You can call me 'Ray,' or you can call me 'Jay,' but you can’t call out the SWAT team and call it a 'disruption!'
The most recently released police reports about a disturbance at New Orleans’ Juvenile Detention Center describe a series of events that are anything but a disruption. To the contrary, the report reveals a breakdown in security that exceeds the circumstances of this incident. A supervisor requested law enforcement responders to remove one of the juveniles, who was identified as a ringleader…one who had previously stabbed two guards and caused other injuries.
One has to ask, “What was the remediation plan for that incident?” Why was the juvenile NOT relocated to another facility? Is there more needed to determine this individual’s propensity for violence? Obviously so. In fact, more law enforcement officials’ lives had to be placed in danger, before detention center officials decided something had to be done. Thankfully, no other law enforcement officials were hurt; neither were incarcerated juveniles.
So, where do we go from here? This first response to violent behavior at the Juvenile Detention Center was not very promising. Disruption? No, Mayor Cantrell… no. “Dangerous and out of control situation” as described by District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro…yes. That description was much more appropriate.
No time like now to wake up. We have to take these situations seriously - and respond accordingly. Luck may not be on our or the city’s side next time.