# What do you think of this? 8 year old pepper-sprayed by cops. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 8, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712 "2011-04-08T20:17:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/81 "2011-04-09T21:40:06Z")
I guess they could have used a taser, [like the cops in Prince George, BC](http://www.canada.com/news/police+Taser+year/4585898/story.html) did on an 11- year old - after he stabbed somebody. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/82 "2011-04-09T21:43:08Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Because it could not have gone through a human body, that’s why. Why not? ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/83 "2011-04-09T21:45:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Has the pepper spray used in this case ever been tested on children? [“Experts in the United States generally consider capsaicin to be safe.”](http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/capsaicin-topic-overview) Some people are allergic to capsaicin, but there’s nothing out there that wouldn’t carry some kind of risk, and it’s a fairly low risk. Allergies have nothing to do with age, of course, an adult could be allergic, too. There’s also info at [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_spray). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/84 "2011-04-09T21:48:23Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Why not? Because it was a fucking flimsy piece of wood paneling, not a spear. Have you ever actually try to impale somebody? How easy do you think it is? ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/85 "2011-04-09T21:55:18Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Because it was a fucking flimsy piece of wood paneling, not a spear. Have you ever actually try to impale somebody? How easy do you think it is? Where in the article did it say the wood was flimsy? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/86 "2011-04-09T21:57:06Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Because it was a fucking flimsy piece of wood paneling, not a spear. Have you ever actually try to impale somebody? none of the linked stories say that. The third one said “wood trim,” which could be baseboard trim (solid wood) or quarter-round (likely solid wood.) You’re _ass_uming it was “flimsy paneling.” > [@](#): > > How easy do you think it is? I don’t know. However, when I don’t know something I close my mouth and stop talking; I don’t just barrel on and on as though I can speak authoritatively about everything. ---
**Author:** ![Xan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ac8455/32.png) [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/87 "2011-04-09T22:13:08Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I disagree. The police absolutely should be expected to expose themselves to some degree of danger to protect the public, even if the public is a disturbed eight-year-old. If you wanted them to not expose themselves to injury, they shouldn’t even answer calls. > > If someone doesn’t want to take on a few extra risks, police work is not the line of work for them. > > In this case, however, I feel pepper spray might have been the safest course of action for everyone, **including the child.** Pepper spray hurts but it causes no lasting damage. They successfully defused the situation with what is really not a great deal of force, handled it professionally afterwards, and nobody really got hurt. It sounds like good police work to me. This is exactly how I feel. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/88 "2011-04-09T22:21:36Z")
Nuke the kid from orbit, it’s the only way to be sure. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/89 "2011-04-09T22:28:41Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > none of the linked stories say that. The third one said “wood trim,” which could be baseboard trim (solid wood) or quarter-round (likely solid wood.) You’re _ass_uming it was “flimsy paneling.” You are never going to be able to impale somebody with a length of baseboard trim, no matter what, and if an 8 year old was able to tear it off the wall, how “solid” could it have been? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/90 "2011-04-09T22:35:03Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > Where in the article did it say the wood was flimsy? Flimsy wood can be freaking dangerous too. When I was in 5th (maybe 4th) grade we were practicing for our Thanksgiving show, where civilized white folks killed a bunch of red savages in a battle or sumptin. Or maybe it was a Revolutionary War re-enactment. Anyhow, one kid was running around like a screaming banshee during a “battle” scene. After the battle dies down, teachers notice the screaming banshee has not only stopped but taken it up a notch or two. He had lept through a row of azella bushes. In doing so he had managed to push a small AND still tender branch all the way through his arm. And this wasnt some flesh wound. This thing went right through the main muscle on his arm (bicept?) passing close to the bone and well out the other side. He’s damn lucky he didnt loose an eye or a left nut or hit a major blood vessel. As it was ISTR that they were worried about significant or permanent damage. But, he got lucky I think and only ended up with a cool scar. How’s that for solid sparky? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/91 "2011-04-09T22:53:44Z")
This thread was interesting until it became all about how **Diogenes** thinks he knows more than anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/92 "2011-04-09T22:54:51Z")
I didn’t know only one opinion was allowed in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/93 "2011-04-09T23:00:51Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Just out of curiosity, if they had shot the kid dead, would anyone here have had any objection? I’m guessing you’d all be just fine with it. ~is tempted to take the bait~ ~decides it’s probably best not to~ ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/94 "2011-04-09T23:03:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I didn’t know only one **opinion** was allowed in this thread. You keep usin’ tha’ word. I do na’ think it means wha’ you think it means. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/95 "2011-04-09T23:17:07Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I didn’t know only one opinion was allowed in this thread. Okay, maybe it should have been phrased like this: "This thread was interesting until **Diogenes** decided his opinion couldn’t possibly be wrong. " Please provide cites that the kid couldn’t have badly hurt someone with that wood. Also, provide the details of your law enforcement experience, so as to maybe give us respect for your statements, along with details on how you have handled similar situations. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/96 "2011-04-09T23:23:55Z")
I have handled similar situations while working professionally with emotionally disturbed children, not as a cop, but I have, in fact done it. I’ve also done it with rule 40 adults. Please provide a cite that an 8 year old CAN impale a human body with a piece of flimsy baseboard. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/97 "2011-04-09T23:30:11Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I have handled similar situations while working professionally with emotionally disturbed children, not as a cop, but I have, in fact done it. I’ve also done it with rule 40 adults. > Please provide a cite that an 8 year old CAN impale a human body with a piece of flimsy baseboard. I asked you first!😃 Gosh, it’s fun to poke things with flimsy little words and see they hurt so much! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/98 "2011-04-09T23:33:28Z")
I don’t have the burden of proof. I’m not the one who alleged that an 8 year old can “impale” somebody with a piece of flimsy baseboard paneling. The burden lies with those who want to assert that. It sounds pretty retarded on its face. Back it up. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/99 "2011-04-09T23:35:16Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t have the burden of proof. I’m not the one who alleged that an 8 year old can “impale” somebody with a piece of flimsy baseboard paneling. The burden lies with those who want to assert that. It sounds pretty retarded on its face. Back it up. I cited that a kid managed to impale himself with a stick. How’s that sticking in your craw? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/100 "2011-04-09T23:36:01Z")
A stick is not a piece of flimsy paneling. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712.md?page=6)