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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat Is BolaWrap, the High-Tech Lasso All Cops Seem to Want
After repeated attempts to calm a man whod become violent after having a seizure at the end of last year, officers from the Fruitland Police Department in Maryland wanted to try another approach.
See this device here? an officer on the scene asks the mans mother, according to body camera footage. This will wrap him.
About a minute later, the officer holds a yellow device about the size of a cell phone in front of him and aims its green laser at the man. With the push of a button, an eight-foot Kevlar cord with several barbs on each end wraps around the mans knees, and he falls to the ground. Police immediately handcuff him.
Oh, so its not like a Taser? the mans mother asks.
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https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3dd3v/what-is-bolawrap-the-high-tech-lasso-all-cops-seem-to-want
brooklynite
(94,598 posts)NullTuples
(6,017 posts)Seems like plenty of other nations don't actually need all this because their law enforcement are not taught that ensuring submission is "Job One and Job Done".
mopinko
(70,127 posts)a lot of places are sending teams, w a shrink, at least.
but trust me, you only make that call when you can do anything else.
on a stretcher is where you want your loved one.
NullTuples
(6,017 posts)Mental illness is not a crime.
stopdiggin
(11,317 posts)This would seem to be a situation where LE were trying to exercise the 'restraint' and 'alternative means' people are advocating. This included consulting with family member on methods? In the final analysis -- the cops have to do something. Mental health assistance would be nice -- but eventually there has to be some resolution. Pretty obvious they can't just climb back in their cars -- leave the guy there in the street doing his 'thing.'
NullTuples
(6,017 posts)"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail"
stopdiggin
(11,317 posts)are 'experimenting' with mobile mental health units (that would seem to be what you suggest). That remains the vast exception. Right now, in 99% of this country, there is no such thing. The cops (and the EMTs they almost inevitably call in) are it. As it stands now, this is what you're going to get when a family member is making that last ditch, emergency (-"he's standing in the middle of the street!"- ) call.
dalton99a
(81,516 posts)mopinko
(70,127 posts)i've had to make that call several times. it was not fun.
most were times i thanked ja for my white skin.
(every time i have a run in w the cops, i'm glad for my white skin.)
they all went okay. none were this bad.
but i can see how those shoes fit.
i would be relieved.
superpatriotman
(6,249 posts)I urge DU to give it a look.
Backseat Driver
(4,393 posts)Oops, in the heat of the moment, he aimed a bit too high!
Lancero
(3,003 posts)Lancero
(3,003 posts)Oddly, cops seem to confuse their guns and tasers quite often.
Just another example of tech being sold as a solution for the plethora of inept and malicious cops, rather than holding departments accountable for their hiring practices.
mackdaddy
(1,527 posts)This unit does seem more remote control like and brightly colored so hopefully there will be fewer "accidents".