tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20420331311950833022024-02-20T06:50:43.414-08:00Northbay CopwatchAn archive of articles about abuses by security agencies, updates about the civil rights movement. Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-43094218151911345722015-04-30T23:59:00.000-07:002015-09-24T15:34:57.092-07:00Northbay CopWatch<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPLikOzHS0FnbvZLM4LzctMHr1IZJsbE44vpje8w36tOXaAkbyZLqxKGWXrkQcM1MdG4oKPJ1tOCCaEOIQd1fT_95TSv99o7QUEa1Szf9meU_m2wD3mB_IcAg7f3AfwjUYZoVv8Yra2I/s320/Guilty.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYaLFx_G51bxyCIIpFqhyphenhyphenJ7-_slfqBoXN-ywkOHSx3oeGIZhEmPnDJHL7HbEzb1OOlvGsWCmNa15Yfnr5UqJKeCXDw8rZPPU86klYLztTSNjL_QS3pjHTyV3O2V5ObFtCjIr5qXFVP0A/s320/Jail+racist+killer+kops+2012-11-21+Oakland.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Know your local domestic security agencies</b></span>.
<b><br />This archive contains information about security agencies operating in the San Pablo Bay Area engaging in human rights abuse, surveillance and harassment against people of lower-income, members of captive nations, and against individuals based on their political or religious beliefs. This list is woefully incomplete.</b><b> Note: All [links] go to a page on the Northbay Copwatch archive, and do not connect to the websites of the agency described.<br />Read: "7 Examples of a “Police State,” and How They Are Appearing in the U.S." [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2012/09/7-examples-of-police-state-and-how-they.html">link</a>].<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Municipal and County security agencies:</span></b> <br />
** All security agencies are deputized against dissidents through the <b>DHS Fusion Centers</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/09/dhs-fusion-centers.html">link</a>]<br />
** See the weapons, vehicles, and other equipment police in your area have acquired from the military. Searchable by state and county. [<a href="http://bridge.caspio.net/dp.asp?AppKey=36701000b255adcfe6ca4b13a8a4">bridge.caspio.net/dp.asp?AppKey=36701000b255adcfe6ca4b13a8a4</a>]<br />
** By Government Code Section 3307, Peace Officers cannot be
required to take polygraph examinations, a privilege that does not exist
for State or Federal employees of the FBI, CIA, or many other public-sector security agencies.<br />
** Police hiring policies legally discriminate against high IQ applicants, court ruling [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2000/09/police-hiring-policies-legally.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>Also see: Judicial Corruption</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/02/judicial-corruption.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
<b>Solano County -</b><br />
<b>* Solano County Sheriff's Department<br />* Vallejo Police Department</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/vallejo-police-department.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Vacaville Police Department</b><br />
<b>* Dixon Police Department</b><br />
<b>* Fairfield Police Department</b><br />
<b>* Benicia Police Department</b><br />
<b>* Suisun Police Department</b><br />
<br />
<b>Napa County - <br />* Napa County Sheriff's Department<br />* Napa City Police Department<br />* American Canyon Police Department<br />* Calistoga Police Department<br />* St. Helena Police Department<br />* Yountville Police Department</b><br />
<br />
<b>Contra Costa County - <br />* Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department</b><br />
<b>* Antioch </b><b>Police Department </b>[<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/08/man-tortured-in-public-by-antioch.html">link</a>]<b><br />* Richmond Police Department<br />* Concord Police Department<br />* Walnut Creek Police Department<br />* Martinez Police Department<br />* Alamo Police Department</b><br />
<br />
<b>Sonoma County</b> -<br />
<b>* </b><b>Sonoma County Sheriff's Department </b>[<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/01/sonoma-county-sheriffs-department.html">link</a>]<b><br />* Sonoma City </b><b><b>Police Department</b> <br />* Rohnert Park</b><b><b><b> Police Department </b></b><br />* Sebastopol </b><b><b><b>Police Department</b></b> <br />* Santa Rosa </b><b><b><b>Police Department</b></b><br />* Petaluma</b> <b> </b><b><b>Police Department</b></b><br />
Also see:<br />
* "Police Brutality is on the Rise: 17 local case histories" (Sonoma County), published 2000 [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2000/04/police-brutality-is-on-rise-17-local.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
*<b> Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police Dept.</b>, sharing visual and meta-data about human-rights advocates riding the BART train.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>California State security agencies:</b></span><br />
* <b>California Highway Patrol (CHP)</b><br />
* <b>California State Military Department</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/california-military-department.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>California Governor's Office of Emergency Services</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Federal security agencies:</b></span><br />
<b>* The Federal Intelligence Community (IC)</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-federal-intelligence-community-ic.html">link</a>], centralizing 17 public-sector security agencies.<br />
<b>* Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/03/fbi-changes-its-primary-mission-to.html">link</a>], an agency which is used against domestic dissent.<br />
<b>* California National Guard</b> (a Federal agency)<b> </b>and suppression of dissent in eastern Europe [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/08/california-national-guard-and.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Suspicious Activity Reporting program</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/07/suspicious-activity-reporting-program.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/11/atf-operations.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Transportation Security Administration (TSA)</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/02/transportation-security-administration.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police</b><br />
* <b>U.S. Air Force Security Forces</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2015/09/blog-post.html">http://is.gd/AWq9Ad</a>], an agency which monitors peace activists.<br />
* <b>National Security Agency (NSA)</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/05/national-security-agency-nsa.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>DHS Office for State and Local Law Enforcement</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/05/dhs-office-for-state-and-local-law.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>National Fusion Center Coordination Group</b><br />
*<b> DHS Citizen Corps Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) & USAonWatch</b><br />
*<b> Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC)</b><br />
<b>* </b>"<b><b>Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (Bay Area UASI)</b></b>", administered at the federal level by DHS. Part of the "Cytel, LLC/Urban Shield" scandal (2014) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/cytel-llc-urban-shield-scandal-2014.html">link</a>].<br />
<b><b> </b>* National Counterterrorism Center</b>, "<i>for tracking individuals with suspected links to international terrorism</i>", including donation-based medical & children's aid, for the purpose of targeted surveillance, harassment, and kidnapping.<br />
<b>* Directorate of Terrorist Identities (DTI)</b>, and their <b>Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE)</b>, including the<b> Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB)</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/08/directorate-of-terrorist-identities-dti.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
<b>Analysis:</b><br />
* How We Got From 9/11 to Massive NSA Spying on Americans: A Timeline, 2001 to 2013 [<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140302200050/http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/nsa-timeline-surveillance">link</a>]<br />
<br />
Also see:<br />
* <b>JTRIG</b> tools and techniques (updated 2012-07-05) [<a href="https://archive.today/fVXir">archive.today/fVXir</a>]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Other domestic security operatives:</b></span><br />
<b>* Grand Jury investigations</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/11/grand-jury-investigations.html">link</a>]<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Transnational security agencies:</b></span><br />
<b>The objective of allowing transnational security agencies to operate within the USA against dissidents is to maintain collective security for USA allies. Networks, best described as </b><b>Public-sector Transnational ICs, are listed here. Their Private-sector entities are too numerous to list.</b><br />
<b>* "Five Eyes" </b>(USA, UKGB, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) [<a href="http://solanopeacejustice.blogspot.com/2013/11/five-eyes-us-uk-canada-australia-and.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Republic of (South) Korea</b> security agencies, including the Korean CIA<br />
* <b>State of Israel</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/02/california-police-utilize-israel-to-spy.html">link</a>]: Beginning 2003, Israeli police forces and associated Israeli funded agencies have organized law enforcement trainings with Federal, municipal and state security agencies, with live trainings in Israel, by Israeli police and
counter-terrorism units. These trainings are to normalize the use
of "counter-terrorism" tactics against all suspects, especially against political protesters!!<br />
For example, Los Angeles Police Officers attack human-rights activist who shows solidarity with the People of Palestine (2014-07-08) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/07/los-angeles-police-officers-attack.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Republic of Colombia</b>: Targeting and disrupting "Latin American leftists"<br />
<b>* United States of Mexico</b>: Targeting and disrupting "Mexican American leftists"<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Private sector security agencie</b><b>s: </b></span><br />
<b>* Meet the Contractors Turning America's Police Into a Paramilitary Force</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/01/meet-contractors-turning-americas.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* INFRAGARD</b>: The FBI's private union with "Wall Street" security agencies<br />
* <b>GEOCOP</b>, a private software program for monitoring openly available online messages. See: "Huntsville student explains tweets that led to spying on students" (2014-09-25) [<a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/huntsville_student_who_sent_th.html#incart_special-report">al.com link</a>] [<a href="https://archive.today/hTPwC">archive.today</a>]<br />
* <b>Chevron</b><br />
<b>* Union Pacific Police Department</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/05/union-pacific-police-department.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)</b><br />
* <b>Law Enforcement intelligence Unit (LEIU)<br />* International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)</b> [<a href="http://www.theiacp.org/">TheIACP.org</a>]<b><br />* National Sheriff's Association<br />* Private Patrols used to supplement Police presence</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/02/private-patrols-used-to-supplement.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Police SWAT teams, overseen by Law Enforcement Councils (LEC)</b>, are incorporating as private entities with no public oversight [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/06/police-swat-teams-overseen-by-law.html">link</a>] <br />
* <b>TrapWire</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/09/trapwire.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Media journalists providing information to police about political activities</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/11/beware-media-journalists-provide.html">link</a>]<br />
*<b> "Anarchists", funded by security agencies both public and private... </b>[<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2010/07/anarchists-funded-by-security-agencies.html">link</a>]<br />
Beware, also, of private professional clandestine agents, who, as individuals for hire, infiltrate and disrupt democratic campaigns for dignity and human rights, oftentimes sharing their privately collected intelligence to public sector security agencies, including municipal police departments. <br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3E-fM26piotUAEPdaRJYOlJidVqRL-XssQQYfPESLzrnEb-wfNmREuSypS5dVpTTsPK4_qq_Y3YjbTyKlXo3ST9eg01IlslTa6gWKGDWTsL323ePG2cuIiRz9Elb6e_yBOxD0jTkK0U/s1600/7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Security agencies conduct operations against political opposition:</span></b><br />
<b>Domestic security agencies are targeting </b><b>non-violent advocates for peace, justice, and freedom</b><b> in the San Pablo bay area and neighboring regions, under the definition of what constitutes terrorism, not because of any violent actions, but to stifle dissent.</b> <b>Although there is no universal definition of terrorism, Title 22 of the
U.S. Code, Section 2656f(d) defines terrorism as “<i>premeditated,
politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets
by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to
influence an audience.</i>”</b><br />
A war against dissent. Former NSA Director Keith Alexander privately
receives up to a million dollars a month, due to a cyber-surveillance
technique he and his partners at his new security firm IronNet
Cybersecurity have developed, and he is slated to head a 'cyber-war
council' backed by Wall Street against domestic and foreign resistance
to corporate policies. [<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/07/29/former-nsa-chief-why-im-worth-1-million-month-wall-street">www.commondreams.org/news/2014/07/29/former-nsa-chief-why-im-worth-1-million-month-wall-street</a>]<br />
Brazil, 1979 to 1985, a regime of public and private sector security agencies acting in collusion against Labor Unions and Human Rights advocates [<a href="http://historyandcurrentcontext.blogspot.com/2014/08/brazil-1979-to-1985-fascisms-hallmark.html">link</a>].<br />
<br />
<b>Analysis:</b><br />
* Security agencies fabricate incidents to justify their actions against advocates for Peace, Justice and Freedom [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/security-agencies-fabricate-incidents.html">link</a>]<br />
* Collective Coercion in the USA is similar to how its done in China [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/collective-coercion-in-china.html">link</a>]<br />
* Disruption of human-rights gathering at Port of Oakland (2014-08-01) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/08/disruption-of-human-rights-gathering-at.html">link</a>]<br />
* United Farm Workers (UFW) union email service hit by systemwide stoppage (2014-07-25) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/07/united-farm-workers-ufw-union-email.html">link</a>]<br />
* Recent visits with political activists by FBI in San Francisco, New York city, Chicago (2014-07-02) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/07/recent-visits-with-political-activists.html">link</a>]<br />
* "Surveillance of American Muslims Underscores Lack of Safeguards" [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/07/surveillance-of-american-muslims.html">link</a>]<br />
* Security agency intimidation tactics [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/security-agency-intimidation-tactics.html">link</a>]
<b><br /></b>* Solidarity with Cyndi Mitchell, advocate of Justice for her brother Mario Romero <a href="http://northbaymds.blogspot.com/2014/03/solidarity-with-cyndi-mitchell-advocate.html">[link</a>], under threat by Vallejo PD and their allies (updated February, 2014). <br />
* Northbay MDS: Disruptions and other strange things (work in progress) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/10/northbay-mds-disruptions-and-other.html">link</a>]<br />
* Oakland Police provide political affiliation information to private business for purpose of intimidating targeted dissidents (reported October, 2013) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/10/oakland-police-provide-political.html">link</a>].<br />
* On October 29, 2013, UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz police filmed union members striking.<br />
* Oakland Police use military methods to terrorize and torture anti-war protesters, April 7th, 2003.<br />
* Our neighbor, an anti-racist, white-American, named Linda L R Roberts of Sacramento, writes Nov. 9th, 2013: "<i>So, neighbors were told to do a citizens arrest on the large group of thugs on 10th Avenue near me. Today at the anti police brutality demo, there were 7 cops sitting around for about an hour.</i>" David A. of Sacramento adds: "<i>+ 2 snipers on the 2nd floor parking
garage and the cop with subdued patch on orange motorcycle. What a waste
of all that money and resources, so they can harass people who are
grieving.</i>"<br />
<img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyirGB_GRpQW2YUlUKejFV-moOrfKnAu4PzUrDtGawv-yM-wDNdJ-ZjLc6UAIvyTt-vzMkQN_MatJcQW1dmROjHCvVzbZvsZykAOCZkg-3HNC6sJeEDZBsvfGAmr0bt_Ep-kGkOU-o2M/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /><br />
* “<i>Banners will keep me away</i>” letter from Miriam Schidfman, Alameda to the editor of “San Francisco Chronicle”, January 20th, 2014 [<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/letterstoeditor/article/Letters-to-the-editor-Jan-20-5158062.php">sfgate.com/opinion/letterstoeditor/article/Letters-to-the-editor-Jan-20-5158062.php</a>]: Banners hung in San Francisco streets with an antiabortion (and incorrect) message (City Insider Jan. 15) lead me to believe that the city officially agrees with the message. These, plus the fact that <b>police were photographing pro-choice protesters</b> on the sidelines (myself included) along the Embarcadero during one of the antiabortion marches, are the reasons I will not be visiting San Francisco so long as those banners are up. <br />
** “<i>War on Terror Witchhunt: Protest FBI Raids on Leftists, Union Activists!</i>", 2010-10-08 from "Worker's Vanguard" [<a href="http://www.icl-fi.org/english/wv/966/raids.html">ICL-FI.org/english/wv/966/raids.html</a>]: The June Supreme Court ruling expanded what constitutes “material support” to include the exercise of the rights of speech and association, which are supposedly protected by the First Amendment. The ruling was in response to a case brought by the <b>Humanitarian Law Project</b> and other groups and individuals who wanted to advise the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on how to appeal to the United Nations for peaceful resolution of their struggles. The LTTE and PKK had long been targets of the wars waged by the U.S.-supported Sri Lankan and Turkish governments against the oppressed Tamil and Kurdish national minorities. The Court’s decision essentially criminalized any activity that is considered as giving legitimacy to “terrorists.” This could include anything from donating money to Muslim charities to interviewing a guerrilla fighter for the press. The secular nationalist LTTE and PKK had made it onto the State Department hit list because they fought a desperate struggle against regimes allied with the U.S. In ruling against the Humanitarian Law Project, the Supreme Court declared outright: “<i>Providing foreign terrorist groups with material support in any form also furthers terrorism by straining the United States’ relationships with its allies.</i>” A mere three months later, the Feds launched their attack against leftist activists. <br />
** CHP and Eureka police torture, terrorize, attempt to kill senior citizens advocating for preservation of Redwoods (2011-02) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2011/02/chp-and-eureka-police-torture-terrorize.html">link</a>]<br />
** How one snitch could bring national media attention to your campaign (2008) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-one-snitch-could-bring-national.html">link</a>]<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Police State Fascism</b></span><br />
* <b>Killed by Police</b> [<a href="http://killedbypolice.net/">http://killedbypolice.net/</a>], a database of extrajudicial murder and officer involved fatalities, updated constantly.<br />
<b>* More Police In Schools Leads to More Students Under Arrest </b>[<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-04-15-more-police-in-schools-leads.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* </b>"<i>Fees, Fines, and Debt: How Governments and Companies are Jailing Poor People to Make a Buck</i>" [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2012/08/2012-08-22-fees-fines-and-debt-how.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>War against Dissent by private clandestine services</b> [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2013/11/war-against-dissent-by-private.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Reform addressing human and civil-rights abuses by Clandestine Agencies is a facade</b> [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2014/05/reform-addressing-human-rights-and.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Police State Technology </b></span><br />
* <b>Automated License Plate Readers</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/05/automated-license-plate-readers.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Saturation coverage of surveillance drones</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/07/saturation-coverage-of-surveillance.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Stingray device</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/06/stingray-device.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Organized Stalking and Electronic Harassment</b>: [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/03/organized-stalking-and-electronic.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Online Slander campaign</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/01/online-slander-campaign.html">link</a>]<br />
* Security agencies routinely infiltrate social media to monitor and
direct online discourse, engage in smear campaigns against targeted
victims [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/05/security-agencies-routinely-infiltrate.html">link</a>]<br />
* Google is an extension of Military and Clandestine agencies [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2014/06/google-is-extension-of-military-and.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>Indications that Facebook monitors and interferes with dissidents </b>[<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2013/08/indications-that-facebook-moniters-and.html">link</a>]<br />
* "Meet the Data Brokers Who Help Corporations Sell Your Digital Life" [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2013/11/meet-data-brokers-who-help-corporations.html">link</a>]<br />
* Pattern of cyber-attacks against "leftist" populist news journals [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2014/07/pattern-of-cyber-attacks-against.html">link</a>]<br />
* US Military study social media trends for use against democracy campaigns [<a href="http://unitedstatesfascism.blogspot.com/2014/07/us-military-study-social-media-trends.html">link</a>]<br />
* Facebook.com manipulates targeted user pages to influence long-term moods [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/06/facebookcom-manipulates-targeted-user.html">link</a>]<br />
* Federally Mandated Internet Snooping [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2011/07/us-house-committee-approves-internet.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Organized cover-ups of the "Thin Blue Line"</b></span><br />
* The case of Vallejo Police Officer Jim Capoot [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/02/vallejo-police-officer-jim-capoot.html">link</a>]<br />
* A blatant example of the methods for covering up systematic terror by security agencies, read the story behind the campaign for <b>Justice for Aloni</b>, innocent victim of police torture (Los Angeles, 2013-03) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/03/justice-for-aloni-innocent-victim-of.html">link</a>]. This story is amazing! The California Highway Patrol, District Attorneys, even nurses continue to try to justify the actions of Officer Jose A. Ramirez, B# 17598. This abuse of power is a huge mistake that creates a bigger gap of mistrust between law enforcement and the community. The criminal "injustice" system in place sends a clear message to people who suffer police violence: THE STATE PROTECTS OFFICERS. <br />
* Successful Cover-Up: Victor White [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/08/victor-white-iii-lynched-by-louisiana.html">link</a>]<br />
