Last Updated on March 11, 2016 by Andre Loftis
[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text css_animation=””]On the day of the San Bernardino shooting–December 2, 2015–I remember driving to the the DMV in Fontana, and on the way multiple emergency response vehicles rushed pass, driving in the opposite direction. It wasn’t until I was inside the building that I checked my phone and discovered there was a shooting at the Inland Regional Center, leaving at least 15 people dead, with 2 suspects still at large.
Throughout the day I kept thinking this one is too close to home. Terrorist attacks happen in other places: like Paris, France; or Charleston, South Carolina; but not San Bernardino, California. The same San Bernardino that is a 5 minute drive from my house, and the Inland Regional Center that is only 15 minutes away. Terrorism and mass shootings–the horrific spectacles broadcast on live TV–had unexpectedly arrived in my community.
During the following week, local news stations interviewed several people who felt the same surprise, the same panic, over the realization that they could have easily been one of the victims. So it is understandable that more people support the FBI than Apple in the debate over unlocking one of the shooter’s iPhone.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4635″ alignment=”” style=”” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” css_animation=”” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css_animation=”” el_class=”small”]Design: @LoftisGraphics[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=””]If there is information on the phone that can be used to prevent a future terrorist attack, and save us from this feeling of insecurity, why not help the FBI force it open? With the very real threat of another mass shooting occurring in my community, it is difficult to take a high-minded stand for freedom and personal privacy.
Such is the insidious nature of terrorism.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]