Jaywalking often escalates into out-of-control situation

auburngirl said on June 19, 2010 at 11:27 AM

By adulthood, you should know, that you are responsible as an individual for your own actions and therefore you must except the consequences. These young women need to except the consequences of breaking the law and assaulting an officer. Getting punched in the face is a consequences of putting your hands on someone eles in an aggresive manner. The fact that this was an officer may have some differing connotation but the basic rule applies DOnt WanT To GeT PunCHed doNt StaRt NoTHIN !!

trucker45 said on June 17, 2010 at 2:47 PM

3:10 in the afternoon is a real bad time to jaywalk across Rainier Ave. In the event the pedestrian is not hit there is a good chance that a car avoiding or slowing suddenly will get into a fender bender. Then the person who caused the wreck simply disappears. A few new laws could be written that would solve a few problems. Number one, jaywalking is no longer against the law. Number two, any persons struck by a vehicle while jaywalking will not be given any medical treatment. After all you know everything and weighed the risk, this time you lost.

vickied said on June 17, 2010 at 2:04 PM

If a cop tells you to come over and talk to him, DO IT.. nuff said. Why FIGHT it? That was the whole problem to begin with.. The only ones who don't listen are ones who have attitude and don't respect the law, no matter how small the fraction is. If you go and speak with respect, you might NOT have gotten a jaywalking ticket. Using common courtesy and respect goes alot longer way. It doesn't matter who you are.. where you live, or how much money you make. Respect is a universal language.. BTW: There is no such thing as being able to jaywalk safely in the area this incident happened at. I can't even make a left turn into the road without having to go to a signal with my vehicle to cross safely. If jaywalking wasn't a law... it'd be mass abused and many more people would be hurt and more lawsuits happening and people having to pay alot more than a simple citation. And yes, I've jaywalked before.. but not during a bad area with a ton of traffic.. but on a much quieter street.

barry_t said on June 17, 2010 at 1:49 PM

If you want to jaywalk where it's allowed, if not encouraged, come to downtown Bremerton where, thanks to the Norm Dicks earmark $52 million exit tunnel from the ferry dock, the streets are mostly empty.

silverton said on June 17, 2010 at 12:15 PM

As someone who is white, I can say that while living in the rainier valley in the late 90's, I observed first hand how blacks were treated by the police. It was not good. For those of you that say that the race card is always used, you are wrong. You don't know how blacks and other minorities have been treated in Seattle and across the country for decades. Youth feel especially targeted because of their skin color. To deny this means that most of you have never, ever lived in a black or minority neighborhood. Why doesn't the author of this article break down the jay walking citations for us by neighborhood? It is not by mistake that the incident with the Latino men involved a white cop, and in this case it was a white cop and black teens. It doesn't excuse these girls, but why are these high profile cases not happening to white folks? Because they simply don't occur on a regular basis, here or anywhere else.

deeplyshrouded said on June 17, 2010 at 12:06 PM

Wah! Poor me! I'm jaywalking, broke the law and now the big bad white cop punched me in my face! It's discrimination because I'm black! Give me a break! We had a case in NJ where a black girl put herself in a plastic garbage back and said she was raped by white guys! Al Sharpton and his cronies immediately went to NJ to try to start trouble. Guess what? After all was said and done, it turned out the girl lied. In all honesty, I'm so sick of the poor me, I'm black and I'm always discriminated against because I'm black bullcrap. There are plenty of opportunities for people of all races to become whatever they want. Instead, they perpetuate the typical poor me attitude. The girls were wrong, they got caught. Instead of accepting responsibility for their actions, the poor old tired race card is played again. Cry me a river. They broke the law, were called on it, and now they're crying foul. Parents, regardless of color don't teach kids respect anymore.

silverton said on June 17, 2010 at 11:58 AM

Most important piece of this story is left out. The police use a jay walking offense to detain you and run your information. It is about money, not public safety. Why can't officers roll the window down, and point to someone and say "Don't jaywalk"? this will deter far more people than citations, because cops would be doing this every day, and would thus "train" the jaywalkers into not doing it. I was told years ago by a cop not to do it, and it worked. I have been harsh on this officer, but should have stated how disgusted I was with the girls in question. It is common sense that you don't touch an officer of the law. Having said that, this big burly cop should have been able to swiftly put them in cuffs within a minute or two max. He did not do that. He dithered around and then lost his temper. He needs to be retrained, and the cops certainly need to use de-escalation when encountering anyone except a know felon or someone who poses a direct threat to them.

