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Re:Mom Handcuffed, Jailed for 8-Year-Old Son Walking Half a ... by threatofrain on Wednesday November 16, 2022 @03:52PM (#33630395)
The neighbor bears the least responsibility by a wide margin which is why despite non-zero involvement they really shouldn't be on the same table for discussion. If I ask an entire hospital system to believe in my crazy theory for Leukemia and that leads to patients getting screwed, the discussion shouldn't have the inclination to focus on how one patient communicated their bad medical theory.
Re:Mom Handcuffed, Jailed for 8-Year-Old Son Walking Half a ... by necovek on Wednesday November 16, 2022 @05:34PM (#33631850)
It's not a good comparison: everyone has an ability and authority to get police at your door. Police acting on a report and arriving at your doorstep threateningly is not a pleasant experience. And depending on how much it scares you, police might think you are more suspicious instead of less.

This is why false police reports are generally forbidden and can put you, a reporter, in jail.

You shouting out a crazy theory on leukemia will not compel anyone to listen at the hospital. Police are obligated to act out on all reports.

So while they do bear the least responsibility, I disagree it's by a wide margin.

Re:Mom Handcuffed, Jailed for 8-Year-Old Son Walking Half a ... by threatofrain on Wednesday November 16, 2022 @08:00PM (#33633502)
> Police are obligated to act out on all reports.

The police are not obligated to act out on all reports and they exercise this executive discretion all the time. In this case the police choose to arrest and the DA choose to file charges. Nothing obligates the law enforcement professionals to behave this way — not even a sense of PR as this only stains their image. This train could've been stopped by professionals at every step of the way but instead they choose to power through. The mother pled guilty.

This is not swatting. In the eyes of law enforcement, the neighbor did not engage in false reporting.

Re:Mom Handcuffed, Jailed for 8-Year-Old Son Walking Half a ... by necovek on Wednesday November 16, 2022 @08:14PM (#33633604)
They are, at the very least, obligated to show up at the scene: this is what I meant by "acting".

If you are not used to having police at your door, the mere event can be intimidating.

Re:Mom Handcuffed, Jailed for 8-Year-Old Son Walking Half a ... by landemva on Thursday November 17, 2022 @12:17AM (#33635264)
> They are, at the very least, obligated to show up at the scene.

Not in USA. Supreme Court said cops have no duty to protect any individual. Supposedly cops provide general protection, or something.

USSC said cops don't have to do anything.

Castle Rock v. Gonzales, 545 U.S. 748 (2005)