So, what’s the punishment for these cops shooting an unarmed, African-American teen? Not even the customary slap on the wrist. Instead, the officers are lauded as heros. In the words of Commissioner Fitchet, “These officers exemplify the type of courage that our officers display every day and night in the city of Springfield.” Somehow, to Fitchet, the cops are the victims: “They’ve gone through a tremendous amount of stress, not only during the incident but as a result of the review by the D.A. and police department.”

Jiles is still recovering, and his lawyer, Perman Glenn, is considering filing a Civil Rights lawsuit against the city.

Check out CBS 3 Springfield for video footage of Glenn discussing the Jiles case.

Last night the at the Revolutionary Autonomous Communities fundraiser for the Anarchist Bookfair at the food not bombs warehouse on 6th and Santa Fe was raided by the LAPD. They kicked open the door and unlawfully entered in to the private space. Joaquin Cienfuegos a member of RAC and Copwatch LA Guerrilla chapter was targeted by the police and pulled out from the space. When folks inside the space heard what was going on in front they went over to observe and document what was going on. Joaquin asked why he was being detained and they told him to “Shut up” and “Do as he’s told”. He was handcuffed and searched without his permission. While he was being searched Joaquin stated loud and clear that he did not consent to their search and once again asked to please be told why he was being detained.

While i was at the door way observing what they were doing to the comrade outside i could see the the street was blocked off and there were about 12 police cars on 6th street and about 30 or more Deputies/Depupigs. As we tried to get cameras to document what was going on the police rushed the door again and i was pulled outside by 4 police officers. They pushed me against the wall and made me place my hands on top of my head and searched me. I asked the Officer why i was being detained and he said, “A crime had been committed a few blocks away and they were going to bring the victim to identify the person.”

As i was pulled out, the folks inside closed the door to prevent the rush of pigs into the property. They began to kick the door and yell at the folks inside to get out. Not once did they announce themselves as the Police Department or why they were there or wanted folks to exit the show. Police officers were outside making joke;” Do you smell that? i think its weed, we should go inside and find out”, and “This is some kind of illegal rave or show or what do we call it?”. Clearly unable to choose a reason why they were trying to raid the space they made up whatever we want.

After i had been searched, a female officer came over and i asked once again why i was being detained. She stated that this was an illegal gathering and they wanted to figure it all out. Officers were walking all over the front in very confused manner having to be told by other officers to move out of the way. I could see the shadows on the officers behind me and Joaquin who continued to hold their hands on their weapons while we were handcuffed with our hands behind our backs.

After the police ignored the request by the owner of the space to present a search warrant or leave the private property, the comrades from the Black Liberation Party that were there in part to perform for the fundraiser exited the building and were immediately detained and sister Nadia and Kambui were placed in handcuffs and the rest of the the Black Riders where made to face the wall. The police then rushed inside and pulled everyone out. They had us right in front of the space and then made me walk down the blocked as they lined everyone up against the wall. They pull more than 60 people out from the space and had them with their hands against their back facing the wall. They separated the women from the men and began to search everyone.

A police officer that searched me came and asked for my ID. They said they were going to check me for warrants or any priors. He pulled out my ID and pulled out a card that he began to fill in with all my personal information. I asked what that card was for but i was not given an answer. My ID was retuned but the card with my information was kept by them.

After they searched everyone’s belongings they lined up all the males and females and said that this was going to be a line-up and they were going to bring the the victim of the crime to identify the perpertrator. When asked what crime (had been committed) an officer told another brother that they had had a crime committed a few blocks away and some beer was stolen from a liquor store. When asked why so many officers where there for stolen beer the officer said, “He didn’t know”, that they just felt that whoever committed the crime was in the space.

A police helicopter was circling and made the announcement after everyone was removed that they were the LAPD. 2 folks from food not bombs who were in the premise were pulled out and placed in handcuffs.

A police car with 2 Officers in the front and a woman in the back seat drove by slowly. The officers proceeded to tell people to look into the light and not look at the car. Everyone said they couldn’t look at
the light because it hurt their eyes but the officers from inside continued to shine the light into people’s eyes. As this was going on, officers continued to line up and make jokes about “overtime” and the
way different folks were dressed. For one officer in particular he lamented his rookie friend, “was off tonight because he would have loved to have been a part of this!” As the police car made its way down the street they stopped and singled out one youth . He was immediately arrested. They drove back again slowly and continued to point the light in people’s face. My handcuffs were removed but i was not allowed to leave. i was made to remain facing the fence with my hands behind my back.

