We already know why. Too many kids were getting arrested. So, they stopped arresting kids.
Whether they did it because they cared about raising the kids in a police state or about federal money, at least they noticed that something is very wrong.
They hoped it meant that the police state had crossed the line, dialing it back might fix it. But it looks like no, in fact the kids are just rotten.
The question is, why are the kids rotten?
What actions were the police lawfully allowed to take?
What could they have lawfully done to satisfy you, in regards to these phone calls.
As I understand, he'd already been expelled, meaning he was prohibited from entering the school - even though he had. That's on the resource officer and school administration and doesn't do much except distract from my question.
You're usually reasonably sane, and you're seemingly intelligent. You may know of something I don't. As near as I can tell, they did everything they could lawfully do to a minor who hasn't produced probable cause for the commission of a criminal act. What am I missing?
After reading all of the acts the police were called there for and then at the end.
Authorities chose not to commit Cruz at the time under the Baker Act, a law in Florida that allows authorities to hospitalize people for mental evaluation.
That's a 72 hour hold for crazy people and requires police, a doctor, and a judge - I'm pretty sure. After 72 hours, they can extend it with further judicial review and new psychiatric info. Hmm...
I've heard he had a history of threatening people with guns, and firing shots at his neighbor's animals. Isn't he nineteen? That isn't a minor. There apparently was a history of criminal and psychological issues which weren't dealt with adequately. Had he been prosecuted for anything or committed to a mental ward this might have been prevented.
And the FBI and local police were alerted that he was talking about shooting up the school before he actually did it. It seems they should have been prepared for this event, but four police (including one who was assigned to that school) were on scene, but apparently not doing what they were supposed to do.
From what I've seen they've been saying he's nineteen. It seems difficult to get reliable facts, but apparently the police had been called to his house on dozens of occasions. He's been reported to have a history of threatening violence against others and cutting himself.
As another reply, threats are only actionable if they are credible. There's a specific set of criteria they must match to be credible threats.
You can say, "I am going to kill someone." The cops can't really do too much. If you go on and say it's a guy named Bob who loves at 123 Any Drive and you're going to do it at 08:30, Tuesday, with a knife - it may mean they still can't do anything if, for example, there's no Bob at that address. It has to be a specific, credible threat. If you have no arms or legs and threaten to shoot Bob with a bow and arrow, you're not gonna get arrested. The cops can't really do anything.
The cutting is a bit different. If he's only self-harming, and isn't at risk of death, you'd need to get a psychiatrist and judge to agree to commit him for the 72 hour hold. I think a medical doctor can also sign off on it? I'm not sure. As he's an adult, his parents can't have him committed against his will, either.
I guess we will really need more details? I'm not really sure what they could have done? We have innocent until guilty, in America. Our police have some actual restrictions and limits to their power. I'm more amazed when they follow them! After this many calls, I'd have not been surprised to have seen them take him on a long bumpy drive to a hold for fake charges that'd have no help of standing up in court - or the disturbing the peace charges, or the resisting arrest charges, etc...
It's been alleged that the police department was letting things slide to reduce their crime statistics, that should be examined. From what he said about wanting to be a school shooter... that in itself may not have been prosecutable; but he apparently was kicked out of school for threatening others before. With the numerous calls it sounds like he could have been prosecuted for something and lost the right to purchase a firearm. And given the reports made to the police and FBI about him wanting to shoot up the school, the school and police should have been ready to respond; but they're saying the police didn't act appropriately when it happened.
I would like more details and more reliable information, but what I've seen so far doesn't look good.
Yeah, methinks I'm going to wait for the final report. That seems to most rational thing to do. You've kept better track of it than I have, it seems. Thanks!
Only if they are actionable. You can say that you're going to blow up the world. If you say it's at a specific time and building, that's a credible threat. Then they can take action.
I don't really like cops much, and live where I do to avoid them. But, I'm not sure what more they could have done within the bounds of the law?
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RidVikStuf ago
It's becoming clearer and clearer that authorities deliberately chose to avoid taking preventitive action on Cruz. We need to start asking why.
Osmanthus ago
We already know why. Too many kids were getting arrested. So, they stopped arresting kids.
