Sheriff Blames Gangsta Rap for Shootings & Robberies
Thursday August 30, 2007
Oh boy, here we go again with the whole "hip-hop breeds violence" debate. After a convenience store attendant was shot by robbers, a Sheriff in Florida wasted no time in blaming "gansta rap" for the tragic incident. According to NBC, the store clerk and his nephew were standing outside when they were approached by two armed robbers. The robbers instructed the men to lie on the ground before shooting one of them in the back. A surveillance camera caught the everything on tape, but the assailants are still on the loose.
"Lyrics about running from the police, shooting cops, it's been prominent in society, said Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott. "In fact, in some circles it's a badge of honor to be shot or to shoot, and it's ridiculous." He added: "I can give you lyrics that aren't suitable for TV. 'Yo money, Yo keys, get on your "f"ing knees…This is a robbery.'"
To his credit, Sheriff Scott didn't cite hip-hop as the sole cause of violence, he also noted that the robbers had a financial motive.
Hip-hop has been blamed for violence decades but I feel like I'm missing something here. Do people really listen to rap music and then go shoot up convenience stores? I've been listening to all forms of hip-hop for 17 years and the only trigger I ever pulled was the gas pump. What's wrong with me?
Comments
Nothing, bro. There is absoloutely no correlation between violent lyrics in hip-hop and violence on the streets. Roberries happen because the perpetrators are broke and need to eat or have a drug problem that they need to fix. If hip-hop was banned right now, the violence in this country would not decrease in fact it would probably increase because certain elements of hip-hop provide a musical punching to let out frustrations
Wow.. what kind of ignorant cop would even suggest such a thing. Maybe because he feels inadequate in his own job duties that he needs someone else to blame, so he doesnt look so inefficient?
henry, there’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with you. while in the wrong hands, hip hop can be used negatively, but so can almost anything else. cops just hate rap b/c rap talks bad about cops, and it’s B.S. in the early nineties, a man claimed tupac’s first album was the reason he commited a murder. it’s b.s. he was just trying to get away with the murder.
It isn’t all that is for sure, but the simple fact that most crimes committed by minorities fit a certain lifestyle. Not all but most now that does not mean everyone who listens to Hip Hop is a “gangsta” and that isn’t what the Sheriff said. But the concept of having a moral fabric and being respectful to others is not what most of the Hip Hop culture represents.
just to clarify, the above James and I are NOT the same person. don’t diss hip hop, James.
gangsta rap and hip hop are two different things!!!!
sure when hip hop was created it reduced crime and violence in the city.
this sheriff has no knwledge of hip hop and therefore cannot point the finger..!!
same here man, i’ve been bumpin hip-hop since i was 10 and now im 21 and i still aint shot up nobody. all this about hip-hop brings violence is bull****. the only lyrics i know that talk about killing a cop are nwa’s. and to be real, thats all because of the police violence. its their fault for making people even more aggressive, especially after the rodney king incident..
point wel made la triksta…have you got msn???
9/11 i’m looking forward to myspace.com/muggsvsjacken
The ghettos of texas are mest up with high poverty and drugs. You cant blame rap for creating violence. Mexicans and Blacks do what do to eat. The violence was in the barrios and ghettos way before gangsta rap. I lost homies inthe streets. never blame it on rap. Stupid Cop.
I Hate Cops but black people do glorify gangsta life. Look on youtube and read the comments on hood videos. Mexicans try to escape the ghetto you people should do the same.
“you people”…you rasict bastard
How am I racist? I love black people. I wouldnt call u racist if u said mexicans need to get thier life straight. Id takeit as advice bruh.
Gangsta Rappers hate black people. They are traitors! These minstrels have got to go!
http://www.redteamone.com/images/1Man01.wmv
Don L. Rondeau
They may not link to violence but they sure are filled with cheap lyrics which are certainly not worth listening.
Then this Mike Scott has his guys on TV showing total abuse to a guy getting arrested. I think he LIKES to abuse to people himself. so I Emailed him with a complaint and this is what I got back:
From: s t
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 7:11 PM
To: Cartaino, Brandy; Internal Affairs
Subject: The show… “JAIL”
“JAIL”
Its amazing that you let the episode with “James Whitney” actually show on the air. He arrested a male that looked like he was not cooperating outside by the mud and ect all over. I understand keeping him detained.
The parts I have an issue with is way that “James Whitney” and his fellow officers were using mace, as well as the tazer while smiling, and the male being arrested was clearly going where they wanted. Then as approaching a door they slammed his head through the door then, said “watch your head” after opening the door with his head. The holding of th tazer on the male while he was foaming was a nice touch as well. That whole scene was total abuse and your “Motto” and “Policy” that states:
“It is the policy of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to protect the Constitutional rights of all people, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical handicap, religion, or other belief system or physical characteristic, and to treat each person with respect and dignity.”
I know you give up your rights when arrested but that does not condone this behavior.
Obviously you guys have a power problem and I would be embarrassed to have you working in our town.
His response:
Since you would be embarrassed to have us working in your town, I have an idea…you stay in your town and out of our business!
Sheriff Mike Scott
Right on Mike!!
Lee County, Florida sheriff Mike Scott is now being investigated by federal authorities for abuse of the Hatch Act, by appearing in uniform and endorsing his personal choice of candidate, John McCain, at a rally for Gov. Sarah Palin, in his county of employment.
Along with hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of other citizens, I called his office (I left 2 messages on Monday, including my name, number and the information that I am a relative of a man murdered by terrorists in the WTC on September 11th, but received no response )and on Tuesday spoke with one of his overburdened employees.
The officer stated, “He did nothing illegal” by appearing there in uniform. The Hatch Act states otherwise and in fact, if convicted of the crime of abusing it, will result in sheriff Mike Scott’s office losing it’s federal funding, approximately $300,000.
At the rally in Fort Myers, the sheriff (who prevented local citizens from protesting Palin’s candidacy outside) fired off several sharp salutes and referred to Senator Obama as “Barack HUSSEIN Obama”, which some are interpreting as inciting racial hatred, which is itself a crime, when one’s conduct—–not just words—-is believed by the court to play a part.
At three McCain or Palin rallies that same day, press were prevented from speaking to attendees and in three separate incidents, an attendee was heard to scream in apparent reference, captured on tape, to Senator Obama, “Terrorist!”,”Treason!” and “Kill him!”
I called the Secret Service to voice my grave concerns about not only those rallies, but also my impression of Lee County, Florida’s sheriff Mike Scott as inciting the crowd with racial hatred.
The Secret Service is now receiving lots and lots of calls from concerned citizens but as ever, remain extremely courteous and helpful. Let’s all show our concern about these incendiary and frightening recent rallies of Senator McCain and Governor Palin, and do not forget to thank these fine, brave people. They are willing to take the bullet in protection of our elected officials and candidates.
As of this writing, neither Senator McCain nor Governor Palin has made a public statement of their concern or objection to the attendees of their rallies screaming “Kill him!”, at the very least.