* Also see the "Thin Red Line" of the firefighters [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/11/thin-red-line-firefighters-and-snitching.html">link</a>]<br />
<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54hblncmtHbzsImiYYa78m_2f9nhFG3bwdUgJd_gZaf8RrYCFyohogbgbZeBKQL3BGJ6ejaFV8V4hmIHjCOL48vD5thQQaegI4z6-s-Z29IcxgL0zSFMdr6NogIXtmvBisb1QKgK3Vjs/s1600/2.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Know Your Rights!</span></b><br />
* "<i>Citizen’s Guide to Surviving Police Encounters</i>" [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/01/busted-citizens-guide-to-surviving.html">link</a>]<br />
* "<i>10 Ways to Outfox Cops That Are Abusing Their Powers to Trick You</i>" article [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2010/11/10-ways-to-outfox-cops-that-are-abusing.html">link</a>]<br />
* "<i>10 Rules for Dealing with Police</i>" video information [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/01/2010-09-03-10-rules-for-dealing-with.html">link</a>]<br />
* Advice from "Stop Mass Incarceration Network" [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/09/stop-mass-incarceration-network.html">link</a>]<br />
* Advice from "Flex Your Rights" [<a href="http://flexyourrights.org/">link</a>]<br />
* You Have the Right to Remain Silent: NLG Guide to Law Enforcement Encounters [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/02/you-have-right-to-remain-silent-nlg.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* The "Right to Remain Silent" </b>[<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-right-to-remain-silent.html">link</a>]
is admissible only after you are read your "Miranda Rights" during an
arrest, and your silence can be used against you in a court of law.<br />
* <b>National Lawyer's Guild (NLG)</b> National Hotline for activists contacted by the FBI: 888-654-3265
<br />
* Tips for Activists dealing with Police disruption [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/10/tips-for-activists-dealing-with-police.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>The Bay Area Committee to Resist Political Repression</b> (<b>BACRPR)</b> [<a href="http://grandjuryresistance.org/">grandjuryresistance.org</a>]<br />
* "<i>Protect Yourself from FBI Manipulation</i>" (w/ attorney Harvey Silverglate) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/protect-yourself-from-fbi-manipulation.html">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Social Media Security:</b> How to turn off commercial spying on your Facebook account [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/06/an-important-message-about-your.html">link</a>] <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Start a community watch network!</span></b><br />
<b>* Copwatch listings</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/04/copwatch-chapters.html">link</a>]<br />
<b><b>* </b>Copwatch newswires</b> [<a href="http://beatyourselfup.com/">link</a>]<br />
<b>* </b>"Police the Police" [<a href="http://www.facebook.com/PoliceThePoliceCP">www.facebook.com/PoliceThePoliceCP</a>]<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCZgvi1lJjnfJuL3dNLNcy5paTdpZ911iJb-guOhVal53nLSJGJZHzh-TeLwS1KV2LH0J3YNduNTzuXAB0dxraRbCLrjVSygOeUWgs17QfsMJqLzvYA2fxdDE_wDhu0e5qnJbAz_oJZw/s1600/1.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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<br />
<div class="post-message-container" data-role="message-container">
<div data-role="message-content">
<div class="post-message publisher-anchor-color " data-role="message" dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: large;">"<i><b>Community Control of the Police!</b></i>" </span><br />
The Other Side of the COIN: Counterinsurgency and Community Policing [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/the-other-side-of-coin.html">link</a>]<br />
* <b>REPLACE the Police</b>, defeat Fascism and it's occupational army!! [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/07/replace-police-defeat-fascism-and-its.htm">link</a>]<br />
<b>* Alternatives to Police</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2012/07/alternatives-to-police.html">link</a>] <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(graphic art by Emory Douglass, of the Black Panther Party, April 4th, 1971)</span><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwNzhewCDU2vkEc0Vwiu_2-i6cznp0LyHs1_l6MxmS-cXt09183KFEiNP5Tm1GsS6I4towkTmToDXpGw_U_870Z1feFgVy5wnjDkOLfXCxAUlxkHWIJHhai3mwCj_SRJBMVyRgeCqkPw/s1600/1.jpg" width="261" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiU9sjZsud44pTcbCXHra5yN5YnHkKK9YLk7V7720IwsEqQt4DjGTnXfuOeK4Ne4hPl_G6GAaXS3ty6l8cwIgW7VIefJn3mWaRgZeMwtkfT31um_zgmiN4gZgBSWaPpTHXCxEqeA0PYc/s1600/14.jpg" width="299" /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-8601834049214856392015-02-27T11:50:00.000-08:002015-04-12T11:51:16.678-07:00Glenn Swindell (died May 17, 2014 in Santa Rosa after 12-hour Police Siege)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfJHLhA_RgKDDwLtDPr6YBJjgS_zDjx8cXudFqkwZ5LP_Eq7YFyFo_-HpludqVar8j2L4xpvhWwPhphPOoVr2_QhuMspSwGx1w3871ba_PO2doojecMzaSme9-VL74Za1Hf3ZJ2P-yFI/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfJHLhA_RgKDDwLtDPr6YBJjgS_zDjx8cXudFqkwZ5LP_Eq7YFyFo_-HpludqVar8j2L4xpvhWwPhphPOoVr2_QhuMspSwGx1w3871ba_PO2doojecMzaSme9-VL74Za1Hf3ZJ2P-yFI/s1600/2.jpg" /></a>Campaign updates at [<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SeekingTruthForGlenn">https://www.facebook.com/SeekingTruthForGlenn</a>]<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">"</span><i style="text-align: center;">Federal Suit charges Sonoma County SWAT with use of Toxic Gas Cocktail & 12-hour Armored Siege causing wrongful death of father of four</i><span style="text-align: center;">" press release (2015-03-02), the unedited text of the complaint filed on Feb. 27th is posted after the press release:</span><br />
On the morning of Friday, Feb. 27th, the Swindell family filed a Federal lawsuit in the Northern District of California in San Francisco, charging law enforcement and Sonoma County with having committed the wrongful and egregious death of Glenn in violation of express provisions of the U.S. Constitution and California state law while engaging in an orchestrated 12-hour military siege on the home of Glen Swindell on May 17, 1014.<br />
At virtually the same hour of the morning eight months ago on May 17th, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department proclaimed Glenn Swindell – Santa Rosa family man, loving son and brother, devoted husband, steady employee at Safeway for almost 20 years, devoted father of four – to be dead after a 12-hour siege of the Swindell home in northern Santa Rosa.<br />
While Sonoma County has been plagued by Officer Involved Fatalities – 69 since the Department of Justice visited the County in 2000 in response to anti-policeviolence protests – Glenn’s death stands out for its calculating brutality, total disregard for a family’s lives and well-being, level of overkill by close to 50 militarily armed SWAT officers with high-powered sniper rifles, the use of a toxic chemical cocktail of Oleoresin Capasicum (OC gas), pepper spray, CS gas and tear gas to torture and mentally and physically punish Glenn while he was confined in a closed attic, the outright violation of Glenn’s free speech rights by using his Facebook Page to incentivize the police on the scene to violentlyretaliate against Glenn who was “one of them” (see official police transcript attached to media kit), violation of Glenn’s due process rights by, among other actions, utilizing an armored personal carrier to bash down the garage door of the Swindell home and pump a toxic gas cocktail into an enclosed space where Glenn had taken refuge, and using the pretext of Glenn’s legal ownership of two registered guns for home self-defense to illegally, and in blatant disregard for the 2nd Amendment, lay siege and attack Glenn’s home.<br />
The Feb. 27th Complaint also charges a SWAT supervisor with expressly declaring his intent to kill Glenn upon arriving at the siege, “Why don’t you just kill the fucker?” In furtherance of Law Enforcement’s intent to silence a law abiding citizen who had done no wrong, the following chilling words went out over the police radio at the beginning of the siege, “All units … [Swindell’s] FB [Facebook] indicates that this subj [subject] is... making ANTI LAW ENF [enforcement] HATE STYLE VERBAGE AND STATEMENTS …” (see attachment to media kit). That calculated and inflammatory mischaracterization of Glenn’s Facebook postings constituted a declaration of war by Sonoma County and 50 SWAT officers vs. Glenn Swindell – U.S. citizen who had committed no illegal act!<br />
Some have asked, “Why didn’t Glenn just come out as the police demanded” every few minutes for 12-hours on their bullhorn while firing concussion grenades andlobbing gas canisters through EVERY window in the family’s home. As Glenn told his mother Debby Ann on the phone from the attic during the siege in response to her pleas to give up to the police as, in her words, they were just there to “Serve and Protect”, “Mom – you don’t know Sonoma County. I have done nothing wrong, but if I come out they will kill me like they did that little boy who had a toy gun [Andy Lopez]. Mom – I just want the police to go away so I can be with my family in peace.”<br />
After observing law enforcement initiated fatalities of 63 Sonoma County residents in the last 15 years [currently 69], Glenn knew perfectly well what fate would likely befall him if he walked out into an armed siege of sniper bearing SWAT officers. Glenn’s fear was totally reasonable for any Sonoma County resident in a similar position. For that reasonably objective fear – Glenn Swindell died at age 39.<br />
For hours before Glenn’s life ended after the 12-hour siege, he suffered inhumane conditions in an attic gas chamber. The toxic gas cocktail that steadily engulfed him scalded and irritated his lungs, burned his skin as if being attacked by killer ants, stung his eyes, blurring his vision and filling his lungs with chemical particulates’ causing congestion and mucus that made each breath near impossible. Glenn spent hours in a living hell contemplating his future, as it grew worse minute by minute.<br />
Before Glenn had retreated to the illusory safety of his attic, he had fed his two young children bowls of ice cream, as was their bedtime ritual. Next to the kids’ ice cream bowls the next morning sat a pamphlet Glenn had been reading the night before as police surrounded his house on the Manka Road cul-de-sac. The title read, “Citizens Rule Book”. The pamphlet was a “Jury Handbook” explaining the United States Bill of Rights.<br />
The inscription on the back cover read, “PROCLAIM LIBERTY – Inscribed on our hallowed LIBERTY BELL are these words “PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF.” Hours before his death as the police began arriving at his door; Glenn had been studying his rights under the Bill of Rights. Glenn knew he had committed no wrong and expected to be protected by the Bill of Rights.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q1a2WaFwOSQwiCRBuWWYQL8gLo-eYm6mUYP_vtzwEi_5zXaB_nlpkCbiP9a_k9MLpKqKpTbUFzEm8giMiyQEHFpiI3aBGwmFoaqI189xKO8VgN_DkIMAAJwrLTzedhB5UAXjM6er6Fw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q1a2WaFwOSQwiCRBuWWYQL8gLo-eYm6mUYP_vtzwEi_5zXaB_nlpkCbiP9a_k9MLpKqKpTbUFzEm8giMiyQEHFpiI3aBGwmFoaqI189xKO8VgN_DkIMAAJwrLTzedhB5UAXjM6er6Fw/s1600/1.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a><br />
(Photo-scan of the copy of the "Jury Handbook on the U.S. Bill of Rights" which Glenn Swindell was reading as SWAT surrounded his house) Unfortunately, Sonoma County Law Enforcement was operating from a different playbook. After almost 12-hours of experiencing inhumane suffering and deprivation, while closeted in an enclosed, dark-attic gas chamber, gasping for air – burning, scared lungs filled with toxic gases, steadily and painfully being asphyxiated - Glenn made a devil’s choice – before walking out into a hail of police bullets – Glenn made the untenable choice to leave his loved ones behind and to end his intolerable misery with a shot to the head.<br />
(Photo-scan of the police communication transcript branding Glenn Swindell as a proponent of "hate style verbiage" against the police on his Facebook page.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj612hwwORl5Ly2xLvu5TC3pwCmr5sb1L-GjjtsGaDEGG14sKQErSwEX0Xjp2Uof5Q-YGgNxbVa2ZgTML_tZCXU3Y1wpL8KcQ757xjuB1JPicr99b6YnJJW08alfB49i5abUxHS_CYOoi4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj612hwwORl5Ly2xLvu5TC3pwCmr5sb1L-GjjtsGaDEGG14sKQErSwEX0Xjp2Uof5Q-YGgNxbVa2ZgTML_tZCXU3Y1wpL8KcQ757xjuB1JPicr99b6YnJJW08alfB49i5abUxHS_CYOoi4/s1600/2.jpg" height="188" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13jtX8ZmBCLdLbKm3cMHXH3F52dxK9FGhbENMIADqejtbnUNIdZvyTU_rryx8GkCdUmpkktS-BVx8dVl3k09VH9oSHhcjG3r4GzEWbRr6hm9ofW_N3VZ21hlJObqY_KeqJdP8CLFKhzQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13jtX8ZmBCLdLbKm3cMHXH3F52dxK9FGhbENMIADqejtbnUNIdZvyTU_rryx8GkCdUmpkktS-BVx8dVl3k09VH9oSHhcjG3r4GzEWbRr6hm9ofW_N3VZ21hlJObqY_KeqJdP8CLFKhzQ/s1600/1.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a><br />
Also see<br />
<div>
* "<i>Family sues Sonoma County over standoff that ended in suicide</i>" (2015-02-27, pressdemocrat.com) [<a href="https://archive.today/aPeKM">https://archive.today/aPeKM</a>]<br />
* "<i>Family questions deputies' tactics in Larkfield standoff that ended in suicide</i>" (2014-05-21, pressdemocrat.com) [<a href="https://archive.today/0fNim">https://archive.today/0fNim</a>]<br />
* "<i>SWAT team standoff leads to suicide by husband and father</i>" (2014-05-22, crimevoice.com) [<a href="https://archive.today/rYrI6">https://archive.today/rYrI6</a>] [begin excerpt]: All indications are that Swindell was a good family man who had become more and more troubled over recent years. Deborah Belka was quoted as saying he was becoming a conspiracy theorist, and harbored a growing fear of the police. After 22 years in the grocery business, she said, he was involved in a car accident, leaving him with severe shoulder pain, and on disability. During his year or more off work, he began following the InfoWars website and theorist/personality Alex Jones. He seemed to have a particular interest in the idea that white contrails from airplanes were not naturally occurring, but chemicals being emitted in a geo-engineering effort by the government, according to posts he made on his Facebook page. Belka also stated that Swindell was not a violent man, but a good outdoorsman who cared about his family. [end excerpt]</div>
Image: Example of the "hate style verbiage" postings to Facebook.com by Glenn Swindell collected by Sonoma County Sheriffs Department.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qit449xDLBCN2cuxDl8zdhZfll7RAfsHArebPrOJy_lYlydI4WsDZ3xxy1xdSB3Q-5rq201EAgx6c6PZc1gtKq9kmcZISuGhf3e_JAF_ueAGwiM33BGnB_w5OHiPGvs-m_oC3Mt1Law/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qit449xDLBCN2cuxDl8zdhZfll7RAfsHArebPrOJy_lYlydI4WsDZ3xxy1xdSB3Q-5rq201EAgx6c6PZc1gtKq9kmcZISuGhf3e_JAF_ueAGwiM33BGnB_w5OHiPGvs-m_oC3Mt1Law/s1600/1.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a><br />
===*===*===<br />
<br />
<br />
COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES<br />
Case3:15-cv-00897 Document1 Filed02/27/15<br />
<br />
COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES<br />
1. Unreasonable Search and Seizure (42 U.S.C. § 1983)<br />
2. Substantive Due Process Violation (42 U.S.C. § 1983)<br />
3. Freedom of Speech and Expression Violation (42 U.S.C. § 1983)<br />
4. Right to Keep and Bear Arms Violation (42 U.S.C. § 1983)<br />
5. Municipal Liability for Unconstitutional Customs and Practices (42 U.S.C. § 1983)<br />
6. Substantive Due Process Violation (42 U.S.C. § 1983)<br />
7. Unreasonable Search and Seizure (42 U.S.C. § 1983)<br />
<br />
COME NOW Plaintiffs ESTATE OF GLENN SWINDELL, by and through successors in interest; SARAH SWINDELL, individually and as successor in interest; G.S., a minor, individually and as successor in interest, by and through Sarah Swindell as Guardian ad Litem; M.S., a minor, individually and as successor in interest, by and through Sarah Swindell, as Guardian ad Litem; J.S., a minor, individually and as successor in interest, by and through Deann Macias, as Guardian ad Litem, DEBORAH BELKA, individually and as successor in interest and TYLER SWINDELL, individually and as successor in interest,(hereinafter collectively “Plaintiffs”) and allege as follows:<br />
<br />
INTRODUCTION -<br />
1. This civil rights action seeks to establish the violations of fundamental civil rights under the United States Constitution in connection with the death of Glenn Swindell on May 17, 2014.<br />
2. Glenn Swindell was a 39-year-old loving husband and father who wanted nothing more in the world than to take care of his family. His death has been a profound and unimaginable loss to his wife, children and mother, the present Plaintiffs.<br />
3. Without reasonable cause, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office undertook a deliberate and intentional course of conduct which led to the death of Glenn Swindell (hereinafter “Glenn”). Glenn had not committed a crime, had not threatened any Sheriff personnel, had not attempted to flee or escape, and had not threatened any bystanders. There was no immediate need to subdue him nor was his death preceded by any imminent emergency or exigent circumstances which called for the storming of his home by overzealous and out-of-control deputies of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department. Yet, the Sheriff’s Office undertook a siege of Glenn’s home, deploying dozens of sheriff deputies and summoning the Special Weapons and Tactics (“SWAT”) unit to intervene to kill Glenn. Without reasonable cause, the Sheriff’s Office and its SWAT unit, gained the unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into Glenn’s home, deployed numerous concussion bombs, and later pumped numerous rounds of chemical agents into the confined attic quarters where Glenn sought refuge. These deliberate, callous and reckless actions of the defendants constituted an unreasonable use of force which created a situation that resulted in Glenn’s death.<br />
4. The violent militarized police force carried out by the present defendants in response to a minor service call was a senseless and unwarranted act of police abuse.<br />
<br />
PARTIES -<br />
5. At all relevant times, Glenn Swindell (hereinafter “decedent” or “Glenn”) was an individual residing in Sonoma County, California. The claims made by the ESTATE OF GLENN SWINDELL, are brought by his wife, SARAH SWINDELL, his children, G.S., M.S., J.S., TYLER SWINDELL, and his mother DEBORAH BELKA, the successors in interest to the ESTATE OF GLENN SWINDELL pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.32.<br />
6. Plaintiff SARAH SWINDELL (hereinafter “Sarah”) is and was, at all times relevant hereto, a resident of the County of Sonoma, and is the wife of decedent Glenn Swindell.<br />
7. Plaintiff G.S. is a minor, and is and was, at all times relevant hereto, a resident of the County of Sonoma, and was the natural daughter of decedent Glenn Swindell.<br />
8. Plaintiff M.S. is a minor, and is and was, at all times relevant hereto, a resident of the County of Sonoma, and was the natural son of decedent Glenn Swindell.<br />
9. Plaintiff J.S. is a minor, and is and was, at all times relevant hereto, a resident of the County of Sonoma, and was the natural son of decedent Glenn Swindell.<br />
10. Plaintiff TYLER SWINDELL is and was, at all times relevant hereto, a resident of the County of Sonoma, and was the natural son of decedent Glenn Swindell.<br />
11. Plaintiff DEBORAH BELKA is and was the natural mother of decedent Glenn Swindell.<br />
12. Defendant COUNTY OF SONOMA (hereafter “COUNTY”), is and was, at all times mentioned herein, a public entity, duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of California, with the capacity to sue and be sued. Defendant COUNTY is responsible for the actions, omissions, policies, procedures, practices and customs of its various agents and agencies. At all times relevant to the facts alleged herein, Defendant COUNTY was responsible for assuring that the actions, omissions, policies, procedures, practices and customs of its employees complied with the laws and the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of California.<br />
13. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (hereinafter “Sheriff’s Office”) is a subdivision of Defendant COUNTY OF SONOMA.<br />
14. At all relevant times, each of DOES 1 through 10 were employees of the Sheriff’s Office. At all times relevant herein, each of DOES 1 through 10 was an employee and/or agent of Defendant COUNTY and he or she acted under color of law, to wit, under the color of the statutes, ordinances, regulations, policies, customs, and usages of Defendant COUNTY and the Sheriff’s Office, as well as under the color of the statutes and regulations of the State of California.<br />
15. At all relevant times, each of the Defendants DOES 1 through 10 was acting within his or her capacity as an employee, agent, representative and/or servant of Defendant COUNTY, and is sued in their individual capacity.<br />
16. On information and belief, at all relevant times, the individually named defendant deputies and DOES 1 through 10, inclusive, were residents of Sonoma County, California.<br />
17. The true names of Defendants DOES 1 through 10, inclusive, are unknown to Plaintiffs, who therefore sue these Defendants by such fictitious names. Plaintiffs will seek leave to amend this Complaint to show the true names and capacities of these Defendants when they have been ascertained. Each of the fictitious named Defendants is responsible in some manner for the conduct and liabilities alleged herein.<br />
18. Each of the Defendants caused and is responsible for the unlawful conduct and resulting by, inter alia, personally participating in the conduct, or acting jointly and in concert with others who did so; by authorizing, acquiescing or failing to take action to prevent the unlawful conduct; by promulgating policies and procedures pursuant to which the unlawful conduct occurred; by failing and refusing, with deliberate indifference to Plaintiffs’ and decedent’s rights, to initiate and maintain adequate supervision and/or training; and, by ratifying the unlawful conduct that occurred by agents and peace officers under their direction and control. Whenever and wherever reference is made in this Complaint to any act by a Defendant, such allegation and reference shall also be deemed to mean the acts and failures to act of each Defendant individually, jointly and severally. They are sued in their individual and official capacities and in some manner are responsible for the acts and omissions alleged herein. Plaintiffs will ask leave of this Court to amend this Complaint to allege such name and responsibility when that information is ascertained. Each of the Defendants is the agent of the other.<br />
<br />
JURISDICTION AND VENUE<br />
19. This civil action is brought for the redress of alleged deprivations of constitutional rights as protected by 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the First, Second, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. Jurisdiction is founded on 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1343, and 1367.<br />
20. Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), because Defendants reside in, and all incidents, events, and occurrences giving rise to this action occurred in the COUNTY OF SONOMA, California, which is in the geographic and legal jurisdiction of this court.<br />
21. With respect to Plaintiffs’ supplemental state claims, Plaintiffs request that this court exercise supplemental jurisdiction over such claims as they arise from the same facts and circumstances which underlie the federal claims.<br />
<br />
FACTS COMMON TO ALL CLAIMS FOR RELIEF -<br />
22. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the foregoing paragraphs as if set forth herein.<br />
23. On May 17, 2014, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Glenn Swindell was pronounced dead in the attic of his home after a full-scale militarized assault of his home by Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and tactical force personnel in response to a minor service call.<br />
24. On the evening of May 16, 2014, Glenn and Sarah had an argument while driving home from a work function. Upon arriving home, Glenn and his two children entered their home as Sarah delayed in exiting the vehicle. Glenn locked the front door. The argument continued as Sarah stood outside the front door.<br />
25. Sarah called 911 and calmly reported the incident, requesting assistance in getting her children. Sarah denied any violence had occurred that evening when questioned by the dispatcher, as none had occurred. A patrol unit operated by Sheriff Deputies was dispatched to the Swindell home. When questioned, Sarah made it unequivocally clear that the incident was nonviolent and that she wanted to get assistance in getting her children.<br />
26. Upon the patrol unit arriving at the Swindell home, Sarah reiterated the preceding facts to the responding Sheriff Deputies and again requested assistance in getting her children.<br />
