The police are not required to protect you.
You are not protected by a restraining order. So says the illustrious SCOTUS in Castle Rock, Colo. v. Gonzales
So, if the police aren’t obligated under law to enforce a restraining order against a man who threatened to (and ultimately did) kill his children, then why are they obligated to make sure everyone is safely belted into their car?
Oh yeah, they aren’t.
If this decision doesn’t enforce the idea that you are primarily responsible for your own safety, nothing will. I’m just disgusted that it had to come to this — three young girls slaughtered in cold blood — for anyone to consider it. I just wish there was some way to assuage the pain that their mother feels.
Maybe now there will be less hostility towards citizens that choose to take up arms in self-defense, perhaps even an acceptance of armed personal security for cases (like this one) where it is warranted.
But I won’t hold my breath.
Note: I updated this post on 10/28/05 to reflect the loss of the source article, and point directly to the relevant case. -b