Resisting authorities leads to tragedies

Another senseless, tragic and truly avoidable loss of life.

We keep experiencing these incidents over and over. Emotions explode, situations escalate, adrenalin flows and fight or flight takes control. If people would simply comply with law enforcement officials, these situations would not escalate.

One could argue that law enforcement officials should not be detaining or arresting innocent people, but when “innocent” people obstruct or resist, they are no longer innocent. Even guilty criminals who are arrested or detained are also “innocent” until proven “guilty.” That's what's great about our country … unlike other countries where you're unjustly imprisoned or worse.

If a truly innocent person cooperates and still gets detained or arrested, it is extremely frustrating, but you'll eventually be exonerated and freed. Chances are you probably won't even get arrested.

Demonizing all law enforcement who are trying to do their job and subsequently being uncooperative or resisting will only exacerbate the situation and lead to more tragedies.

Jerry Phillips

Schaumburg