27. The responding Sheriff Deputies proceeded to make contact with Glenn through the locked front door. The Sheriff Deputies discussed the circumstances with Glenn. In response, and in compliance with the deputies requests, Glenn directed his children out of the home to be with their mother. Glenn remained in the house.<br />
28. Glenn continued to answer the Sheriff Deputies’ questions through the locked front door. During the questioning by the Sheriff Deputies, Glenn demanded that the Deputies identify themselves, and asked that they leave and stop harassing him. Glenn expressed his fear of police to the Sheriff Deputies, and confided that he was afraid that they would shoot him as they shot the 13-year-old boy, Andy Lopez.<br />
29. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors learned that Glenn was the lawful owner of two firearms which were kept in safes. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors searched Glenn’s Facebook page and falsely reported to the other deputies that Glenn “was making anti law [enforcement] hate style verbage [sic] and statements. …over the last couple of days.”<br />
30. Angered and frustrated by Glenn’s assertion of his rights, the Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors undertook a deliberate and intentional plan to wrongfully and unlawfully punish Glenn for asserting his rights not to let them into his home or to talk to them. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors threatened Glenn that if he refused to talk to them, they would arrest him. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors proceeded to wrongfully and negligently declare Glenn a “barricaded suspect” so as to be able to punish him for his insistence that the deputies leave, for his unwillingness to open the door, and for asserting his rights.<br />
31. In violation of Glenn Swindell’s First Amendment Rights, Second Amendment Rights, Fourth Amendment Rights, and Due Process Rights afforded under the Fourteenth Amendment, the Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors undertook a deliberate and intentional course of conduct which resulted in Glenn Swindell’s death. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors wrongfully and/or negligently declared Glenn to be barricaded and undertook a siege of the Swindell home. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors fabricated evidence and lied about the circumstances related to the incident, including in seeking a search and arrest warrant. These lies and fabrications include:<br />
a) That Glenn Swindell had committed a battery upon Sarah Swindell;<br />
b) That Glenn Swindell had imprisoned Sarah Swindell;<br />
c) That Sarah Swindell felt fearful and intimidated by Glenn Swindell’s actions,<br />
d) That Glenn Swindell had barricaded himself in his home;<br />
e) That Glenn Swindell had cut off communications with Sheriff personnel whom were present at his home and property;<br />
f) That Glenn Swindell had used his firearms in committing a felony; and<br />
g) That Glenn Swindell had committed a public offense.<br />
32. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors wrongfully, negligently and maliciously summoned the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office SWAT. The SWAT unit, in concert with the Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors, undertook a further siege of the Swindell home and property. They learned that Glenn Swindell was afraid of police, that he was not suicidal and that he had not committed any crime for which a full-scale militarized assault of the Swindell home was warranted. Despite this the SWAT unit, in concert with the Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors, undertook plans for such an assault and carried out such plans. They knew or should have known that the ultimate outcome of such a violent confrontation would be that Glenn would be seriously injured or killed.<br />
33. During the evening, Sarah approached the Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors. Sarah requested that the situation be deescalated and expressed her concerns. The Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors wrongfully and/or negligently coerced and threatened Sarah to take her children from her if she failed to cooperate with them.<br />
34. The personnel accompanying the SWAT unit and the Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors numbered more than 50 peace officers all of whom were present at the Swindell home and property. This great militarized police force utilized military equipment, including a military assault vehicle, concussion bombs, and chemical agents to break down the garage door of the Swindell home and wrongfully enter the Swindell home causing damage to the garage, home and contents therein.<br />
35. Upon gaining this unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry of the Swindell home, the SWAT unit learned that Glenn sought refuge in attic of the home. They learned that Glenn had a great fear of police and feared that they would kill him. In response, the Sheriff Deputies and their supervisors deemed Glenn to be an “extremely paranoid” suspect.<br />
36. At no time relevant hereto did Glenn commit any crime, make any threats against personnel from either the Sheriff’s Office or the accompanying tactical force units, or make any statements or commit any actions which indicated that it was his intent to harm members of the tactical force units or the Sheriff’s Office or anyone else. There was no need to arrest him nor did there exist any other emergency or exigent circumstances which required the defendants to enter his house or attic, or to arrest Glenn. Yet, through the concerted efforts of the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the responding SWAT units, a full-scale militarized assault ensued upon Glenn Swindell’s home.<br />
37. The Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the responding SWAT, HNT and EOD units knew that Glenn was trapped in a confined attic and that he had no means of escape. They knew or should have known that there was no pressing danger or urgency which required them to enter the attic. They knew that Glenn would eventually exit the attic and that they could and would take him into custody safely. They knew that all they had to do was wait. Time was not “of the essence” as there was no pending or developing risk to life. There was no reasonable need to use Oleoresin Capsicum (hereafter OC gas or pepper spray) or tear gas or any other chemical agent, as there was no reasonable basis to enter Glenn’s house or attic.<br />
38. Despite this, they formulated a plan for a tactical assault upon Glenn’s attic. They knew that the door to the attic had been locked and/or sealed shut by Glenn. As a result of their wrongful search of the house, they learned that Glenn may have armed himself.<br />
39. Despite this, the SWAT unit and other Sheriff’s Office personnel used a military-style assault vehicle to puncture a hole in the attic and they then proceeded to pump OC gas and tear gas into the confined attic quarters.<br />
40. They knew and intended that such tactics would cause Glenn to suffer great physical and emotional pain and suffering. They knew or should have known that the effect of the concentrated OC and tear gas, under the confined circumstances, would immobilize Glenn and kill him in an agonizing and painful way as the effects of this gas cocktail took effect.<br />
41. They knew that these effects would include eye pain, a burning sensation in the throat and nose, increased nasal secretions, chest tightness, sneezing, coughing, retching, ocular pain, watering and blurred vision, nasal pain, irritation and sneezing, oral pain, ulceration, excessive salivation, throat irritation, burning and pain, respiratory pain, shortness of breath, chest tightness, uncontrollable coughing and wheezing, gastrointestinal pain, discomfort and retching, a loss of consciousness, and skin peeling or rash. They knew that because of the tight and closed quarters Glenn sought refuge in and because of the great fear he expressed of the police, he would likely die from the effects of the gas cocktail.<br />
42. In fact, one of the SWAT supervisors declared his intent to kill Glenn upon arriving at the location by exclaiming, “Why don’t you just kill the fucker!”<br />
43. The Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the responding SWAT unit proceeded to carry out their plan to kill Glenn by pumping the OS and tear gas cocktail into the close-quartered attic knowing that the gases would kill him or that he would kill himself as a result of the extreme pain and anguish that the gases would cause. The expected effects of the gases immediately came to fruition once they were pumped into the attic. Because Glenn suffered great and unbearable physical and mental anguish from the gases and because he was unable to leave the attic which soon became a gas chamber, he took his own life with a single gunshot to his head. The Sheriff’s Office end goal that Glenn would not be bothering anyone was unfortunately achieved.<br />
44. Glenn Swindell was a hard working and dedicated husband, father and son. Glenn’s wife, children and mother, the present Plaintiffs, enjoyed a strong and meaningful relationship with Glenn that was full of love.<br />
<br />
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF - Unreasonable Search and Seizure 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Against DOE Defendants 1 through 10<br />
45. Plaintiff Estate of Glenn Swindell realleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs as if set forth herein<br />
46. Defendants’ actions described herein violated Glenn Swindell’s rights under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution incorporated and made applicable to states and municipalities by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, by subjecting Glenn Swindell to unreasonable searches and seizures of his person and home.<br />
47. At the time of Glenn Swindell’s death, he was not engaging in, nor had he engaged in, any assaultive or threatening conduct. Under the totality of the relevant circumstances that existed, he posed no danger or threat to the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisor, the responding SWAT units, or anyone else. The full-scale militarized assault of the Swindell home, including the unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into the Swindell home, the deployment of concussion bombs and the pumping of numerous rounds of CS and OC chemical agents into the confined attic quarters where Glenn Swindell sought refuge, recklessly created an unconstitutional provocation leading to the death of Glenn Swindell. Such conduct was unreasonable under the circumstances in every respect and was undertaken intentionally and recklessly by the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the responding SWAT unit.<br />
48. These actions violated Glenn Swindell’s right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures as guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.<br />
49. During the deployment of the concussion bombs and the numerous rounds of OC and CS gas into the confined attic quarters, Glenn Swindell endured great physical and emotional pain and suffering.<br />
50. The actions of said defendants also caused meaningful and significant damage to Glenn Swindell’s home, furnishings and other possessions contained therein.<br />
51. Defendants’ conduct violated clearly established constitutional or other rights, of which Defendants knew, or of which reasonable public officials should have known, rendering Defendants liable to Plaintiffs under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
52. The unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into Glenn Swindell’s home, the deployment of concussion bombs and numerous rounds of toxic gases, and the prolonged full-scale militarized assault of the Swindell home was willful and done with a deliberate disregard for the rights and safety of Glenn Swindell, and therefore warrants the imposition of punitive damages as to the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and responding SWAT units.<br />
53. Accordingly, Defendants DOES 1 through 10 are liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
<br />
SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF - Violation of Substantive Due Process Rights 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Against DOE Defendants 1 through 10<br />
54. Plaintiff ESTATE OF GLENN SWINDELL realleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs as if set forth herein.<br />
55. The present claim is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, for violation of GLENN SWINDELL’s substantive due process rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.<br />
56. Defendants’ actions described herein violated Glenn Swindell’s rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution by subjecting Glenn Swindell to conduct and circumstances which shock the conscience and exceed the norms of human decency.<br />
57. The full-scale militarized assault of the Swindell home, including the unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into the Swindell home, the deployment of concussion bombs and the pumping of numerous rounds of CS and OC chemical agents into the confined attic quarters where Glenn Swindell sought refuge, recklessly created an unconstitutional provocation leading to the death of Glenn Swindell. Such conduct was unreasonable under the circumstances in every respect and was undertaken intentionally by the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the responding SWAT unit. They deliberately created a gas chamber environment in the confined and enclosed attic, knowing that GLENN SWINDELL would suffer unbearable and tortuous pain, discomfort and suffering that would kill him. Because he was trapped in these unbearable conditions he took his own life to avoid the unbearable pain and suffering. Previous to this, he had an extended conversation with his mother while in the attic. He spoke of his fear of the police and expressed his love for her and his family and made it clear that he was not suicidal.<br />
58. The actions of the present defendants violated Glenn Swindell’s rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to be free from deliberate governmental conduct which shocks the conscience and which exceeds recognized norms of human decency.<br />
59. During the deployment of the concussion bombs and the numerous rounds of OC and CS gas into the confined attic quarters, Glenn Swindell endured great physical and emotional pain and suffering, and such pain and suffering was the direct and proximate cause of his death at his own hands.<br />
60. Defendants’ conduct violated clearly established constitutional or other rights, of which Defendants knew, or of which reasonable public officials should have known, rendering Defendants liable to Plaintiffs under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
61. The unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into Glenn Swindell’s home, the deployment of concussion bombs and numerous rounds of toxic gases, and the prolonged full-scale militarized assault of the Swindell home was willful and done with a deliberate disregard for the rights and safety of Glenn Swindell, and therefore warrants the imposition of punitive damages as to Defendants DOES 1 through 10, consisting of the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and responding SWAT units.<br />
62. Accordingly, Defendants DOES 1 through 10 are liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
<br />
THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF - Freedom of Speech and Expression Violation 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Against DOE Defendants 1 through 10<br />
63. Plaintiff Estate of Glenn Swindell realleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs as if set forth herein.<br />
64. Defendants’ actions described herein violated Glenn Swindell rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution incorporated and made applicable to states and municipalities by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, by prohibiting Glenn Swindell from exercising his constitutional right to free speech and expression, and by retaliating against Glenn Swindell for exercising those same rights.<br />
65. The present Plaintiff believes, and hereby alleges, that the violation of Glenn Swindell’s First Amendment rights occurred pursuant to a custom or practice maintained by the Sheriff’s Office and the COUNTY OF SONOMA, of retaliating against private citizens who exercise their First Amendment rights by voicing their opinions pertaining to the militarization of police.<br />
66. Defendants’ conduct violated clearly established constitutional or other rights, of which Defendants knew, or of which reasonable public officials should have known, rendering Defendants liable to Plaintiffs under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
67. Accordingly, Defendants DOES 1 through 10 are liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
<br />
FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF - Right to Keep and Bear Arms Violation 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Against DOE Defendants 1 through 10<br />
68. Plaintiff Estate of Glenn Swindell realleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs as if set forth herein.<br />
69. Defendants’ actions described herein violated Glenn Swindell’s rights under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution incorporated and made applicable to states and municipalities by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, by retaliating against Glenn Swindell for exercising his constitutional right to keep and bear arms in his home for the purpose self-defense.<br />
70. The present Plaintiff believes, and herein alleges, that the violation of Glenn Swindell’s Second Amendment rights occurred pursuant to a policy, custom, or practice, maintained by the Sheriff’s Office and the COUNTY OF SONOMA, of retaliating against private citizens who exercised their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms in their homes for the purpose self-defense.<br />
71. Defendants’ conduct violated clearly established constitutional or other rights, of which Defendants knew, or of which reasonable public officials should have known, rendering Defendants liable to Plaintiffs under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
72. Accordingly, Defendants DOES 1 through 10 are liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
<br />
FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF - Municipal Liability for Unconstitutional Customs and Practices 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Against Defendant COUNTY OF SONOMA<br />
73. Plaintiff Estate of Glenn Swindell realleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs as if set forth herein.<br />
74. Based on information and belief, on and before May 17, 2014 and prior to the death of Glenn Swindell resulting from the Sheriff’s Office full-scale militarized assault of his home, Defendant COUNTY OF SONOMA and DOES 1 through 10 were aware that the responding Sheriff Deputies and various other Sheriff’s Office personnel, including the responding SWAT unit, had not received proper and necessary training in responding to minor service calls pertaining to domestic disputes and effectively dealing with individuals who are in a crisis, including safely defusing anxious and hostile behavior; deciphering when behavior escalates; reinforcing preventative techniques and practicing the principles of non-harmful physical intervention.<br />
75. Defendant COUNTY OF SONOMA and DOES 1 through 10, acting with deliberate indifference to the rights and liberties of the public in general, and of the present Plaintiffs and decedent, and of persons in their class, situation and comparable position, knowingly allowed the Sheriff Deputies and responding SWAT units to respond to minor service calls in the COUNTY OF SONOMA without proper training in the handling of such calls. The Defendants knew that such untrained deputies would escalate minor services calls by creating violent confrontations leading to injury or death.<br />
76. By reason of the aforementioned custom and practice, Glenn Swindell was severely injured and subjected to pain and suffering which ultimately led to his death.<br />
77. Defendants COUNTY OF SONOMA and DOES 1 through 10 had either actual or constructive knowledge of the deficient practice and custom alleged in the paragraphs above. Despite having knowledge as stated above these defendants condoned, tolerated and through actions and inactions thereby ratified such custom and practice. Said defendants also acted with deliberate indifference to the foreseeable effects and consequences of these customs and practices with respect to the constitutional rights of decedent, Plaintiffs, and other individuals similarly situated.<br />
78. As a further example to contemptuous disregard for the rights of the citizens of Sonoma County, there exists an insidious custom and practice within the Sonoma County Sheriff’s department of interrogating the family members of persons they have killed and extracting from them through lies and subterfuge information which would be only helpful to the defense of a civil case. This custom and practice was utilized in the present case where deputies and/or detectives of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s office interrogated Sarah Swindell at length as to her relationship with her husband while withholding from her that they had killed him.<br />
79. These practices and customs implemented and maintained and still tolerated by Defendant COUNTY OF SONOMA were affirmatively linked to and were a significantly influential force behind the injuries of decedent and Plaintiffs.<br />
80. By reason of the aforementioned acts and omissions, Glenn Swindell lost his life and his wife, children and mother, the present Plaintiffs, suffered the loss of his love, affection, society and moral support.<br />
81. Accordingly, Defendants COUNTY OF SONOMA and DOES 1 through 10 are liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
<br />
SIXTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF - Interference with Familial Integrity Substantive Due Process Violation 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Against Defendants COUNTY OF SONOMA and DOES 1 through 10<br />
82. Plaintiffs SARAH SWINDELL, individually; DEBORAH BELKA, individually; G.S., a minor, by and through Sarah Swindell as Guardian ad Litem; M.S., a minor, by and through Sarah Swindell, as Guardian ad Litem, J.S., a minor, by and through Deann Macias, and TYLER SWINDELL, individually, reallege and incorporate the foregoing paragraphs as if set forth herein.<br />
83. The present claim is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, for violation of the right of familial integrity guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.<br />
84. As alleged above, the Sheriff’s Deputies, their supervisors and the accompanying SWAT unit wrongfully and/or negligently coerced and threatened Glenn Swindell with arrest and removal of his children from the home if he did not answer their questions, and further wrongfully and/or negligently coerced and threatened Sarah Swindell with removal of her children if she refused to cooperate during the siege.<br />
85. As alleged above, the Sheriff’s Deputies, their supervisors and the accompanying SWAT unit gained the unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into Glenn Swindell’s home, deployed numerous concussion bombs, and pumped numerous rounds of CS and OC chemical agents into the confined attic quarters where Glenn Swindell sought refuge. These deliberate, callous and reckless actions unconstitutionally provoked the death of Glenn Swindell. As such, these acts violated the constitutional limits on the use of a militarized police force, that is, the Fourth Amendment’s limits on unreasonable searches and seizures.<br />
86. At the same time, these acts undertaken by the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the accompanying SWAT unit violated the rights of Plaintiffs SARAH SWINDELL, individually, DEBORAH BELKA, individually, G.S., a minor, M.S., a minor, individually and as successors in interest to decedent GLENN SWINDELL, by and through their Guardian Ad Litem, SARAH SWINDELL, JOSHUA SWINDELL, individually, and TYLER SWINDELL, individually, to be free from police interference in their relationship with Glenn Swindell.<br />
87. The unreasonable conduct of the involved Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the accompanying SWAT unit was the direct and proximate cause of the death of Glenn Swindell. As a result of the unreasonable conduct of these Defendants, Plaintiffs lost Glenn Swindell, as well as his love, affection, society and moral support.<br />
88. The unreasonable conduct of these Defendants was willful and done with a deliberate disregard for the rights and safety of Glenn Swindell and the present Plaintiffs and therefore warrants the imposition of punitive damages as to the involved Sheriff personnel, including the responding Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the members of the accompanying SWAT unit.<br />
