(Facebook photo)
A citizen recently posted to a social media site a picture of a Cedar Rapids police car parked in a handicapped parking space while an officer was responding to a theft in progress call.
In response, the Cedar Rapids Police Department offered an explanation:
“So this (photo) was taken today and there have been some people who are quick to judge before knowing the situation. This was taken at the Mt Vernon road Kum N Go. The officer responding to the call who parked here was responding to a theft in progress. For obvious reasons we don’t have time to search for an appropriate parking spot; she parked in the first available spot to respond quickly to the theft.
The suspect was caught and charges were filed.
Things are not always as they seem.”
The social media post made by police was quickly answered by dozens of citizens, both in support and against the police.
The woman who allegedly posted the photo which started the firestorm even commented, saying the photo “was meant as a joke for only MY fb friends. Thanks for making me out to be a horrible person though!”
Police responded, saying:
“It is not a joke to us. We take our job seriously (name redacted). We do the best we can given the situation. Your photo had over 35 shares with many disparaging comments, not from you of course. These kind of photos, without context, can and most times do promote distrust and hatred from some in the public towards police. Even after telling everyone what happened you can see here that there are still those who relish in thinking that we are bad people. This is, in part, why this was developed so we could get our side of the story out when it mostly doesn’t.”
Several comments were made in support of the woman who posted the photo. One mad said “Good for you holding the police accountable! They should have to explain themselves! As normal 99% of all cops or their brainwashed sympathisers will now gang up on you bullying you around as they are here. Good for you for posting that pic…if cops werent always getting off with breaking laws they are suppose to uphold maybe then we wouldn’t all assume the worst about them.”
Others called for the woman to apologize to police.
