COMANCHE CO., Okla_ As the events
of the officer-involved shooting unfolded Wednesday, hundreds of people, mostly
regular citizens, listened firsthand as police searched for that missing
suspect.
Thanks to
today's technology, you can tap into the police radio frequency online or
through a smartphone app, instead of needing an actual scanner. Having this
much access for the general public has its ups and downs for lawmen.
Lawton Police, Comanche
County dispatch, and the sheriff's department agree that there are definitely
pros and cons when it comes to people listening in. Sheriff Kenny Stradley says
the good outweighs the bad.
"The
majority of the citizens are up in arms about an officer being shot,"
Stradley said. "People take it personal, and I think that's what you
had."
Many people
were scared; others wanted to help. They thought they could do that best by
listening to the radio and helping law enforcement find the suspect.
Sheriff Stradley
said they appreciate that help.
"Every time
we got a tip, we were on it," Stradley said. "We were headed that way, so it's
a plus for us."
He also said it's
a good way for people to keep themselves and their families safe in the event
of an emergency. We asked our Facebook followers whether they listened
yesterday and whether or not they thought it was a good idea.
Stacy Deets Reynolds
wrote,
"I was
listening to it. I wanted to make sure that he wasn't coming our way."
Thomas Veld
wrote,
"I think
it is good to allow people to stay informed, safe and most importantly out of
our law enforcement's way."
However,
Stradley said that's actually where there is a downfall to people listening. He
said some thrill seekers listen and then show up on the scene.
"They
don't understand that they are putting themselves in danger," Stradley
said, "Because you're coming into an area where we are looking for a guy
who has got a gun."
Some of the Facebook
world said that's not the only problem with citizens listening to the radio.
Valerie Conrad
writes,
"I think it would help someone trying to
get away as well. I don't think it's the best idea."
Delous Allen's
comment reads,
"As a
retired officer, I think no one should be able to monitor law enforcement radio
traffic except the law, fire department and news." 14 of our Facebook fans
‘Liked' that comment.
No matter what,
Stradley said people have been listening ever since he's been in the business, and
they will continue to do so. Because of that, they will continue to use it to
their advantage.
"If you
see something, and we've got something going, I encourage you to call and let
us know what you see," Stradley said.
Stradley also mentioned if you are caught listening to the radio while
committing a felony, you will also be charged with committing a felony with a
scanner.
For a time Wednesday, Lawton's
law enforcement frequencies were among the most listened-to in the entire
country, on one smartphone app.
