Naked Shenanigans and Body Cams

In case you’re tuning in hoping one of your hosts is described in the title, we’ll spare you that and instead bring you a story out of Orangeburg South Carolina where 26 year old Paul Tarashuck was hit and killed shortly after EMTs failed to treat him properly while PD watched.

Possibly MORE shocking than that was when we learned not only was there police body cam footage of the horrible treatment (or really lack of any treatment at all) but that a police officer offered to give Mr Tarashuck a ride away from the scene.

The 26-year-old was walking the highway naked when Police arrived and activated EMS. EMS fumbled the situation and PD picked it up…and dropped him off 18 miles away without an ID, phone or wallet. Oh, and the gas station is closed.

• Who should be held accountable for this likely preventable death?
• Should EMS be more proactive in assessment?
• Can PD assist with psych hold or other kind of intervention if they suspect intoxication or mental illness?
• Who drops people off in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night?

Blame will swirl and fingers will be pointed but we turn the discussion back to what could be done differently in the future.

Good catch from a listener: The Department in hot water for the Officer appearing to plant evidence while wearing the camera was in Baltimore, not Boston as stated by HM in this episode. In his defense, everyone on that coast sounds funny. WYE appreciates the audience keeping us honest…ish.

BOLO