Can I sell You A Fire Extinguisher To Go With That Taser ?

Skeptical Greg · 20th August 2009, 05:52 AM

Quote:

The department's policy warns against using Tasers when flammable chemicals may be present. Bailey says officers acted appropriately.

So, the policy warns - but doing it anyway is appropriate ....

" Hmmmm.. Think that stuff is flammable ? "

" Yeah ! Let's do it ! ! "

Bikewer · 20th August 2009, 06:43 AM

We had only been issued our Tasers for a few months when the department confiscated all of our pepper-spray containers and issued new, "Taser compliant" stuff.
Seems the carrier could, under some conditions, burst into flames if a Taser was fired.

Subsequently, one of the police-oriented magazines did a test of a number of these "compliant" sprays and found that about half of them were still flammable when first sprayed....

Ladewig · 20th August 2009, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by Skeptical Greg

Tasered Homeless Man Catches on Fire

So, the policy warns - but doing it anyway is appropriate ....

" Hmmmm.. Think that stuff is flammable ? "

" Yeah ! Let's do it ! ! "

There are over a dozen reason why I should not be a law enforcement officer (LEO). My overwhelming curiosity to witness such a flammable event is one of them. That would be so cool.

johnny karate · 20th August 2009, 07:06 AM

The link isn't working for me. Is there anything in the story that indicates the police officers were aware flammable chemicals were present?

Ysidro · 21st August 2009, 01:45 AM

My girlfriend lived and worked in that town for awhile. She says the cops just got their tazers the week before. I wonder if they were a bit anxious to play with their new toys?

That snark out of the way, I did point out to her that tazing is usually safer than trying to wrestle a perp to the ground.

Still, the town is... nuts. No seriously. They're nuts. They go gaga over mispronouncing the town's name (and no one says it the way they do but them) and have a major homeless and drug problem for such an idyllic looking little place.

Blah, I'm glad she's out of there.

Skeptical Greg · 21st August 2009, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by johnny karate

The link isn't working for me. Is there anything in the story that indicates the police officers were aware flammable chemicals were present?

Looks like I may not have created the link ..

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...n5251739.shtml

To answer your question:

Quote:

.....one officer had seen the man inhaling a chemical from an aerosol can Monday night.

johnny karate · 21st August 2009, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the link and the quote.

After reading the story, and considering the limited information we have, I don't have problem with what the police did. In another thread on the same topic, I had this to say:

Originally Posted by johnny karate

You know what would go a long way in garnering my sympathy for a person being tased and my concern about those doing the tasing? Hearing at least one of these stories where it ends up the "victim" was sober and/or not acting like an idiot.

Police officers perfom a difficult, dangerous job, and until all the facts have been brought to light, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

This wasn't a situation where taser-happy cops decided to torture a homeless person doused in kerosene to alleviate their boredom. They were in a struggle with a potentially dangerous individual who was under the influence of chemical stimulants and they made a judgment call. As an unintended result, "a flame appeared on the man's chest, and officers patted it down". Fortunately, he was not seriously injured.

Unless more information comes to light that contradicts this account, I say these police officers performed their duty under difficult circumstances by apprehending someone who might have possibly harmed himself or others.

Skeptical Greg · 21st August 2009, 11:47 AM

Really ?

[cynical-skeptica-sorta-libertarian voice]
Are our police officers really making the most of public funds ,by taking the time and trouble to immolate and apprehend an aerosol junkie ?[/done]

johnny karate · 21st August 2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Skeptical Greg

Really ?

[cynical-skeptica-sorta-libertarian voice]
Are our police officers really making the most of public funds ,by taking the time and trouble to immolate and apprehend an aerosol junkie ?[/done]

Without being familar with the exact ordinance, I feel pretty safe in assuming that huffing chemical stimulants in public is against the law. So to answer your question, yes, I think police apprehending persons violating the law is a perfectly valid use of public funds.

And that's assuming that was all this guy was up to. The details are sketchy, but in such a situation I am more willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a police officer as opposed to the crazy-eyed, chemical-huffing homeless guy.

FlamingMoe · 21st August 2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bikewer

We had only been issued our Tasers for a few months when the department confiscated all of our pepper-spray containers and issued new, "Taser compliant" stuff.
Seems the carrier could, under some conditions, burst into flames if a Taser was fired.

