Ed Davis: France Manhunt 'Brings Back A Lot Of Bad Memories'
BOSTON (CBS) – Former Boston Police Commissioner and current WBZ-TV Security Analyst Ed Davis said the manhunts that took place in France this week showed striking similarities to the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.
"It is amazing how this has tracked with what we went through over a year ago. It brings back a lot of bad memories actually of having to go through this, and the victims who were adversely affected by it," Davis told WBZ-TV's Kathryn Hauser.
On Friday, a pair of intense standoffs unfolded in France. Suspected Charlie Hebdo shooters Said and Cherif Kouachi were cornered and eventually killed, according to CBS News.
In addition a heavy police presence was set up in the town of Dammartin-en-Goële, about 30 miles from Paris, as another man held hostages inside a Jewish grocery store on Friday.
That man was killed as well, according to CBS News, and multiple hostages also died during the incident.
Davis said that while he believes the incidents pose no specific threat to the United States, they still show that officials and police must be aware of potential attacks by radical groups.
"This could be a game-changer. You've got multiple attacks in a country that's much like the United States. It brings home the fact that this is a very real threat to civilized society," Davis said. "We have to have a conversation about what we can do to protect ourselves."
Though Davis said there is the need to be aware of potential threats, he also added that the incidents in France should not instill fear into American citizens.
"Being vigilant is the first thing," said Davis. "We can't let these individuals frighten us. But we have to be aware of the fact that there are people out there wanting to hurt us."
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