Dear Source:
Dear Police Chief Oakland Benta: You owe the family of murdered business owner, Hernan “Poochie” Santos, an apology—and more!
I sometimes wonder: “Why do most people respect, trust, and honor firemen, while so many people—good citizens—dislike and mistrust policemen?” Members of both professions put their lives on the line to provide necessary services to the community. However, for many there is just something about “the police” that just doesn’t sit right. When I think about it further, I realize that when we call on the fire department for their services, they seldom (if ever) put out the wrong fire or save the wrong victim from the burning building. On the other hand, in the course of a police officer’s duty, they sometimes accuse, harass, arrest, and kill the wrong people—good and innocent people. I understand that some “collateral damage” is an inextricable part of the imperfect world of police work, but far too often it occurs because of inexcusable and reckless actions of the police, which brings me the why I believe Police Chief Oakland Benta owes the family of Hernan “Poochie” Santos an apology—and more!
The family of Hernan “Poochie” Santos recently lost him due to a senseless homicide, and my condolences go out to them. I grew up in the same community as Poochie, and although I am not related to him by blood, my family and I considered him, his mother, grandmother, brothers, and sisters family. We understand and share their pain for this loss and hope and pray from them during their time of mourning and healing. Recently on Channel 8 News, Police Chief Oakland Benta referenced the homicide of Poochie and an even more recent homicide which he believes to be connected. During this broadcast, Chief Benta “appeal[ed] to the Santos family” not to resort to “street justice” or taking the “law into their own hands.” Chief Benta’s statements were accusatory, inflammatory, irresponsible, and downright dangerous to the grieving Santos family. A Police Chief should know better and act better. An insinuation on a public broadcast that an entire family (a grieving one at that) is somehow involved in a retaliation plot is reckless and unprofessional. The police department should be working to bring justice and peace of mind to the grieving Santos family by trying to solve the senseless murder of their loved one—not making baseless and accusatory statements on television.
Chief Benta’s statements have put all the members of Santos family (from grandmother to grandbabies) in danger, and he owes them at the very least an apology for adding fear and frustration to the multitude of other feelings they are dealing with now. Chief Benta, please try to follow the example of the Fire Department and put out the right fires and save the right people. Maybe then, police officers will gain the respect, trust, and honor that firemen enjoy. Sincerely,
K. Barnes
St. Croix