After a police officer from some other car came with a piece of paper and pointed to Nadia and Kambui from the black Riders Liberation Part and said they were being detained for “148″- interfering with a police officer. When people asked why they were being detained or singled out police officers told them to shut up. They placed them both in cuffs and removed all their belongings and put them into plastic bags. They were then placed into the backseat of a police car.

Another police officer came and then announced that the party was over and people needed to leave. People still had equipment inside and were made to line up and escorted inside to get their belongings. While inside i noticed that money from the fundraiser was missing and according to folks inside the money was there before the police ran inside to pull everyone out. We got out all the groups’ equipment and waited for someone to come close the space. They continued to harass people and tried to intimidate many of the youth to leave and to learn their lesson.

Besides the one youth that was arrested for supposedly stealing beer, everyone was arrested for interfering with a police officer when all they asked was why they were being detained.

The officers were congragulating themselves and laughing at everyone. Many of the officers were staring down many of the sisters that were there and making sexist jokes about he’d rather be home with his wife than here. Then he proceeded to make a hand gesture to 2 sisters who were standing near by. No one but the other officers were amused by these pigs but they continued to talk shit and tell people to leave. The majority officers left smiling and staring at folks in attempts to instigate some incident to lead to further arrest.

While we were waiting the final officer drove by and rolled down his window. He stated” Im sorry we had to shut down your party but you have to keep the youngsters in check and can’t be letting them go anywhere stealing beer. If they hadn’t stolen the beer we wouldn’t have canceled your show”

Everyone was pissed as this provacateur behavior which is being utilized as the excuse to enter into private property and raid a peaceful gathering. The police looked for whatever excuse to shut the show down.

Joaquin is currently being held for misdemeanor . He has not been taken to jail and is still being held by Central Division. He will probably be going to court tomorrow or Wednesday.

Please speard the word help support Joaquin and the Black Riders Liberation Party and Food Not Bombs folks to get out.

This is a quick report trying to include as many of the important details as possible but i’m sure i might have overlooked other important details from last night that other folks who were also there can maybe share and i will try and write more about last night later tonight and will follow up with more details.

Free ALL Political Prisoners. Organize Organize Organize

Booking No.: 1698919 Last Name: CORTEZ First Name: JAVIER
Middle Name:
Sex: M Race: H Date Of Birth: 02/10/1983 Age: 25
Hair: BRO Eyes: BRO Height: 507 Weight: 155

Charge Level: M (Misdemeanor)

ARREST

Arrest Date: 11/16/2008 Arrest Time: 2200 Arrest Agency: 4201
Agency Description: LAPD-CENTRAL DIVISION

Date Booked: 11/17/2008 Time Booked: 0028 Booking Location:
4273
Location Description: LAPD - JAIL DIVISION

BAIL

Total Bail Amount: 10,000.00 Total Hold Bail Amount: 0.00
Grand
Total: 10,000.00

HOUSING LOCATION

Housing Location: LAPD

Permanent Housing Assigned Date: 11/17/2008 Assigned Time: 0028
Visitor Status: N

Facility:
Address: City:

Public Visiting Guidelines

For County facility visiting hours, Please call (213) 473-6080 at Inmate
Information Center.

COURT

Next Court Code: Next Court Date: Next Court Time: 0000
Next Court Case:

Court Name:
Court Address: Court City:

RELEASE

No Information On Release Date.

CASE INFORMATION

Case No.Court NameCourt AddressCourt CityBail Amt.Fine Amt.Court DateSent.
DateSent. Day(s)Disp Code

Download the flyer here: Know Your Rights Workshop - November 19 [PDF - 148KB]

G1 of Rebel Diaz one day after the police raided his home with guns.

Panama Vicenta Alba outside of his home in the Bronx.

Dennis Flores shares his encounter with the police.

Perhaps more shocking and concerning than the now-expected repression of political expression is the treatment of the jailed protesters and journalists. The Twin Cities IndyMedia Center reports that prisoners in Ramsey County jail have been beaten, Tasered, tear gassed and denied emergency medical care. Read the coverage from Twin Cities IndyMedia here.

It’s crucial to remember that such abuse of power is widespread. This is not an acute problem; it is a pandemic. And police brutality doesn’t take place only on the streets—it happens in the jailhouse (and prisons) as well. It is not just “enemy combatants” in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba who are tortured at the hands of U.S. officials—people in our communities face similar treatment in local jailhouses. 