2lanepavement said on June 17, 2010 at 11:57 AM

The1guy makes some valid points. In retrospect maybe the officer's response was extreme, but we're not living in a perfect world. Frankly, the girls' behavior was similarly extreme. Normally I side with the public on these alleged over reactions by the police, but I'm not so sure on this one. From my perspective, these two girls went absolutely looney tunes in their actions. For crying out lout, this was a jaywalking offense! I don't know what the traffic situation was at the time and place, but maybe the girls caused traffic to take evasive action. I don't buy the excuse of not knowing the act was illegal. Very young children would have known it was a violation. A general lack of respect was mentioned in one of the comments. Having been a teacher in the pulic schools, I wholeheartedly agree. I'm sure an investigation is forthcoming. The outcome will be interesting. Investigations into police actions have become the norm. Serve and protect. Maybe--Maybe not.

jamey said on June 17, 2010 at 11:20 AM

I am not from Seattle. I only visit a few times per year. When I do go, I generally use the crosswalks and wait for the lights because the streets are busy. When I do jaywalk in Seattle, or any place else, I look for two things, first is cars, and second is cops. Why, because I have known jaywalking is crime since I was 12 years old. And if you jaywalk right in front of a cop, they are going to cite you for two reasons, one is being stupid, and two is for being indignant. Nothing says "I dare you to do something about it" more than a petty crime like litering, jaywalking, spitting, in front of a cop. Because yes, they will do something about it regardless of skin tone, hair color, or clothing choice.

goldiemae said on June 17, 2010 at 10:46 AM

If I were caught and ticketed for jaywalking, I would accept it as a consequence of my own decisions and actions. I *know* there is a law against it, and it is my decision to not heed that law. I know, it's such a difficult concept, taking responsibility for one's own actions. What could I possibly be thinking!

rmo70 said on June 17, 2010 at 10:36 AM

"Girls" were wrong. Didn't respect the law or the law officer who had issued a lawful order to stop for Jaywalking. Then attacked the officer after trying to resist arrest and elude. Large "Girl" then assaulted officer and offered criminal assistance to her friend and interfered with an officer making a legal arrest, now for Jaywalking, eluding, and resisting arrest. Black Community Leaders then pulled the race card, the they did'nt know the law card, the use of extreme violence card, the call for back-up and wait card, and the overall denial card. These people are not Leaders as they proclaim, as they refuse to recognize the problem these "children" cause by dissing the law and everyone else around them. Both "Children" have records and both are poor citizens, as evidenced by the video, which "doesn't lie." Shame on these so-called Leaders. The officer showed great restraint and did what he was trained to do and in a timely and professional manner. He should be commended!

seaboy71 said on June 17, 2010 at 10:00 AM

With 70% of drivers refusing to stop for pedestrians at or in crosswalks I always jaywalk! I'd rather trust myself ...I don't trust the clowns in those cars

jayemdub said on June 17, 2010 at 9:45 AM

Even in our small town, teenagers in particular, walk in the middle of the street, cross whenever they darned well feel like it and have no regard or respect for anyone. It's like 'go ahead and run over me' or worse yet, 'this is MY road'. This isn't just about 'jaywalking', it's about the over all disrespect and ME attitude of so many youth of today. I've lost count of the times I've had to stop in the middle of a street to accommodate this kind of behavior. One time a boy even smacked the side of my car with his back pack - just for the fun of it. These girls were out of line, out of control, and if the cop didn't punch the one who shoved at him, I would have gladly done it for him. Grocery store parking lots at lunch time are a VERY dangerous place to be, as local teens race thru the parking area with recklessness and NO regard for human safety.

h8red42 said on June 17, 2010 at 9:13 AM

You know Seattle used to be famous for having polite people,who waited at cross walks and didn't jay walk,said please and thank you.guess that is over now.

taxdollarsponge said on June 17, 2010 at 8:59 AM

@aziza,now police will be a hate target.

the1guy said on June 17, 2010 at 8:50 AM

What would have happened if one of the girls garbbed the officer's gun and shot him? What would have happened if some of the on-lookers jumped in to help the girls. Once you attack anyone the way the girl did, You have a right to defend youself. That does not mean that you must defend yourself, just that you have the right to do so. As well, the defense should warrant the attack. a push does not deserve a punch. The punch was over kill, but it brought control to a situation that was getting way out of hand. This single encounter should not reflect the on chief of police, but, with all of the other recent negative news the SPD has been receiving...all added together, over all should reflect on the chief. The girls were absolutely wrong in the video. lastly, it doesn't matter what ethnicity you are, if you break the law and get caught, you accept the consequences.

