(I hope this is in the right place)
This is an Editorial in the area I grew up, Gary, Indiana. I thought it was interesting because the comments so far do NOT support the editorial (thank goodness). The Editorial complains that a police dog showed up with the K-9 officer when back-up was called when fans were going onto the high school basketball court during the game. Here is the link:
http://thetimesonline.com/articles/2009/03/25/opinion/times_editorials/doc205220fec124b8cd8625758300777c24.txt

So, using a police dog is RACIST now?

Yeah, I guess that is where we are headed as a country.

I think it's a shame when the use of police assets is considered racist. When actually, it was a response to a call for assistance because of unruly fans. Do we now start equating unruly fans is a racial issue as well? Had the fans remained in the stands where they belong, the added expense of additional officers wouldn't have been needed. The problem isn't the dog, the problem is the lack of control of the attendees. However, I understand; accepting responsibility isn't the current way.

DFrost

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

So, using a police dog is RACIST now?

Well, we see who came off as racist in that piece: the editor.

The comments (the couple I read) were heartening, though.

 Quote: David C.Frost

.... it was a response to a call for assistance because of unruly fans. Do we now start equating unruly fans is a racial issue as well?

Apparently that editor does. Interesting how his racist little essay was his idea of a anti-racism protest.

I'm with most of the commenters.

They should have sent in a riot squad or swat team complete with all equipment.

Now, THAT's what I call back to the sixties.

Gee whiz, give us a break. It was a dog that obviously was able to aid the police in maintaining the peace and order.

It's amazing that once again the behavior of the folks there isn't the issue . Instead it's the actions of the police that were called there .

With that said , I do not recommend bringing K9's into situations like this . We had an incident very similiar to this several years ago ,riot and fighting at a basketball game , before I was a K9 Officer . It soon turned to using the use of a Police K9 in distracting the media from the rioters to the police .

Later , when I was a new K9 Officer I was ordered by a Sgt. to get my K9 out on another big fight at a basketball game . When I brought out the dog the crowds reaction was to crawl , climb onto and into anything they could find . It didn't help . I had warned the Sgt. about this and the racial complaints that would come but he still had me do it . When he saw it didn't work we put the dog away and with other officers we were able to move the crowd .

For us we have the dogs available nearby . We only us them for officer rescues not for moving or controlling a large crowd . I'm not saying this editor is right just letting you know the reaction to Police K9's can be way over the top in some situations . The use of K9's in the 70's is very fresh in some people's minds and for others it's just any easy excuse to try and make the police look racists .

They were used in Henrico after a ball game, everybody beat feet to their cars and left. no arrests and everybody got to sleep in their own beds.


edit

Maybe if the K9s are brought out early enough before it gets ugly they would be more effective

But Dennis, that's even MORE racist!

You're ASSUMING that because its a basketball game and there are black people there, that its GOING to get out of hand!


You can't win for loosin'.

And people wonder why suicides and heart attacks are the biggest killers of our Law Enforcement Officers.

When anyone plays the race card, it is a no win for everyone.

I certainly think the behavior of the attendees is what should be questioned. But to bring one dog (without riot gear I might add) can certainly not be construed as racism unless the dog was directed to one certain race and no others.

Of course, the dog or policeman/woman can not be in control of what race any ill mannered attendee was.