Kids in danger?

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Cincinnati’s children aren’t dangerous, but they are in danger!

(Cincinnati) - Jason Haap, Green Party candidate for Cincinnati School Board, is calling on school and city leaders to adopt policies restricting the presence and potential use of tasers in the public schools.  “The City of Cincinnati’s children aren’t dangerous, but they are in danger of being tased—which can be deadly,” said Haap.  “Kids as young as 12 years old have already been tased for merely having a bad attitude, which is hardly a life-threatening circumstance against heavily armed officers.  Further, children as young as 9 years old can be tased under current Cincinnati policy.”

It is widely believed that being tased can lead to an “Excited Delirium Death”—a controversial phenomenon which some say is a medical condition and others say is legal cover for potentially fatal torture. Not only could the City of Cincinnati and CPS’ current policies lead to a costly law suit, but there is overwhelming evidence that serious injuries and deaths can eventually occur.

While it has been a few years since a local public school child got tased, Haap says we should not wait until the worst happens to consider the safety of our kids.  “A few weeks ago, everyone started talking about tasers again after Councilmember Cecil Thomas’ daughter was tased unnecessarily.  Research shows tasers can cause brain damage, in addition to the risk of death.  Why are we letting these weapons in our schools?”

Communities as near as Oxford, Ohio have already banned taser use by police, and as reported locally the discussion is about whether officers should be allowed to use them on the street—not about whether kids should be tased in the schools!

A common wall socket contains 120 volts.  “Should we punish kids by forcing them to stick a fork in a wall outlet?” asked Haap.  “Such a proposition is absurd.  So, too, is it absurd to think we should ever jolt a kid with 50,000 volts from a taser.”

Haap wants school board and City Hall leaders to establish a temporary ban on tasers inside school buildings until new policies and training procedures can be implemented by the police to protect our children from potential abuse.