Minutes 09/29/1970 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sentember 29. 1970 I am sick and tired of that old cry of the misguided left wingers and many church people; "People are more valuable than things". I agree: People are worth vastly more than things, but here must be a stopping place. When a person goes beyond that place, he ceases to be more valuable than things. Any person or group of persons who would rise up and destroy all that exists for no other reason except that of pure and simple destruction, is not worth the smallest, most insignificant thing. The time has come, Mr. Barnes, when men must be counted. There can be no neutral ground. A man is for law and order in our streets; or he is against it. For those who wish to revert to the law of the jungle (and some do), they should be hounded out of this city. I want more police protection, not less. I'm willing to pay extra taxes to get it. The most comforting and welcome sight I see at night is a police cruiser passing my home. The police officer may be hard to live with at times. Lots of us are; but we most assuredly cannot live in a society without him." 70-451 - Petitions and individual letters containing 8,754 signatures were presented. 70-452 - The following letters from Mrs. Patricia C. Floyd were read: "Enclosed is a copy of a letter to Chief of Police Warren which was written as a result of the chaos re- multi~g from the shooting which took place last week while our policemen were performing their duty. It is m~ wish for you to be informed as to my opinion concerning this matter." "Due to ~ae recent dist~rrbances in our city, I would like very much to offer my support to you and your Department. I feel the hard working, law abiding and supporting citizens of Portsmouth should be the first consider- ation in all debates concerning the pressures and conditions being forced upon our policemen ~t this time. I, for one, support our police in their never-ending job of trying to maintain order, with all the over-powerin influences from outside and within trying to disturb this order. Please do not make any concessions to these pre'sure groups for the sake of peace, f~r this will just be a beginning in our city for further concessions and demands by these minority groups incitingthis hatred of our police department. We need a strong police force to protect our freedom to a peaceful life here, and any concessions to these people will only create disrespect for your department as an aide to law and order. I would like to continue to have faith and trust in our Police Department to see that the remaining free- doms we enjoy are not swept away from us." 70-435 - The following letter from Samuel Mucks was read: "I w£sh. to be placed -on the agenda of your Council .meeting of September 2.9, 1970, to address the Council on the matter of the shooting incident that occurmed on Saturday, September 19, 1970, and subsequent events." No one appeared to speak. 70-434 - The Mayor made the following statement: "I would like to refer to the following incidents: On March S, 1965 - Detective Capossela was shot three times by Willie Brown, Jr. Following this incident, there w-as no violence or p~test. On March S, 1966 - Officer Hargrave, Jr. shot George Williams, statement did not correspond with the investigation. Officer Margrave was suspended because Following this incident, there was no violence or protest. On March. 6, 1966 - Officer P~gh shot ~ames Rouse, as Rouse was. attempting to jump a fence. Officer Pugh was suspended because of question as to justification for shooting Rouse, also Officer Pugh refused to give a statement as to what happened. Following this incident, there was no violence or protest. FebruarZ 7, 1967 - Case of murder of Officer David W. Carpenter by Linten Barnhill, with car. Following this incident, there was no violence or protest. June. 2, 1967 - Stabbing in back, chest and arm of Officer E. Lewis by Mildred G. Howell. Following this incident, there was no violence or protest. Februa~Tz 29, 1968 - Detective Lodge shot six times - three times while on ground by Calvin Coolidge James. Following this incident, there was no violence or protest. April 9, 1968 - Manslaughter of Sergeant Earl P. Wilkins on Interstate 264 by Fred Lee Norman with car (12 months jail sentence and $1,0~0 fine). Following this incident, there was no violence or protest.