Two Midland, Texas police officers thought it was funny to rob Midland's homeless people of their signs. Signs that said things like "Stranded, need help" and "Living on faith; anything helps." People living on the street were using those signs to advertise their desperation and ask for donations. And the officers who were found in possession of these stolen signs have mostly gotten away with it.
Daniel Zoelzer and Derek Hester received all of three days suspension without pay for turning the misery of the homeless into a cruel game. Despite a strong community outcry, Police Chief Price Robinson has not moved to enact any stronger consequences. This kind of police recklessness needs to be MUCH more thoroughly scrutinized and more effectively discouraged.
Tell Chief Robinson that Zoelzer and Hester need to get a stronger message than a token three days' leave of absence!
Dear Chief Robinson:
We the undersigned are appalled that two of the officers under your direct supervision turned abusing the homeless into a game.
Homeless people are often hungry. They are already living on the street where they are never completely safe. A homeless person's sign is one of his few assets. He needs it to raise awareness of his plight. It is the job of the police to protect vulnerable people like this, not abuse and torment them.
Please enact stronger sanctions against Officers Derek Hester and Daniel Zoelzer. You need to send a strong message to the police on your force and to the community that their cruel behavior will not be tolerated!
