Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, March 23, 2011
City Wives and Families of Cops Show Their Support for SPD
Posted by Cienna Madrid on Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 6:54 AM
Talented news intern Megan Burbank contributed to this post.
Last night, roughly 20 people—friends, families, and supporters of Seattle Police officers—rallied outside the West Precinct to show support for a department full of men and women who, they say, have been unfairly characterized by a few explosive events in Seattle over the past year. The rally was spearheaded by several wives of officers and wasn't sanctioned by SPD.
- "I needed to be here to show that someone appreciates and supports them." -Candace, a wife of an SPD officer who says she's "not from around here."
Most of the ralliers were women and many admitted that they didn't live or work in Seattle, and so couldn't speak to questions on what, if anything, SPD could do to improve the department's relationship with Seattle residents (the people these officers police, not come home to).
More pictures of ralliers and their stories after the jump.
- Negative media attention "affects our families" says Dusty Pruitt, right. "The positive stuff doesn’t make the media. It’s just a few isolated incidents. Cops saving puppies doesn’t make the news. They’re out to get a story.” Pruitt is the president of the Seattle Police Family Support Group. She lives in Renton with her daughter.
Carol Garcia, a Federal Way resident, handed out prayer cards to passersby, "so when you see an officer, you’re not scared of them, you just say a prayer for them.” Garcia said that SPD officers “could be a little nicer,” but that respect goes both ways, and that it’s probably more of a priority for everyone else to be nicer to the officers.
- "We live near where that cop was killed several years ago. These guys risk a lot, they have a tough job, and we're here to show our support." -Paul, a resident of Leschi.
Last week, an anti-police rally led by a small group of anarchists—Seattle's most credible lobbying force—locked down SPD's East Precinct. In February, another anti-police rally led to property damage and vandalism on Capitol Hill.
- "The police are here to serve and protect, and we should respect them. In China, you'd never be allowed to criticize officers. Here, we take them for granted. We don't thank them enough." -Eva Chapman, a mukilteo resident
Cars driving by the West Precinct at the tail end of rush hour honked encouragingly to the ralliers. Children ran around playing with signs and ribbons. Women stood around with their signs, sharing stories about how much they love officers. The vibe was festive, like a tea party. A gun-loving tea party.
- "We're thankful for all that they do for us—it's important that they know that." -April, a friend of SPD officers and an Auburn resident.
The next SPD support rally will be held at the SPD East Precinct on Monday, March 28th at 6:30 p.m., with subsequent rallies scheduled each week at each of Seattle's precincts.
- This little girl loves her dad.
1
I'm having a very hard time matching this last sentence with the pictures and not reading it as a snide jab at the rally itself.
The tea parties I've seen are characterized by their anger, not festive atmosphere. If the pictures are an accurate reflection of the rally, it was festive, but sure as hell not like a tea party. The use of "tea party" on a website like Slog which is decidedly left-wing, sounds like an insult.
As for it being "gun loving", I see no 2nd ammendment signs, and no firearms. If you mean to imply they are supportive of the men and women with guns and uniforms, it sure is a strange way of putting it. By calling it a "gun loving tea party" it sounds more like they are militant. The people in the photos look like the kind of neighbors you would love to have, not "gun loving tea partiers".
Overall the post seems to be itching to find fault with the rally. They aren't from the city. They don't have to deal with the SPD themselves etc. I can see where there could be legitimate criticisms, but frankly if you're going to criticize the rally, do it openly.
The vibe was festive, like a tea party. A gun-loving tea party.
I'm having a very hard time matching this last sentence with the pictures and not reading it as a snide jab at the rally itself.
The tea parties I've seen are characterized by their anger, not festive atmosphere. If the pictures are an accurate reflection of the rally, it was festive, but sure as hell not like a tea party. The use of "tea party" on a website like Slog which is decidedly left-wing, sounds like an insult.
As for it being "gun loving", I see no 2nd ammendment signs, and no firearms. If you mean to imply they are supportive of the men and women with guns and uniforms, it sure is a strange way of putting it. By calling it a "gun loving tea party" it sounds more like they are militant. The people in the photos look like the kind of neighbors you would love to have, not "gun loving tea partiers".
Overall the post seems to be itching to find fault with the rally. They aren't from the city. They don't have to deal with the SPD themselves etc. I can see where there could be legitimate criticisms, but frankly if you're going to criticize the rally, do it openly.
2
interesting to look at the different demographics as far as age/socioeconomic class/location of residence/ect between those involved in the protests against SPD and those supporting SPD
5
What a refreshing display from our real citizens to dilute the leftist anarchist depravity that has so infested Seattle. God bless them!
6
Why don't they lobby their husbands to vote out Rich O'Neil as guild president? Would solve half of the officers' PR issues.
8
"It's unfair to judge a thousand men and women on the actions of just a few"
Great, so we all agree that Rich O'Neil's actions are deplorable, so why is he still the guild president?
Great, so we all agree that Rich O'Neil's actions are deplorable, so why is he still the guild president?
9
It's the self-publicizing goofball dumbshits in action again. 1300 sworn officers, and maybe twenty of them make a point of writing infamous shit in the union newsletter. Now here twenty of their loved ones figure, ooh, let's do a media event and see how many fools cover it. Blech.
10
Did you invent those quotes or are the officers' wives really that dim-witted? I almost feel a little bit sorry for Seattle cops now, but not for the reasons that these ladies are promoting.
11
@9: Wow. What's eating you? Why be so against a bunch of cop wives, ditzy as they may be, who want to point out that there a lot of good apples in the barrel?
12
What if I can't sleep at night because I'm worried a Seattle cop is going to jump out of his car and shoot me? Or some other kid's dad.
13
..."(the people these officers police, not come home to). "
Nice sentence. Did you proofread this before publishing?
"Gun loving Tea Party"...Wow! Not only does your grammar suck, but you completly mischaracterized this event. Kind of like calling Hemp-fest an anti-drug rally.
Why don't you just end your editorial with your true feelings. Something like, "I hate the police and thier families".
I'm sure the crowd you are jabbing at feels the same way about the Stranger and your staff.
Nice sentence. Did you proofread this before publishing?
"Gun loving Tea Party"...Wow! Not only does your grammar suck, but you completly mischaracterized this event. Kind of like calling Hemp-fest an anti-drug rally.
Why don't you just end your editorial with your true feelings. Something like, "I hate the police and thier families".
I'm sure the crowd you are jabbing at feels the same way about the Stranger and your staff.
14
@11
Are they good apples if they place group loyalty over what's right? Where are all the condemnations from these good apples when injustices are committed by the few bad apples?
Are they good apples if they place group loyalty over what's right? Where are all the condemnations from these good apples when injustices are committed by the few bad apples?
15
Something inside me thinks that these women were duped into thinking it was a rally for soldiers in Iraq.
16
A loyalty rally? Really?
And crying that there's no press of the good things cops do, even though cops don't join the force for personal glory or fame?
This is just a mindless attempt at making Seattle feel bad for questioning the wrongdoings of the police force. Who knows what we'll question if we question the Birks of the world? Maybe next we'll go after abuses of DUI laws? Or perhaps call foul on unreasonable ticketing of cyclists? Or maybe the unfair attack on the LGBT community in the East Precinct?
Shame on us, Seattle.
Go to your rooms.
And crying that there's no press of the good things cops do, even though cops don't join the force for personal glory or fame?
This is just a mindless attempt at making Seattle feel bad for questioning the wrongdoings of the police force. Who knows what we'll question if we question the Birks of the world? Maybe next we'll go after abuses of DUI laws? Or perhaps call foul on unreasonable ticketing of cyclists? Or maybe the unfair attack on the LGBT community in the East Precinct?
Shame on us, Seattle.
Go to your rooms.
18
For me it's as simple as Diaz and Oneill have to be gone before I gain any respect for the SPD. Until then, I'll happily flip off your 10 year old holding a pro-cop sign.
Oneill embodies everything I hate about cops -- and they elected him their guild president. I hope to run into him one day so I can tell him he's a shitberg pig to his face.
Oneill embodies everything I hate about cops -- and they elected him their guild president. I hope to run into him one day so I can tell him he's a shitberg pig to his face.
19
@5: You did read that most of them weren't Seattle citizens, right? Is that what makes them real?
20
12
you should beat them to it and blow your own brains out...
(THAT'LL TEACH THE BASTARDS A LESSON!!!!!)
(careful, it is a very small target...)
you should beat them to it and blow your own brains out...
