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City's response to shootout offends citizens
To the editor:
As I was reading the Courier News the other day, I noted that several auxiliaries are planning a "Martin Luther King Day Celebration" to honor the late Dr. King. The program agenda indicated there would be singing and a church service with one of our state representatives, Monte Hodges, as guest speaker.
Dr. King was a humble man that I truly believe had the love of God in his heart and therefore, desired to do the will of God every day he lived. His life legacy shows he was jailed, spit on, scorned, beaten and ultimately gave his life for the cause he believed in which was a call for righteousness.
True faith requires that a believer be willing to give all of himself, even if it results in death, which is only temporary for the believer. This is the attitude of Christ who gave all, even though He had no sins, for the sinner. The Spirit of God gives believers the strength to continue in this fight against unrighteousness and be victorious when following His instructions.
It is this same faith that leads me to speak out about things going on in this city and surrounding areas that are inappropriate or not lined up in accordance with established rules and regulations.
On Dec. 18, 2013, one such inappropriate incident occurred on my street. A couple (maybe more) Blytheville Police officers were involved in a shootout with suspects resulting not only in damage to personal property to residents living on Peabody Street, but emotional scarring as well.
After speaking to several residents who suffered damage to their property as well, I learned that no one from the mayor's office, the Blytheville Police Department or the Fire and Police Committee had communicated nor expressed concern or empathy for the residents endangered by the "wild West shootout."
On Jan. 13, 2014, I attended a meeting of the Fire and Police Committee where I was allotted 5 minutes to express the sentiments of the residents and to get answers as to when restitution will be made for damage done to our property. Chief Thompson walked out as I was speaking. This offended some present who became upset at the chief's rudeness and boisterously expressed it. I was not upset by the act because it only proved the point I was making at the time -- that the administration not only has a total disregard for the rights of people of certain socioeconomic classes and ethnic background, but are also pompous, arrogant and exhibit an "untouchable and almighty" attitude.
To further prove my point, the chief returned with an armed uniformed officer who stood behind us until we left. I feel that the chief used his position of authority to try to intimidate those who spoke out against him since no one at this point had said or made any type of threatening gesture to warrant the need for security. Having security present was apparently not customary since there was no officer present initially. The chief's walkout did spark loud comments, but still no aggressive behavior. Lest the chief forget, this officer is paid from taxpayer funds and actually works for the people the same as he does.
Chief Thompson later commented in the Courier News that, "the Police Department can't be run by the court of public opinion." What an insensitive and misconstrued remark! It is normal behavior in a civilized society governed by laws to protect the rights and safety of its citizens for these citizens to be concerned when these laws of behavior have not been adhered to. God Himself sanctioned the institute of law as long as it does not conflict with His will. Law, when adhered to, is designed to bring about a system of order and an understanding of expected behavior and penalties or punishment when the rules are not adhered to. Surely, Chief Thompson is not condoning this type of behavior, and had the appropriate action been taken to remedy this situation, the "court of public opinion" would not have to prevail. For this very reason, the people are asking for Chief Thompson to be removed from his position. His attitude is moreso that of a tyrant rather than a public servant.
God give us "His Story" (which some people have dubbed as History) as a guide for us to live by. His Story relates incidences of rewards and punishment which will surely come based on how we live and behave as a result of our heart condition.
Eli, the high priest in the sanctuary at Shiloh served as a judge for 40 years. He had two sons, Phinehas and Hophni, who were worthless and corrupt. While Eli was devout and caring, he lacked the firmness to control or correct his two sons. The sin of the sons was very great in the sight of the Lord. Downfall came to Eli's entire household and his two sons suffered a violent death. When Eli got the news which had already been prophesied to him, he fell over backwards and broke his neck (I Sam 2).
My point is that the violations of these officers will be judged just as those in charge who do not firmly correct their behavior will be judged. We all fall short of God's Glory, but when we willfully and spitefully misuse others and do not repent or ask forgiveness, we will be harshly judged. My desire is that men will not harden their hearts against what is right because righteousness will prevail -- that's who our Lord and Savior is! Even so, it's not about what I want but what our Heavenly Father wills.