Emanuel's Plan For More Tasers Gets Mixed Reaction
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel's announcement Wednesday to expand the Chicago Police Department's use of Tasers is getting a mixed reaction.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports while some feel officers trained to use Tasers could be helpful, others say, they are not the answer.
At E's Barbershop in the South Austin neighborhood on the West Side, owner Darryl Fields, says he knows firsthand what a Taser feels like.
"I've been Tased before. It's not a good feeling," Fields said. "They may as well use a gun as far as I'm concerned."
He says the Tasers can be lethal.
Former West Side resident Angela Holmes moved to Aurora, after her son was the victim of violence. Holmes says more officers trained to use Tasers, may be helpful.
"If it's going to save a life without killing them, I would agree to that," Holmes said.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle describes the police situation like this.
"Frankly, it's hard for me to believe that the police in the city of Chicago could get away with the shootings and executions of young black and brown menif the victims of those shootings and executions were white," she said.
Democratic State Rep. Mary Flowers says when it comes to officers and the community, one word is involved.
"Tasers only is not the answer," she said. "It's all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T."
Meantime, the Rev. Jesse Jackson says Tasers should have been in use a long time ago now. He says it's a little late.