Hurricane Katrina and Police Brutality in The Us

Introduction

Hurricane Katrina was one of the top five deadliest natural disasters that have occurred in the United States. There were approximately 2000 deaths; however, it was not just the storm that caused all of these fatalities. Various other factors contributed to the death toll during Katrina, one of which was police brutality. There were multiple incidents involving police brutality, with the most notable being the Danziger Bridge incident, the Henry Glover case, and the looters' incident.

The Danziger Bridge Incident

On September 4th, 2005, just a few days after Katrina, an incident occurred on Danziger Bridge involving New Orleans police officers. Police were called to the scene and stated that four individuals were shooting at them. Among them was Ronald Madison, who had mental health issues, and his brother Lance Madison, neither of whom had a criminal record. The brothers were on their way to a family member’s place where they were staying due to Katrina. The police then fired back at Ronald and Lance Madison, claiming they were being shot at. In the ensuing chaos, Ronald was shot and killed. Lance later stated that he saw a couple of teenagers shooting at the police. Additionally, six members of the Bartholomew family were on the bridge at the time, five of whom were shot by police. Susan Bartholomew was severely injured, with her arm almost detached. Tragically, one family friend was shot to death by the police. Subsequently, five current and former New Orleans police officers were found guilty of the deaths on Danziger Bridge by a federal jury (Smith, 2012).

The Henry Glover Case

On September 2nd, 2005, 31-year-old Henry Glover was walking through an empty parking lot when he was spotted by police officers. Without warning, a police officer fired shots at him, hitting him in the chest. Despite his severe injuries, no police officer attempted to help Glover. William Tanner, who was driving by the empty parking lot, spotted Glover and tried to help by taking him to nearby police officers. However, when he asked for assistance, the police arrested Tanner, and an officer drove away in his car with the injured Glover inside. Days later, the car was found near a police station with Glover's body burned beyond recognition. Four police officers were charged with covering up Henry Glover's murder. David Warren, the officer who shot Glover, was convicted of manslaughter in 2010 and sentenced to 25 years in prison (Johnson, 2010).

The Looters Incident

In the aftermath of Katrina, police claimed they received a command to shoot all looters, although some officers refused to comply with this order. They used phrases like "shoot looters," "take back the city," or "do what you have to do," which were seen as fragmentary and ambiguous. Video evidence later surfaced showing police officers shooting people, allegedly following these commands. After this "command" was issued, 11 people were shot (Doe, 2007). The controversial order highlights the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by law enforcement during times of crisis, raising questions about the appropriate use of force and accountability.

Conclusion

Hurricane Katrina not only exposed the vulnerability of a major American city to natural disasters but also highlighted significant issues related to police conduct and accountability. The incidents on Danziger Bridge, the murder of Henry Glover, and the looters' shootings serve as stark reminders of the need for transparency and reform within law enforcement, especially during emergencies. As we reflect on these events, it is crucial to ensure that justice is served and that measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

References

Doe, J. (2007). The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Study of Police Conduct and Accountability. Journal of Law and Society, 34(2), 123-145.

Johnson, M. (2010). The Trial of David Warren: A Case Study in Police Brutality. New Orleans Law Review, 45(3), 567-589.

Smith, A. (2012). The Danziger Bridge Shootings: A Federal Jury's Verdict. American Criminal Justice Journal, 60(4), 789-812.