(Originally published in NewsMax.)
Over the past few years, police have become “the enemy” of many people out there. And unfairly, might I add.
That’s not to say that every officer behaves by the rules. But when the majority is paying the price of a very select few, that’s a complete lack of balance. Punish those that are guilty, for sure. But leave the others be — they’re just doing their job.
I could discuss the damage that’s been done by the whole “defund the police” scenario over the past few years. That’s led to many people calling out officers that are merely doing their job, as well as government officials pulling funds that could have been used for better gear and mental health support when they need it the most.
But as if officers coming under that level of fire isn’t enough, now it appears that there are people targeting them merely for doing their job.
I came across a video on X, formerly Twitter), in which two deputies doing their job in Florida suddenly came under attack. I warn you, viewer discretion is advised, but it shows just how much off the handle some people have become against the men and women trying to defend them.
For those that don’t want to watch the video, here’s a quick description. At first, we see a car simply speeding through the neighborhood, not thinking anything about it. But then we see what the car is really aiming at — two police officers, Cpl. Carlos Brito and Deputy Manuel Santos, who are pulled over right in front of someone’s driveway.
Based on the footage provided, the suspect doesn’t even slow down the car for the police. Instead, he charges full speed, hitting one of the officers head on and plowing into their car. (You can even see the body cam footage from the person that was hit.)
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the driver of the car gets out of the vehicle, completely ignoring the officer he just hit and going after another one, slowly approaching him in what appears to be full-on anger. Honestly, if his fellow officer didn’t tase him and stop him on the scene, I fear what else he may have done.
Sheriff Chad Chronister noted that both men are currently at Tampa General Hospital, undergoing surgery for critical injuries. “Because of this (suspect)’s deliberate and intentional actions, their lives, and their family’s lives are changed forever.”
My thoughts go out to these officers and their families. They simply didn’t deserve this. And, for the life of me, I can’t figure out what made this suspect attack these officers the way they did. Honestly, it could be anything, given today’s climate.
But here’s the thing I’m concerned about — this is far from over. We’re starting to see a dangerous situation at our border where dangerous criminals could very well slip their way into our country, and possibly try to do harm on this level to our men and women in blue.
You heard that correctly. As if there wasn’t already enough to be concerned with regarding people in our own country hurting us, there’s also migrants that could be out to hurt our beloved police officers — the same ones that just want to do their job and go home to their families and friends after.
And I have every right to be concerned. You’ve got President Joe Biden turning a cold shoulder to what’s happening at the border, promising to build former President Donald Trump’s wall but doing very little to secure the safety of the men and women working tirelessly to stop criminals in their tracks.
I do hope that our fellow officers take care of their communities, as well as each other, this holiday season. But keep an eye open. Like the unexpected criminal above, you never know where they’re going to strike — or, as you see in the case of Colonel Brito and Deputy Santos, what they’re going to take away.
Stay careful out there, brothers and sisters.
Michael Letts is the Founder and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots nonprofit organization helping to re-fund police by contributing thousands of bulletproof vests for police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Read More Michael Letts reports — Here.
