Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

March 13, 2012

On February 18, a 67-year-old Berkley, California resident named Peter Cukor was startled in his home by a 23-year-old named Daniel DeWitt. The intruder, who was visibly agitated, suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. Cukor?s wife Andrea called the police, only to be told the department, which was dealing with an Occupy protest, couldn?t spare an officer. Eventually DeWitt dragged the elderly man into nearby bushes, where he was beaten to death. Police did respond to a 911 call following the assault, but by that time it was too late.

Speaking at a meeting organized by City Council member Susan Wengraf, Berkley Police Chief Michael Meehan was barraged with questions about the performance and priorities of his department. That meeting received extensive local coverage, including a short write-up published a few hours later by reporter Doug Oakley of the Oakland Tribune.

Upset over Oakley?s rendering of the meeting, Chief Meehan dispatched Sgt. Mary Kusmiss to Oakley?s home to demand that the story be re-written. Thus it was that Oakley?s wife frantically woke him up shortly after midnight to tell him that the police were at the door.

Chief Meehan?s department may be indifferent when elderly people call to report a prowler ? but they respond with zeal and alacrity when dealing with media critics.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.