89. The unreasonable conduct of these Defendants was willful and done with a deliberate disregard for the rights of Plaintiffs and therefore warrants the imposition of punitive damages as to the involved Sheriff personnel, including the responding Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the members of the accompanying SWAT unit.<br />
90. Accordingly, Defendants COUNTY OF SONOMA and DOES 1 through 10 are liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
<br />
SEVENTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF - Unreasonable Search and Seizure 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Against DOE Defendants 1 through 10<br />
91. Plaintiff Sarah Swindell realleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 44 as if set forth herein<br />
92. Defendants’ actions described herein violated Sarah Swindell’s rights under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution incorporated and made applicable to states and municipalities by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, by subjecting Sarah Swindell to unreasonable searches of her home and seizures of her person.<br />
93. The full-scale militarized assault of the Swindell home, including the unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into the Swindell home, the deployment of concussion bombs and the pumping of numerous rounds of CS and OC chemical agents into the house constituted a violation of the Fourth Amendment’s restrictions against unreasonable searches. Such conduct was unreasonable under the circumstances in every respect and was undertaken intentionally and recklessly by the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and the responding SWAT unit.<br />
94. These actions violated Sarah Swindell’s right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures as guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.<br />
95. During the siege upon her home, Sarah Swindell was wrongfully and unlawfully taken into custody by defendants DOES 1 through 10. She was concerned that the incident was growing out of control and that the defendants here were overzealously creating circumstances that were not warranted. She voiced her concerns. As a result, she was not permitted to see her children and they were taken into a portable control post where she could hear them crying. She was threatened with having her children taken from her by the state if she refused to cooperate with them. Fearing for her own safety and the safety of her children, she cooperated with the officers and remained at the location and stayed quite as ordered by the defendants.<br />
96. The actions of said defendants also caused meaningful and significant damage to Glenn Swindell’s home, furnishings and other possessions contained therein.<br />
97. Defendants’ conduct violated clearly established constitutional or other rights, of which Defendants knew, or of which reasonable public officials should have known, rendering Defendants liable to Plaintiffs under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
98. The unauthorized, unwarranted and reckless entry into Sarah Swindell’s home, the deployment of concussion bombs and numerous rounds of toxic gases, and the prolonged full-scale militarized assault of the Swindell home was willful and done with a deliberate disregard for the rights of Sarah Swindell, and therefore warrants the imposition of punitive damages as to the Sheriff Deputies, their supervisors and responding SWAT units.<br />
99. Accordingly, Defendants DOES 1 through 10 are liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.<br />
<br />
PRAYER FOR RELIEF -<br />
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs requests entry of judgment in their favor and against Defendants as follows:<br />
A. For compensatory damages, including pre-death pain and suffering damages, general damages and special damages, and statutory damages for violation of the laws and Constitution of the United States in an amount to be determined at trial;<br />
B. For punitive damages against Defendants DOES 1 through 10 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and any other applicable laws or status, in an amount sufficient to deter and make an example of each non-government entity Defendant;<br />
C. For prejudgment interest to be determined at trial;<br />
D. For reasonable costs of this suit and attorneys’ fees, including attorneys’ fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988; and<br />
E. For such further other relief as the Court may deem just, proper, and appropriate.<br />
Respectfully Submitted,<br />
Dated: February 27, 2015Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-84102913771304180472015-01-01T22:37:00.000-08:002015-09-08T22:37:45.387-07:00Police & PedophiliaMore police officers are convicted of child sex crimes than all other professions combined. It's law enforcement's "dirty little secret".<br />
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Tribute to survivors of child sexual assault by law enforcement officers [<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-to-survivors-of-child-sexual-assault-by-law-enforcement-officers/180584842010594">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-to-survivors-of-child-sexual-assault-by-law-enforcement-officers/180584842010594</a>].<br />
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* "<i>Highly Decorated Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to Prison for Having Underage Sex</i>" (2014-12-02, ktla.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/qBOYl">archive.is/qBOYl</a>]<br />
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* "<i> 'Trooper of the Year' Good Cop Sexually Assaults a 4-Yr-Old Girl Multiple Times, 'Cries' When He is Sentenced</i>" (2014-11, filmingcops.com) [<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20150811190740/http://filmingcops.com/trooper-of-the-year-good-cop-sexually-assaults-a-4-yr-old-girl-multiple-times-cries-when-he-is-sentenced">http://is.gd/9uJmZC</a>]<br />
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* "<i>Police: Young girl's abuse by SPD officer ignored for years</i>" (2014-07-01, komonews.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/0y296">archive.is/0y296</a>]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoju-5C0uAKUEYdT2dFU6pBEPkCEm7YRd8M26v06_sgp7H1j203fq2-7yL2oYO2J4M7e5l8aPEaT4ChjdNhFD0aqwMIRpuXZj-iPxY3HW0kQ2Dam9MwVa1s-6ny6RNrUUctZugBPC_zE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoju-5C0uAKUEYdT2dFU6pBEPkCEm7YRd8M26v06_sgp7H1j203fq2-7yL2oYO2J4M7e5l8aPEaT4ChjdNhFD0aqwMIRpuXZj-iPxY3HW0kQ2Dam9MwVa1s-6ny6RNrUUctZugBPC_zE/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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* "<i>Former Maine State Police chief accused of sexually assaulting child appears in court</i>" (2014-06-24, bangordailynews.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/iTKuB">archive.is/iTKuB</a>]<br />
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* "<i>New York child porn ring included rabbi, police officers, source says</i>" (2014-05-21, latimes.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/F0x0A">archive.is/F0x0A</a>]<br />
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* "<i>Sicko Cop Who Preyed on Over 700 Underage Girls, Will Only Serve One Year In Jail</i>" (2014-05-13, thefreethoughtproject.com) [<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20150405032500/http://thefreethoughtproject.com/sicko-cop-preyed-700-underage-girls-serve-year-jail/">http://is.gd/uyWDKD</a>]<br />
* "<i>Cop Who Preyed on Underage Girls, Will Only Serve One Year In Jail</i>" (2015-05-21, Police the Police): One calculated previously outgoing girl now keeps herself confined to her room. Another has been hospitalized for mental health many times. A third said she's lost trust in just about everyone she knows. According to the Grand Forks Herald, those are just a few of the ways that a man who was sworn to protect and serve HAS INSTEAD, preyed and destroyed.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mv7wuaojIRkHGu1utp31h21mbn2llhmp2WgAlk2wfWlp6aocbkQ_HfEJ6WOKF6Nyk2gPJSUcvwJeuSxk8d7Vh1BP4bpwO-313MMRboEuvRIe8x67XT268FEF4zxMOl_Q10u2zjcUf3k/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mv7wuaojIRkHGu1utp31h21mbn2llhmp2WgAlk2wfWlp6aocbkQ_HfEJ6WOKF6Nyk2gPJSUcvwJeuSxk8d7Vh1BP4bpwO-313MMRboEuvRIe8x67XT268FEF4zxMOl_Q10u2zjcUf3k/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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* "<i>Mountain View cop arrested on suspicion of child porn possession, sale</i>" (2014-05-15, mercurynews.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/5voCj">archive.is/5voCj</a>]<br />
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* "<i>Deputy marshal placed on leave amid sexual abuse allegations</i>" (2014-05-08, valleycentral.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/7AIDH">archive.is/7AIDH</a>]<br />
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* "<i>Former KBI Deputy Director Charged With Sexual Exploitation Of Child</i>" (2014-02-13, wibw.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/SfwxE">archive.is/SfwxE</a>]</div>
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<br />* "<i>SF police officer pleads not guilty to child molestation charges</i>" (2014-01-27, ktvu.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/UwRiR">archive.is/UwRiR</a>]</div>
* "<i>Concord: Decorated SF cop pleads not guilty to repeatedly molesting boy</i>" (2014-01-27, mercurynews.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/qX4YT">archive.is/qX4YT</a>]<br />
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* "<i>SFPD Officer with decorated past charged with child molestation; San Francisco Police Officer Richard Hastings pleaded not guilty to nine counts of child molestation charges and one count of child pornography on Monday</i>" (2014-01-22, KTVU.com) [http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/san-francisco-sfpd-officer-with-decorated-past/vCPTkQ/], article has been erased</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
* "<i>Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department hires officers accused of sex abuse and other misconduct</i>" (2013-12-02, rawstory.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/ruAga">archive.is/ruAga</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Hayward Police Officer Arrested on Child Molestation Charges; Officer was arrested on three counts of “lewd and lascivious” acts with girls between 12 and 14 years</i>" (2013-10-01, nbcbayarea.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/dVY69">archive.is/dVY69</a>]<br />
* "<i>Hayward police officer suspected of sexually abusing girls at Livermore after-school program</i>" (2013-10-01, insidebayarea.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/pHZi8">archive.is/pHZi8</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Investigators: Illegal Items Found In Home Of Sacramento Deputy Accused Of Molestation</i>" (2013-09-25, sacramento.cbslocal.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/bxV1p">archive.is/bxV1p</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Richard H. Hastings III, SFPD Cop, Arrested on Suspicion of Molesting Teen Boy</i>" (2013-08-29, sfweekly.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/sghFB">archive.is/sghFB</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Former Monroe cop facing child rape charges</i>" (2013-08-13, kirotv.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/mKfxM">archive.is/mKfxM</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Beaverton cop pleads not guilty to child rape charge Christopher Warren, who lives in Vancouver, free on bail</i>" (2013-06-06, columbian.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/1Aify">archive.is/1Aify</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Police officer in Norwalk accused of molesting 14-year-old girl</i>" (2013-05-23, abc7.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/Vkkbo">archive.is/Vkkbo</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Veteran New Orleans police officer booked with forcible rape</i>" (2013-04-18, nola.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/ABzK9">archive.is/ABzK9</a>]<br />
<br />
* "<i>Calipatria correctional officer arrested for sexual acts with a minor</i>" (2013-03-20, kswt.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/NBT9N">archive.is/NBT9N</a>]<br />
<br />
* 1997, the sexual assault of 30-year-old Abner Louima by Brooklyn PD [archive.is/wgGrE]<br />
* "<i>Justin Volpe, cop who sodomized Abner Louima with broomstick inside Brooklyn police station, marries Staten Island woman in Florida prison</i>" (2012-12-05, nydailynews.com) [<a href="http://archive.is/Vq2vV">archive.is/Vq2vV</a>]Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-19223738950959911972014-09-23T23:57:00.000-07:002014-09-26T00:01:01.416-07:00Response from James L. Baker, RE: "Cytel Group, LLC" <b>"Cytel, LLC / Urban Shield" scandal</b> (2014) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/cytel-llc-urban-shield-scandal-2014.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
James Baker personally concludes that the numerous contracts by public entities with "Cytel Group, LLC" is to be considered slander if documented by a particular journalist who he is suing for documenting the fraudulent use of the name "Cytel Group, LLC" throughout the preceding few years.<br />
<br />
What follows is the unabridged, unedited message, sent 2014-09-23 to news media and public service groups, by James L. Baker of "Cytel Group, LLC" in response to "Threat of lawsuit from James Baker of Cytel Group / Urban Shield" (2014-09-22) [<a href="https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/22/18761965.php?show_comments=1">IndyBay.org link</a>] [<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140926055810/https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/22/18761965.php?show_comments=1">archive.org</a>] by Lynda Carson. The message CC'd to [Criminal.Division@usdoj.gov] [san.francisco@ic.fbi.gov] [jeanpaul.j.coves@usdoj.gov] [piu@doj.ca.gov] and to community groups and news media who have been contacted by the journalist!<br />
---<br />
<br />
<div>
All,</div>
I am so sorry for the craziness in which we have all found ourselves immersed in. For the past week Ms. Carson has run the same information in various news reports on (4) separate days, as well as sending out a number of these group emails, alleging corruption in the fact that Cytel Group has entered into a License Agreement with Alameda County. I have explained to Ms. Carson that if she read the document in question, of which she has included a small portion in her article, she would find that Cytel Group is listed a total of three times. Once on Page one, with the incorrect "LLC" following our name. Cytel Group, "Inc." is correctly used the remaining two times in the agreement, including the page in which the Licensee is listed and the signature page that has all corporate information. All other information related to Cytel Group, Inc. listed in the agreement is correct including address, etc. The usage of "LLC" on Page 1 is a minor mistake that will be corrected upon my return from Nairobi Kenya. Alameda County and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office are aware of the error and are already working to amend the License Agreement to change the "LLC" to "Inc." on Page 1.<br />
<br />
As I have provided to Ms. Carson in a number of emails now, Cytel Group, Inc. Has been registered with the State of California since 2010, and has maintained good standing since that time. There is no benefit to Alameda County, or Cytel Group, Inc. to have the LLC listed. This is not a devious plot, but was a simple error when the final Agreement was drafted. Unfortunately it was an error that has gone unnoticed until now, but will be corrected upon my return.<br />
<br />
I have also explained to Ms. Carson that I am in Nairobi Kenya conducting training to the first responders (police, ambulance, red cross, emergency managers, etc) in how to properly respond to a critical situation such as the Westgate Mall Massacre, which occurred in Nairobi a year ago yesterday, killing 67 men, women and children and seriously injuring an additional 175 citizens. I was honored when the U.S. State Department personally reached out to Cytel Group, Inc. to assist them with the serious and important training program. They stated they wanted Cytel Group involved in the project because of the strong reputation Cytel Group, Inc. has both in the Bay Area and throughout the nation. Ms. Carson has apparently decided to damage our reputation by running a number of articles and sending out continuous emails slandering Cytel Group, Inc. She fails to report that Cytel Group, Inc. Is stated in the License Agreement two out of the three times our name is listed. She has failed to reply to my emails directly so I can answer any questions she may have on a one-to-one basis, and she has failed to provide me with her contact information (phone or mailing address) so my attorney can contact her and provide any information she may desire during my absence. I have requested Ms. Carson run a retraction publicly stating the facts of the matter, which she refuses to do. I have told Ms. Carson in my past three emails that if she continues with this constant slander both in news articles and group emails Cytel Group, Inc. will have no option but to move forward with a defamation lawsuit.<br />
<br />
Once again, I am so sorry to waste all of your valuable time on these email responses. However, I cannot remain silent and allow Ms. Carson to push out this slander and miss-information without stating the true facts of the matter. In all my many years of working with news reporters, I have never experienced anything like this.. <br />
<br />
Warm regards,<br />
JIM<br />
--<br />
James L. Baker<br />
Cytel Group, President<br />
M: (925) 354-6893<br />
E: jim@cytelgroup.comNorthbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-66650431870385604272014-09-18T11:10:00.000-07:002014-09-23T11:10:43.950-07:00Reply From Sheriff's Office Regarding Cytel Group, LLC / Urban Shield "Cytel, LLC / Urban Shield" scandal (2014) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/cytel-llc-urban-shield-scandal-2014.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
2014-09-18 by Lynda Carson, posted to [<a href="http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/18/18761770.php">http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/18/18761770.php</a>] [<a href="http://archive.today/cOgFx">archive.today/cOgFx</a>]:<br />
Oakland - On June 7, 2011, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an agreement between the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC (Principal: Anne M. Baker) for the individual disaster training exercises and/or programs similar to Alameda County's "Urban Shield", and to authorize the Sheriff to receive a license fee of $10,000 from Cytel Group, LLC as payment for the first year of their use of the Urban Shield marks and materials and for each additional year a fee of one percent of the gross revenues collected by licensee or its affiliates for every individual exercise and/or program conducted by the Cytel Group, LLC. Additionally the vote authorized the Sheriff to deposit all fees collected from this agreement into an approved "Urban Shield" cash fund for the purpose of offsetting costs associated with future Urban Shield exercises.<br />
According to the California Franchise Tax Board, a California limited liability company (LLC) is formed by filing "articles of organization" with the California Secretary of State, prior to conducting business in California.<br />
A search of the public records with the Secretary of State in California, reveals that there is no such entity called Cytel Group, LLC filed on record with the Secretary of State presently, or at the time of June 7, 2011, when the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an agreement with the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC regarding Urban Shield.<br />
Further search of public records revealed that the status of Cytel Group, LP (Limited Partnership) has been canceled, and that the status of Cytel Group, Inc. is active. Regardless, there are not any records for Cytel Group, LLC on file with the Secretary of State in California.<br />
It appears that the Cytel Group, LLC is a non entity, and does not exist according to the public records with the Secretary of State, despite the fact that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an agreement with the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC, regarding Urban Shield.<br />
In an effort to track down some information to explain why an agreement was approved by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors between the Alameda County's Sheriff's Office and the Cytel Group, LLC, an entity that does not exist, I sent out an email to James Lester Baker of the Cytel Group. It was reported in the Oakland Tribune that James Baker claims to be the founder of the Cytel Group, and in the same article it also mentions that the Cytel Group is a woman owned company.<br />
James Baker of the Cytel Group has not responded to my email request regarding questions about the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voting to approve an agreement with the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC, regarding Urban Shield. However, a copy of the email to James Baker was also sent to Alameda County Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, the Oakland City Council members, and a number of other individuals.<br />
In total, a copy of the email to James Baker of the Cytel Group went out to around 50 individuals or more, and out of the whole group only Alameda County Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern responded to my questions about the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voting to approve an agreement with the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC, regarding Urban Shield. None of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors responed to my email requesting information.<br />
It was my hope that someone involved in the deal from the Cytel Group could explain how this was possible, considering that Cytel Group, LLC was not on file in the public records, or listed as a corporate entity with the Secretary of State, in California.<br />
On September 15, 2014, Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern responded to my email request, and said: Lynda, I see that you cc'd me on this email, so I will cc James Baker as well. I do not believe that you are accurate in many of the accusations in the email. I think I should respond to you because Mr. Baker may be out of the country for an extended period.<br />
It is my understanding that that Cytel Group, Inc. was registered in the Stat of California in August 2010, and still in good standing. This group was established nearly eight months prior to the license agreement with Alameda County. I communicate with Mr. Baker on a regulars basis and he has commented on the work he does to maintain all required documents up to date, and that the group does in fact pay their required taxes.<br />
We have had many conversations about his group making the effort to expand the Urban Shield program to other major areas in the country. He and his group have worked in Boston, Texas, and the District of Columbia. In doing so, those areas also required that his group produce the required documents related to the business.<br />
He also has provided me with a copy of his article of Incorporation stamped by the State of California.<br />
Despite my surprise that Alameda County Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern responded to my request for information from James Baker, I was even further surprised that the Sheriff responded on behalf of James Baker even though this appears to be a conflict of interest. I wanted to know what James Baker had to say about the Cytell Group, LLC, regarding the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voting to approve an agreement with the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC, involving Urban Shield.<br />
As is, Alameda County Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern totally avoided my questions about the Cytell Group, LLC, and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors have not responded to my request for information regarding the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voting to approve an agreement with the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC, involving Urban Shield.<br />
<br />
Mayor Jean Quan Claims Urban Shield Is No Longer Welcome In Oakland -<br />
In the wake of the nation being horrified by rampant police shootings/killings and the militarization of the police, including the recent militarized police actions in Ferguson, and the notorious police actions that have been taking place in New Mexico, Oakland, and cities all across the nation, in addition to the recent protests against the Urban Shield war games and convention in Oakland recently, on Friday, September 5, 2014, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan announced that Urban Shield will not be back in Oakland next year.<br />
