On August 24, 23-year-old Mark Anthony Barmore was shot and killed – in front of a group of children, by two Rockford, Ill. police officers. Barmore was wanted for questioning in a domestic dispute and, attempting to avoid police, attempted to hide in a preschool housed within a church. Police say Barmore went after one of the officer’s weapons but witnesses, including the church’s pastor, say Barmore surrendered with his hands up. The shooting has created tension between the police and residents in Rockford, and with good reason. The officers not only shot an unarmed man, they did so in the presence of children, putting young lives in jeopardy. An independent investigation into the shooting has begun but the Rockford police department must do more. And residents have to lead the way.
Police shootings of unarmed suspects is nothing new. In 1999, New York City police officers shot mistook Amadou Diallo’s wallet for a gun and fired 41 shots, killing him. In April 2001, 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, who was wanted for traffic violations, was shot and killed by a Cincinnatti police officer. And in, 2006, 23-year-old Sean Bell was shot by the NYPD the day before his wedding. All of the officers were acquitted of criminal charges.
Law enforcement officers are constantly facing danger; we want to honor the good work that they do. But the pressures of the job does not and should not justify the use of unnecessary force. In the Barmore case, an unarmed man was shot and killed in front of children. Not only were the lives of these very young people put into jeopardy, they will also now bear the emotional scars that come with witnessing a murder.
The citizens of Rockford must raise their voices in protest. For both the censure of the officers and also for training within the police department. Opening fire where there are children present, when the suspect posed no threat to the children was uncalled for. And the officers should be reprimanded accordingly.
Rockford residents should not let this story die down. By taking a stand in their community and keeping the pressure on the police department and city government, citizens could impact the way the department operates. If change happens there, they can then spur change in police departments around the country.
I am a recent victim of what I feel is police misconduct. I feel my rights have been violated. I followed the proper channels and still I was failed. I was tased by a St. Louis County Police Officer at a scene where my brother was beaten to near death. There were atleat ten officers there upon my arrival. Yes, yes I was upset when I saw how bad my brother was beaten. When I asked where the perimedics were my brohter (twin) ran to me hugging and crying and I was tased from the back causing him to be tased with me as of a result of us hugging at the time. I filed a complaint immediately the following day to their IAD dept and after the trail was over when I went back to their office told them that the police officers admitted on the stand under oath I did not push them. Still no justice. I am tired but not beaten.
The same type of incident happened in Pensacola Florida on Oct. 3rd 2009. Apolice officer tased a 17ear old and then ran over him. There were many witnesses and there has been a march about the police killing of the teenager by black and white witnesses. There is a cover up going on. Please get this information out nationally.Witnesses have pictures and state that the police changed the incident scene.
Mary
maryedailey2003@yahoo.com
It is extremely hard to trust the police once you’ve been victimized by them. Some are honest and truly obey the oath that they took to serve and protect. Others are alledgelly legal gang members authorized to shoot to kill. Some are alledgelly putting the guns and drugs back on the streets faster than they can tag them. We have a problem and only GOD has the solution. In him we all can TRUST. I pray for ALL the innocent and the guilty, for only GOD knows the outcome of their faith.
This is a personal comment not pertaining to the subject but a point I would like to make. As one brother to another I admire all that you have accomplished and the impact that you are having on our troubled society of people both young and old. As an admirer of you and your show I am somewhat sadden when I see you show such disregard to the honor of matrimony and respect for your spouse and family. I think some of your flirtatous comments to some the females on your show is disrepectful and some are inappropriate. Those types things add a little getto flavor to your character and your show. Not everyone who watch or would like to watch your show come from or dwell in such immorality. You give such great encouragement to people to come out of the getto life style but you fail to encourage them about the second most important thing in life after God which is respect for family. You talk about the large number absent fathers in the household so that assures me that you know that there is a problem with men respecting their families enough to do the right thing. The second largest reason for divorce besides money is adultry and AWOL fathers. Which all started with flirting and inappropriate behavior. Your flirting,inappropriate comments and lack of respect shown to your wife and family could be a wrong message to someone with an infadility problem. You are not showing respect to the women on the show either. Any decent woman would not find this flattering come from a married man of honor. I was even watching your show once when your wife was in the audience and you had to remind your self of her presence and that you needed to watch your inappropriate behavior towards the women on the show. If it is right to do it in her physical presence why is it okay to do it when she is in the TV audience? What about the other up standing women in your TV audience? I don’t know if this type behavior is good for your ratings but it is a turn off for me and others like myself. I have heard from my own and other wives and women that they felt it was disrespectful to women and wives in general.It is a bigger insult than I think you may realize with people of up standing life styles who are trying to instill moral values in society. I noticed on your web site that do a commentary on the Steve Harvey show. If you read this months Essence magazine you’ll see where Steve Harvey speaks very highly and respectful of his wife as I have seen him do in other settings also. I don’t see everything Steve does but I have never seen him disrespect his wife publicly other than doing his comedy act. I have heard him address immorality and respect for women pubicly. I am sure you have read his book. Judge Mathis please consider my and others concern about the image you portray and the lack of respect you may display towards family values. You are introduced in court as the HONORABLE JUDGE GREG MATHIS. What does that HONORABLE mean in you title? Thanks for your time and with no disrepct meant. From Brother to Brother.
SINCERELY,
JRochon
I pray for anyone who’s been through this. We are supposed to trust the Police. How can we when we hear and see things like this. God Bless victims of this type of crime. I do believe what goes around comes around and they will be punished for their crimes against innocents.
I know all too well about Police Corruption. Not only am I a former Police Officer, I just settled out of court with the city for being falsely arrested twice , tasered and beaten by the cops here. I was arrested, beaten and tasered in March 09 for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. It took me a year to get the video and now I know why.. the Officer committed a felony against me and charged me with Public Intoxication… not only that to keep my mouth shut they obtained a mental health warrant and had me committed to a mental hospital 6 hours away from my home but i was soon released by the judge who was appalled at why I was sent there, for absolutely NOTHING.. I did not give up, this Officer has been sued at least 3 times before and since been promoted, I cannot leave my house because of this idiot who, including my suit has cost the city Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars