PAX Centurion - September / October 2014

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • September/Octoberr 2014 • Page 3 The View From Here: Thomas J. Nee, BPPA President To the men and women of the BPD and BEMS, It was, and is, a great pleasure to raise awareness, on your behalf, of the annual scholarship by securing advertisers to offer their services to you, the members of the BPPA, in 2014 and beyond. It is most important to keep in mind that many of these advertisers are happy to support our cause just because they are appreciative of your efforts, but many, while appreciative, need to drive additional sales as well. Please try to keep this in mind as you shop for groceries, fill prescriptions, buy cars, dine in restaurants or when you might be in need of any services you see advertised within the pages of this, or past and future issues of the Pax. Also, as always, as you go about your daily routines, if you see or hear of a potential candidate for advertising, I can be reached at 617-989-2772 (office) or my cell 617-529- 9288. Thank you in advance and thank you for the opportunity to represent you in this endeavor. Sincerely, Mike Joyce Advertisers in this issue of the Pax Centurion : Boston Police Department’s Detective Benevolent Burke Distributors/Corrib Pub Byrne & Anderson, LLP, Attorneys at Law City of Boston Credit Union CVS/pharmacy The Embroidery Clinic Eire Pub Law Offices of Scott Goldberg Law Offices of Donald E. Green Harvard Pilgrim Health Care The Kraft Family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation The Lenox Hotel Carole Lund, R.E. MassMutual Financial Group Neponset Preschool Kevin J. Pishkin/New York Life Putnam Investments Venezia Restaurant The threat of “terrorism” and demilitarization W hat role does the Boston Police patrol force play in the defense of our City?Will de-militarizing our police department, removing or reducing our federally provided weaponry, tactical equipment in the hands of specially trained law enforcement officers make our City any safer?We think not! Because we know it’s not if, but it’s when an event like the Marathon Bombing and subsequent event that happened inWatertown happen we will be trained and equipped to deal with it. Recent threats from extremist terror groups like ISIS and the constant threat of American who are sympathizers to ter- rorist groups or lone wolves are real and soon or later we’re going to have to deal with it. From around the country groups from both the left and the right of the political isle are calling for an end to what they say is the rise of “mili- tarized police forces in the United States.” The events that played out in Ferguson, Missouri is the most recent catalyst to rekindle the debate about de-militarizing police departments. From my point of view, politics and sensationalism has no legitimate purpose or place in this conversation. It is not debatable; we are para-military organizations, highly trained with a clearly defined chain of command. Were their bad decisions, execution and sensationalism during the riots in Ferguson, yes. But that blame falls at the feet of the Chief, political leaders, looters and rioters and above all else the media, not the para- military police force. It borders criminal the way the media incited people with their reporting. Please consider these examples; one outlet reported, an unarmed black teenager was shot and killed by a white police officer after being stopped for walking in the street and blocking traffic. A second media outlet reported robbery suspect shot and killed after he struggles to obtain police officers firearm. Now I’m not representing I know what happened, a grand jury will determine that, but as you can see the first story bits black against white and makes the shooting as unjustifiable as possible. This sort of spin propaganda by the media sensationalizes the news and sells papers. Who benefits from that type of reporting?We spoke with one of our people there that said the sensationalism and dramatization of their efforts by the media was incredible. One media reporter, who was embedded with the police behind their armor not with the rioters, blamed the police for shooting him with tear gas. He was with the police!!! This dramatization and characterization led the public to believe the officers gassed an innocent civilian peacefully reporting the news. Wrong!!! Fact was the officers gassed a crowd throwing Molotov cocktails, bottles and anything else they could get their hands on at the police. One of those items thrown back at the police was a tear gas canister; one of the rioters picked up the canister and threw it back at the police. I think you under- stand my point. As a result of the images created by the media comes yet again the call to strip our profession of access and use of legitimate equip- ment as well as out agencies to be de-militarized, Ron Paul was recently quoted as saying; “Local Police are Not Warriors,” and represented we shouldn’t have access to that equipment. I have a message for him, come meet the people I work with, I think they’ll change your mind. When you live through an event like we did here in Boston during the Marathon bombing, I thank God we had access to some of the equipment and tools in the hands of specially trained officers. And in reflection, seemingly not having sufficient enough equipment to do our jobs, they say we have too much. How outrageous!!!! Let me close by saying that the BPPA will continue to press ahead in getting the very best equipment and training that will keep you safe in the delivery of the service the public expects. In the meantime be safe and keep each other’s back.