In an announcement, Urban Shield is no longer welcome in Oakland, according to Mayor Jean Quan. According to Mayor Quan, the City Administrator's Office will be asking their agent not to pursue another contract with Urban Shield to have their conference in Oakland.<br />
The recent Urban Shield events in Oakland and the Bay Area took place from September 5, through September 8. It included the largest SWAT training exercise in the world, with 35 SWAT Teams competing. It was a series of militarized war games conducted in a continuous 48 hour exercise hosted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, with the support of more than 200 local, state, federal, international and private sector partners. Additional support came from the Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), and Urban Shield was promoted by the Cytel Group.<br />
During the past two years, as a companion to the militarized Urban Shield events, a convention of major arms dealers selling their militarized weapons to local law enforcement agencies for use in urban combat settings have been held twice downtown, at the Oakland Marriott Convention Center. The latest event held in recent days included an exposition of vendors displaying anything from 3-D printable drones, to combat knives, armored vehicles, sniper rifles, unmanned ground vehicles, anti-terrorism tee shirts, and other militarized items.<br />
The massive Urban Shield military arms weapons convention in Oakland that was held to sell military weapons to local law enforcement agencies, is in addition to the Pentagon's 1033 program which also provides militarized weapons to law enforcement agencies. Militarized weapons including grenade launchers, mine resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAPS), assault rifles, helicopters, bayonets, combat knives, night-vision equipment, night-vision sniper scopes, airplanes and other militarized items to be used by local law enforcement agencies, and SWAT Teams across the nation. These are militarized weapons that may be used and displayed by local law enforcement agencies and SWAT Teams when they are busy suppressing local populations that protest at City Hall, or when protesters are out in the streets protesting against trigger happy cops, or the weapons may be in use when our school children are being terrified while their grade school is placed under lock-down.<br />
The Urban Shield event held in Oakland is a $1 million five-day event being paid for by the federal government and the military industrial sponsors of Urban Shield. Sponsors pay as much as $500 to $15,000 for a spot at the conference to highlight and demonstrate their militarized products.<br />
A partial list of Urban Shield's sponsors include the Department of Homeland Security, 3M, CISCO, AirCover Integrated Solutions, Armored Mobility Inc., Benchmade Knive Company, Drakontas (Dragon Force C2), Elephant Hunt Clothing (guns & skulls), First Spear, Franklin Armory, International Armored Group, iRobot (unmanned ground vehicles), Mile High Shooting Accessories (snipers rifles), Motorola Solutions Inc., Patriot Ordance Factory Rifles, Raven Crest Tactical (knives), Revision Military, The Armored Group LLC, Voodoo Tactical, Winchester Ammunition, Adamson Police Products, and many other corporations including the Cytel Group, Inc., that specializes in bringing the Urban Shield Program to government regions throughout the U.S. and abroad.<br />
In response to Urban Shield, hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets and blocked the streets of Oakland in recent days to show their opposition to the military demonstration exposition, police training exercises and the militarization of our nation's police forces that have been taking place. California Partnership which is a statewide coalition of groups advocating for policies and programs to bring an end to poverty, organized the protests against Urban Shield.<br />
<br />
The Privatization Of Urban Shield -<br />
It was back on July 31, 2007, that Urban shield was turned into a money making venture when the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to accept cash sponsorship funds from individuals and corporations to support the militarized training event Urban Shield (Agenda Item 48). The profiteers set up a cash fund that was authorized for the purpose of depositing donations and fees used to offset the costs associated with the militarized training event and war games. The success of the profit making venture resulted in additional militarized Urban Shield events being held and hosted by the Sheriff's Office each year since 2007 in Oakland, and the Bay Area. Additional militarized Urban Shield events are also being held annually in Austin, Texas, Boston, New Orleans and abroad, as a direct result of the actions by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.<br />
After the militarized Urban Shield event was proven to be a money maker by using publicly owned assets in the Bay Area for its militarized war games and events, on February 24, 2009, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to enter into an agreement (Agenda Item 30) with BAE Systems, Inc. for the sole purpose of expanding the militarized Urban Shield events in other states across the nation, and abroad. As things turned out, on July 8, 2010 the expanded Urban Shield agreement with BAE Systems, Inc. was terminated by mutual consent because BAE Systems, Inc. was unable to meet the material obligations of the agreement.<br />
Currently, Jerry DeMuro is the CEO of BAE Systems, Inc., formerly known as BAE Systems North America, which is a major subsidiary of the British defense and aerospace company BAE Systems plc, a global defense, security and aerospace company with sales of $14.4 billion during 2011.<br />
After the expanded militarized Urban Shield agreement with BAE Systems, Inc. was terminated on July 8, 2010, on May 24, 2011, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office requested authorization from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to authorize Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern to enter into an agreement with Anne M. Baker, CEO, of the Cytel Group, LLC for the development of individual disaster training excercises and programs similar to Alameda County's "Urban Shield".<br />
The Sheriff's Office asked the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to authorize the Sheriff to receive a license fee of $10,000 from the Cytel Group, LLC as payment for the first year of their limited use of the Urban Shield marks and materials, including for each additional year a fee of one percent (1%) of the gross revenues being collected by licensee or affiliates for each and every individual excercise and/or program conducted by the Cytel Group.<br />
On June 7, 2011 the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the agreement with the Cytel Group, LLC and authorized the Sheriff to deposit all fees collected from the agreement with the Cytel Group, LLC into an approved "Urban Shield" cash fund (Fund 84624, Org 900000, Account 499990) to help offset the costs associated with future militarized Urban Shield events and exercises.<br />
A search of the public records with the Secretary of State in California, reveals that there is no such entity called Cytel Group, LLC filed on record with the Secretary of State presently, or at the time of June 7, 2011, when the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an agreement with the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC regarding Urban Shield.<br />
According to the California Franchise Tax Board, a California limited liability company (LLC) is formed by filing "articles of organization" with the California Secretary of State, prior to conducting business in California.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-91935844671205677402014-09-14T20:36:00.000-07:002014-09-26T00:00:30.737-07:00 "Cytel, LLC / Urban Shield" scandal (2014)<b>James Lester Baker and his wife Anne Marie Baker have been doing business in the State of California using the name "Cytel Group, LLC", a California limited liability company, involving Urban Shield, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, and Bay Area UASI, the latter being , administered at the federal level by DHS. However, according to public records with the Secretary of State in California, the "Cytel Group, LLC" does not exist in the State of California. </b><br />
** "The Privatization of Urban Shield by the Cytel Group" [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-privatization-of-urban-shield-by.html">link</a>]<br />
** Alameda County Sheriff's business relationship with Urban Shield and Cytel Group [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/alameda-business-relationship-with.html">link</a>]<br />
** "Cytel Group, LLC / Urban Shield", in contract with Alameda County Sheriff's Office, is actually an non-entity, according to state records [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/cytel-group-llc-urban-shield-in.html">link</a>].<br />
** "Threat of lawsuit from James Baker of Cytel Group / Urban Shield" (2014-09-22) [<a href="https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/22/18761965.php?show_comments=1">IndyBay.org link</a>] [<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140926055810/https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/22/18761965.php?show_comments=1">archive.org</a>]<br />
** Reply From Sheriff's Office Regarding Cytel Group, LLC / Urban Shield (2014-09-18) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/reply-from-sheriffs-office-regarding.html">link</a>]<br />
** Response from James L. Baker, RE: "Cytel Group, LLC" (2014-09-23) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/response-from-james-l-baker-re-cytel-llc.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
<b>"Cytel, LLC / Urban Shield" is an ideologically-driven, "anti-liberal", profit-making entity hostile to human rights, democracy, and even the People at-large.</b><br />
** Alameda Sheriff censors the media, ejecting journalist for taking photos of Urban Shield convention vendors [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/alameda-co-sheriff-censors-media-ejects.html">link</a>] <br />
** To alleviate public concern for militerized training for civilian
law enforcement, Oakland Mayor draws Alameda Co. Sheriff scorn by
forbidding Urban Shield from setting up shop in Oakland [<a href="http://northbaymds.blogspot.com/2014/09/to-alleviate-public-concern-for.html">link</a>]Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-79145648388814841382014-09-14T20:30:00.004-07:002014-09-15T19:01:09.005-07:00"Cytel Group, LLC / Urban Shield", in contract with Alameda County Sheriff's Office, is actually an non-entity, according to state records<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"ALERT: Problems with Urban Shield contract with Cytel Group / Sheriff's Office?"</span><br />
adapted from 2014-09-13 message by investigative journalist Lynda Carson:<br />
I have recently looked into the contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office / Urban Shield / Cytel Group, and I am alarmed about something that I have discovered regarding their contracts. <br />
Here's the problem. One contract with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office has been awarded to Cytel Group, LLC for the rights to promote Urban Shield events etc..., and the Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC share the proceeds from the money that comes in from Urban Shield events in Oakland, Austin Texas, New Orleans, Boston, and possible other locations abroad, through the years.<br />
The problem with this contract that confuses me is that I can not find a corporation in California that is listed with the Secretary of State that is named Cytel Group, LLC.<br />
I found a company that is called Cytel Group, LP and it's status is cancelled. I understand what this means.<br />
I also found a corporation listed as Cytel Group, Inc, that has two other contracts with the Sheriff's Office. Alright, I got it....<br />
But like I stated above, it appears that a corporation named Cytel Group, LLC does not exist that has entered into an agreement with the Sheriff's Office to control the rights to the Urban Shiled brand name, mark, events, programs, etc... I don't get it, and feel like this is not a legally binding contract. Perhaps I am wrong and just fail to understand corporate law. I am not an attorney.<br />
Click on link below for corporations listed with the Secretary of State, in California to verify what I have discovered. Business Search / California [<a href="http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/">http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/</a>].<br />
My question is this. If the Alameda County Sheriff's Office made an agreement with a corporation named the Cytel Group, LLC which apparently does not exist in California as a corporation, is it a legal contract? <br />
The Cytel Group, LLC may possibly exist in another state, but I am not aware of that if it is the case. <br />
To the best of my knowledge the Cytell Group, LLC does not exist, and if that is so, why or how can there be a legally binding contract between the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC, for the Urban Shield events being held in Oakland, and elsewhere?<br />
Or, my other question; Are the Urban Shield events being held in Oakland, and across the nation legal, if the corporation hired to conduct the Urban Shield events does not legally exist in California, or elsewhere?<br />
See info further below.<br />
If someone has an answer, please feel free to send me an email. This seems very perplexing to me and I do not understand how this could be legal.<br />
At this point, your answer would be much appreciated. I am just trying to figure out what the Sheriff's Office is up to regarding Urban Shield, which has been all over the news lately. Especially, if it does not have a legally binding contract for Urban Shield events that have been held at the Oakland Marriott, etc...<br />
If Urban Shield is not legally allowed to operate because the Cytel Group, LLC does not actually exist, can the operation be shut down, and the Sheriff's Office / Cytel Group be sued for fraud or some other reason, such as having an unlawful contract to have Urban Shield events?<br />
Just very curious. This is really bothering me.<br />
For those of you in the media, this may be a breaking story of it turns out that Urban Shield is an unlawful operation because the Alameda County Sheriff's Office may have entered into an agreement with a corporation called the Cytel Group, LLC, that does not appear to exist.<br />
I believe that an investigation is warranted in regards to looking into this matter.<br />
Again, though, my real concern is to figure out if the original contract with the Sheriff's Office is legal with Cytel Group, LLC which does not seem to exist.<br />
According to public records with the Secretary of State in California, there is a corporation called the Cytel Group, Inc. in California, but there is not a company called Cytel Group, LLC in California. <br />
Cytel Group, Inc. should not be confused with Cytel Group, LLC which would be a different entity if it actually existed. <br />
See information below from the Secretary of State... <br />
<br />
>>>>>>>><br />
Cytel Group LP<br />
Entity Number - 199730700012<br />
Date Filed - 10/30/1997<br />
Status - CANCELED<br />
CYTEL GROUP L.P.<br />
Agent For Service Of Process - BRIAN MCDONALD<br />
Entity Name: CYTEL GROUP L.P.<br />
Entity Number: 199730700012<br />
Date Filed: 10/30/1997<br />
Status: CANCELED<br />
Jurisdiction: CALIFORNIA<br />
Entity Address: 4001 S. DECATUR #546<br />
Entity City, State, Zip: LAS VEGAS NV 89103<br />
Agent for Service of Process: BRIAN MCDONALD<br />
Agent Address - 2828 COCHRANST., #235<br />
Agent City, State, Zip: SIMI VALLEY CA 93065<br />
<br />
>>>>>>>><br />
Cytel Group, Inc.<br />
Click on the link below for information about two other Cytel Group contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, that are with Cytel Group, Inc. which does exist. But this corporation is founded by James Lester Baker who claims that his wife is owner of the company, which appears to be pure B.S.<br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf">http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140822100841/http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf">archive.org</a>)<br />
<br />
>>>>><br />
A) Click on link below for the contract
to privatize Urban Shield in which the contract is being granted to the
Cytel Group, LLC, a California limited liability company. The problem
with this contract is that the Cytel Group, LLC does not exist in the
state of California. <br />
According to the public records of Secretary of State in California, the Cytel Group, LLC does not exist. <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_06_07_11/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group_LLC.pdf">http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_06_07_11/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group_LLC.pdf</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140915200448/http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_06_07_11/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group_LLC.pdf">archive.org</a>)<br />
<br />
LICENSE AGREEMENT <br />
THIS
LICENSE AGREEMENT is entered into this 1st day of May, 2011, between
the County of Alameda, State of California, a legal division of the
State of California, through the Alameda County Sheriff's Office
("Licensor"), and Cytel Group, LLC., a California limited liabiIity
corporation ("Licensee"). <br />
<br />
>>>>>>>> <br />
B)
According to public records, on June 7, 2011 the Alameda County Board
of Supervisors voted to approve an agreement between the Alameda County
Sheriff's Office and the Cytel Group, LLC. The problem with this
contract agreement between the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and the
Cytel Group, LLC that was approved by the Alameda County Board of
Supervisors is that the Cytel Group, LLC does not exit and is not a
legal company in the State of California. <br />
<br />
Alameda County Board of Supervisors / Urban Shield contract June 7, 2011 <br />
(MINUTES - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 - PAGE 12)<br />
[<a href="http://alamedacounty.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=alamedacounty_3c7f6ccace53146bac2150e9f3c3981b.pdf">http://alamedacounty.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=alamedacounty_3c7f6ccace53146bac2150e9f3c3981b.pdf</a>]<br />
<br />
SUMMARY ACTION MINUTES<br />
30. Sheriff – Approve the following recommendations: <br />
A.
Authorize the Sheriff to enter into an agreement with Cytel Group, LLC
(Principal: Anne M. Baker; Location: Castro Valley) for the development
of individual disaster training exercises and/or programs similar to
Alameda County’s “Urban Shield”; <br />
B. Authorize the Sheriff to
receive a license fee of $10,000 from Cytel Group, LLC as payment for
the first year of their use of the Urban Shield marks and materials and
for each additional year a fee of one percent of the gross revenues
collected by licensee or its affiliates for every individual exercise
and/or program conducted by the Cytel Group, LLC; and <br />
C.
Authorize the Sheriff to deposit all fees collected from this agreement
into the approved “Urban Shield” cash fund for the purpose of offsetting
costs associated with future Urban Shield exercises <br />
<br />
– CAO Recommends: Approve <br />
Attachment 30 - 51234 Approved as recommended FILE 27346 <br />
<br />
>>>>> <br />
C) Bay Area UASI Guidance Manual - 2014 <br />
(031314 Agenda Item 9 Appendix C RTEP Guidance Manual 2014)<br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.bayareauasi.org/sites/default/files/resources/031314%20Agenda%20Item%209%20Appendix%20C%20RTEP%20Guidance%20Manual%202014.pdf">http://www.bayareauasi.org/sites/default/files/resources/031314%20Agenda%20Item%209%20Appendix%20C%20RTEP%20Guidance%20Manual%202014.pdf</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/web.archive.org/web/http://www.bayareauasi.org/sites/default/files/resources/031314%20Agenda%20Item%209%20Appendix%20C%20RTEP%20Guidance%20Manual%202014.pdf">archive.org</a>)<br />
<br />
Once
again James L. Baker is using the Cytel Group, LLC to make a bid for
use of it's services with the Bay Area UASI. The problem with this, is
that the Cytel Group, LLC does not exist in the State of California, as a
California limited liability company. <br />
<br />
>>>>>>>><br />
[begin message] <br />
To: James Baker, Cytel Group, Inc., Cytel Group, LLC, Urban Shield.<br />
From: Lynda Carson<br />
tenantsrule@yahoo.com<br />
Sunday September 14, 2014<br />
<br />
Dear Mr. Baker<br />
I am writing to ask for a reply from you regarding Cytel Group, LLC / Urban Shield.<br />
According to the office / records of the Secretary of State in California, Cytel Group, LLC is not an entity and does not exist.<br />
However the public records reveal that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an agreement between the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and Cytel Group, LLC, in regards to the rights for control of Urban Shield, Urban Shield events, programs, mark, etc....<br />
Considering that Cytel Group, LLC does not exist according to the Secretary of State in California, could you send me an email to explain to me how this is possible for the Cytel Group, LLC to have a contract with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office regarding control and promotion of Urban Shield, its events, programs, mark, etc...?<br />
<b>I also noticed that you and the Cytel Group, LLC/Urban Shield have been making some bids for some contracts/events with UASI in the Bay Area.</b><br />
Additionally, I also read in an Oakland Tribune article that you stated that you founded the Cytel Group as a way to promote Urban Shield after spending 22 years with the Sheriff's Office. However, in the same article it mentions that the Cytel Group is a woman owned corporation.<br />
Here is what I know. According to the records with the Secretary of State, Cytel Group, Inc. is listed as an active corporation in California, and that the status of Cytel Group, LP is cancelled.<br />
However, Cytel Group, LLC is a non entity in California, even though the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an agreement that was made with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and the Cytel Group, LLC.<br />
I am curious about this considering that the Cytel Group, LLC does not exist.<br />
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to hearing back from you.<br />
Sincerely, <br />
Lynda Carson<br />
Please feel free to send your reply to Lynda Carson at tenantsrule@) yahoo.com<br />
[end message]<br />
<br />
>>>>>><br />
Differences Between a Corporation and a Limited Liability Company (LLC) -<br />
[<a href="http://www.legalzoom.com/incorporation-guide/corporation-llc-comparison.html">http://www.legalzoom.com/incorporation-guide/corporation-llc-comparison.html</a>]:<br />
A limited liability company is a type of business entity that combines the personal liability protection of a corporation with the tax benefits and simplicity of a partnership. The following section details the main advantages and disadvantages of corporations versus LLCs. <br />
<br />
Advantages of a corporation versus a limited liability company (LLC): <br />
* Corporation profits are not subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes -<br />
Like a sole proprietorship or a partnership, the salaries and profits of an LLC are subject to self-employment taxes, currently equal to a combined 13.3%, unless the LLC opts to be taxed as a corporation. With a corporation, only salaries (not profits) are subject to such taxes. Corporations garner greater acceptance Since limited liability companies are still relatively new, not everyone is familiar with them. Although they continue to grow in popularity, still, in some cases, banks or vendors may be reluctant to extend credit to limited liability companies. Some states restrict the type of business an LLC may conduct. <br />
* Corporations can offer a greater variety of fringe benefits with fewer taxes -<br />
Corporations offer a greater variety of fringe benefit plans than any other business entity. Various retirement, stock option and employee stock purchase plans are available only for corporations. Plus, sole proprietors, partners and employees owning more than 2% of an S corporation must pay taxes on fringe benefits (such as group-term life insurance, medical reimbursement plans, medical insurance premiums and parking). Shareholder-employees of a C corporation do not have to pay taxes on these benefits. <br />
* Corporations lower taxes through income shifting -<br />
Although C corporations are subject to double taxation, a C corporation can use income shifting to take advantage of lower income tax brackets. <br />