(THAT'LL TEACH THE BASTARDS A LESSON!!!!!)
(careful, it is a very small target...)
21
Yes, until I hear that these folks are talking to the officers they are supporting about addressing the issues many Seattle residents have with SPD (our flawed accountability process, Rich O'Neill's continued tenure as guild president, the state law which basically exempts the criminal liability of officers in the use of deadly force from any real repercussions since we can't reach into their minds and
"prove" malice beyond some impossible standard of reasonable doubt, etc.), I could care less about what they have to say. In particular, folks who don't live in the city. They benefit, while Seattle residents suffers the consequences of the actions of both individual officers committing offenses/crimes against the community, and the institutional fuckitude of SPD and city government in addressing these issues in any substantial way.
Really, this smacks of desperation, and fairly late-in-the-game desperation at that. Where were these folks a year ago, before John T. Williams was killed by Officer Ian Birk?
If they'd really been thoughtful about this, this rally would have been an expression for compassion for the Seattle community, as well as support for SPD. But that's just a little too complicated of a message, eh?
"prove" malice beyond some impossible standard of reasonable doubt, etc.), I could care less about what they have to say. In particular, folks who don't live in the city. They benefit, while Seattle residents suffers the consequences of the actions of both individual officers committing offenses/crimes against the community, and the institutional fuckitude of SPD and city government in addressing these issues in any substantial way.
Really, this smacks of desperation, and fairly late-in-the-game desperation at that. Where were these folks a year ago, before John T. Williams was killed by Officer Ian Birk?
If they'd really been thoughtful about this, this rally would have been an expression for compassion for the Seattle community, as well as support for SPD. But that's just a little too complicated of a message, eh?
22
""It's unfair to judge a thousand men and women on the actions of just a few. It hurts their feelings. And you know what? That affects their job performance. " ~
So in other words, if we aren't nice to the cops, they will continue to kill innocent civilians?
So in other words, if we aren't nice to the cops, they will continue to kill innocent civilians?
25
@19: I did read that. Whether they're citizens of Seattle or Kent, they show real courage standing up for their husbands in such an antagonistic atmosphere.
26
fascinating that there is only one person of color represented among these supporters of SPD--and that they make the puzzling comparison to China's totalitarian state, and are not even a resident of Seattle!
people of color, working class/poor people, people who circumvent gender normativity, etc, are the people who are most adversely affected by cops, and i see few of those folks represented here, expressing faith in SPD or in policing, whatsoever.
it's disappointing (but not surprising) that spouses of SPD are failing at objectivity. i know, it's hard to be objective when your position of privilege depends upon your partner thwarting the position of others, but it's still disgusting.
i really wish that _Our Enemies in Blue_ were required reading for anyone talking about the police in America, pretty much EVER.
people of color, working class/poor people, people who circumvent gender normativity, etc, are the people who are most adversely affected by cops, and i see few of those folks represented here, expressing faith in SPD or in policing, whatsoever.
it's disappointing (but not surprising) that spouses of SPD are failing at objectivity. i know, it's hard to be objective when your position of privilege depends upon your partner thwarting the position of others, but it's still disgusting.
i really wish that _Our Enemies in Blue_ were required reading for anyone talking about the police in America, pretty much EVER.
27
Piggybacking off my previous post @21: The messaging of this crowd seems intent on not just supporting the good apples, but to diminish the severity of some of the offenses committed by the few bad apples they claim to oppose. Without addressing the fact that these unjustified detentions, injuries and death have happened in the past year because of the actions of these few bad apples, and saying that the choice is support the police because the alternative is chaos and danger, these folks are basically making the same statement as "support the troops" folks did in the years after the Afghanistan and Iraq wars started up. They are meant to shut down ANY discussion of the complexity of how to have a police force that is also ethical and accountable to the community they police.
28
@1, I wasn't making a snide reference to the Tea Party. Tea parties existed long before the Tea Party, and that was the vibe I got--mothers talking, children running around, it felt like the tea parties my grandmother took me to as a kid. Only this social gathering was to show unwavering loyalty in response to police violence that has eroded trust in officers citywide (hence the gun-loving tea party).
You can read it any way you want but that was where I was coming from.
You can read it any way you want but that was where I was coming from.
