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This is what it kind of felt like for all Philadelphia sports fans tonight, thanks to the Flyers and the Phillies' bullpen.
Like a lot of Taser episodes, though, one must ask -- was this level of force really necessary?
UPDATE: Here's more:
"This is the first time that a Taser gun has been used by Philadelphia police to apprehend a field jumper," Phillies spokeswoman Bonnie Clark said in a statement. "The Police Department is investigating this matter and The Phillies are discussing with them whether in future situations this is an appropriate use of force under these circumstances. That decision will be made public."
That decision should be a no-brainer -- unless the guy picks up a bat and threatens to break Ryan Madson's other toes, don't do it!
(Photo by the Daily News' always great Steve Falk)
Taser gun? He got off easy. Back in the day, guys like this were taken to an underground special room at the Vet. The security guards in the 70's and 80's didn't need a taser gun. They handled it the old fashioned way. Really, we are upset that some drunk got "tasered"? I'll say it again, he got off easy.— Larry_R- Yeah. Good point, Larry_R. Why back in Roman days, they would take spectators that ran onto the field of the gladiator events and feed them to the lions. Now that might seem kind of harsh, but trust me, no one ever ran onto the gladiator field twice. This dude got off easy.— Talking point sleuth
- Larry_R you are either insane or you do not know what taser gun is. It is a weapon designed to be used in situations where more lethal weapons would have been used in the past. emphasis on "more lethal" as the taser itself is sometimes lethal and over 200 deaths have been attributed to tasers. if the cop didn't have a taser would he have deemed it necessary to take out his gun and shoot this dolt? i'm going to wager that answer is DEFINITELY NOT! Why then was he using a taser? it is totally unwarranted. in your book you say things were worse in the old days when they would just beat you up? well, getting ruffed up by some beefy security guards and cops might leave you aching for weeks but it'd be highly unlikely you'd be killed in such a beat down. a taser on the other hand is a very dangerous weapon that could have killed this poor little drunk buffoon. this cop should be removed from the force. we don't need cops like on the police force, they make all the other brave men and women who protect this city look bad. this kid may be a clown and a loser but he certainly doesn't deserve to die. just be thankful he is okay as a kid being murdered on a baseball field in front of thousands for the crime of "acting like a fool" would have been a tragedy and a black eye for our city. i'll say again, this cop needs to lose his badge.— flyers70
- I think this incident is going to be viewed nationally as an excessive use of police force and the story will generate even greater attention since Tuesday is the fortieth anniversary of one of the most famous incidents of excessive police force in United States history.— Freedom Fries
- Necessary or hilarious? It was definitely hilarious.— Scholes
@Talking point sleuth: And now I'm picturing this photo with the two guys in gladiator outfits.— Ilmare- Why are we even asking this question? In this day and age he's lucky he didn't get killed. I swear some people are so libral that they don't want anyone punished for what they do. The fact that we're even asking this is funny. We should be praising the cop who did his job. Thank you officer from the citizens of Philadelphia.— billfiish
- freedom fried----kent state was not a police action it was the national guard. good try though with your lame attempt to expose it...i say good for the officer last night. why should he look like a fool while some hippie er, punk runs around the field...— keapitreal
- Guess they felt they had to taser him because they couldn't have a kid literally running circles around slow-footed police and security guards. Of course they could hire guards who can run well, but they'd probably cost more. I'll bet vicious guard dogs suddenly appear on the scene. All they cost is a few cans of Alpo a day.— Delaware Jim
- They should have hit him with two tasers.— journalismIsDead
- @billfiish yes thank philly pd for keeping the field at citizens bank park safe from drunken idiots. now if only my kid could walk to school safely down venango street.— poorcarole
- you idiot - excessive - not enough - fans like these need to be barred from the park. showing the world that philly wont put up with this kind of behavior is what we need to do give teachers tasers and cops downtown. next flash mod taser them all. though i think they should be shot - worthless losers ruining others enjoyment of life.— mikey5432
With baseball bats readily available, there was no need to go with the taser. The police violated this guy's natural right to run free in the outfield until his need for attention was fully satisfied. That is the freedom our Founding Fathers sacrificed for, and we must honor it.— Mr. Smith- Maybe they were concerned about the towel wrapped around his arm potentially concealing a gun.— tr88
- God I love the liberal mindset... questioning law enforcement's safely apprehending someone who is breaking the law without anyone getting hurt. Give me a break! Don't want to get tasered by cops, don't run on the field... it's really very simple. P.S. What's the likelihood that Will posts something about the arrest in the Times Square bombing of a man of middle eastern descent? I say, not good.— Bud Fox
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About Will Bunch
Will's new book: Learn about it here and purchase it here.
Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
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