The announcement of one of the most provocative and racially charged grand jury decisions in recent memory was badly mishandled ("Ferguson's grievance," Nov. 25).
The timing of this announcement was a problem for multiple reasons. First, past experience in Missouri did not support a night time announcement. After the killing of Michael Brown, the most unorganized, harmful civil disobedience invariably took place at night. That should have led town to announce the jury's decision during the day.
Second, darkness provides criminals with anonymity. For the safety of Ferguson's residents and law enforcement officials, a day time announcement would have allowed people to see who was engaging in criminal acts. Darkness gives criminals cover they wouldn't have in the day.
Third, the decision affected multiple jurisdictions beyond Ferguson. A night time announcement in Ferguson meant that law enforcement throughout the country had to prepare for and deal with increased criminal acts.
There was no need to rush the announcement. Waiting another 12 hours would not have led to a sense that the grand jury or prosecutor was more efficient. But it would have decreased the likelihood of young people running around in the streets engaging in senseless criminal acts in Ferguson and elsewhere.
My hope is that cities will take notice and not make announcements at times that are likely to incite criminal acts, but instead pick times that are likely to allow people time to process the news. A daytime decision would have done this and prevented many of the criminal acts that occurred following the Missouri grand jury's decision.
Perry Payne, University Park