Excuses, Excuses
Friday, April 13, 2001
by Sparkles4
Today is Good Friday. A day of reflection and penance for ourselves and our behavior. A day to realize we take responsibility for our actions and choices.
The past few days my quiet hometown has been besieged by violence and rebellion. A town of unrest and despair. The violence was sparked by the death of
Timothy Thomas, shot by a Cincinnati police officer early last Saturday morning. Many feel his death was the result of deeply ingrained prejudice within the police division.
I want to share with you some observations of mine about this situation. My purpose of sharing with you my observations is... this may be your town next!
This is a problem plaguing us all. We as a society must focus on the problem and find solutions.
Mr. Thomas became known to Cincinnati police as a juvenile. He had a record of stolen property. In February 2000, Timothy Thomas was cited for driving without a license. He pleaded no contest and fined $100. He didn't pay the fine. A judge issued a court order for him to return and pay the fine. He was arrested and eventually paid the fine. From there, Mr.
Thomas was cited 19 more times for traffic violations between March17, 2000 and May 4, 2000. The offenses were 10 times for not having a driver's license, 6 times for not wearing a seat belt, 1 time for disregarding a traffic control device, 1 time for having tinted car windows and 1 for not having a baby seat for an infant inside his car. As Mr. Thomas' traffic problems mounted, so did his recognition among police officers.
In July 2000, Officer Andre Ewing spotted Mr. Thomas, told him to stop and Mr. Thomas fled. Officer Ewing chased him, didn't catch him and issued a warrant against Mr. Thomas for obstructing official business.
In August 2000, Officer Alvin Triggs tried to stop Mr. Thomas. Mr. Thomas fled and Officer Triggs didn't catch him. A second warrant was issued at this time for Mr. Thomas for obstructing official business.
Last Saturday, Officer David Damico spotted Timothy Thomas, told him to stop and Mr. Thomas fled. A foot chase began. Officer Damico called over his radio for help. Officer Roach joined the chase and was the first to catch up to him. Officer Roach fired because Mr. Thomas reached for something in his waistband. As you know, Mr. Thomas was fatally injured.
Now we have a grieving mother demanding answers for her son's death. A community behind her screaming racial profiling. Mfume behind her screaming racial prejudice. My question at this point is....Where was this mother one year ago when her son had 19 citations and 2 warrants for his arrest demanding he take responsibility for his actions? Where was this community of people one year ago demanding Mr. Thomas take responsibility for his choice to flee police? Mr. Thomas made choices that led to this fatal end last Saturday. Timothy Thomas alone is responsible for what transpired to lead to his death.
We have a 27 year old police officer with a wife and children who for a brief moment feared for his life. In that fear, protected himself. Officer Roach made a choice to fire his gun. He alone must take responsibility for that action.
This isn't a matter of black and white and racial profiling or prejudice. It is a matter of all of us making choices in our lives and accepting responsibility for our actions. We have become a society of excuses when bad choices are made. It is time to stop accepting the excuses and take responsibility for our choices and actions. So on this day of reflection, I urge all of us to examine our choices and take responsibility. Teach your children this lesson. Maybe Mr. Thomas would be alive today if he had learned this lesson.
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