14 DAY TRIAL // Much like in the comic books, there are several cities across the US that can boast of their very own superhero. Seattle is one of them and Phoenix Jones is their masked crusader for justice. It’s a shame then, he says, that he’s not allowed to do what he must.
Though he’s not the only superhero in Seattle – he could rally his own Justice League if the situation required it –, he’s alone in saying that he’s being discriminated against by the police, who refuse to let him do his job.
Phoenix Jones (who revealed his true identity in October 2011), patrolled the streets of Seattle the other day, telling KGW.com that he would stand on duty if the events of last May recur.
When rioters took to the streets last year, Jones was there, ready for action. Following a press release from the Seattle Police Department asking “all superheroes” not to intervene in police work anymore, Jones is feeling a bit discriminated against.
He believes it’s his suit that police mainly object to, because it’s the only thing that differentiates him from any other man looking to do a good deed.
“So, being a hero on accident is OK, but when you go out to be a hero on purpose, you're bad. That doesn't make sense,” he says.
In a video posted on YouTube, Phoenix Jones reiterates his intention of fighting crime, even if police will try to stop him.
“I am super mad! Michael Hillmann, I hope your kids don't have Batman posters in their house because you are a superhero hater!” he says.
So, despite the SPD statement, Phoenix Jones and his superhero friends will be on the streets next week – and will act if things get out of hand, in case officers have to stand down like last year.
“If we see something, we're gonna go into the crowd, find the guy that did it and hold him down until the police show up,” he promises.