Provo Shooting Update:
Provo Police Now Deploying Snipers on Rooftops.
There was another protest in Provo last Wednesday and I didn't even know about it even though it is only a few blocks from me. Now I know why. Once the rioters showed they'd block our streets and shoot innocent drivers, Provo Police deployed snipers on rooftops for the next protest and (presumably from the email below) reminded the agitators this ain't Seattle.
We here in Provo will put up with about any crazy protest anyone can come up with. We are a very Constitutionally oriented community and take the 1st Amendment seriously. However, we don't put up with violence and our elected officials know it. Maybe other city Police Departments should take a lesson on how to make sure protests really are peaceful--see the following email I just received from my Provo City Councilman:
"Protests: I am very grateful for the exceptional police force we have in Provo. I honor the service of law enforcement officers throughout the country who risk much to keep us safe. They perform an essential function in a world made of imperfect beings. Nationwide protests have drawn attention to areas where there is room for improvement in the way we treat our fellow human beings – as a society and, in some cases, among the ranks of law enforcement.
Our city Administration and our police department are engaging with citizens in this conversation – looking for ways to improve training and procedures so that every citizen is accorded the dignity and respect they deserve. There is no talk that I have heard among city leaders about defunding our police. We respect and honor them and wish to support them with the tools and resources they need to perform their vital function well. We wish to learn as much as we can from the current dialogue about how they can do this even better.
Provo’s protests had been relatively peaceful until the unthinkable happened Monday night. Outside groups blocked streets and one armed protester shot the driver of a vehicle who was trying to make his way through the street. Another round of protests occurred Wednesday night, but our police force learned from Monday night and engaged with other departments such as Orem [our neighboring city] to provide a larger presence, including SWAT team snipers on several rooftops. One of our police sergeants met with leaders of the protest groups beforehand to lay down some ground rules. The preparation paid off as protests Wednesday night went much more smoothly.”