Clowney's detainment only furthers distrust of Columbia law enforcement
Fans crowded outside of a Columbia bar Thursday night to give praise to one of the largest living legends projected to change the face of South Carolina football.
Jadeveon Clowney's talent coming into freshman year has been recognized by rivals, South Carolina football legends and now our own law enforcement officials.
Like any valued commit, he was treated as a myth among mortals by students. Clowney walked around Five Points shaking hands and giving out high fives but rejecting offers for free drinks and shots. Evidently Clowney, whose only controversy thus far has been in regards to his academic achievement, was smart enough not to drink. Well played, sir.
I can say as a witness to the situation that he wasn't drinking. He wasn't doing anything wrong for that matter, just simply trying to meet fellow students. No law says an underage person can't be in a bar, and if it does in the future, then a high five for regression, South Carolina.
While the department had every right and duty to be on patrol for a firearm, the situation changed quickly.
The detainment of Clowney lasted way too long. Bar patrons made it clear to the police that Clowney was sitting on the hood of the car. He had no weapons, was stone-cold sober and acted with respect and dignity throughout the whole situation. But as underage patrons fled, it was easier than bobbing for apples for the police to reach out and find an arrest than it was for them to release Clowney and end the situation.
That night doesn't reflect the excellent experiences I've had with the police during my time at Carolina. Usually, the police are more careful and use better discretion in those situations. If a fight breaks out, or a real situation emerges, they raid a bar and get people out. But that Thursday night was exceptionally peaceful.
Bar round-ups don't minimize underage drinking, crime or disorder. They clear a bar out, and the next night the same old situation arises, except with further negative emotions towards the police. Too much real crime happens around Columbia — rape, armed robbery and a crack epidemic that cripples many otherwise-straight members of society — so why is it imperative for the police to be micromanaging the job of bouncers? Look to other college towns, and you'll find many of their force lies in reducing instances of driving under the influence and breaking up fights. I worked in bars — fake IDs are often more convincing than their real counterparts and won't disappear via reactive enforcement.
Raids hurt the perception of law enforcement and Five Points. Students aren't the enemy.
Sure, students will steal lawn furniture at 3 a.m., but so will others. Action taken against good citizens shows that our city is still very much lagging behind the curve, and we need students, police administrators and residents to work together.