To illustrate, let's take an example of a company that earns $100,000. With a sole proprietorship, a business owner who is married and filing jointly would be in the 25% income tax bracket. With a corporation, assume that the business owner takes $50,000 in salary and leaves $50,000 in the corporation as corporate profit. The federal corporate tax rate is 15% on the first $50,000. Furthermore, the business owner is now in the 15% tax bracket for his or her personal income tax. This can reduce your overall tax liability by over $8,000. <br />
Advantages of a limited liability company (LLC) versus a corporation:<br />
* LLCs have fewer corporate formalities -<br />
Corporations must hold regular meetings of the board of directors and shareholders and keep written corporate minutes. Members and managers of an LLC need not hold regular meetings, which reduces complications and paperwork. LLCs have no ownership restrictions <br />
S corporations cannot have more than 100 shareholders. Each shareholder must be an individual who is a U.S. resident or citizen. Also, it is difficult to place shares of an S corporation into a living trust. These restrictions do not apply to LLCs (or C corporations). <br />
* LLCs have the ability to deduct operating losses -<br />
Members who are active participants in an LLC's business can deduct operating losses against their regular income to the extent permitted by law. While S corporation shareholders can also deduct operating losses, C corporation shareholders cannot. <br />
* LLCs have tax flexibility -<br />
By default, LLCs are treated as a "pass-through" entity for tax purposes, much like a sole proprietorship or partnership. However, an LLC can also elect to be treated like a corporation for tax purposes, whether as a C corporation or an S corporation. Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-22451113286948738702014-09-13T20:28:00.000-07:002014-09-13T20:28:37.376-07:00The Federal Intelligence Community (IC)This selection of the 17 public-sector security agencies publicly acknowledged as members of the Intelligence Community omits the individual, municipal, county, regional, state, private and transnational security agencies employed, harnessed and/or deputized by each of the 17 individual member agencies.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFKsu-mu1lJRgUfz_3ev6CAFS3sbP9-oQnA8GrcWoWQhS1yHJ79wEhFJN7RCngP60MPA0yShhxy7uIPImD2qBlPqdJjyIlIcEEKzYVhrzZ-uQzGxeFVvxEJhfC20X7pEUk59hVMnqfWY/s1600/1.jpg" height="91" width="320" /><br />
Member Agencies [<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140810180812/http://www.intelligence.gov/mission/member-agencies.html">archive.org link</a>]:<br />
Our Strength Lies in Who We Are -<br />
Seventeen separate organizations unite to form the Intelligence Community (IC). Each member agency operates under its own directive, yet they are all dedicated to the defense of our country and national security. You can explore intelligence career opportunities with any of our members by visiting their websites, which are listed at the end of each description.<br />
<br />
<b>Central Intelligence Agency -</b><br />
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior U.S. policymakers. The CIA director is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The director manages the operations, personnel and budget of the CIA and acts as the National Human (HUMINT) Source Intelligence manager. The CIA is separated into four basic components: the National Clandestine Service, the Directorate of Intelligence, the Directorate of Science & Technology, and the Directorate of Support. They carry out "the intelligence cycle", the process of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence information to top U.S. government officials.<br />
Visit: www.cia.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Department of Energy -</b><br />
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence is responsible for the intelligence and counterintelligence activities throughout the DOE complex, including nearly 30 intelligence and counterintelligence offices nationwide. The mission is to protect, enable, and represent the vast scientific brain trust resident in DOE's laboratories and plants. The office protects vital national security information and technologies, representing intellectual property of incalculable value, and provides unmatched scientific and technical expertise to the U.S. government to respond to foreign intelligence, terrorist and cyber threats, to solve the hardest problems associated with U.S. energy security, and to address a wide range of other national security issues.<br />
Visit: www.energy.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Department of Homeland Security -</b><br />
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis is responsible for using information and intelligence from multiple sources to identify and assess current and future threats to the U.S. DHS Intelligence focuses on four strategic areas: Promote understanding of threats through intelligence analysis; Collect information and intelligence pertinent to homeland security; Share information necessary for action; and Manage intelligence for the homeland security enterprise. The Under Secretary for I&A also serves as DHS' chief intelligence officer and is responsible to both the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence.<br />
Visit: www.dhs.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Department of State -</b><br />
The Bureau of Intelligence and Research provides the Secretary of State with timely, objective analysis of global developments as well as real-time insights from all-source intelligence. It serves as the focal point within the Department of State for all policy issues and activities involving the Intelligence Community. The INR Assistant Secretary reports directly to the Secretary of State and serves as the Secretary's principal adviser on all intelligence matters. INR's expert, independent foreign affairs analysts draw on all-source intelligence, diplomatic reporting, INR's public opinion polling, and interaction with U.S. and foreign scholars. Their strong regional and functional backgrounds allow them to respond rapidly to changing policy priorities and to provide early warning and in-depth analysis of events and trends that affect U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.<br />
Visit: www.state.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Department of Treasury -</b><br />
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis was established by the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal 2004. OIA is responsible for the receipt, analysis, collation, and dissemination of foreign intelligence and foreign counterintelligence information related to the operation and responsibilities of the Department of the Treasury. OIA is a component of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI). TFI marshals the Department's intelligence and enforcement functions with the twin aims of safeguarding the financial system against illicit use and combating rogue nations, terrorist facilitators, weapons of mass destruction proliferators, money launderers, drug kingpins, and other national security threats.<br />
Visit: www.treasury.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Defense Intelligence Agency -</b><br />
The Defense Intelligence Agency is a Department of Defense combat support agency. With more than 16,500 military and civilian employees worldwide, DIA is a major producer and manager of foreign military intelligence and provides military intelligence to warfighters, defense policymakers and force planners, in the DOD and the Intelligence Community, in support of U.S. military planning and operations and weapon systems acquisition. The DIA director serves as principal adviser to the secretary of defense and to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters of military intelligence. The director also chairs the Military Intelligence Board, which coordinates activities of the defense intelligence community.<br />
Visit: www.dia.mil.<br />
<br />
<b>Drug Enforcement Administration -</b><br />
The Drug Enforcement Administration is responsible for enforcing the controlled substance laws and regulations of the United States. DEA's Office of National Security Intelligence (ONSI) became a member of the IC in 2006. ONSI facilitates full and appropriate intelligence coordination and information sharing with other members of the U.S. Intelligence Community and homeland security elements. Its goal is to enhance the U.S.'s efforts to reduce the supply of drugs, protect national security, and combat global terrorism. DEA has 21 field divisions in the U.S. and more than 80 offices in more than 60 countries worldwide.<br />
Visit: www.dea.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Federal Bureau of Investigation -</b><br />
The FBI, as an intelligence and law enforcement agency, is responsible for understanding threats to our national security and penetrating national and transnational networks that have a desire and capability to harm the U.S. The National Security Branch was established in response to a presidential directive and Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission recommendation to establish a National Security Service that combines the missions, capabilities, and resources of the FBI's counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and intelligence elements under the leadership of a senior FBI official. In July 2006, the NSB created the WMD Directorate to integrate components previously distributed throughout the FBI. The NSB also includes the Terrorist Screening Center, which provides crucial, actionable intelligence to state and local law enforcement, and the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group, an interagency body that collects intelligence from key terror suspects to prevent attacks against the U.S. and its allies.<br />
Visit: www.fbijobs.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>National Geospatial Intelligence Agency -</b><br />
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency provides timely, relevant, and accurate geospatial intelligence in support of national security objectives. Information collected and processed by NGA is tailored for customer-specific solutions. By giving customers ready access to geospatial intelligence, NGA provides support to civilian and military leaders and contributes to the state of readiness of U.S. military forces. NGA also contributes to humanitarian efforts such as tracking floods and fires, and in peacekeeping. NGA is a Department of Defense Combat Support Agency. Headquartered in Springfield, Va., NGA operates major facilities in the St. Louis, Mo. and Washington, D.C. areas. The agency also fields support teams worldwide.<br />
Visit: www.nga.mil.<br />
<br />
<b>National Reconnaissance Office -</b><br />
The National Reconnaissance Office designs, builds and operates the nation's reconnaissance satellites. NRO products, provided to an expanding list of customers like the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of Defense, can warn of potential trouble spots around the world, help plan military operations, and monitor the environment. As part of the Intelligence Community, the NRO plays a primary role in achieving information superiority for the U.S. Government and Armed Forces. A DOD agency, the NRO is staffed by DOD and CIA personnel. It is funded through the National Reconnaissance Program, part of the National Foreign Intelligence Program.<br />
Visit: www.nro.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>National Security Agency/Central Security Service -</b><br />
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is the nation's cryptologic organization that coordinates, directs, and performs highly specialized activities to protect U.S. information systems and to produce foreign signals intelligence information. A high-technology organization, NSA is at the forefront of communications and information technology. NSA is also one of the most important centers of foreign language analysis and research within the U.S. government and is said to be the largest employer of mathematicians in the United States and perhaps the world. Founded in 1952, NSA is part of the Department of Defense and a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The Agency supports military customers, national policymakers, and the counterterrorism and counterintelligence communities, as well as key international allies. Its workforce represents an unusual combination of specialties: analysts, engineers, physicists, mathematicians, linguists, computer scientists, researchers, as well as customer relations specialists, security officers, data flow experts, managers, administrative officers and clerical assistants.<br />
Visit: www.nsa.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Office of the Director of National Intelligence -</b><br />
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) was established in 2004 to manage the extensive efforts of the IC. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) heads up the ODNI and serves as the principal advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council. The DNI also coordinates intelligence matters related to the Department of Defense with the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. The ODNI's focus is to promote a more integrated and collaborative IC.<br />
Visit: www.odni.gov.<br />
<br />
<b>Air Force Intelligence -</b><br />
The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AF ISR) is the Air Force's IC component that provides policy, oversight, and guidance to all Air Force intelligence organizations. The Air Force ISR Agency organizes, trains, equips, and presents forces to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for combatant commanders and the nation. Air Force ISR is also responsible for implementing and overseeing policy and guidance, and expanding AF ISR capabilities to meet current and future challenges. The AF ISR Agency commander serves as the Service Cryptologic Element under NSA, and oversees Air Force Signals Intelligence activities. The AF ISR Agency has more than 19,000 military and civilian members serving at 72 locations worldwide and commands several subcomponents.<br />
Visit: www.af.mil.<br />
<br />
<b>Army Intelligence -</b><br />
U.S. Army Intelligence (G-2) is responsible for policy formulation, planning, programming, budgeting, management, staff supervision, evaluation, and oversight for intelligence activities for the Department of the Army. The G-2 is responsible for the overall coordination of the five major military intelligence (MI) disciplines within the Army: Imagery Intelligence, Signals Intelligence, Human Intelligence, Measurement and Signature Intelligence, and Counterintelligence and Security Countermeasures.<br />
Visit: www.army.mil.<br />
<br />
<b>Coast Guard Intelligence -</b><br />
The Coast Guard became a member of the IC in 2001. The Coast Guard's broad responsibilities include protecting citizens from the sea (maritime safety), protecting America from threats delivered by the sea (maritime security), and protecting the sea itself (maritime stewardship). The Coast Guard's persistent presence in the maritime domain, due to its diverse mission sets and broad legal authorities, allows it to fill a unique niche within the Intelligence Community. Because of its unique access, emphasis, and expertise in the maritime domain Coast Guard Intelligence can collect and report intelligence that not only supports Coast Guard missions, but also supports national objectives. Coast Guard Intelligence strives to create decision advantage to advance U.S. interests by providing timely, actionable, and relevant intelligence to shape Coast Guard operations, planning, and decision-making, and to support national and homeland security intelligence requirements.<br />
Visit: www.uscg.mil.<br />
<br />
<b>U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Intelligence Activity -</b><br />
The U.S. Marine Corps produces tactical and operational intelligence for battlefield support. Its IC component is comprised of all intelligence professionals in the Marine Corps responsible for policy, plans, programming, budgets, and staff supervision of intelligence and supporting activities within the USMC. The department supports the commandant of the Marine Corps in his role as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, represents the service in Joint and Intelligence Community matters, and exercises supervision over the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. The department has service staff responsibility for geospatial intelligence, advanced geospatial intelligence, signals intelligence, human intelligence, counterintelligence, and ensures there is a single synchronized strategy for the development of the Marine Corps Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise. The Marine Corps' director of intelligence is the commandant's principal intelligence staff officer and the functional manager for intelligence, counterintelligence, and cryptologic matters.<br />
Visit: www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence.<br />
<br />
<b>U.S. Navy, Naval Intelligence -</b><br />
The Office of Naval Intelligence is the leading provider of maritime intelligence to the U.S. Navy and joint warfighting forces, as well national decision makers and other consumers in the Intelligence Community. Established in 1882, ONI specializes in the analysis, production and dissemination of vital, timely and accurate scientific, technical, geopolitical and military intelligence information to key consumers worldwide. ONI employs more than 3,000 military, civilian, mobilized reservists and contractor personnel worldwide, including analysts, scientists, engineers, specialists and technicians. While ONI is the largest Naval Intelligence organization with the largest concentration of Naval Intelligence civilians, most of Naval Intelligence is comprises active duty military personnel, serving throughout the world.<br />
Visit: www.oni.navy.mil.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-55401941980354991022014-09-12T12:56:00.000-07:002014-09-15T18:09:11.332-07:00"The Privatization of Urban Shield by the Cytel Group"<b>"Cytel, LLC / Urban Shield" scandal (2014)</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/09/cytel-llc-urban-shield-scandal-2014.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
"The Privatization of Urban Shield by the Cytel Group", 2014-09-12 by Lynda Carson, posted to "Indybay.org" newswire [<a href="https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/12/18761515.php">https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/12/18761515.php</a>]: <br />
Oakland - The Alameda County Board of Supervisors are responsible for the privatization of the militarized Urban Shield events that have been fully privatized into a money making for profit venture despised by protesters from the local community, and booted out of Oakland by Mayor Jean Quan. <br />
The recent Urban Shield events in Oakland which included the largest SWAT training exercise in the world, are a series of militarized war games conducted in a continuous 48 hour exercise hosted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, with the support of more than 200 local, state, federal, international and private sector partners. Additional support came from the Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), and Urban Shield was promoted by the Cytel Group. <br />
During the past two years, as a companion to the militarized Urban Shield events, a five-day convention of major arms dealers selling their militarized weapons to local law enforcement agencies for use in urban combat settings have been held twice downtown, at the Oakland Marriott Convention Center. The latest event held in recent days included an exposition of vendors displaying anything from 3-D printable drones, to combat knives, armored vehicles, sniper rifles, unmanned ground vehicles, anti-terrorism tee shirts, and other militarized items. <br />
The massive Urban Shield military arms weapons convention in Oakland being held to sell military weapons to local law enforcement agencies, is in addition to the Pentagon's 1033 program which also provides militarized weapons to law enforcement agencies. Militarized weapons including grenade launchers, mine resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAPS), assault rifles, helicopters, bayonets, combat knives, night-vision equipment, night-vision sniper scopes, airplanes and other militarized items to be used by local law enforcement agencies, and SWAT Teams across the nation. These are militarized weapons that may be used and displayed by local law enforcement agencies and SWAT Teams when they are busy suppressing local populations that protest at City Hall, or when protesters are out in the streets protesting against trigger happy cops, or the weapons may be in use when our school children are being terrified while their grade school is placed under lock-down. <br />
The Urban Shield Conference held in Oakland is a $1 million five-day event being paid for by the federal government and the military industrial sponsors of Urban Shield. Sponsors pay as much as $500 to $15,000 for a spot at the conference to highlight and demonstrate their militarized products. <br />
A partial list of Urban Shield's sponsors include the Department of Homeland Security, 3M, CISCO, AirCover Integrated Solutions, Armored Mobility Inc., Benchmade Knive Company, Drakontas (Dragon Force C2), Elephant Hunt Clothing (guns & skulls), First Spear, Franklin Armory, International Armored Group, iRobot (unmanned ground vehicles), Mile High Shooting Accessories (snipers rifles), Motorola Solutions Inc., Patriot Ordance Factory Rifles, Raven Crest Tactical (knives), Revision Military, The Armored Group LLC, Voodoo Tactical, Winchester Ammunition, Adamson Police Products, and many other corporations including the Cytel Group, Inc., that specializes in bringing the Urban Shield Program to government regions throughout the U.S. and abroad. <br />
In response to Urban Shield, hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets and blocked the streets of Oakland in recent days to show their opposition to the military demonstration exposition, police training exercises and the militarization of our nation's police forces that have been taking place. California Partnership which is a statewide coalition of groups advocating for policies and programs to bring an end to poverty, organized the protests against Urban Shield. <br />
It was back on July 31, 2007, that Urban shield was turned into a money making venture when the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to accept cash sponsorship funds from individuals and corporations to support the militarized training event Urban Shield (Agenda Item 48). The profiteers set up a cash fund that was authorized for the purpose of depositing donations and fees used to offset the costs associated with the militarized training event and war games. The success of the profit making venture resulted in additional militarized Urban Shield events being held and hosted by the Sheriff's Office each year since 2007 in Oakland, and the Bay Area. Additional militarized Urban Shield events are also being held annually in Austin, Texas, Boston, New Orleans and abroad, as a direct result of the actions by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. <br />
After the militarized Urban Shield event was proven to be a money maker by using publicly owned assets in the Bay Area for its militarized war games and events, on February 24, 2009, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to enter into an agreement (Agenda Item 30) with BAE Systems, Inc. for the sole purpose of expanding the militarized Urban Shield events in other states across the nation, and abroad. As things turned out, on July 8, 2010 the expanded Urban Shield agreement with BAE Systems, Inc. was terminated by mutual consent because BAE Systems, Inc. was unable to meet the material obligations of the agreement. <br />
Currently, Jerry DeMuro is the CEO of BAE Systems, Inc., formerly known as BAE Systems North America, which is a major subsidiary of the British defense and aerospace company BAE Systems plc, a global defense, security and aerospace company with sales of $14.4 billion during 2011. <br />
After the expanded militarized Urban Shield agreement with BAE Systems, Inc. was terminated on July 8, 2010, on May 24, 2011, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office requested authorization from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to authorize Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern to enter into an agreement with Anne M. Baker, CEO, of the Cytel Group, LLC for the development of individual disaster training excercises and programs similar to Alameda County's "Urban Shield". <br />
The Sheriff's Office asked the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to authorize the Sheriff to receive a license fee of $10,000 from the Cytel Group as payment for the first year of their limited use of the Urban Shield marks and materials, including for each additional year a fee of one percent (1%) of the gross revenues being collected by licensee or affiliates for each and every individual excercise and/or program conducted by the Cytel Group. <br />