livefreeordie said on June 17, 2010 at 8:28 AM

Is there any doubt that it is nothing more than revenue? They will get your money and there is nothing you can do about it. The have a monopoly on force. Like the Mafia, you pay up or you get beat up. The government doesn't care about your safety, they care about your money, and they will take it by force if they have too. Welcome to The Democratic People's Republic of Amerika

alki50 said on June 17, 2010 at 7:04 AM

I think the black leaders could use their time better by demanding that black parents start being parents. Too many "baby daddies" and not enough fathers. Leaders making excuses for kids with horrible behavior isn't doing anyone any good.

ntg72 said on June 17, 2010 at 4:38 AM

I beleave the officer was right to use the force that he did. He is a police officer and people should obay his commands if not he must use force. the girl or girls broke the law. He should get a metal. you DO NOT raise you hands to a police officer THATS IT.

duhphantom said on June 17, 2010 at 12:22 AM

I need to understand, if someone out there can explain it to me. Why is it that some people simply assume that it is perfectly okay to violate community standard laws that deal with NOT useing crosswalks nor adhering to crosswalk signals? What is so difficult to understand about this? What is this overinhanced sense of "entitlement" which leads some people into this attitude of saying /demonstrating "f*** your stupid laws, I'm above all of that, it doesn't apply to me 'cause I've been oppressed and the poe-lice need to cut me some slack". I'm extremely tired of that worn out attitude and excuse. It is past time to stop living in the '50's, 60's and 70's and get into todays world; get up, grow up, stop useing crutches, excuses, and the NAACP. It is ALL so f***ing boring, believe me. What is SO difficult about being and living one's life as a truly civilized, socially interacting, community contributing, love your neighbor, friends, family kind of person? Why is that so G.D. difficult?

spitfire1090 said on June 17, 2010 at 12:14 AM

just another comment on the jay walking incident if the officer would have used his tazer on her would it have made a difference in the outcome

scott04 said on June 16, 2010 at 11:26 PM

despicable, i cant even lower myself to this...can i call it a debate? DONT ever touch our officers with an aggressive posture!! You wont be retaliated on! Not complicated. It's your safety. Jaywalking however, is like speeding, everybody does it, when the risk is profitable.

adamreinhardt said on June 16, 2010 at 11:18 PM

alphgeek- At exactlly what point of your story is it important that the youths you're talking about are "black guys". I don't remember reading in the story about the "white" cop and the "black" teenage jaywalkers, I only knew b/c I saw the video. I mean, I assume you didn't tell us about the shoes you were wearing b/c it was unimportant and unrelated to the story. So, before I begin to wonder about your tolerance of black people, I'll wait to hear your response.

paulharvey said on June 16, 2010 at 10:50 PM

You can't save people from themselves. Just stop enforcing jaywalking laws. Concentrate on serious crime instead. The vast majority of people who jaywalk do it without incident.

spitfire1090 said on June 16, 2010 at 10:33 PM

on the jay walking incident i think the officer should of called for back up because the crowd needed to be controlled it looked like they were cheering on the girl when she was out of control it was an accident waiting to happen now who is to blame the police department not the officer better training on how to Handel the situation instead of brawls and i want to here more from the police officers or women officers about these situations its always hush hush

jarheadead said on June 16, 2010 at 10:01 PM

Jaywalking is an issue of public safety but not an excuse for the police to use excessive force. The officer involved in the arrest of two teenage girls should have called and or waited for backup; instead of, putting himself and others in danger by losing control of his temper and the situation. He could have easily lost control of his weapon thereby putting himself or innocent bystanders in harms way. His actions were a disgrace and amid all the other excessive force cases in the recent past, I think all police departments should review their procedures, training, psychological evaluations, and legitimate reviews of conduct unbecoming an officer. They have a tough job and there are a lot of good police men and women on the force, but there also needs to be some checks and balances in regards to their actions. They are supposed to be serving and protecting the community. They should not be abusing their authority to be judge, jury, and executioner on any call.

blankingout said on June 16, 2010 at 8:55 PM

I watched 3 Seattle police cars comedown on a guy cleaning his glasses who was a little late getting through an empty intersection by downtown McCormick and Schmicks... I mean come on guys!

