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American Morning

Some Residents Angry After Direct Threat to Children by Sniper

Aired October 23, 2002 - 08:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: The sniper's killing spree has hit people in the D.C. area, as Jonathan said, right where they live. Parents already fearful for the safety of their kids. Now some of them are angry after a direct threat to their children revealed Tuesday by Montgomery County's police chief.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: Your children are not safe anywhere, at any time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZAHN: We're going to talk now to a father who is determined to keep the sniper from ruling his life. Bruce lives in Montgomery County. He has an 8-year-old son. And he's kind enough to join us this morning from Rockville, Maryland.

Welcome. We're glad to have you with us this morning, sir.

BRUCE: Good morning.

ZAHN: First of all, when you heard the police chief make that announcement yesterday, what was your reaction?

BRUCE: I wasn't particularly impacted by that statement from the sniper through the police chief. I think it's pretty obvious what his intentions are and what he's capable of doing.

ZAHN: So you felt you were already living under a very broad threat? It wasn't particularly chilling to hear that?

BRUCE: That's correct. It really didn't change my feeling or my plans and how I would handle life with my children or with myself.

ZAHN: Have you made any changes to your routine?

BRUCE: Just the ones that have been imposed upon me, cancellations of sporting events, after school activities and that sort of thing. Other than that, life is as normal as it ever was.

ZAHN: Are you fully comfortable having your child in school today?

BRUCE: Yes. I think he's safe in school. I think a little more police presence at the schools would make me feel a little bit better. But I don't have any fears about sending my child to school today. ZAHN: What is the reality, for those of us who don't live in the area, of knowing your child is in school under this blue code alert? Can't go outside, essentially locked into the classroom all day.

BRUCE: Well, it's an inconvenience more for the children. They're feeling very cooped up. I'm sure they'd like to get outside, you know. And it's a necessary precaution, obviously, and I have no problem with that either, until they catch this guy. You know, obviously sooner would be better than later for everyone's sake.

ZAHN: But once again, you're feeling pretty emboldened to live your life the way you want to? You don't want to cave into this guy, do you?

BRUCE: Absolutely not.

ZAHN: And if you were able to deliver him a message about the impact his killing spree has had on your community, on the hearts of children in your area, what would you say to him?

BRUCE: Oh, I think he's the ultimate coward and I know he'll be caught sooner or later. And, again, hopefully it's sooner rather than later.

ZAHN: Well, we appreciate your joining us this morning and hope your community finds some peace shortly here.

Thank you, Bruce.

And take good care of your 8-year-old. Don't let him watch too much TV. I guess you're shielding him from that, aren't you?

BRUCE: Yes. He's not really tuning into the news too much anyway.

ZAHN: Good. I think with this story that's probably a judicious decision to make.

Thank you very much.

BRUCE: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Sniper>


Aired October 23, 2002 - 08:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: The sniper's killing spree has hit people in the D.C. area, as Jonathan said, right where they live. Parents already fearful for the safety of their kids. Now some of them are angry after a direct threat to their children revealed Tuesday by Montgomery County's police chief.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: Your children are not safe anywhere, at any time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZAHN: We're going to talk now to a father who is determined to keep the sniper from ruling his life. Bruce lives in Montgomery County. He has an 8-year-old son. And he's kind enough to join us this morning from Rockville, Maryland.

Welcome. We're glad to have you with us this morning, sir.

BRUCE: Good morning.

ZAHN: First of all, when you heard the police chief make that announcement yesterday, what was your reaction?

BRUCE: I wasn't particularly impacted by that statement from the sniper through the police chief. I think it's pretty obvious what his intentions are and what he's capable of doing.

ZAHN: So you felt you were already living under a very broad threat? It wasn't particularly chilling to hear that?

BRUCE: That's correct. It really didn't change my feeling or my plans and how I would handle life with my children or with myself.

ZAHN: Have you made any changes to your routine?

BRUCE: Just the ones that have been imposed upon me, cancellations of sporting events, after school activities and that sort of thing. Other than that, life is as normal as it ever was.

ZAHN: Are you fully comfortable having your child in school today?

BRUCE: Yes. I think he's safe in school. I think a little more police presence at the schools would make me feel a little bit better. But I don't have any fears about sending my child to school today. ZAHN: What is the reality, for those of us who don't live in the area, of knowing your child is in school under this blue code alert? Can't go outside, essentially locked into the classroom all day.

BRUCE: Well, it's an inconvenience more for the children. They're feeling very cooped up. I'm sure they'd like to get outside, you know. And it's a necessary precaution, obviously, and I have no problem with that either, until they catch this guy. You know, obviously sooner would be better than later for everyone's sake.

ZAHN: But once again, you're feeling pretty emboldened to live your life the way you want to? You don't want to cave into this guy, do you?

BRUCE: Absolutely not.

ZAHN: And if you were able to deliver him a message about the impact his killing spree has had on your community, on the hearts of children in your area, what would you say to him?

BRUCE: Oh, I think he's the ultimate coward and I know he'll be caught sooner or later. And, again, hopefully it's sooner rather than later.

ZAHN: Well, we appreciate your joining us this morning and hope your community finds some peace shortly here.

Thank you, Bruce.

And take good care of your 8-year-old. Don't let him watch too much TV. I guess you're shielding him from that, aren't you?

BRUCE: Yes. He's not really tuning into the news too much anyway.

ZAHN: Good. I think with this story that's probably a judicious decision to make.

Thank you very much.

BRUCE: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Sniper>