LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - 9/27/2006

from The Oregonian


Roiling over police shootings
As I read the articles and letters surrounding the shooting death of Lukus Glenn, a few things occurred to me.

Glenn's GPA, polite demeanor and football skills are irrelevant. His mom called 9-1-1 to report that her son was "out of control" and "threatening to kill everybody." She also informed a dispatcher that her son was "threatening to kill himself . . .." These were the facts the police officers were faced with.

One letter writer mentioned the use of tranquilizer darts, as are used on lions and grizzly bears. Would you prefer a gun or tranquilizer dart if you were being charged by a lion or bear, say, at 20 feet? Would you feel confident the dart would have its desired effect?

It is important not to confuse speculation with facts. It is easy for us to react emotionally with our two cents. But the fact is, in this case, police were given only four minutes and limited yet critical information.

Ultimately, he was shot as he approached the front door of his home with a knife --the same front door that was protecting his mom and her family, [after he had] threatened to kill them.

DENNIS J. ORTEGA

Tualatin

The recent killings of citizens by the Portland and Washington County police can, at best, only be labeled as gross incompetence, and flat-out outrageous.

The excessive blunt trauma to James Philip Chasse Jr., who was severely mentally ill, has provoked strong protests from eyewitnesses. The shooting of 18-year-old Lukus Glenn, who was drunk and suicidal but armed with only with a small pocket knife, was totally unnecessary and demonstrates abysmal police training in handling mentally disturbed individuals.

Only luck prevented the wounding or death of Glenn's 72-year-old grandmother from police bullets that penetrated the family's house.

I have been watching numerous "Animal Planet" shows in which Steve Irwin and his staff were able to totally control massive, ferocious, man-eating crocodiles, armed only with ropes and netting. I strongly suggest that all police squad cars be equipped with ropes and nets for these type of confrontations.

ALAN B. LACHMAN, M.D.

Beaverton

In the Sunday Opinion section, a retired Portland police officer, Jim Bellah, wrote, "I seriously doubt anyone who is being critical [of the Lukus Glenn slaying] has ever had to face that kind of situation."

I have faced that kind of situation several times, and I am very thankful that I did not kill the person who was wielding the knife. I can sleep at night. An officer who has taken the step to end another person's life is hardly an expert on other possible options.

As a police officer for many years during the turbulent 1960s and '70s in a major metropolitan area, I faced and dealt with drunks with knives, and not-so-drunks with guns. I do not feel that makes me an expert, either, but I do believe that three officers facing a drunk teenager with a three-inch knife could have disarmed him without killing him, without getting cut themselves, and most surely not risking death.

Glenn is dead because two officers chose to shoot him and end his young life. There has to be a better way.

RAY O'DRISCOLL

Colton

Crisis intervention training is too critical to be voluntary. It must be part of a police officer's regular training. Legislators, taxpayers, the powers that be --all must see that each officer is provided crisis intervention training.

JEAN MITCHELL

Northeast Portland

Questions "go on and on" about the Lukus Glenn case (Sunday front page) because The Oregonian keeps raising questions, on and on.

The officers involved had to make a snap judgment that may have saved the lives of the other family members. Had they not fired and further violence ensued, would not the officers have faced questions about why they had not stopped Glenn?

We should all support the officers who did absolutely the best they could in this tragedy. Let the questions --and columnists --be stilled and allow everyone to grieve.

DAVID A. FLOREA

Donald