National Guard
Within the space of week, we have had two events which no police force is designed to handle. One was the car mob and the other is the pro-Palestine protest. These riots fall far outside of the normal police work of handling “disorderly conduct” or even gang warfare. Police unions and many politicians jump in and say that there are not enough police officers. The fact is that, especially in a city with an over-all low crime rate, the urban or county police force cannot be designed to handle riots.
People who criticize Donald Trump for the uncalled-for deployments of the states’ National Guards have to realize that he can point to these riots and say he is right. However, the states’ National Guards are not designed to fight crimes. Their members are not trained in crime fighting and did not join the Guard to fight crime.
Unfortunately, in riots, the Guard is the only organization with a force large enough to handle such large scale explosive situations. They are not ideal and can lead to tragedies like Kent State; but they are the best we now have.
What is worse is that in the George Floyd protest turned riot, criminals looted businesses in Downtown Crossing. There was a TV station covering the looting from Winter Street. They showed the criminals breaking windows and doors across the street with no one stopping them.
One problem in Massachusetts is that the governor was widely criticized for calling out the Guard in response to that protest turned riot.
The nation, starting with Massachusetts, needs to realize that many protests involve people with inflamed emotions, others with grudges against society, and often criminals. Often peaceful protesters and other citizens are endangered. There needs to be a new strategy for deploying a large cadre of police and peace officers to control the infrequent but inevitable crowds in an urban area such as Boston.
Eugene Gobby
Somerville
Masks
The privileged pro-Palestinian protesters blocking emergency vehicles and assaulting uniformed police officers can hide behind masks in the courtroom. (“Punches, pepper spray and masks,” Oct. 9). It may be a tad more difficult to mask that “assault and battery on a police officer” charge from prospective employers.
Paul Stewart
Quincy
Medicare costs
Politicians are fighting about increased costs for people on Obamacare. What about the folks on Medicare Part B? The estimated cost for 2026 is $206.50, a $17.50 increase which translates to a $420 a year for an average couple who work to earn the benefit. “SUCH A DEAL.” Why aren’t the politicians working on controlling that cost?
Paul Quaglia
Billerica