On June 7, 2011 the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the agreement with the Cytel Group, and authorized the Sheriff to deposit all fees collected from the agreement with the Cytel Group into an approved "Urban Shield" cash fund (Fund 84624, Org 900000, Account 499990) to help offset the costs associated with future militarized Urban Shield events and exercises. <br />
Indeed, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors agreed to the privatization of Urban Shield by voting on an agreement in which the Cytel Group was allowed to pay $10,000 to the Sheriff's Office during the first year of the agreement, including a fee of 1% of the gross revenues collected by the Cytel Group for every individual program conducted in a militarized Urban Shield event. <br />
The Cytel Group is not allowed to develop, market or sell Urban Shield electronic games or Urban Shield entertainment products, even though the 25 SWAT Teams competing in the war games lately may have found the war games to be very entertaining. <br />
The Sheriff's Office also has the right to terminate the Urban Shield contract and the licenses granted in the event that the Cytel Group or its affiliates are in violation of the agreement, and if the contract/agreement is terminated, all rights shall revert back to the Sheriff's Office. <br />
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The Cytel Group, Inc. and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Connections -<br />
According to public records with the Secretary of State in California, the incorporation papers for Cytel Group Inc., were filed on August 6, 2010. James Lester Baker who resides at 912 Redhaven Street, in Brentwood, California, is listed as the Agent For Service Of Process for the corporation, with the Secretary of State in California. The entity number for Cytel Group Inc. is C3311002. Anne Marie Baker, the wife of James Lester Baker, is part owner of the corporation and is listed as the "Secretary" of the corporation by Linked In. <br />
A contract document from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office involving the Cytel Group in a business transaction worth more than a half-million dollars to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise, lists Anne Marie Baker as the President of the Cytel Group, even though "Linked In" has her listed as the "Secretary" of the corporation. <br />
What is also intriguing about the contract situation with the Cytel Group and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office that involved two contracts worth $275,000 each to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise to the Sheriff's Office, is that James Lester Baker and his wife Anne Marie Baker both used to work for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. <br />
Ayman Masri of the country of Jordan also used to be a Deputy Sheriff in Alameda County, and he also worked for the Cytel Group before going back to Jordan and becoming the Program Manager at the Guardian Shield Program at the King Abdullah ll Special Operations Training Center. <br />
As an employee of the Sheriff's Office, James Baker used to be the assistant sheriff at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. His wife used to be a sheriff's technician at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, according to Linked In. This was before they were awarded two contracts worth $275,000 each, to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Originally, each contract was worth $250,000, but at a later date the contracts were changed to add an additional $25,000 to each contract beginning November 1, 2011 through March 1, 2013. <br />
What is even more intriguing is that the Oakland Tribune reported on this situation in a 4/27/2012 article about the Cytel Group, in which James Baker claimed that he is the president of the Cytel Group, and that his wife Anne Marie Baker is the chief operating officer. Additionally the article mentions that James Baker sent an email to the Tribune in which he claims that he retired after 22 years with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to found the Cytel Group as a way to promote the anti-terrorism Urban Shield program in the U.S. and abroad. <br />
Oddly enough, during 2012 the Tribune also reported that the Cytel Group payed the full cost of $13,000 for air-fare for 11 members of the S.W.A.T. Team from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to make a trip to Amman, Jordan, to participate in a U.S. funded Warrior Competition that included elite counterterrorism and special operation units from other countries. It appears that there may have been a conflict of interest in this transaction between the Cytel Group and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office for this venture, when the Cytel Group paid the air-fare for the S.W.A.T. Team from the Sheriff's Office. <br />
What gets even more interesting about the relationship between the Cytel Group and the Sheriff's Office is that despite the fact that James Baker claims that he founded the Cytel Group as a way to promote the anti-terrorism Urban Shield program in the U.S. and abroad, and claims to be the president of the corporation, in the Tribune article they report that the Sheriff's Office stated in a report to county supervisors that the Cytel Group (a consultant group) is owned by a woman, namely Anne Marie Baker, the wife of James Baker. A woman owned business with two $275,000 contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise. <br />
Regardless that James Baker claims to be the founder and the president of the Cytel Group, in a February 28, 2012 contract document from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office regarding contracts #7095 and #7096, in the very first paragraph on page one of the document it clearly mentions that Anne Marie Baker is the president of the Cytel Group, not her husband James Baker. In part it appears that the contract may have been awarded because it was a woman owned company, despite the fact that James Baker claims that he founded the Cytel Group in the Tribune article of 4/27/2012. <br />
Its nothing new for people to make a bundle of money from getting involved in the so-called war on terror, and in addition to Urban Shield there are more than 1,200 government organizations and more than 1,900 private companies working on counterterrorism, homeland security and intelligence, with around 854,000 people that have top-secret security clearance in America, according to The Washington Post. <br />
Additionally, according to whistle-blower Edward Snowden, he leaked the information revealing that the federal government spent as much as $52.6 billion in it's "black budget" during fiscal year 2013. <br />
In the wake of the nation being horrified by rampant police shootings/killings and the militarization of the police, including the recent militarized police actions in Ferguson, and the notorious police actions that have been taking place in New Mexico, Oakland, and cities all across the nation, in addition to the recent protests against the Urban Shield war games and convention in Oakland recently, on Friday, September 5, 2014, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan announced that Urban Shield will not be back in Oakland next year. <br />
In an announcement, Urban Shield is no longer welcome in Oakland, according to Mayor Jean Quan. According to Mayor Quan, the City Administrator's Office will be asking their agent not to pursue another contract with Urban Shield to have their conference in Oakland. <br />
<br />
Click on link below for the contract to privatize Urban Shield... <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_06_07_11/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group_LLC.pdf">http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_06_07_11/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group_LLC.pdf</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140915200448/http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_06_07_11/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group_LLC.pdf">archive.org</a>) <br />
<br />
Click on the link below for information about two other Cytel Group contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department... <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf">http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140822100841/http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf">archive.org</a>) <br />
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Click on the link below for Anne Marie Baker from Linked In... <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anne-baker/69/737/48a">http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anne-baker/69/737/48a</a>] <br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://archive.today/MqLDy">archive.today</a>)<br />
<br />
Click on link below for James Lester Baker's profile on LinkedIn... <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslesterbaker">http://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslesterbaker</a>]<br />
* Click on or download the images showing James Lester Baker's profile on LinkedIn as of Sept. 14th, 2014:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIyIYm4Vp5NuFPA0POo_zlPLe1IF4ZGtaPgw6JXVDz_rXROOT4fXO4jRe7ZmKXawu-5U7mm7hytAvN7ZmIAdoEFvTYsJT3NHdxRek_V5F-ojt8Z1pdMl3oa0DlF-M2U9ADDa4opDoai4/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIyIYm4Vp5NuFPA0POo_zlPLe1IF4ZGtaPgw6JXVDz_rXROOT4fXO4jRe7ZmKXawu-5U7mm7hytAvN7ZmIAdoEFvTYsJT3NHdxRek_V5F-ojt8Z1pdMl3oa0DlF-M2U9ADDa4opDoai4/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+01.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha880QHqK9XgUWkIoHP9b9aUSaa1yGvHs7C9QPUCkc7aZLncMPQio-fmiWLkMCXyX_CIcdLfYqVJQngonla7vMIHK5mMCEqvaorgQFnQohpQA59PaUUI20G8XkMJgtJLYyUjDNFgJUffY/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha880QHqK9XgUWkIoHP9b9aUSaa1yGvHs7C9QPUCkc7aZLncMPQio-fmiWLkMCXyX_CIcdLfYqVJQngonla7vMIHK5mMCEqvaorgQFnQohpQA59PaUUI20G8XkMJgtJLYyUjDNFgJUffY/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+02.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIKeDhLomDcIY1ihFoeuCT4rWUz6En-66ToNs2Zau6oeVRIKjqLCM3uTaUgtjedkGw3A9sY4-NOtCNYDv_7TS1VlVggilzpIngbHG0qNtDY20CpuZxWchomkAsEzg65Ysg7GpBVy6-8Y/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIKeDhLomDcIY1ihFoeuCT4rWUz6En-66ToNs2Zau6oeVRIKjqLCM3uTaUgtjedkGw3A9sY4-NOtCNYDv_7TS1VlVggilzpIngbHG0qNtDY20CpuZxWchomkAsEzg65Ysg7GpBVy6-8Y/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+03.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a><br />
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Cytel Group in Jordan <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.cytelgroup.com/jordan-cytel">http://www.cytelgroup.com/jordan-cytel</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140915201944/http://www.cytelgroup.com/jordan-cytel">archive.org</a>) (<a href="https://archive.today/gEbuz">archive.today</a>)<br />
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DOD / excess property program - 1033 program <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.dps.mo.gov/dir/programs/cjle/dod.asp">http://www.dps.mo.gov/dir/programs/cjle/dod.asp</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140911093216/http://www.dps.mo.gov/dir/programs/cjle/dod.asp">archive.org</a>) (<a href="https://archive.today/UhjUV">archive.today</a>) Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-77057678168691437552014-09-08T16:06:00.000-07:002014-09-15T18:56:18.840-07:00Alameda County Sheriff's business relationship with Urban Shield and Cytel Group<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Urban Shield and Cytel Group Connections to Sheriff's Office"</span><br />
2014-09-08 by Lynda Carson [<a href="https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/08/18761306.php">https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/09/08/18761306.php</a>]:<br />
Click on the link for the Cytel Group contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department <br />
* Original link [<a href="http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf">http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf</a>]<br />
* Backed up at (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140822100841/http://www.acgov.org/board/bos_calendar/documents/DocsAgendaReg_02_28_12/PUBLIC%20PROTECTION/Regular%20Calendar/Sheriff_Cytel_Group.pdf">archive.org</a>)<br />
---<br />
Oakland - As Urban Shield is wrapping up its war games in Oakland and the Bay Area with their militarized intimidation tactics, training exercises and military hardware sale convention for agencies seeking military weapons to suppress their local populations with S.W.A.T. Teams, neighborhood lock-downs and Martial Law, there seems to be very little coverage lately by the media in regards to who is behind the Urban Shield program.<br />
In Oakland, Urban Shield was hosted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, but is being promoted by the for profit corporation known as Cytel Group Inc. The Cytel Group also promotes Urban Shield conferences/events in Austin, Texas, Boston, New Orleans and countries abroad.<br />
According to public records with the Secretary of State in California, the incorporation papers for Cytel Group Inc., were filed on August 6, 2010. James Lester Baker [<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslesterbaker">http://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslesterbaker</a>] who resides at 912 Redhaven Street, in Brentwood, California, is listed as the Agent For Service Of Process for the corporation, with the Secretary of State in California.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha880QHqK9XgUWkIoHP9b9aUSaa1yGvHs7C9QPUCkc7aZLncMPQio-fmiWLkMCXyX_CIcdLfYqVJQngonla7vMIHK5mMCEqvaorgQFnQohpQA59PaUUI20G8XkMJgtJLYyUjDNFgJUffY/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+02.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha880QHqK9XgUWkIoHP9b9aUSaa1yGvHs7C9QPUCkc7aZLncMPQio-fmiWLkMCXyX_CIcdLfYqVJQngonla7vMIHK5mMCEqvaorgQFnQohpQA59PaUUI20G8XkMJgtJLYyUjDNFgJUffY/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+02.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIyIYm4Vp5NuFPA0POo_zlPLe1IF4ZGtaPgw6JXVDz_rXROOT4fXO4jRe7ZmKXawu-5U7mm7hytAvN7ZmIAdoEFvTYsJT3NHdxRek_V5F-ojt8Z1pdMl3oa0DlF-M2U9ADDa4opDoai4/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIyIYm4Vp5NuFPA0POo_zlPLe1IF4ZGtaPgw6JXVDz_rXROOT4fXO4jRe7ZmKXawu-5U7mm7hytAvN7ZmIAdoEFvTYsJT3NHdxRek_V5F-ojt8Z1pdMl3oa0DlF-M2U9ADDa4opDoai4/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+01.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a>(Click on or download the images showing James Lester Baker's profile on LinkedIn as of Sept. 14th, 2014)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIKeDhLomDcIY1ihFoeuCT4rWUz6En-66ToNs2Zau6oeVRIKjqLCM3uTaUgtjedkGw3A9sY4-NOtCNYDv_7TS1VlVggilzpIngbHG0qNtDY20CpuZxWchomkAsEzg65Ysg7GpBVy6-8Y/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+03.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIKeDhLomDcIY1ihFoeuCT4rWUz6En-66ToNs2Zau6oeVRIKjqLCM3uTaUgtjedkGw3A9sY4-NOtCNYDv_7TS1VlVggilzpIngbHG0qNtDY20CpuZxWchomkAsEzg65Ysg7GpBVy6-8Y/s1600/linkedin+-+james+lester+baker+03.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a><br />
The entity number for Cytel Group Inc., is C3311002. Anne Marie Baker, the wife of James Lester Baker, is part owner of the corporation and is listed as the "Secretary" of the corporation by Linked In [<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anne-baker/69/737/48a">http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anne-baker/69/737/48a</a>], backed up at (<a href="https://archive.today/MqLDy">archive.today</a>).<br />
A contract document from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office involving the Cytel Group in a business transaction worth more than a half-million dollars to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise, lists Anne Marie Baker as the President of the Cytel Group, even though "Linked In" has her listed as the "Secretary" of the corporation.<br />
What is also intriguing about the contract situation with the Cytel Group and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office that involved two contracts worth $275,000 each to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise to the Sheriff's Office, is that James Lester Baker and his wife Anne Marie Baker both used to work for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.<br />
As an employee of the Sheriff's Office, James Baker used to be the assistant sheriff at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. His wife used to be a sheriff's technician at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, according to Linked In. This was before they were awarded two contracts worth $275,000 each, to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Originally, each contract was worth $250,000, but at a later date the contracts were changed to add an additional $25,000 to each contract beginning November 1, 2011 through March 1, 2013.<br />
What is even more intriguing is that the Oakland Tribune reported on this situation in a 4/27/2012 article about the Cytel Group, in which James Baker claimed that he is the president of the Cytel Group, and that his wife Anne Marie Baker is the chief operating officer. Additionally the article mentions that James Baker sent an email to the Tribune in which he claims that he retired after 22 years with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to found the Cytel Group as a way to promote the anti-terrorism Urban Shield program in the U.S. and abroad.<br />
Oddly enough, during 2012 the Tribune also reported that the Cytel Group payed the full cost of $13,000 for air-fare for 11 members of the S.W.A.T. Team from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to make a trip to Amman, Jordan, to participate in a U.S. funded Warrior Competition that included elite counterterrorism and special operation units from other countries. It appears that there may have been a conflict of interest in this transaction between the Cytel Group and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office for this venture, when the Cytel Group paid the air-fare for the S.W.A.T. Team from the Sheriff's Office.<br />
What gets even more interesting about the relationship between the Cytel Group and the Sheriff's Office is that despite the fact that James Baker claims that he founded the Cytel Group as a way to promote the anti-terrorism Urban Shield program in the U.S. and abroad, and claims to be the president of the corporation, in the Tribune article they report that the Sheriff's Office stated in a report to county supervisors that the Cytel Group (a consultant group) is owned by a woman, namely Anne Marie Baker, the wife of James Baker. A woman owned business with two $275,000 contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to provide anti-terrorism tactical training and expertise.<br />
Regardless that James Baker claims to be the founder and the president of the Cytel Group, in a February 28, 2012 contract document from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office regarding contracts #7095 and #7096, in the very first paragraph on page one of the document it clearly mentions that Anne Marie Baker is the president of the Cytel Group, not her husband James Baker. In part it appears that the contract may have been awarded because it was a woman owned company, despite the fact that James Baker claims that he founded the Cytel Group in the Tribune article of 4/27/2012.<br />
Its nothing new for people to make a bundle of money from getting involved in the so-called war on terror, and in addition to Urban Shield there are more than 1,200 government organizations and more than 1,900 private companies working on counterterrorism, homeland security and intelligence, with around 854,000 people that have top-secret security clearance in America, according to The Washington Post.<br />
Additionally, according to whistle-blower Edward Snowden, he leaked the information revealing that the federal government spent as much as $52.6 billion in it's "black budget" during fiscal year 2013.<br />
In response to the latest venture of Urban Shield in Oakland during the past week, hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets and blocked the streets in recent days to show their opposition to the military demonstration exposition, police training exercises and the militarization of our nation's police forces that have been taking place. California Partnership which is a statewide coalition of groups advocating for policies and programs to bring an end to poverty, organized the protests against Urban Shield.<br />
In the wake of the nation being horrified by rampant police shootings/killings and the militarization of the police, including the recent militarized police actions in Ferguson, and the notorious police actions that have been taking place in New Mexico, Oakland, and cities all across the nation, on Friday, September 5, 2014, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan announced that Urban Shield will not be back in Oakland next year.<br />
In an announcement, Urban Shield is no longer welcome in Oakland, according to Mayor Jean Quan. According to Mayor Quan, the City Administrator's Office will be asking their agent not to pursue another contract with Urban Shield to have their conference in Oakland.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-9422507901257558992014-09-08T11:38:00.002-07:002014-09-08T11:38:29.725-07:00Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit filed for Yanira Serrano GarciaJustice for Yanira Serrano! (d.2014-06-03, Half Moon Bay) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/06/justice-for-yanira-serrano-d2014-06-03.html">link</a>]<br />
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From the family of Yanira, 2014-09-08:<br />
When San Mateo DA Wagstaffe fully exonerated Deputy Trieu in the blatant and wanton shooting of 18-year old Yanira Serrano, he betrayed the trust of the Latino Community in Half Moon Bay. DA Wagstaffe had come into the community to publically promise a transparent and unbiased investigation of the June 3d shooting of 5”1’ Yanira. Yanira, suffering from both a severe mental and physical handicap, was gunned down just yards from her family home in the Moonridge barrio by San Mateo County Deputy Trieu, who was supposed to be responding to a “911” medical emergency.<br />
At 11am on Tuesday, the parents of Yanira will announce the filing of a federal lawsuit targeting Deputy Menh Trieu and San Mateo County. The federal lawsuit, alleging civil rights violations, will be filed in the Federal District Court in San Francisco, CA.<br />
The lawsuit alleges that the shooting of Yanira Serrano Garcia was unconstitutional in that it violated the Fourth Amendment’s limits on police authority. The lawsuit will detail the circumstances of the shooting and allege that deputy Menh Trieu shot and killed Yanira Serrano Garcia without reasonable cause, in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The complaint will also allege that the shooting resulted from the negligence of dispatchers who handled the 911 call reporting a non-emergency medical incident as well as from the negligence of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department in it’s training of deputy Trieu.<br />
Yanira’s parents, Carmen Garcia Serrano and Ignacio Serrano Ruiz, brother Tony Serrano and their lawyers – Arnoldo Casillas and Jonathan Melrod, will hold a press conference this Tuesday to present the findings of their investigation, the results of the private autopsy, the 911 telephone call, and the details of Yanira’s short life. The family will provide the media present with an electronic media package. Yanira’s parents and brother will be present at the press conference and plan to release a statement to the press.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-42078108311794542572014-09-07T17:56:00.000-07:002014-09-15T19:20:10.229-07:00Alameda Co. Sheriff censors the media, ejects "liberal" journalist for taking photos of Urban Shield convention vendors for militerizing civilian law enforcementThe complete record of the banned reporter's visit to the Urban Shield conference<br />
[<a href="https://storify.com/smbauer1/urban-shield-swat-convention-in-oakland-2014">https://storify.com/smbauer1/urban-shield-swat-convention-in-oakland-2014</a>]<br />
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<br /></div>
"The Urban Shield Full Scale Exercise is an unclassified exercise"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh7hjVtE_wFI2HrzAbAdk2ULK-Fk6nMt4pkcNQiabEhqjJ-Hjv6G58QPg1KGb7Hvy2HrinB8NsYhH7-3rU13P0agNTvCwEqXFQSQQAnpXhhmn8BM6sj8GnEehFEP1IF0oyC9wQzaR89E/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh7hjVtE_wFI2HrzAbAdk2ULK-Fk6nMt4pkcNQiabEhqjJ-Hjv6G58QPg1KGb7Hvy2HrinB8NsYhH7-3rU13P0agNTvCwEqXFQSQQAnpXhhmn8BM6sj8GnEehFEP1IF0oyC9wQzaR89E/s1600/2.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Militerization? the Police aren't being militerized!<br />
Shane Bauer @shane_bauer, Sept.11th: Sorry, I just tweeted an
inaccurate fact. I said the military gave 1,200 bayonets to the police.
