event.  

Unfortunately, on the national level we haven’t been that lucky as the more extreme elements of society have conspired with some politicians to push forth an agenda that advocates defunding the police.  This is being championed by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization.  The recent protest in Morgantown was identified as a BLM event but we’re hopeful that those protesting locally last week do not subscribe to this policy position.  Black lives matter for sure but the organization of the same name, by pushing for the defunding of police departments, is supporting a policy that would put more lives (of all races) at risk.  

Statistics related to crime and the actions of police officers simply do not support the narrative of systemic police brutality that you see nightly on television and driven on social media.  In fact, it points to the opposite.  When police interaction is minimized in high-crime areas, the result is typically a higher crime rate.  In urban areas, this has a disproportionate impact on minority communities.  While, “Defund the Police” might be a catchy slogan, it’s implementation would likely be disastrous for the communities and people that BLM say they want to protect.

The fact is that the overwhelming majority of police officers across our country are good, decent people of all races who do an extremely difficult job very well in most instances.  They risk their lives doing things most of us wouldn’t do.  They put themselves in between law-abiding citizens and criminals who want to do us harm.  This “thin blue line” provides stability in society and protects those who cannot protect themselves.  And, they often do this for a salary that isn’t making them rich.  What has been their reward over the past two weeks?  Essentially, they have all been lumped in with the officers in Minneapolis who are charged with killing George Floyd.  This is wrong.  It is demonstrably false.  It is past time that more people stand up for all the good that police officers do.  Reforms?  Ok, we’ll listen.  Some may be needed.  Let’s have that debate.  Better training?  Sure.  Defund?  No way.  Yes, there are officers who have abused their authority.  Undoubtedly there are officers (and those in other professions)  who have racist tendencies.  This, unfortunately, is the human condition.  They should be held accountable for their actions.  All Americans support this and nobody is defending the actions of those relatively few officers who go rogue.  However, those instances are the exception to an otherwise noble profession and not the rule.

We support the rule of law and all good, honest police officers who keep our communities safe.  In fact, police departments need more funding, not less.  We oppose those officers who misuse their authority and take advantage of our more vulnerable citizens.  Prosecute them.  Racism in all its forms and regardless of who is peddling it is a scourge on society and must be rejected.  Collectively, we must seek justice and oppose injustice.  Good policing does precisely that.  BLM and others may say these positions are contradictory.  We believe they are common sense.  

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Beech Tree News’ editorials are the official collective opinion of the news site and are typically representative of multiple individuals within the organization.