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Nooses in the Firehouse - prank or hate crime?

Creating a noose from rescue or utility rope does not service a useful propose in the fire service other than to harass or intimidate. Hanging a noose in a firefighter’s locker, around the station or at the training center targets a particular group of our nation’s firefighters that is racist and discriminatory. This is conduct so often termed a “prank” but should it be investigated as a “hate crime”? What say you?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Bricault (ret) on July 31, 2010 at 2:01pm

-I think this is a clear case of a crime and it should be treated as such. This is behavior that is intolerable in the fire service and should be attacked aggressively.
-People that do these things are not doing so as a joke despite what they say and should therefore be terminated and criminally prosecuted. That's not just my opinion, that is the opinion of the federal government.

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Permalink Reply by Mike France on August 2, 2010 at 10:00am

Not a good thing , In today's age yes it is a Hate crime and should be dealt with as such, the days of pranks really gone with everyone's attitude. Being a chief officer that has gone thru the discrimination claims and dealing with it , you need to be on your toe's , there's no training in the world that will prepare you for what you go thru, hearings and claims . The best thing to do is have a policy in place and document everything CYA .

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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on November 16, 2010 at 12:22pm

Yes, it should be investigated and prosecuted as a Hate Crime. A noose has no way of accidentally appearing or hanging from a rafter. It is meant to send a definate message to a definate group of people. there's no 2 ways about it.

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Permalink Reply by John K. Murphy on November 16, 2010 at 12:29pm

Shareef

You are correct as it affects one class of affected individuals.

Thanks for your thoughts and comments

Be safe

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