Nonsense on Hanover must end

To the editor:

After reading Robert Glasper's letter to the editor, I had to respond. Glasper suggests the disturbance that took place on Hanover Street served as a "wake-up call" and that it was needed to keep Cape Girardeau from "ending up back in the twilight zone of the pre-civil rights era."

The "near-tragic situation" was the result of people creating a disturbance and refusing to comply with the directions of police officers. To suggest that this incident was the result of racism by Cape Girardeau police officers is inflammatory and insulting to the law-abiding citizens of Cape Girardeau. It shouldn't matter if you're black, white, purple or blue. If a police officer gives you a direction, follow it. If a police officer is making an arrest, don't come running off your porch and interfere with an arrest. If you do, you may be Maced. If you have an outstanding warrant, you will be arrested. If you resist arrest, you will be taken into custody by whatever means necessary. If an injured officer is surrounded and threatened by a mob, he may draw his weapon. It has nothing to do with race but with choices.

The citizens of Cape Girardeau deserve better. We don't deserve a near riot in our streets when our police respond to complaints spawned by the unlawful actions of a few. This nonsense needs to end. Those involved need to be arrested, charged and, if found guilty, sentenced to long terms of incarceration.

BILL FOSTER, Cape Girardeau