AC Sept. 24, 1969 pg. 26A

Letters to the Editor

Saw Little Chicago at Piedmont Park

The Editors: The Piedmont Park police attack (“Little Chicago”) was but the latest incidence of the ever-worsening consequences of government that is completely out step with the times, and proud of it. Out autocratic city fathers insist on keeping all the out-of-date laws that rot and smell up the dusty code books. They prefer to ignore the changing world and dream of their wonderful yesteryears. They ask anonymous uniformed toughs to enforce harsh old laws against common sense, enlightened knowledge and strong public disapproval.

To prevent chaos alert people know that laws must be brought into line with standards of the people and the latest scientific findings, even if no longer puritanical. For the first time they should also be made compassionate.

Atlanta police brutality need no longer be left to long “investigation”. It was shown to millions on television in connection with this disgrace. It was not just obviously "self-defense" either, as some top officials excused it. There was billy clubbing of cooperating and submissive unarmed young people . . .. Outside police experts had already warned us of the character of our force. Most police violence occurs secretly in police vehicles or station sanctuaries.

We cannot expect our youth to continue to take this punishment as martyrs with such amazing self-restraint. We must stop public police gang actions by requiring them to wear, front and rear, large identifying numerals like football players. At present they know it is almost impossible to identify them, so offenders are difficult to prosecute. Quite often they have refused to give their names or badge the number to anyone, so they could not be reported or punished.

We win nothing by viciously oppressing our youth today. Tomorrow they will take over and we will soon be history. It is so foolish to so embitter them against us to satisfy political ambitions.

L. ROBERT MORRIS.

Atlanta.

Police Brutality Is Disgraceful

The Editors: Justice uses a two-edged sword; it is supposed to cut both ways. Unless good general restraints are built into the character of the officers who attempt to enforce our law, we will arrive eventually at revolution and social chaos. Unless law enforcement officers are held accountable for and punished for their misbehavior while they are attempting to enforce the law.

We are in danger of revolution and chaos. The practice of condoning acts of police brutality is detrimental to maintaining law and order. What law and whose order?

In some jurisdictions police officers are assured by the district attorney that they are safe from prosecution for any acts of police brutality that they may perform while making arrest. Why? Because the district attorney needs the political support of the local police department to insure his being re-elected.

Criminal acts of police brutality do not aid in balancing the scales of justice. It is as much a crime for a police officer in to abuse an individual's civil and constitutional rights while making an arrest as it is for the accused criminal to violate a criminal statute or a municipal ordinance. Police officers, like ministers of the gospel, should be highly respected and their personal conduct should be at all times beyond reproach.

NAME WITHHELD

LaGrange.

Police Should Be Beyond Reproach

The Editors: This is a sad day of awakening for many of us who fe1t that the duly constituted forces of law and order were being injustly condemned by those "cranks" who cried "police brutality" at the underpaid officers who tried to protect them from the criminal elements.

On national television this morning I saw an Atlanta police officer chase a young person across the field at Piedmont Park, capture him, then deliberately strike the man in the mouth with his club while he wasn't even struggling.

This was disgraceful, and I think you will be sadly remiss in your duty to all people if you do not make this incident a subject of editorial comments

H. W. BROWN.

Tucker.