I wonder what the new carrier liquid was. Being isopropyl alcohol, the standard carrier is hella flammable.

(We just started OC training today

)

Ladewig · 22nd August 2009, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Ladewig

There are over a dozen reason why I should not be a law enforcement officer (LEO). My overwhelming curiosity to witness such a flammable event is one of them. That would be so cool.

Clarification: I do not want to a see a suspect burst into flames. I'd like to see an inanimate object burst into flames.

Vox Humana · 23rd August 2009, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Ladewig

Clarification: I do not want to a see a suspect burst into flames. I'd like to see an inanimate object burst into flames.

So you're a big proponent of deadly force, then. Thanks for clarifying, but I suspect it's not helping your cause.

WildCat · 23rd August 2009, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by johnny karate

crazy-eyed, chemical-huffing homeless guy.

Who wants him as their avatar?

Matthew Best · 23rd August 2009, 05:56 PM

Still, at least they didn't shoot him.

20th August 2009, 05:52 AM	#1
Skeptical Greg Agave Wine Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Just past 'Resume Speed' Posts: 12,873	Can I sell You A Fire Extinguisher To Go With That Taser ? Tasered Homeless Man Catches on Fire Quote: The department's policy warns against using Tasers when flammable chemicals may be present. Bailey says officers acted appropriately. So, the policy warns - but doing it anyway is appropriate .... " Hmmmm.. Think that stuff is flammable ? " " Yeah ! Let's do it ! ! "
	__________________ " Somewhere between Jesus dying on the cross, and a giant bunny hiding eggs,there seems to be a gap in information. " Stan - Southpark Prove your computer is not a wimp ! Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232

20th August 2009, 06:53 AM	#3
Ladewig Hipster alien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: not measurable Posts: 16,798	Originally Posted by Skeptical Greg Tasered Homeless Man Catches on Fire So, the policy warns - but doing it anyway is appropriate .... " Hmmmm.. Think that stuff is flammable ? " " Yeah ! Let's do it ! ! " There are over a dozen reason why I should not be a law enforcement officer (LEO). My overwhelming curiosity to witness such a flammable event is one of them. That would be so cool.
	__________________ Is the JREF message board training wheels for people who hope to one day troll other message boards? It is not that hard to get us to believe you. We are not the major leagues or even the minor leagues. We are Pee-Wee baseball. If you love striking out 10-year-olds, then you'll love trolling our board.

20th August 2009, 07:06 AM	#4
johnny karate ... and your little dog too. Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,819	The link isn't working for me. Is there anything in the story that indicates the police officers were aware flammable chemicals were present?
	__________________ Lost your faith in humanity? Click here to have it restored. Or here.

21st August 2009, 01:45 AM	#5
Ysidro I'm watching you Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,334	My girlfriend lived and worked in that town for awhile. She says the cops just got their tazers the week before. I wonder if they were a bit anxious to play with their new toys? That snark out of the way, I did point out to her that tazing is usually safer than trying to wrestle a perp to the ground. Still, the town is... nuts. No seriously. They're nuts. They go gaga over mispronouncing the town's name (and no one says it the way they do but them) and have a major homeless and drug problem for such an idyllic looking little place. Blah, I'm glad she's out of there.
Ysidro I'm watching you Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,334	__________________ This is a sig file. Does anyone even read this stuff?

21st August 2009, 06:14 AM	#6
Skeptical Greg Agave Wine Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Just past 'Resume Speed' Posts: 12,873	Originally Posted by johnny karate The link isn't working for me. Is there anything in the story that indicates the police officers were aware flammable chemicals were present? Looks like I may not have created the link .. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...n5251739.shtml To answer your question: Quote: .....one officer had seen the man inhaling a chemical from an aerosol can Monday night.
	__________________ " Somewhere between Jesus dying on the cross, and a giant bunny hiding eggs,there seems to be a gap in information. " Stan - Southpark Prove your computer is not a wimp ! Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232

20th August 2009, 06:43 AM	#2
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,522	We had only been issued our Tasers for a few months when the department confiscated all of our pepper-spray containers and issued new, "Taser compliant" stuff. Seems the carrier could, under some conditions, burst into flames if a Taser was fired. Subsequently, one of the police-oriented magazines did a test of a number of these "compliant" sprays and found that about half of them were still flammable when first sprayed....

