Keyword: police

Why Cops Bust Down Doors of Medical Pot Growers, But Ignore Men Who Keep Naked Girls on Leashes

Picture: Alternet Kristen Gwynnne - Thanks to the drug war, police have much more incentive to go after drug crimes than more heinous crimes. Earlier this year, men wearing black ski masks whipped out their guns and raided the home of 62-year-old Cathy Jordan, a medical marijuana patient and activist in Florida. They seized 23 of her plants, two of which were mature enough to be used for her medicine. Police officers with the Manatee County Sheriff's Department, the team of armed men, made no arrests, but later charged...

The Criminal Injustice System

Picture:  efficacy-online.org Jane Duncan - At the end of January, an all too familiar pattern of events played itself out in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court in Durban. Four member of the shack dwellers’ movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo, were arrested after a protest against problematic practices in a housing development in KwaNdengezi. They were accused of public violence, robbery, damage to property, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Charges were withdrawn against three in court, with the exception of...

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later: What Can We Learn From Nigeria?

Picture: uriohau.blogspot.com Glenn Ashton - The Zuma administration has clearly taken a far harder line on crime, in accord with its populist approach. Central to this is the direct threat to 'get' criminals.  Invoking this 'shoot to kill' philosophy has already impacted tragically on innocent lives. The pendulum is swinging from a more restrained, western, rights-based style of policing toward a more reactionary and offensively aligned style of policing. Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has not only made immoderate...