Whether they did it because they cared about raising the kids in a police state or about federal money, at least they noticed that something is very wrong. They hoped it meant that the police state had crossed the line, dialing it back might fix it. But it looks like no, in fact the kids are just rotten. The question is, why are the kids rotten?
billyvvinz ago
Same reason Trayvon Martin's crimes were hidden? Grant money for decreasing high school crime.
Titus-of-Voat ago
If it wasn't deliberate than it is a level of incompetence unimaginable. Either way they should all be fired.
TheBuddha ago
What actions were the police lawfully allowed to take?
What could they have lawfully done to satisfy you, in regards to these phone calls.
As I understand, he'd already been expelled, meaning he was prohibited from entering the school - even though he had. That's on the resource officer and school administration and doesn't do much except distract from my question.
You're usually reasonably sane, and you're seemingly intelligent. You may know of something I don't. As near as I can tell, they did everything they could lawfully do to a minor who hasn't produced probable cause for the commission of a criminal act. What am I missing?
Titus-of-Voat ago
After reading all of the acts the police were called there for and then at the end.
It seems odd.
TheBuddha ago
That's a 72 hour hold for crazy people and requires police, a doctor, and a judge - I'm pretty sure. After 72 hours, they can extend it with further judicial review and new psychiatric info. Hmm...
VIP740 ago
I've heard he had a history of threatening people with guns, and firing shots at his neighbor's animals. Isn't he nineteen? That isn't a minor. There apparently was a history of criminal and psychological issues which weren't dealt with adequately. Had he been prosecuted for anything or committed to a mental ward this might have been prevented.
And the FBI and local police were alerted that he was talking about shooting up the school before he actually did it. It seems they should have been prepared for this event, but four police (including one who was assigned to that school) were on scene, but apparently not doing what they were supposed to do.
TheBuddha ago
Threats would be illegal, then they should have done something.
I thought he'd just turned 18?
VIP740 ago
From what I've seen they've been saying he's nineteen. It seems difficult to get reliable facts, but apparently the police had been called to his house on dozens of occasions. He's been reported to have a history of threatening violence against others and cutting himself.
TheBuddha ago
As another reply, threats are only actionable if they are credible. There's a specific set of criteria they must match to be credible threats.
You can say, "I am going to kill someone." The cops can't really do too much. If you go on and say it's a guy named Bob who loves at 123 Any Drive and you're going to do it at 08:30, Tuesday, with a knife - it may mean they still can't do anything if, for example, there's no Bob at that address. It has to be a specific, credible threat. If you have no arms or legs and threaten to shoot Bob with a bow and arrow, you're not gonna get arrested. The cops can't really do anything.
The cutting is a bit different. If he's only self-harming, and isn't at risk of death, you'd need to get a psychiatrist and judge to agree to commit him for the 72 hour hold. I think a medical doctor can also sign off on it? I'm not sure. As he's an adult, his parents can't have him committed against his will, either.
I guess we will really need more details? I'm not really sure what they could have done? We have innocent until guilty, in America. Our police have some actual restrictions and limits to their power. I'm more amazed when they follow them! After this many calls, I'd have not been surprised to have seen them take him on a long bumpy drive to a hold for fake charges that'd have no help of standing up in court - or the disturbing the peace charges, or the resisting arrest charges, etc...
Hmm...
I'm really not sure?
VIP740 ago
It's been alleged that the police department was letting things slide to reduce their crime statistics, that should be examined. From what he said about wanting to be a school shooter... that in itself may not have been prosecutable; but he apparently was kicked out of school for threatening others before. With the numerous calls it sounds like he could have been prosecuted for something and lost the right to purchase a firearm. And given the reports made to the police and FBI about him wanting to shoot up the school, the school and police should have been ready to respond; but they're saying the police didn't act appropriately when it happened.
I would like more details and more reliable information, but what I've seen so far doesn't look good.
TheBuddha ago
Yeah, methinks I'm going to wait for the final report. That seems to most rational thing to do. You've kept better track of it than I have, it seems. Thanks!
jervybingly ago
So, you are saying that after getting 18 calls warning that Cruz had threatened violence, the police and/or FBI could not legally investigate? Absurd.
TheBuddha ago
Only if they are actionable. You can say that you're going to blow up the world. If you say it's at a specific time and building, that's a credible threat. Then they can take action.
I don't really like cops much, and live where I do to avoid them. But, I'm not sure what more they could have done within the bounds of the law?