This continues to roll on, and Glover keeps putting his foot further in his mouth.
KSLA Channel 12 covered the story (finally after I emailed them), and Glover contends he is “proud” of the statements he made. Now how does that square with his statement to KTBS 3 that he was “taken out of context”? Which is it Cedric Glover – are you proud or out of context?
KSLA also spun it as a “knock on the next great city of south”. Right. This is a knock on Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover. I bet the reporter got that quote right out of Glover’s mouth. Great job on originality and in-depth reporting.
And one more thing – what is the deal with both KTBS and KSLA claiming they tried to contact Robert, and he didn’t return the calls? I just spoke to Robert and neither station has tried to call him at home, work, or mobile. Come on guys.
Also, it is funny that Glover is trying to spin this as a negative to the Shreveport Police Department. It doesn’t take an attorney or Constitutional scholar to figure out this statement:
To be absolutely clear: This issue is about the SPD Policies and about your erroneous statements, Mayor Cedric Glover.
KSLA got it partially right that you are not allowed to keep a weapon on your person or in close proximity; however, as the video clearly shows, Robert was not in close proximity to the weapon at all. Again, the officer allowed Robert to return to his vehicle and travel on to Nan-King Restaurant. If the officer was interested in his safety, why would he let Robert back in the vehicle where there possibly could have been another weapon? Again – those are red herrings to distract from the bigger picture which Glover made crystal clear.
As a matter of fact, I would argue that it is stupid for an officer to even ask the question. If I’m an armed criminal, I’m not going to be willing to divulge that information. I’m going to keep the gun hidden and out of sight. That’s as dumb as the “Gun Free Zone” stickers on schools. Think armed criminals are going to follow those stickers?
I have no problem believing the SPD acted erroneously in this instance. Having had a flat tire in their parking lot and being asked when I was planning on leaving as I waited for a friend to arrive to help has taught me firsthand my city's idea of to protect and to serve.