alphgeek said on June 16, 2010 at 8:51 PM

I believe that jaywalking is a statement for some youths. Twice when I have been driving in downtown Seattle, a group of young black men have jaywalked and stopped traffic. In two of the cases, it wasn't so much they were darting to get to the other side. They were "sashaying" across the street and it seemed like their intent was to deliberately disrupt traffic. They had attitude. I wonder if there was more to this "jaywalking" ...

aziza said on June 16, 2010 at 8:46 PM

reach? You say what would happen if it were an African American cop and a white kid instead? I'd still say the kid had it coming. An honest question, have we seen that? I'm not saying this particular incident has elements of racism, quite the opposite. The policeman showed restraint. The girls were WAY out of line and I am behind the officer 100%. But how can you say Seattle suffers from reverse racism with only hypothetical "what ifs"? Show us WHEN it has happened. Police people are police people and thugs are thugs. Period. And I can point to bad parenting in ALL colors who crank out plenty of perps.

kurtisamos said on June 16, 2010 at 8:43 PM

I am amazed at the lack of truth and competent reporting on the jay walking issue by King5. I find it my responsibility to myself to let you know that as a long time viewer of 20 years, I will no longer be watching your broadcasts. Your lack of honest reporting, and desire to inflame a social issue created by two females assaulting a Seattle Police officer, both with prior criminal behavior and obvious lack of respect for the institution of law has disappointed me. I have long known your liberal social views in reporting, however to report in a way that attacks an officer that is doing his job and defending himself against two arrogant disrespectful women with no respect or regard for the law is too much. Your organization is part of the problem with this welfare city. The crime and abuse of the system is made the fault of the legal honest citizens for your media game. I hope that many people that feel as I do stop watching and supporting your bias reporting.

crazytrain247 said on June 16, 2010 at 8:40 PM

reach700, u should have stopped after the first comment. then we would not have known if you were a racsist or not. thanks for confirming on your second comment.

watatoe said on June 16, 2010 at 8:38 PM

Reach700.....amen, amen, and amen! I could not have said it any better than you have! Truth! Thank you!

anonymoususer said on June 16, 2010 at 8:16 PM

The police had the right to react to this hoodlum - but the punch was too much and uncalled for. He should have grabbed her and handcuffed her - not punch her the way he did.

reach700 said on June 16, 2010 at 8:11 PM

One more comment: What would all the Black Community Action groups say if the cop was black and the kid was white? I think Seattle is suffering from reverse racism. It's time the Black Community took some action on correcting the behavior of their children and adults. Stop blaming the cops for your failures, they are there to enforce the laws, not raise your children.

reach700 said on June 16, 2010 at 8:07 PM

People get stop for a slight infraction of jaywalking, littering, biking, or parking and feel "doesn't the police have something better to do" in this day which has more serious crimes? Then other people are putting pressure on police for more enforcement of minor infractions because of near miss accidents. So the police are caught in the middle but minor infractions tend to elicit more of a negative response from people than most realize. But one should never swing at a police officer and not expect a response. I think the young letter got a quick lesson in respecting law enforcement, not getting involved in something not her affairs, and you reap what you sow.

billiameveryman said on June 16, 2010 at 7:57 PM

I certainly jaywalk, I'm not going to lie. I wait until its safe, and I cross the street. A couple of times, I have been nabbed by a cop, in all of these situations, I was respectful and polite. I have never gotten a ticket. The only people I know who have ever gotten a ticket are a couple of guys who took it upon themselves to inform the officer what an waste of time jaywalking stops are, as it turned out, it was a $50 lesson for them.

unhappy said on June 16, 2010 at 7:55 PM

she deserved it.... and im glad its all on film so we all can see how these groups are racist towards whites and twist everything so they can get some attention.....this is a joke and not news to report.

hawkeyesp said on June 16, 2010 at 7:40 PM

I think the jay walker provoked what she got. She had no reson to defend herself to that extent. I do think police deserve respect. People know when they have done something wrong wether it be speeding, jay walking or what ever. If you don't agree with the charge you fight it later not at the moment. The girl was out of control and feels entitiled.

51andcounting said on June 16, 2010 at 7:26 PM

I just returned from two years in Florida. If you stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk there, you get rear-ended. I guess after a few jaywalkers are rundown by vehicles, then they will complain about the drivers. Teach your children to respect authority. I did, and my kids are not getting in fights with Police.

sumithryo said on June 16, 2010 at 7:04 PM

Thanks KING for concentrating on the culpability of the officer in this situation. It would be a shame to hold accountable the parents who did such a bang-up job of raising these common thugs. Of course that's not the kind of news that interests anyone.