This is a bad thing: Six African American churches have been burned, since the June 17 murders of nine people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, and arson is suspected in at least three of the fires. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating, and while there's no evidence yet that the fires are connected (and accidental causes are suspected in two fires), four Southern black churches burning within a week of a racist murder seems statistically unlikely to be pure random chance.
They're talking about being able to label any individual fire as a hate crime, as a general comment about investigating and prosecuting arson. They're not responding to this current spate of arson specifically.
I agree with eddi and marxalot; incidents can be racism-motivated AND be random acts, especially if they seem to be scattered over a wide region. Churches sadly are easy targets because they are prominent community landmarks yet are poorly defended. (Putting walls or a tall security fence around a church kind of undermines its mission.) If a house is burned it affects one family. Burning down a church affects a whole congregation or an entire community. Many small community churches are older structures (churches don't get renovated as often as say, commercial buildings) and aren't especially fire-resistant. All of this makes them vulnerable targets for the hate-minded.
And another. Copycats coming out from under their rocks feeling safety in numbers. No coordination yet. The best chance of catching one is if he pulls a Darwin and sets himself on fire. But if each fire is one bunch that solves nothing. A long, hot summer 60s style.
Funny, because there are some black people who believe they are the true descendents of the Israelites and that salvation is only for them. Sounds like certain whites aren't the only one with racist religious views.
Unsolvable violent crimes against black people? There was a white girl burned alive in Missisippi at least 6 months ago and it is still not solved. It's not just a racial problem. Her family has been begging for answers.
Oh, so finding KKK spray painted on a wall is enough evidence that the KKK did it? I am pretty sure anyone could set fire to a building and spray paint KKK on the wall. I am in no way defending the actions of the KKK, but I am hoping they had more proof to go on than that. If not, anyone could murder someone and write, "John Smith did it." and John Smith would be convicted.
Well, whether they care or not, if they're caught they can be prosecuted. This would be especially helpful if one of them happens to kill a few people.
Can't say for this time period, but there have been several churches vandalized here, I know at least one was white (why do we have segregated churches?). This is just stuff that occurs off and on around here. They actually caught the people doing it and it was some young white boys. Whites vandalizing white churches.
As far as shootings are concerned, churches may need to install metal detectors, or allow trusted members to carry a gun (some already do that here). Fires are trickier. If they had cameras, I imagine the evidence could be burned, unless the camera are hidden up in a tree or something.
Yes, hence my original post about hidden cameras surveilling the perimeter of the building. Fact is, people can walk through metal detectors and shoot a whole bunch of people. Second fact is, black folks should be able to go to the church of their choice without being armed to the teeth or being afraid the building is going to burn down around their ears with the exit door wired shut.
They're talking about being able to label any individual fire as a hate crime, as a general comment about investigating and prosecuting arson. They're not responding to this current spate of arson specifically.
Can only be 3/5ths of a Xian
Brown rice, just as Dewi Sri intended it.
"Hey, how do you spell 'KKK'?"
I agree with eddi and marxalot; incidents can be racism-motivated AND be random acts, especially if they seem to be scattered over a wide region. Churches sadly are easy targets because they are prominent community landmarks yet are poorly defended. (Putting walls or a tall security fence around a church kind of undermines its mission.) If a house is burned it affects one family. Burning down a church affects a whole congregation or an entire community. Many small community churches are older structures (churches don't get renovated as often as say, commercial buildings) and aren't especially fire-resistant. All of this makes them vulnerable targets for the hate-minded.
And another. Copycats coming out from under their rocks feeling safety in numbers. No coordination yet. The best chance of catching one is if he pulls a Darwin and sets himself on fire. But if each fire is one bunch that solves nothing. A long, hot summer 60s style.
Funny, because there are some black people who believe they are the true descendents of the Israelites and that salvation is only for them. Sounds like certain whites aren't the only one with racist religious views.
Oh please. People steal stuff out of cemeteries that have signs up about it being under surveillance. Some people don't care about getting caught.
Unsolvable violent crimes against black people? There was a white girl burned alive in Missisippi at least 6 months ago and it is still not solved. It's not just a racial problem. Her family has been begging for answers.
Oh, so finding KKK spray painted on a wall is enough evidence that the KKK did it? I am pretty sure anyone could set fire to a building and spray paint KKK on the wall. I am in no way defending the actions of the KKK, but I am hoping they had more proof to go on than that. If not, anyone could murder someone and write, "John Smith did it." and John Smith would be convicted.
Well, whether they care or not, if they're caught they can be prosecuted. This would be especially helpful if one of them happens to kill a few people.
If someone is dead set on killing someone, a camera isn't going to stop them. If anything, they would disguise themselves.
So, do you have any helpful suggestions?
Can't say for this time period, but there have been several churches vandalized here, I know at least one was white (why do we have segregated churches?). This is just stuff that occurs off and on around here. They actually caught the people doing it and it was some young white boys. Whites vandalizing white churches.
As far as shootings are concerned, churches may need to install metal detectors, or allow trusted members to carry a gun (some already do that here). Fires are trickier. If they had cameras, I imagine the evidence could be burned, unless the camera are hidden up in a tree or something.
Yes, hence my original post about hidden cameras surveilling the perimeter of the building. Fact is, people can walk through metal detectors and shoot a whole bunch of people. Second fact is, black folks should be able to go to the church of their choice without being armed to the teeth or being afraid the building is going to burn down around their ears with the exit door wired shut.