29
Why is it so hard for many commenters to put themselves in these women's shoes and imagine their partners doing dangerous work only to perceive very little gratitude and, at times, vitriol? These women are supporting their husbands and that is sweet.
I don't agree with some of what they said. Obviously some of them underestimate the terrifying effect of the incidents these past couple years, or they discount just how bad they were. They should be educated on that, not called "ditzes" and "gun-lovers".
I don't agree with some of what they said. Obviously some of them underestimate the terrifying effect of the incidents these past couple years, or they discount just how bad they were. They should be educated on that, not called "ditzes" and "gun-lovers".
30
27 hits the nail on the head.
I just wish my fellow liberals saw more opportunities to educate people instead of make them our enemies.
I just wish my fellow liberals saw more opportunities to educate people instead of make them our enemies.
31
What is wrong with supporting police officers? You make it sound like only right-wing nutjobs would support their hard work.
My brother-in-law is a Seattle cop who works very hard, and is a good man. I'm as critical as anyone about the wave of shocking incidents in the last few years, and I've talked it over with him, and listened to what he has to say. And I'll tell you what - when four snarky bloggers are shot to death in a cafe for no reason other than the fact that they are snarky bloggers, then we'll see how you respond.
Excessive force must be criticized and stopped, but attacking police officers en masse is polarizing and simplistic, not to mention in extremely poor taste.
My brother-in-law is a Seattle cop who works very hard, and is a good man. I'm as critical as anyone about the wave of shocking incidents in the last few years, and I've talked it over with him, and listened to what he has to say. And I'll tell you what - when four snarky bloggers are shot to death in a cafe for no reason other than the fact that they are snarky bloggers, then we'll see how you respond.
Excessive force must be criticized and stopped, but attacking police officers en masse is polarizing and simplistic, not to mention in extremely poor taste.
32
@29 except policing ISN'T that dangerous of work. Statistically, agricultural and other industrial work is more dangerous. Where are our monuments to fallen mill laborers? Support rallies? Laws exempting them from murdering citizens in cold blood?
33
@32 they're removing labor murals in state buildings in Maine because they're too pro-labor.
I wouldn't hold your breath.
I wouldn't hold your breath.
34
If only John T. Williams had been a white, middle-class, conservative, married woman with children who lives in suburbia, attends church regularly, votes Republican and is married to a cop, he might still be alive today.
So, I guess, these ladies are right. Quit your whining about something so trivial as the possibility that one or more trigger-happy murderers may be hiding behind a badge.
Remember, it's your own damn fault for not being, believing, looking and living more like them.
Now, let's dish about the cop groupie, April.
So, I guess, these ladies are right. Quit your whining about something so trivial as the possibility that one or more trigger-happy murderers may be hiding behind a badge.
Remember, it's your own damn fault for not being, believing, looking and living more like them.
Now, let's dish about the cop groupie, April.
36
Comment Pulled
(No)
Comment Policy
37
Comment Pulled
(No)
Comment Policy
38
Comment Pulled
(No)
Comment Policy
39
@24. I bet you're pumping one out thinking about that, aren't ya?
I personally don't have that much of a problem with the police I just wish they'd stop shooting people for no real reason.
I personally don't have that much of a problem with the police I just wish they'd stop shooting people for no real reason.
43
Guess what asswipes, when your next door meth addled neighbor stabs you in the ear with an icepick to steal your barista tips, are you going to call an "anarchist"? I don't think so. Shut up already.
44
I support the SPD. I also think they need to be held accountable much more often than they are- not charging Birk with manslaughter was basically giving them license to shoot whoever they wanted.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
SL Letter of the Day: The Tell-Tale Handjob by Dan Savage
-
Foie Gras Tastes Like Cat Food by Callan Berry
-
Cap Hill Is Becoming a Little Like What? by Charles Mudede
-
Pizza Update: Breaking the 5-Minute Barrier by Goldy
-
President Obama Says NSA Spying Is "Transparent" by Paul Constant
-
Slog Bible Study: Leviticus 20:9 by Goldy
-
SL Letter of the Day: Let Me Think... by Dan Savage
-
In Which Peter Steinbrueck Peforms in Blackvoice by Goldy
-
The Daily Show on Poor, Bullied Christians by Paul Constant
-
Egyptian Theatre to Close at the End of This Month by Paul Constant
Stranger Personals
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (46) RSS