TO THE EDITOR:
I would like to respond to two recent articles — “Local police forces explain surplus military equipment,” (Sept. 17) and “Man on the street: Chapel Hill residents talk police gear” (Oct. 3).
The Chapel Hill police force has military equipment — this is a fact. Opinions on the subject vary, but there should be little discontent.
Underlying this issue is the fundamental mistrust of the police that is becoming a trademark of our country. It is undeniable that unwanted situations like the Ferguson incident arise.
What we fail to recognize, though, is that these incidents get so much publicity because they are the exception to what we normally experience with the police.
According to the Justice Department, among people who had contact with police in 2008, only “an estimated 1.4 percent had force used or threatened against them.” Although police brutality is clearly an issue in our society, in 98.6 percent of the cases police are protecting us, not harming us.
So, what is the big deal with more military equipment in Chapel Hill? The Chapel Hill Police Department has adopted a policy of visibility explicitly stating what they have and in what instances this equipment will be used.
Would an organization planning to use weaponry against you really decide to host information sessions for the public? I think not. So let’s start thinking logically and stop accusing our protectors of plotting against us.
