In the wake of reports coming from Ferguson, MO the last few days, I thought I would say a few things:

Police action and response cannot be painted with a broad brush.

Each circumstance is unique.

Good and bad police response, will be a reflection of department leadership, and the measures taken to align personnel to the vision of the department for the community it serves.

I am grateful that my local citizenry cares enough to elect and support leadership with a positive vision for the future of our community.

What does that mean?

Well, for starters, it encompasses a lot of what's both right and wrong about police tactics and response these days.  But let's look at the situation in Ferguson as an example.

When people gathered to protest, they were met with overwhelming force by the local police.  In the days since, incidents of violence by individuals associated with the demonstrators has risen significantly.   This is unsurprising, as force will usually be met with opposing force.  The behavior of bad-faith actors in response to the heavy-handed tactics of the local police, has provided the local police with justification for their heavy-handed tactics.

Demonization of the young man killed in the initial incident, is a disservice to the principles of the Bill of Rights.  This attempt at distraction deceptively placates supporters of law and order, and provides for a more dangerous community in the future.  If suspicion of Michael Brown for robbery is justification for fatally shooting an unarmed individual, then what is to stop future escalation of the practice, to a police department-wide policy of "shoot first, malign later?"  Will there be an outcry for change only when an affluent white teenager is shot, for suspicion of shoplifting, or even jaywalking?  This must stop.  Even if Mike Brown was the known assailant in the earlier robbery, even if he stated as much to Officer Wilson, even if he stood defiantly stating he'd do it again, there is no justification for shooting Mike Brown, while unarmed, and in an arms-raised position of submission, on a public street with multiple bystanders and witnesses, with no threat to the officer involved.  There are proper procedures for receiving robbery suspects into custody.

Are there cases where police tactics similar to those seen in Ferguson are warranted? Certainly.  Can police find productive uses for surplus military equipment and vehicles? Sure.  But communities need to be involved in the discussion regarding how their local law enforcement plans to use those purchases, why they anticipate the need for that equipment, and how local departments are strategizing to use military-grade items only as a last resort, and in less-than-lethal ways.  Procuring vehicles that can save stranded homeowners and motorists after a flood or other natural disaster, is far different than getting multiple assault vehicles equipped with heavy firepower for crowd control, based on a nebulous threat of 'unrest.'

So be involved, be informed, and be aware, that the events in Ferguson could happen in many cities and towns in the United States, and that it is our duty to protect our Bill of Rights, or concede those protections to others.  Most of all, vote.  That is the lesson of hope from Ferguson; brave, determined people have found voice in this turmoil, to help others in finding their voice as well, primarily through access to the ballot box.