Antifa mob is a terrorist group

Dear Editor:

This is a response to the highly biased Associated Press article “Portland Protesters Young, Old Find Momentum,” (Courier, July 22). Instead of the “granny” photo, why not show photos of the heavily vandalized federal courthouse and police headquarters? Maybe some photos of the violent mob throwing all manner of objects that can seriously hurt officers and incidences of arson?

Having been a police officer in Portland for 24 years, I state from direct knowledge that officers have been dealing with the “Antifa” mob since the early 1990s. U.S. President Donald Trump is correct in referring to Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

Video of what is really going on in Portland was so graphic that the mass media did not show it.

The mayor and city council do not support the police. Some council members are openly anti-police and have made such public statements. Police staffing should be at 1,000. Staffing has been 100 less for some time. Another

100 will retire by the end of the year. Many officers are also looking to leave and work for other departments. The “anti-police” reputation is so well known that hiring standards had to be lowered to get anyone to apply. Of those hired, twice the number fail probation as had been the case. Who would want to be a police officer in a place where you have no support? A detective friend of mine told me that only serious person crimes are investigated due to staff shortages. Burglary, auto theft, fraud? Forget about it.

The mayor and council have let the rioting go on for two months. The city will not act to bring the situation under control. President Trump is correct to send in federal officers to protect federal property and employees from further destruction and harm.

In my 24 years of service with the Portland Police, I never took any action based on race. I never saw or even heard of action based on race. Former Portland Police Chief Daniell Outlaw (a black woman who lasted only 1 1/2 years due to the toxic city hall atmosphere) said: “Police actions are based upon behaviour, not the class of a person.” The riots are not about anyone’s lives. They are not a protest. They are all about anarchy. God bless and look after the police officers who are out on the front lines. Bob Sherman,

Kelowna