Six-year-old Salecia Johnson being arrested at school and handcuffed has gotten national attention.
Based on Chief Swicord's account on Tuesday, some say they don't see where the police went wrong and that they support theMilledgeville police100 percent.
"I think they handled it best they could, trying to keep her from hurting herself and others," said Lon Gibson from Macon.
Another long-time Milledgeville resident said that there had to be something more to the child for her to react the way she did.
"The police department? They're straight. They wouldn't do anything to offend a child like that," said Jimmy Wright, who has lived in Milledgeville for 26 years.
Others said to handcuff a 6 year old is excessive and extreme because a 6 year old doesn't know any better.
"I think the first reaction is to always make sure the child is safe and that the other children in this situation was safe, too. I would hope that handcuffing is not the means that had to happen to make the child safe," said Kim Joris, who owns The Folk's Art downtown.
Georgia College graduate student, Jared Tolbert said, "Their whole case is that if anyone is put in the back of a police car and taken down to the station, that they have to be handcuffed and what not. That is just, I don't want to say it's disgusting, but it shows you that, as free as we are, how free are we that we can shackle six year olds."
"I've heard of situations wherekindergartnersbrought guns to school, I understand if that child was taken to the police station. Just acting out of control? no," said Alexandria Bell, a senior at Georgia College.
We contacted Johsnon's familyseveral times and left voice messages, but they have yet to respond.
