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Checks Cashed
Published: 2015-05-02 01:17:11 +0000 UTC; Views: 4989; Favourites: 196; Downloads: 0
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Description
BaltimoreNorth & Pennsylvania Avenues
May 1st, after the State's Attorney for Baltimore City's announcement of criminal charges being filed against the 6 Baltimore City police officers in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 18-200mm
Baltimore City Police Lieutenant reviewing Pennsylvania State Troopers on loan to Maryland. The check cashing business was one of the first places looted during rioting on Monday. . .
It's very rare that I have a song in my head while shooting anything. But I did this time. It was Pink Floyd's Waiting for the Worms.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bDY0D…
© Richard Montgomery 2015
This image is not stock. Please do not alter or reproduce without my permission. No unauthorized use. Please respect my copyright.
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Comments: 153
Congrats on the DD Richard! 
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Thanks, Mark.
Well, I think you can rejoice, because I have a feeling that they were all being punished by being sent to Baltimore for this assignment!
R
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They don't have to be in shape, they'll never outrun a bullet.
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This is really not a chat room. Thanks. . .
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You're right, it's an open forum for anyone to comment/discuss openly with others, for others to view or participate or just think to themselves about what they have read/seen.
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Yes, that's true. And I'm glad that discussion eventually came back around to what the photo was actually about. . .
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Yaay Richard!!! Very proud of you!
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Aww, thanks so much, Cher. . . 
R
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no problem! 
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I have to agree here that the image captures a certain degree of irony one doesn't expect...so many white police officers being inspected by a black superior and during racially oriented riots. Unlike Ferguson and other locations, Baltimore really makes us rethink whether the problem is race...or just policing in general. This image, while taking no sides, makes us think deeply when we look at it. And for that reason it's a fantastic piece of artwork! Definitely deserving the DD it got! Kudos to the photographer and congrats on the DD.
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Otto,
Thanks so much!
You raise an interesting question: Is it race, or policing culture itself?
I think it's both. The Baltimore Police Department didn't really integrate to fully include black officers until the late 1960s. Black officers, in order to "get along" felt the need to assimilate into the police "culture." So black officers can be just as violent - against black suspects and arrestees as white officers. The difference is that their motivations are different from those of a "racist" white officer. Yet the result, injuries or death, to the suspect is just as egregious. Three of the 6 officers in the Freddie Gray case were black. So your question is especially pertinent in this case.
Thanks so much for liking the photo, but more importantly, for your insightful comments!
Richard
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Thanks for replying. I completely agree with your comments on matters. I think the whole situation can boil down to those who seek law enforcement positions do so for reasons that are troubling. The pay is low...zero lack or respect...and danger each and every day. So who would want a job like that? Bullies. People who enjoy the authority and power associated with walking around with a badge and gun. There are some exceptions...I've met some very, very good cops in my day, but most are not. They don't listen to reason, they don't care. They're not interested in justice or fairness, but instead focus on administering their authority as some sort of self-serving right. It's not just Baltimore or the USA...it's like this world-wide. I think the root of our problem isn't racism at all, but a sad failure to create police forces that are respectable. We need to pay cops better...expect better education for them...higher job requirements and create more reasonable work environments for them. Wait, did I say give the cops stuff?? Yes. Make the job more profitable and more safe and require higher education to obtain it and you will attract a higher and more respectable level of person into the job field. Only when you remove the bullies and insert professionals, will law enforcement systems improve. Cops are no different than the military. Look at any third world country where the military is not respected nor taken care of nor well paid. You see coups and civil war rampant. Look the USA where we have the highest paid, best supported soldiers in the world...and you see no coups, no rebels...no violence against the civilian populace. The military is loved and respected. We need to do this for the myriad of police, world-wide. Standards...we just need mandatory standards. If problems exist after that...then we must reassess the rest of the society. But as I look out onto the situation now, I see a low bar set for cops...very low and I think that's where our problems begin. We should work there first...and gauge the results before pointing ourselves elsewhere.
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Especially when you consider that three of the six cops involved in the death of Freddie Gray are Black.
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There's nothing particularly ironic about that, because Baltimore's population is over 60% black. . .
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I would think regardless of race, rioting is equally unacceptable. I wouldnt care a jot for skin color, just as long as it stops.
Looting a cashed check place like a bunch of common theives. There are better ways to protest problems.
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Agreed. Rioting by any race is unacceptable. Looting a check cashing place is not only common thievery, it's just stupid. . .
However, please look back through the last several images in this series.
There are 2 separate issues that were going on:
1) peaceful protests; and
2) sporadic rioting (I only have photos of the aftermath of the rioting)
Thanks for the comment.
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Congratulations on the Daily Deviation!
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DUDE. DD, AGAIN???
Aren't you bored of being THAT good at photography yet?
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Cristina,
Thanks so much, dear.
R
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Cristina,
You are so kind, and you are such a wonderful member of the dA Community! 
R
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Ah, thank you so much for your kind words, i appreciate it 
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Good! I'm happy to have helped brighten your day!
R
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Oh, congrats on the DD! Well deserved.
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Marina,
Thanks so much! Coming from you, that's a huge compliment!
R
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Congratulations on Your DD, Richard!!
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