Beating the Homeless, Killing their Dogs, and Staying Silent...or Not

Try as I may, and believe me I try, there is a part of me that just cannot keep silent about certain injustices. There are times in which every moral fiber of my entire being demand that I say something, speak up, lest my silence be misconstrued as apathy. Here is the first in a series of letters I've written this week. Will they make a difference? Maybe not. Will I sleep better knowing I said something? Absolutely.


Dear Kroger:

I have been following with great interest and disgust the story regarding your Madison, TN, location. Your armed guard shot and killed a dog and beat his homeless owner because the homeless individual stole some firewood.

Frankly, the entire story is appalling. This type of behavior by a gun-weilding officer is completely opposite of what your customers not only expect, but demand of you. I propose there is a basic code of human conduct and in no account have I found justification whatsoever for a firearm to be pulled out of its holster in reaction to the events which took place.

You have a security guard who fired his weapon four times on your behalf. He beat an individual to the ground and killed his dog to "defend" your merchandise. I'm mortified that you condone this type of behavior.

My information indicates that you have refused to take any responsibility for the incident. No apologies, no remorse, and perhaps that is the part of this that compells me to write. Your success or failure as a corporation is directly correlational to your community support. Let there be no question that we, your customers, do you the favor by choosing to spend our money at your store when we are being courted all the while by Publix, Wal-Mart, and Food Lion to name just a few.

I am calling for you to make this right. An apology that the situation got so out of control and a dismissing of the 'guard' would be a great start.

Sincerely,
Belinda L. Smith

p.s. The next time you're deciding between killing a guy's dog and beating him to the ground over a bit of stolen firewood, give me a call. I'll cover the bill.