With the firestorm erupting about Andrea Grimes’ report on Chief Brown and date rape, you might want to eyeball the video that the Morning News has posted with what was actually said by Brown at the Public Safety Committee meeting.
Question: Was Andrea’s report accurate?
11 comments
I think both Bethany and Andrea have misconstrued what the chief said. they heard certain words and if they’ve undergone the standard feminist ideological training one can understand why they went overboard. They weren’t listening carefully enough to what the chief was saying
Here’s what Big Bob said:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/08/trying_to_understand_what_led.php
Answer: Not really.
Does it matter? Bethany got the ring and Andrea got the shaft. Well played, Bethany.
I disagree with the firestorm surrounding the Chief’s comments, I think he made a few common-sense suggestions for potential victims. His comments, in my opinion, have been taken way out of context.
A parallel: We are often encouraged to lock, take, and hide to prevent car break-ins. Common sense: lock your car, take valuables with you, hide your stuff. However, if you leave your laptop within sight and your car is burglarized – that is still a crime. You just didn’t practice some common sense measures that could have prevented it.
I think the Chief is saying the same thing with respect to date rape. If a woman becomes intoxicated while on a date with someone not well-known to her, and a date rape occurs, she is still a victim and that is still a crime. The Chief never implies fault towards the woman in this circumstance. He just suggests that an awareness campaign to practice some common-sensical prevention might bring the rape numbers down.
I’m on board with his statements. And I’m a woman.
Andrea Breitbart!
I think what Andrea, Bethany and other women were reacting to was the lack of a real response by DPD about what it was doing about the 25% increase. This year an average of 9 more women each month (compared to the average of 37 per month from last year) were assaulted. This is statistically large enough to have more data about what is going on besides “date rapes”.
If it were B&E, or murder, or even a wealthy woman getting hit over the head and robbed in a Whole Foods parking lot, it appears there would be more, well, action, than a statement that says “we need to better educate” seven months into the increase. Maybe they’re doing this, but it was not communicated.
I have some follow up questions that I think the DPD should answer, because I realized overnight that this is not a young woman’s issue, I have many friends (of a middle age) who are getting into the computer dating matchup thingee, and I think they’d like to know if they are putting themselves in harms way.
So, my follow up questions are this:
Are we looking at the chance of a serial rapist in these higher numbers? Is there one location, or multiple locations in common where these ladies are becoming prey? Are these “date rape” (which assumes someone came to their door to pick them up, not a hookup in a bar) cases resulting in more prosecutions?
I see the misinterpretation of the Chief’s statement, but I also feel the disappointment in his response. And I’m sure the 327 women who have been raped in Dallas so far in 2010 share this too.
And JSW, comparing it to car break-ins is EXACTLY the problem. You are comparing property theft to a violent crime, “date” or no date involved. Really? Would you feel feel the same if it was your daughter, your wife, your mother?
“I think what Andrea, Bethany and other women were reacting to was the lack of a real response by DPD about what it was doing about the 25% increase. ”
and what is the DPD supposed to do? The Chief offered some excellent advice. Watch out for each, protect your friends. The police except in certain circumstances are reactive when it comes to crimes such as rape, property breakdowns, etc.
“Are we looking at the chance of a serial rapist in these higher numbers? Is there one location, or multiple locations in common where these ladies are becoming prey? Are these “date rape” (which assumes someone came to their door to pick them up, not a hookup in a bar) cases resulting in more prosecutions?”
good points but supports what I said above. the police are reactive. what proactive measures can they take to reduce the potential for rape? Why how about educating the potential victims.
what you are asking for is for the police to do pattern analysis it takes time, and what if no pattern is found? then what?
Is it date rape if it is a hook-up in a bar? or is it only date rape when you are picked up at your home?
Interesting that AFTER the press gets a hold of it someone actually thinks the entire video should be watched / evaluated. Sounds familiar and I think the press should do a bit of introspection.
So college made Andrea feel smart. Whatever. We were all young once.