An unfortunate situation unfolded earlier this week in Clinton, as a man locked himself inside his home with a gun, with some 20 officers from three different agencies — as well as fire department officials — forming a perimeter around the residence to ensure a peaceful end to the situation. Thankfully, the incident had a peaceful end, with the man taken into custody and now getting the assistance we presume he needs.
That’s a credit to Clinton police and Sampson County Sheriff’s deputies keeping cool heads and ensuring the safety of everyone involved, from the man locked inside his home to the officers on the scene to the surrounding residents. Under Clinton Police Chief Adrian Mathews’ apt leadership, no one was injured and no actual crime occurred. This is a time where clear heads definitely prevailed, and we applaud our local law enforcement for their behavior in this situation.
It could have very easily had a much more tragic ending.
What is truly tragic, however, is the reaction of many people on social media. While there was obviously a serious situation at hand, one presumably where the person in question was more a threat to himself than anyone else, some of the illustrious social media bottom feeders were cracking jokes, with a few suggesting law enforcement just burst in and shoot the man, while others sarcastically quipped that he’d come out when he got hungry enough or posted that the county was now “open” for all sorts of crimes to occur without getting caught.
This is positively shameful behavior. Sadly, it’s to be expected on social media these days, where people can hide behind a keyboard and dish out whatever vitriol they please, proud of themselves for being snarky and chalking it up to their right to voice their opinions.
While no one supports a person’s right to free speech more than those of us who defend the First Amendment every time, there is offering one’s opinion and then there is pure hate speak designed as a bully tactic allowing timid social media posters a platform they would never use if they had to say it to someone’s actual face.
Some seem to have forgotten kindness and understanding, particularly in tragic situations. This was a real human being going through a crisis. We know his family and friends are forever grateful that in this case, police officers weren’t as uncaring and cruel as the social media hounds.
When someone’s life is on the line, it’s no laughing matter. Yet all too often, posts about serious news, like someone being killed or arrested, are littered with the laughing-face emoji and sarcastic comments.
To put it plainly, it’s time for some of us to grow up. Words can have lasting consequences. Think about it: if this man, who was facing a crisis, happened to be checking social media while he was holed up in his home, he would have seen what some were saying. We pray he did not, because again, that could have made the outcome so much worse. And in any case, it can’t be good for anyone to read negative comments about themselves, especially if they are already in a dark place.
As we’ve said many times, think before you post. Imagine if it were your brother, father, husband, uncle or cousin you were reading about. That might change the way you react.