Captain credits two Northampton officers for calm after weapons faceoff

[Bonobo]

This is the kind of experience, judgment and action that I and members of the wonderful Northampton, MA community expect and DEMAND from their police force.

I think credit goes to not only the police officers but to the EXPECTATIONS that are placed on them by the very, very progressive community of Northampton,

It underscores the need to keep an watchful eye and vigilant pressure on the police force so that they serve the public AND represent their values.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
NORTHAMPTON - Two police officers Monday afternoon drew their guns to disarm a knife-wielding teenager, according to Capt. Scott Savino.

The 14-year-old Holyoke boy was arrested on charges of assault and assault with a dangerous weapon. His name was not released because he is a juvenile.

Police took a report of a disturbance between the boy and his stepfather on Gothic Street about 2:04 p.m. The disturbance continued down State Street and Button Alley and ended in a Masonic Street parking lot, police said.

Officers Gilberto Jiminez and John Lopez responded and drew their sidearms when they saw the boy threatening his stepfather with a pocket knife, Savino said. The boy dropped the knife immediately, he said.

"Those guys did a great job," Savino said of Jiminez and Lopez. "Anytime you have something violent like that and no one gets hurt, that's a good thing."

Savino said it appears the boy's outburst may have been touched off by some kind of diabetic episode. He was given medical attention and taken to a juvenile lockup facility pending his arraignment Tuesday in Franklin-Hampshire Juvenile Court.

[Dawson Leery]

1. 1. Do you have a link to the article?

2. If this is so, then how can we get more professional/understanding police in other communities?

[Bonobo]

4. Sorry, it is subscription only. Here is the link.

http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/07/14/captain-credits-2-officers-calm

As for your second question, I think public outreach, criticism and political pressure is needed.

[virgogal]

2. Police all over the country do things like this all the time,without

the publicity.

[Bonobo]

6. Good, it's their job. Such behavior should be lauded. nt

[pipi_k]

3. One of the things that helped...

Northampton was sort of the "dumping ground" (in the group homes) for many of the former residents of Northampton State Hospital back in the 80s. The mentally ill and mentally retarded (sorry if this offends some people, but back then the agencies handling these people were the DMH and DMR).

I worked with these people. They were well known in the community...integrated pretty well, actually...at least the higher functioning folks, who had lots of freedom, jobs, the whole bit.

So the residents, and police force, of Northampton, are generally less likely to assume someone acting out is just being an asshole or a maniac. It's a pretty cool place to live, actually. :)

[Bonobo]

5. That is a very interesting observation!

Very interesting indeed. I honestly never considered that.

Thanks! Have you lived in Northampton?