I would like to commend the East Lansing and MSU police (and other local police agencies) for their reaction Saturday night at Cedar Fest. Just from observing this disturbance compared to the one in 2005, I could see the police used commendable restraint until they were attacked by partygoers. I am expecting students to criticize the police reaction for months to come, so I find it necessary to give another side of the story.
The police stayed back as much as possible throughout the night and simply made sure people were not getting hurt or breaking the law. I even saw police smiling for pictures with partygoers showing they were just trying to let people have a good time. It wasn’t until a group of partygoers uprooted the stop sign at the end of Cedar Street that the police had to group up and sound off warning signals. Hundreds of people rushed the police, throwing various glass bottles and other projectiles. At this point, the police warned the crowd at least three times to leave.
First, the police shot the “shock bombs” that only emitted smoke, and I heard people keep yelling, “Teargas us!” As far as I am concerned, people wanted the tear gas last night. After numerous warnings, the police had to fire tear gas. People were throwing things at them and rushing them. It was absolute madness. I am disgusted by the disrespect that some students displayed toward the police in this city. I am also appalled by the comments from students such as, “If the police weren’t here in riot gear this wouldn’t have happened.”
Based on past disturbances, the police had every right and reason to be there in protective gear. It is the immaturity of a select few that cause chaos similar to last night. Just for thought — if the police weren’t there to quell anything, would the people criticizing them complain that there had been no one there to protect them? Plain and simple: The police are not to blame for last night’s chaos.
Jessica Revill
criminal justice senior
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