Freeport mayor’s view: Public safety not just a police issue
Our community’s prosperity depends upon increased public safety, improved neighborhoods, and job retention and growth. These issues are interrelated. You cannot have one without the other. This is the foundation of all that we seek to do.
It was therefore of concern when The Journal Standard last week featured an article entitled, “Cops’ reaction upsets mom.” The article was about a shooting. Perhaps the most troubling allegation was that the shooter was identified but still “walking around Freeport.”
Let us be clear about one thing: when an incident occurs, our police officers are all over it. They interview witnesses, canvass the neighborhood, and look for any shred of evidence that will help identify assailants. This incident was no different. There was no positive identification made and therefore no way to proceed with an arrest warrant. Days later, a name was mentioned, but still no positive identification to support it.
The article also stated that the victim’s mother was “frustrated that the responding Freeport police officers didn’t seem to rush her child to the hospital.” An ambulance was already en route to the scene and actually dispatched at the same time as the police. Why would police officers transport a victim by car when professional care is imminent?
The article implied through the family that the police officers were brusque in their treatment of the family at the scene, at the hospital and afterward. When I asked the department for a detailed response, here is what I learned.
First, one of the family members inserted himself between the responding officers and the victim at the scene, allegedly telling his little brother to keep his mouth shut and not talk to the police. This almost resulted in his arrest. The officers needed basic information and time is everything in such a situation. Naturally, if you are a family member, your first priority is medical treatment.
At the hospital, Officer Brandae Hilby was with the family and held the victim’s hand to keep him calm. She explained that she was going off duty, but left her phone number in case the family needed anything. This was not mentioned.
After the shooting incident, the police chief accompanied me to the mother’s house around 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2. We wanted her to know her family is important to us. There was a note on the door stating not to knock before 3 p.m. We honored it. That Friday, the chief (and Alderman Bush) returned again.
Why go into these details? What difference does it make anyway? We want people to know that our Police Department is not only dedicated to tracking down the bad guys, but concerned about victims and families as well. This is not the only case where there has been a follow-up visit to victims or their family.