21st August 2009, 08:02 AM	#7
johnny karate ... and your little dog too. Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,819	Thanks for the link and the quote. After reading the story, and considering the limited information we have, I don't have problem with what the police did. In another thread on the same topic, I had this to say: Originally Posted by johnny karate You know what would go a long way in garnering my sympathy for a person being tased and my concern about those doing the tasing? Hearing at least one of these stories where it ends up the "victim" was sober and/or not acting like an idiot. Police officers perfom a difficult, dangerous job, and until all the facts have been brought to light, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. This wasn't a situation where taser-happy cops decided to torture a homeless person doused in kerosene to alleviate their boredom. They were in a struggle with a potentially dangerous individual who was under the influence of chemical stimulants and they made a judgment call. As an unintended result, "a flame appeared on the man's chest, and officers patted it down". Fortunately, he was not seriously injured. Unless more information comes to light that contradicts this account, I say these police officers performed their duty under difficult circumstances by apprehending someone who might have possibly harmed himself or others.
	__________________ Lost your faith in humanity? Click here to have it restored. Or here. Last edited by johnny karate; 21st August 2009 at 08:03 AM.

21st August 2009, 11:47 AM	#8
Skeptical Greg Agave Wine Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Just past 'Resume Speed' Posts: 12,873	Really ? [cynical-skeptica-sorta-libertarian voice] Are our police officers really making the most of public funds ,by taking the time and trouble to immolate and apprehend an aerosol junkie ?[/done]
	__________________ " Somewhere between Jesus dying on the cross, and a giant bunny hiding eggs,there seems to be a gap in information. " Stan - Southpark Prove your computer is not a wimp ! Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232 Last edited by Skeptical Greg; 21st August 2009 at 11:50 AM.

21st August 2009, 12:22 PM	#9
johnny karate ... and your little dog too. Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,819	Originally Posted by Skeptical Greg Really ? [cynical-skeptica-sorta-libertarian voice] Are our police officers really making the most of public funds ,by taking the time and trouble to immolate and apprehend an aerosol junkie ?[/done] Without being familar with the exact ordinance, I feel pretty safe in assuming that huffing chemical stimulants in public is against the law. So to answer your question, yes, I think police apprehending persons violating the law is a perfectly valid use of public funds. And that's assuming that was all this guy was up to. The details are sketchy, but in such a situation I am more willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a police officer as opposed to the crazy-eyed, chemical-huffing homeless guy.
	__________________ Lost your faith in humanity? Click here to have it restored. Or here.

21st August 2009, 05:14 PM	#10
FlamingMoe Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Your mom's house. Posts: 853	Originally Posted by Bikewer We had only been issued our Tasers for a few months when the department confiscated all of our pepper-spray containers and issued new, "Taser compliant" stuff. Seems the carrier could, under some conditions, burst into flames if a Taser was fired. I wonder what the new carrier liquid was. Being isopropyl alcohol, the standard carrier is hella flammable. (We just started OC training today )
	Last edited by FlamingMoe; 21st August 2009 at 05:19 PM.

22nd August 2009, 01:18 PM	#11
Ladewig Hipster alien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: not measurable Posts: 16,798	Originally Posted by Ladewig There are over a dozen reason why I should not be a law enforcement officer (LEO). My overwhelming curiosity to witness such a flammable event is one of them. That would be so cool. Clarification: I do not want to a see a suspect burst into flames. I'd like to see an inanimate object burst into flames.
	__________________ Is the JREF message board training wheels for people who hope to one day troll other message boards? It is not that hard to get us to believe you. We are not the major leagues or even the minor leagues. We are Pee-Wee baseball. If you love striking out 10-year-olds, then you'll love trolling our board.

23rd August 2009, 09:49 AM	#12
Vox Humana Thinker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 197	Originally Posted by Ladewig Clarification: I do not want to a see a suspect burst into flames. I'd like to see an inanimate object burst into flames. So you're a big proponent of deadly force, then. Thanks for clarifying, but I suspect it's not helping your cause.

23rd August 2009, 11:08 AM	#13
WildCat NWO Master Conspirator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany Park, Chicago Posts: 48,985	Originally Posted by johnny karate crazy-eyed, chemical-huffing homeless guy. Who wants him as their avatar?

23rd August 2009, 05:56 PM	#14
Matthew Best Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leicester Square, London Posts: 4,113	Still, at least they didn't shoot him.