For example: let’s recall the experience of Packratt over at Injustice in Seattle. After being wrongfully arrested  after a stabbing in a club, he spent a long stay in King’s County jail, inhumanely being denied medical care despite his legal rights and the internal injuries he suffered before being arrested. Read Packratt’s story in his own words. Know that people in St. Paul and around the country are suffering similar torture in jails and on the streets.

Link: Becoming The Monster: Problems With Proactive Policing

Family questions death of former Southwick man arrested after Celtics’ win

by The Republican Newsroom

By DAN RING
dring@repub.com

BOSTON - Police did not use excessive force while arresting David J. Woodman of Southwick last month, according to a preliminary review, the Boston police commissioner said today.

But a lawyer for Woodman’s parents said yesterday the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office should investigate Woodman’s death to ensure an objective inquiry. The lawyer said it appears Boston police did not immediately provide medical attention for Woodman. [read on at masslive.com]

Holyoke police officers Sean Shattuck and Joseph Wilson

For your safety and well-being, TRY TO AVOID THEM.

They are part of an armed and dangerous gang, dressed in blue,  that has the law on its side.

Do not get caught near them inside or outside a bar.

They have been known to beat up folks and get away with it.

If you see these men on the job or in plainclothes, TAKE CAUTION.

And if they or their cohorts give you any trouble, call Copwatch at 413-559-8823.

Download the flyer in PDF format: Beware! ¡CUIDADO!

Sarno, Fitchet and other police officers refer to this new, more forceful gust blowing through the SPD in terms of “quality of life” improvements, “Zero-Tolerance Policing” or “the broken windows theory.”

What is this broken windows theory? According to Officer Mark E. Kenney of the Ordinance Squad, it is the idea that relatively minor problems like a single broken window can infect entire streets and neighborhoods (Republican, “Police hearten blight victims”). This theory, also called Quality of Life Policing, or Zero-Tolerance Policing, is based on the works of criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. The idea is simple: when police take care of (have zero tolerance for) small “quality of life” problems such as public drinking, excessive noise, and, indeed, broken windows, a sense of order is restored to the neighborhood, which will reduce more serious, violent crimes such as murder and rape.  

The question is: Does the broken windows theory hold up in practice? Does quality of life policing really reduce violent crime rates?  According to various studies, the answer is no, it does not.  But quality of life policing does two things: it increases police brutality, police violence and police murder.  In addition it targets Blacks and Latinos.

Springfield is not the first city where the broken windows theory of policing has been tested…and failed.  The broken windows theory was first put into practice in the 1990s in New York City under NYC Police Commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Rudolf Giuliani.  Cities such as New Orleans, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Anaheim and Minneapolis quickly followed suit.

Did crime go down in these cities? Yes, it did. But crime went down everywhere during this time period, including in cities where this aggressive form of policing was not used.

The crimes that did go up were the crimes committed by the most dangerous gangs in town — the police.  Baltimore Police Commissioner Thomas Frazier, who oversaw the institution of Zero-Tolerance policing in his city, was at first opposed to this new form of policing, calling it “one iota away from discriminatory policing.”  And what was the result of this new quality of life policing in Baltimore in its first six months?  Seventy civilians shot by the cops.  Similarly, from New York City to New Orleans to Anaheim, complaints of police brutality skyrocketed between 65% and 100%.  In its first three years in practice, NYC paid out over $100 million in damages from police brutality.  And the targets of the police violence were overwhelmingly Black, Latino, and/or queer.

A 2003 evaluation of the NYPD Zero-Tolerance policing, “Does Quality of Life Policing Widen the Net?” (PDF, 1.5 MB), showed that the targets of these quality of life policing are Blacks and Latinos.  Misdemeanor arrests quickly increased by 75% and 90% of all those arrested were Blacks and Latinos.

The broken windows theory is a bogus theory.  Quality of Life Policing will not lower serious crime. But it will increase police brutality.

How long will we have to wait for our next victim of police violence in Springfield? How long will it take us to stand up to this new form of draconian policing and realize that it will not solve our problems but only create new ones? 

For more information:
See Christian Parenti, Lockdown America: Police and Prisons in Age of Crisis (available for sale from Western Mass Copwatch)

4 appointed to police squad

Monday, February 11, 2008
By PETER GOONAN
pgoonan@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - Acting Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet has appointed four officers to serve on an ordinance squad, aimed at cracking down on quality-of-life issues ranging from noise complaints to unshoveled sidewalks.

Fitchet and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced the new squad Friday, postponed from Wednesday due to the stabbing injury of Patrolman Kevin P. Fitzgerald. Sarno said the squad is of “utmost importance.”

