The Lack of Respect for Cops is Astonishing

The Lack of Respect for Cops is Astonishing

By Steve Pomper 

Three quasi-adult delinquents threw a fit and demanded a Massachusetts police officer dig out a car they’d just plowed into a pile of snow. The three, Nathaniel Chickering, 18, Bianca Torres, 19, and 21-year-old Michael Rodriquez were driving through a snowstorm on February 2, 2021, at about 12:30 a.m. The driver, Torres, lost control of the vehicle which slammed into a snowbank.

(Left to Right: Michael Rodriguez, Bianca Torres, Nathaniel Chickering (Framingham Police Department Handout)

WHDH TV 7 News reported a nearby police officer arrived and told the three he was calling a tow truck to free their car. Rather than be appreciative, the three reportedly began yelling at the cop, “get your shovel.” They expected the officer to dig out their car. Well, he was otherwise busy directing the congested traffic, including snowplows, around their vehicle, which was blocking a lane of travel. 

The three walked into the street further mucking up the scene, still demanding the officer shovel their car out. Here, aside from insolent, they’re already committing infractions and crimes. They’re blocking traffic, and they’re interfering with cops as they perform their duties. And not only are the three people placing themselves and the officers at risk from traffic but also other drivers trying to navigate through the scene. 

Reportedly, Chickering argued with the officer, saying he didn’t want to wait for a tow truck. And, once the tow truck arrived, according to the New York Post, Chickering allegedly impeded the tow driver’s ability to tow the car.

Now, I can’t get into these three miscreant’s minds, but I have seen how some political, academic, corporate, and entertainment “leaders” have given the nation’s young folks tacit and explicit permission to disrespect and even assault police officers. The Left’s message has told the nation’s youth the cops do not deserve your respect (unless they can exploit a cop’s death for a photo op at the Capitol, as a colleague at NPA recently wrote about).

Fed up with Chickering’s interference, the original officer on scene arrested him for disorderly conduct. This gave Rodriguez the brilliant idea of attempting to rescue his partner-in-crime. Rodriguez reportedly punched the officer in the stomach. Other officers had arrived, and they arrested Rodriguez for disorderly conduct, assault and battery, and possession of a spring-loaded knife. Not to be outdone, Torres also allegedly interfered with the arrest of her comrades and was arrested. The trio was scheduled for court on February 3, 2021. The results of the arraignment were not available at the time of this writing.  

Metro West Daily News reported Framingham Police Department spokesperson Patricia Grigas said, “During this time, multiple city and commercial plow vehicles have been at a standstill, both north and southbound on Concord Street.” Grigas added, “the officer was immediately met with angry people demanding (the officer) to get a shovel and help them dig and push the vehicle out of the snowbank.”

The irony is officers are well-known for assisting people during foul weather, including shoveling snow. But, that’s with people who appreciate the officers’ assistance, not those who demand the officer comply as if they were personal servants. Officers’ above-and-beyond assistance are always situational. The call load and amount of traffic is a significant factor in any assist the public incident. Here, hopefully, these young folks learned a lesson in not being rewarded for throwing a infantile tantrum.