23 May, 2011

On Walgreen's firing of employee defending himself

From comments seen at Uncle's 

Here’s their response:

“Thank you for contacting Walgreens regarding this matter. Our policies in this area are designed to maintain the maximum safety of our customers and employees.Store employees receive comprehensive training on our company’s robbery procedures and how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. In past incidents, employees have told us they’ve found this training effective.These policies and training programs are endorsed by law enforcement, which strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.Compliance is safer than confrontation. Through this practice, we have been able to maintain an exemplary record of safety.We’ve made significant investments in security technology in recent years, including increasing the number of digital surveillance cameras at our stores.With upgrades to security technology, we are able to provide police with high-resolution photographs and video of crime suspects.We continue to invest in state-of-the-art security measures and high-definition surveillance equipment and hope that the apprehension of robbery suspects in the Benton Harbor area will prevent future crimes. Thank you for contacting Walgreens to share your comments.”

In particular, when law enforcement strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects, I wonder what ideal world they live in? As a peaceably armed citizen, I would not go looking for trouble. I would not actively seek out a criminal and confront him or her. That is the law enforcement's job, to confront, arrest and convict criminals. I commend them for doing that job. It is many times thankless & dangerous.

However, when a criminal actively confronts an otherwise law abiding person, the victim of the crime is forced to confront the situation unfolding before them. Law enforcement's recommendation about avoiding such confrontation has just gone pear shaped, the second the criminal introduces the threat of physical violence to the confrontation. How is it to be avoided? The criminal is demanding something of you, your property or property you're responsible for, your acquiescence to his activity, possibly he even wants to take your life.

A proper response would be to apply violence in greater force with the explicit aim to end the threat.  Sadly, many business' and lawyers do not see it that way in today's society. 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dear Walgreens, your high resolution photos of the man who kills me while I'm working in your store won't do me much good when I'm dead. Thank you for telling me I can't defend myself but you are wrong, I can and will!