“Residents and business owners have cried out for this force,” Sarno said.

Fitchet said that in addition to enforcing city ordinances, the squad will focus on motor vehicles violations such as speeding and illegal parking, as well as cruelty to animals. The city will have “zero tolerance” for animal abuse, he said.

While the four officers are assigned to the day shift, they are willing to be flexible on their hours when needed, Fitchet said. Communication with residents and neighborhoods is key, he said.

The officers are Keith C. Fleming, Raphael Vega, Mark E. Kenney and Christopher J. Hrycay. They will be under the command of Lt. Thomas A. Trites.

The ordinance squad is an extension of Sarno’s campaign pledge to create a “flex squad” of police, housing and law department officials who would work with the mayor’s office to act promptly on quality-of-life issues.

The police unit would handle matters such as cars regularly speeding on streets, improper parking impeding snow removal, and gathering of gangs at street corners, officials said. They would also be available to respond to emergencies when needed, Fitchet said.

Reports will be kept on warnings and citations, and the police will follow up to discourage habitual offenses and offenders, Fitchet said.

An ordinance squad existed many years ago, but was curtailed due to personnel constraints, Fitchet said. While constraints continue, both Fitchet and Sarno listed the quality-of-life issues as essential to address.

“The citizens feel strongly about it,” Fitchet said.

Residents and businesses can call for assistance by the ordinance squad beginning tomorrow.

The telephone number for a problem in progress is (413) 787-6302. The phone number for habitual offenses and offenders needing follow-up is (413) 750-2371.

Sarno had proposed the ordinance squad last April to former Police Commissioner Edward A. Flynn. Flynn’s chief of staff, Jennifer Flagg, said the idea was counter to Flynn’s approach that all officers work on crimes large and small in specific geographic areas.

Police squad praised

Thursday, March 20, 2008
By PETER GOONAN
pgoonan@repub.com
SPRINGFIELD - A squad of police officers assigned to crack down on neighborhood nuisances was praised yesterday for its first-month accomplishments ranging from animal rescues to responding to noise complaints.

During a press conference yesterday, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and acting Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet said the four-officer Ordinance Squad, under the supervision of Lt. Thomas A. Trites, has responded to more than 300 complaints since its inception on Feb. 11.

“I’m proud of you guys,” Sarno said, standing with the unit members. “Because everywhere I go, they are singing your praises. The response has been tremendous.”

The squad issues warnings and citations for violations of city ordinance and responds to telephone complaints from residents, merchants and neighborhood groups. The telephone number is (413) 750-2371.

The unit, formally known as the Police Department’s Quality of Life/Ordinance Flex Squad, was launched by Fitchet, as sought by Sarno.
One of the highlights of the past month was when two squad members, Mark E. Kenney and Raphael Vega, assisted the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control Center with the removal of approximately 70 animals from a Washburn Street house, and worked with Code Enforcement officials “to remedy deplorable living conditions there,” Sarno said.

In addition, squad officers assisted a Vietnamese family on Dawson Street recently when their house in the Forest Park neighborhood was the targeted by vandals who spray-painting graffiti.

In another listed highlight, squad member Keith C. Fleming issued numerous citations to taxi drivers regarding violations of city ordinance and state statutes, working with Taxi Commissioner Lisa Placanica. The citation effort will continue on a regular basis, Sarno said.

In addition, squad member Christopher J. Hrycay, assisting drug task force members, located a suspect wanted on drug charges who had temporarily avoided capture, officials said. Police recovered 2,000 packets of heroin.

Walter B. Gould, president of the Outer Belt Civic Association, attended the press conference, saying the neighborhood appreciates the squad’s efforts. As one example, it took the squad just a day to end a problem neighbors had with a tractor trailer making noise while parked at 4 a.m.

Fitchet said the squad is doing a “Herculean job” in addressing quality of life issues.

Know Your Rights: What to Say and Do If You Are Stopped by Law Enforcement

Tuesday, June 24 - 7:00 p.m.
El Mercado (413 Main St., Holyoke)
Free on-site childcare provided.

Do you know your rights if you are stopped by the police?  If a police officer asks you for identity, do you have to give it to him?  Can he take a photo of you?  Can he search your car without permission?

This forum will inform people of their legal rights and give them a sense of the “big picture” when it comes to police harassment. Local attorneys will be present to explain individuals’ rights in relation to law enforcement.  A representative from Western Mass. Copwatch will also speak.

Download the flyer here: in Engish or in Spanish [PDF]

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