It's actually 12,000. Bayonets. [<a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/09/02/342494225/mraps-and-bayonets-what-we-know-about-the-pentagons-1033-program">http://www.npr.org/2014/09/02/342494225/mraps-and-bayonets-what-we-know-about-the-pentagons-1033-program</a>]<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Mother Jones Reporter Booted From SWAT Convention For Act Of Reporting</span><br />
Shane Bauer was booted from the Urban Shield convention after one of the vendors complained about him 'filming.' "<br />
2014-09-07 from [<a href="http://crooksandliars.com/2014/09/mother-jones-reporter-booted-swat">http://crooksandliars.com/2014/09/mother-jones-reporter-booted-swat</a>]:<br />
View video [<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFK0ExHR5Fo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFK0ExHR5Fo</a>]<br />
Also see [<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/08/armed-guards-ushered-me-out-prison-convention">http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/08/armed-guards-ushered-me-out-prison-convention</a>].<br />
---<br />
Oakland is having a SWAT convention today, and Mother Jones reporter Shane Bauer has been sending out some amazing images from it. Scary images. Image that confirm everything you thought about police militarization.<br />
Like this one [<a href="http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/508670571920769024/photo/1">http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/508670571920769024/photo/1</a>]:<br />
Shane Bauer @shane_bauer: A drone company is set up at an #UrbanShield site, but the county is waiting for FAA permission to use them. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjuF-GwrHN1EikSGwwvQH7T0DzFF9YUCfps2556mskjTfAPbgKNYer_gUFfjUbs61l8i9yWLvcnmtiTK2T8PCRatldVf77q6amnwhqlSE2jHuEb1HYQxIgW8uIgo3pzxmUtpTx2-SGPA/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjuF-GwrHN1EikSGwwvQH7T0DzFF9YUCfps2556mskjTfAPbgKNYer_gUFfjUbs61l8i9yWLvcnmtiTK2T8PCRatldVf77q6amnwhqlSE2jHuEb1HYQxIgW8uIgo3pzxmUtpTx2-SGPA/s1600/1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And this one [<a href="http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/508671570479689729/photo/1">http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/508671570479689729/photo/1</a>]:<br />
Shane Bauer @shane_bauer: The @HaloDropDrones vendor got nervous about us taking too detailed of pictures, in case we wanted to duplicate them. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pnQD0I_2V9qnhqTtlw-VOTbZpZ6xa6nenVQwtQlyn3gFxscVPvzTWMSPaYNuvGyWRM2Mf4mwcuvDqBf9ygiM-2QD40EU7q9lupPDRmD7uVSsF593kJjg84UBpDpxxZwUX5tLKBOsvMU/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pnQD0I_2V9qnhqTtlw-VOTbZpZ6xa6nenVQwtQlyn3gFxscVPvzTWMSPaYNuvGyWRM2Mf4mwcuvDqBf9ygiM-2QD40EU7q9lupPDRmD7uVSsF593kJjg84UBpDpxxZwUX5tLKBOsvMU/s1600/1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And one more [<a href="http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/508429922504015872/photo/1">http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/508429922504015872/photo/1</a>]:<br />
Shane Bauer @shane_bauer: Here is the University of California, Berkeley SWAT team, which is used to respond to muggings of students.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfZmjzkTYGZvtUnyBvhzGIjfVmj6X2cQGMd5lVjY0yqR0Zj1nmcln5zby-B7zeL2Pbp3kwRjK-7NwE0H7almt6x2m8hbCQFSaAogFyRcP_DURqTJDNN-UJb5B8IrCHOZX6l6Z8bgpYJI/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfZmjzkTYGZvtUnyBvhzGIjfVmj6X2cQGMd5lVjY0yqR0Zj1nmcln5zby-B7zeL2Pbp3kwRjK-7NwE0H7almt6x2m8hbCQFSaAogFyRcP_DURqTJDNN-UJb5B8IrCHOZX6l6Z8bgpYJI/s1600/1.jpg" /> </a><br />
<br />
It appears that those photos and some other videos (see his twitter feed for more) may have gotten Bauer a quick escort to the exit.<br />
Shane Bauer @shane_bauer: A cop just took our media badges for the #UrbanShield SWAT training. Says his captain called and told him to do it. Not clear why. 11:09 AM - 7 Sep 2014<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtMi5Rm-jpwbmz10k-QPCaNBy1dKMlKMvV5krsVwhpG_nCZasvzS-va81SwtxzskMUOKn0c0he1-YrCGszZD4g0dyUAcPcxD-Bj4zdpHpTA5dcu5wHATl_u_VkSqInUPEBddpcLhE0g/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtMi5Rm-jpwbmz10k-QPCaNBy1dKMlKMvV5krsVwhpG_nCZasvzS-va81SwtxzskMUOKn0c0he1-YrCGszZD4g0dyUAcPcxD-Bj4zdpHpTA5dcu5wHATl_u_VkSqInUPEBddpcLhE0g/s1600/2.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a><br />
Someone didn't care for either the video or stills they were taking, even though they remained in the areas where they were told filming was permitted.<br />
I'll bet it was one of these guys [<a href="http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/507978633894313985/photo/1">http://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/507978633894313985/photo/1</a>]:<br />
Shane Bauer @shane_bauer: Here are the corporate sponsors of Urban Shield<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbUJrtbnznhtuqiDZwJdzABGCuYJvLTKD7U9_3YbMZ6ErM5ByA2e2HWYiHIGtiKYtUwNPh50TlV-i08I9hldfasYvHUi_7mM2LgqaTubItBTezCrHHtrRXRRhYY2wWJik2tLybjmfVnw/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbUJrtbnznhtuqiDZwJdzABGCuYJvLTKD7U9_3YbMZ6ErM5ByA2e2HWYiHIGtiKYtUwNPh50TlV-i08I9hldfasYvHUi_7mM2LgqaTubItBTezCrHHtrRXRRhYY2wWJik2tLybjmfVnw/s1600/1.jpg" /></a> <br />
This is really scary stuff. The mayor of Oakland said last night that the city would not host this convention next year. To that, she received a big "screw you" from the police [<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Oakland-will-not-host-Urban-Shield-next-year-5738774.php">SFGate.com link</a>], [begin excerpt]<br />
But officials from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, which coordinates the conference, hit back at Quan's statement.<br />
"Mayor Quan has had little to no involvement with Urban Shield. She does not have the authority to tell Urban Shield or anyone that they can't come into the City of Oakland," said Sgt. J.D. Nelson, a spokesman for the office.<br />
"We recognize that she can influence the Oakland convention center, but we find it amazing that the mayor of Oakland does not want better training for the cities' first responders nor the hotel tax revenue, sales tax revenue, and low crime rate in the downtown area that Urban Shield and its 5,000-plus attendees has provided in the last few years to the City of Oakland," he said.<br />
[end excerpt]<br />
Yeah, because Oakland hasn't seen any abuse by the police. Sure.<br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"FirstNet-related Tactical LTE Communications System at Urban Shield Exercise"</span><br />
2014-09-10 from [<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912052024/http://www.mutualink.net/FirstNet-related-Tactical-LTE-Communications-System-at-Urban-Shield-Exercise.asp">https://web.archive.org/web/20140912052024/http://www.mutualink.net/FirstNet-related-Tactical-LTE-Communications-System-at-Urban-Shield-Exercise.asp</a>]:<br />
Oakland CA -<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXP7kI6d6Sr83IFzhTTiVXdYLZdN-yJLAX68ki496GjMUbWRP5hL08ok3_6o4tlTJII4rL_FjKEGOkSmHbmJJmIuxnHsBJIprz50aTnMSL8jYqUb9P7tDN4PE-kEsBEQz3S1teqUoPuMo/s1600/1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXP7kI6d6Sr83IFzhTTiVXdYLZdN-yJLAX68ki496GjMUbWRP5hL08ok3_6o4tlTJII4rL_FjKEGOkSmHbmJJmIuxnHsBJIprz50aTnMSL8jYqUb9P7tDN4PE-kEsBEQz3S1teqUoPuMo/s1600/1.jpg" /></a>Urban Shield is a full-scale regional preparedness exercise assessing the Bay Area's Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) response capabilities related to multi-discipline planning, policies, procedures, organization, equipment and training. Urban Shield tests regional integrated systems for prevention, protection, response and recovery in high-threat, high-density urban areas.<br />
---<br />
At Urban Shield 2014, Mutualink, Sonim and Oceus will participate in a FirstNet-related deployment of an Enhanced System on Wheels (ESOW). The exercise will give public safety officials in northern California the opportunity to prepare for a coordinated, multi-agency, emergency response using advanced collaboration across LTE Band 14.<br />
During the Urban Shield exercise, officials from the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and other agencies will communicate and collaborate with onsite SWAT teams, during a simulated emergency incident involving a terrorist boarding a public transit vehicle.<br />
The ESOW will enable all parties to share real-time video, images and voice communications using mobile phones and tablets on the scene. An ESOW provides secure local, multimedia multiparty collaboration capability between user equipment and legacy devices, such as video cameras and land mobile radios (LMRs).<br />
Mike Sena, Director of the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC), commented, "When we first explored options for interoperability between agencies, we found Mutualink was the only platform that allowed agencies to share audio, video and digital files over a secure network. We currently use the technology at various agencies within the San Francisco Bay area, and our goal is to continue the growth of the network within the region. A key feature of the system is that we can include first responders as well as other public and private entities for community-wide coordination."<br />
"This exercise at Urban Shield is another proof-point of FirstNet's mission for delivering nationwide broadband capability for public safety, and further evidence that the future is now when it comes to next-generation technologies for first responders and emergency personnel," said Dr. Mike Wengrovitz, Mutualink's Vice President of Innovation.<br />
"First responders and mission-critical personnel need the ability to access relevant information quickly to help assess a situation and become more efficient in making time-critical decisions. This exercise will showcase technology that addresses these needs today," said Bob Escalle, Senior Director of Public Safety and Defense for Sonim.<br />
Mutualink's technology will serve as the interoperable communications platform for the ESOW enabling real-time sharing of radio, voice, text, video, data and location information in a secure environment. Mutualink serves as the gateway for bridging disparate systems so that all parties responding to an emergency can communicate and collaborate in real time.<br />
Sonim Technologies will provide handheld devices for the ESOW based on their ultra-rugged features such as 20+ hours of LTE based talk time, extreme durability in heat, dust, wet environments, visibility in direct sunlight and support for a wide range of android applications and accessories with full support of LTE Band 14.<br />
World-class rugged performance standards combined with an unprecedented industry leading 3-year warranty to protect even the most active users from accidental damage deliver the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry.<br />
Xiphos, Oceus Networks' 4G LTE lightweight deployable communications system - a complete mobile "network in the box" - will provide the Band 14 broadband network for Urban Shield participants. The solution demonstrates interoperability and integration between first responders utilizing Mutualink applications, Sonim devices, and COTS WiFi-enabled devices.<br />
"Deployable technology creates an environment that allows First Responders to literally bring the network with them, delivering coverage when and where it is needed to operate as part of a larger network or as a standalone node.<br />
"We are excited to bring our proven technology to the Public Safety community and demonstrate how broadband solutions can transform the first responder mission in the field," said Jim Patterson, Oceus Networks' Vice President of Public and Federal Solutions.<br />
Urban Shield is a full-scale regional preparedness exercise assessing the Bay Area's Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) response capabilities related to multi-discipline planning, policies, procedures, organization, equipment and training. Urban Shield tests regional integrated systems for prevention, protection, response and recovery in high-threat, high-density urban areas.</div>
Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-87974915095055632542014-09-05T21:41:00.000-07:002014-09-10T21:41:29.719-07:00Many evicted in Vallejo at Hogan Avenue by VPD Community Services Section, Code Enforcement officer & Neighborhood Law program (NLP) <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Beautifying Vallejo"</span>2014-09-05 from City Manager’s Bi-Weekly Report, Vol. 2, No. 23, by Daniel E. Keen, City Manager:<br />
<br />
Interdepartmental Collaboration for Hogan Avenue -<br />
The City identified the 100 Block of Hogan Avenue as a significant contributor of blight and nuisance activity. The City identified five homes as high priority issues, and is monitoring several others. Of those five homes, four are now boarded up. Additionally, one property owner has removed numerous tenants, is closely monitoring the activity of his remaining tenant and is prepared to have him move should the property continue to present these problems.<br />
As part of this effort, representatives from the City walked the block, provided a letter to each home and mailed the same to the homeowners. The letter stated that the City was focusing its attention on this block of Vallejo and asked home-owners to take steps toward improving their own homes. In addition, the City invited each to a community meeting to help this neighborhood form its own block watch. That meeting took place on August 20 and was held at 2 Florida Street, where Code Enforcement Officer David Sidie provided information on property maintenance violations, Neighborhood Law Attorney Eli Flushman discussed City actions to abate nuisances, and Tina Encarnacion and Mary Pedretti of the Community Services Section discussed how to have a successful block watch. The meeting was well attended and numerous neighbors expressed an excitement for where this neighborhood is headed.<br />
The next phase of the project is to address the long standing code violations in the area and monitor the sale of three properties located at 144, 148, and 181 Hogan Avenue.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKvzcFOpyiCKN5AnK1NKi03fFbRchsY5DH4sM-NNf0AmbTEIGUQixARxsb5n2qwWwOKJAWtU8paOIp-YZxGwTk5Z2MNvg9VmmtNxK5d1E2QthBIvtmguV5RN6ffaJTeZ9o8ah5BNvmC0/s1600/1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKvzcFOpyiCKN5AnK1NKi03fFbRchsY5DH4sM-NNf0AmbTEIGUQixARxsb5n2qwWwOKJAWtU8paOIp-YZxGwTk5Z2MNvg9VmmtNxK5d1E2QthBIvtmguV5RN6ffaJTeZ9o8ah5BNvmC0/s1600/1.1.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P6d6FDpxT6ZT0D04saGx6iLc3tm4biM2GJfluwTr4tBpXhSS5sN-7Dh8sdua4ZGe4G_Dj7-fx1TQbe_TAQ9qDP3HVwPMiRILRsZCk1bb95bItPiB7L6_w3x123TKWLXQzNSqYCaHfL4/s1600/1.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P6d6FDpxT6ZT0D04saGx6iLc3tm4biM2GJfluwTr4tBpXhSS5sN-7Dh8sdua4ZGe4G_Dj7-fx1TQbe_TAQ9qDP3HVwPMiRILRsZCk1bb95bItPiB7L6_w3x123TKWLXQzNSqYCaHfL4/s1600/1.2.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjcUdeKvWOrtTs-f17a5cxwAqtPqrsQtPztzJvkf1c4cY0yETFzgSGxE7w_0nOQnz65bp3UZ9C9mNAx7DhP0aAY8PxQaRJ8xV5GC9fvGGOVF5MBEAqzjoKqxedWklvoj2s9uSU37url0/s1600/1.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjcUdeKvWOrtTs-f17a5cxwAqtPqrsQtPztzJvkf1c4cY0yETFzgSGxE7w_0nOQnz65bp3UZ9C9mNAx7DhP0aAY8PxQaRJ8xV5GC9fvGGOVF5MBEAqzjoKqxedWklvoj2s9uSU37url0/s1600/1.3.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPwkA7N4-0-ysWJxsqhvnIUVKvmZerC8cY4LZFI3euIj0swlK-4byA8GUF5QsjlEmafKbF8q9xJQeFndKSF11vum6GRx2jWvVJORAqdZ3SQS-ToKksd4ZPwKij5h_8GAzChmvoj9RDgk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPwkA7N4-0-ysWJxsqhvnIUVKvmZerC8cY4LZFI3euIj0swlK-4byA8GUF5QsjlEmafKbF8q9xJQeFndKSF11vum6GRx2jWvVJORAqdZ3SQS-ToKksd4ZPwKij5h_8GAzChmvoj9RDgk/s1600/1.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
Receivership<br />
140 Martin Street -<br />
The owner of this property died in 2008, and the property has been a nuisance in the community for years. On August 8, NLP Attorneys filed a receivership lawsuit. At trial on August 27, NLP Attorneys successfully appointed a receiver over the property. Evidence provided by the Code Enforcement Division and the VPD Community Services Section were instrumental for NLP Attorneys to succeed in court.<br />
<br />
137 Muller Street -<br />
The owner of this property died in 2008, and it has been a nuisance to the community for years. On August 21, NLP Attorneys filed a receivership lawsuit seeking control of the nuisance property. A trial to appoint a receiver over the property is scheduled for September 17.<br />
<br />
14 Hollywood Avenue -<br />
The owners of this property filed for bankruptcy and moved out of state believing their mortgage holder Bank of America would take possession of the property. Bank of America, however, has failed to foreclose for more than a year. Without a responsible owner or mortgage holder to care for the property, the property has become the source of significant criminal activity. On August 22, NLP Attorneys filed a receivership lawsuit to take control of the nuisance property, and a trial to appoint a receiver over the property is scheduled for September 17.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-26041977208934124732014-09-05T21:28:00.000-07:002014-09-10T21:30:25.451-07:00VPD Emergency Service Unit<b>Vallejo Police Department </b>[<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/vallejo-police-department.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"VPD Emergency Service Unit Training at City Hall"</span><br />
2014-09-05 from City Manager’s Bi-Weekly Report, Vol. 2, No. 23, by Daniel E. Keen, City Manager:<br />
On Labor Day, the Vallejo Police Department Emergency Service Unit con-ducted a training event at City Hall. The Emergency Service Unit is composed of the SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiations Team and the Tactical Dispatch Team. All three teams were presented with a scenario of an armed suspect inside City Hall with several hostages. The teams worked through the scenario and suc-cessfully negotiated a peaceful resolution. The scenario portion was from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.<br />
During an afternoon training session, mem-bers of the SWAT Team practiced moving throughout the entire building. City Hall of-fered a variety of different sized rooms, long hallways and stairwells for the team to train on. The ESU Team has been using other sites in Vallejo, includ-ing, the Solano County Court House and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.<br />
The ESU Commander, Lieutenant John Whitney, was pleased with the team’s performance and is looking forward to using City Hall for other future exercises.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGcegImACJDFwvqoF9-PKRgPyiywKe75xTzxSdccULN7J1adPDC0TVqR61Kg9iywcgoJmU6IPSY4Olzh0qGIM_aslpW0JHGC24iVhUTEyosQiSxm-lvklOuhok4HpYZLmIgDA80LXg2w/s1600/1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGcegImACJDFwvqoF9-PKRgPyiywKe75xTzxSdccULN7J1adPDC0TVqR61Kg9iywcgoJmU6IPSY4Olzh0qGIM_aslpW0JHGC24iVhUTEyosQiSxm-lvklOuhok4HpYZLmIgDA80LXg2w/s1600/1.1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGF2mVB8O-MqeQWNNzL204uadANpzPVaG0WFLj1pTijJHg1EZu0QLDlWxOnJeU5ufS3xmcWxpnl4Xh0Stb-t3IU7g_fOdsAQKmOYMjyWGVrI0-eYQw46D05Q0VGPet_rOPiqQZSKWVaY/s1600/1.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGF2mVB8O-MqeQWNNzL204uadANpzPVaG0WFLj1pTijJHg1EZu0QLDlWxOnJeU5ufS3xmcWxpnl4Xh0Stb-t3IU7g_fOdsAQKmOYMjyWGVrI0-eYQw46D05Q0VGPet_rOPiqQZSKWVaY/s1600/1.2.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZUuRM1DwYowvYWqcpuoIvfKlUsxZKgZhJUx4RVXZ4sttqsDLS4jZfBfxtMhi0-4wjN4sKXlEJCaVX3tdzWXoZ1SWiRSTRZ-Fng1DJwtqyD-inWYXJevMc9_XJmpDIZDCWQbCkgkwBAk/s1600/1.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZUuRM1DwYowvYWqcpuoIvfKlUsxZKgZhJUx4RVXZ4sttqsDLS4jZfBfxtMhi0-4wjN4sKXlEJCaVX3tdzWXoZ1SWiRSTRZ-Fng1DJwtqyD-inWYXJevMc9_XJmpDIZDCWQbCkgkwBAk/s1600/1.3.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGQQkHERqEqQOp0RhwwgdT6CRba-WeI-v0jtGryEQL4wsFseE68uQS8nNz8WQtiDGfrWOjcOdwlVY2l3J1xWWuj5Q-Mus7xsssLL8lNPvPXeY28uNXkWBpoJPwhbPUzrZw-8kbaRuYnI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGQQkHERqEqQOp0RhwwgdT6CRba-WeI-v0jtGryEQL4wsFseE68uQS8nNz8WQtiDGfrWOjcOdwlVY2l3J1xWWuj5Q-Mus7xsssLL8lNPvPXeY28uNXkWBpoJPwhbPUzrZw-8kbaRuYnI/s1600/1.jpg" /></a>Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-39622960728309651862014-09-04T19:25:00.000-07:002014-09-13T19:25:54.861-07:00Oakland PD racial profiling incident, with gun drawn"Calif. Firefighter Claims Officer Racially Profiled Him and Young Sons;<br />
According to Oakland firefighter Keith Jones, who is black, a police officer responding to a possible burglary demanded that he and his young sons keep their hands up"<br />
2014-09-04 by Breanna Edwards for "TheRoot.com" [<a href="http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/09/oakland_firefighter_files_complaint_against_police_department_for_detaining.html">http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/09/oakland_firefighter_files_complaint_against_police_department_for_detaining.html</a>]:<br />
Keith Jones and his two sons (CBS SAN FRANCISCO SCREENSHOT)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fidii4H5eo62ErfEh72aTNZzZNUb7AGLE4PyW-2fwEIwMLPFBc9RWNKQnf-vL4MMXOYm7m9pb5Iu5BUlbpu5K1-IkIh5UpPQKevowOygiX0r0CZcxmTfrBJ3lJRc9ZzLozYZNMaf0Ro/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fidii4H5eo62ErfEh72aTNZzZNUb7AGLE4PyW-2fwEIwMLPFBc9RWNKQnf-vL4MMXOYm7m9pb5Iu5BUlbpu5K1-IkIh5UpPQKevowOygiX0r0CZcxmTfrBJ3lJRc9ZzLozYZNMaf0Ro/s1600/1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a><br />
An Oakland, Calif., firefighter and father has filed a complaint regarding a local police officer who detained him and his children outside the fire station where he works, KPIX 5 reports [<a href="http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/08/29/race-issues-raised-when-oakland-firefighter-kids-detained-by-police-officer-opd-keith-jones-station-29-profiling">http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/08/29/race-issues-raised-when-oakland-firefighter-kids-detained-by-police-officer-opd-keith-jones-station-29-profiling</a>].<br />
Firefighter Keith Jones, who is black, was with his 9- and 12-year-old sons, returning from a late Oakland Raiders game to their vehicle, which was parked at Station 29, the news station reports. The door of the garage had been left open by the crew, who were responding to an emergency, and Jones had gone in to double-check that everything was OK. It was at that point, as he was leaving the garage, that a white officer responding to reports of a potential burglary approached, the news station reports.<br />
“Don’t move; put your hands up,” the officer allegedly yelled.<br />
“His hand is on his gun. He was crouched, he was low and he was basically in a shooting stance,” Jones told the news station.<br />
He obeyed but saw that 9-year-old Trevon had started to cry. Apparently the officer had seen Jones’ two children before spotting Jones and had told the boys to keep their hands up.<br />
Jones told the station that he asked the officer if his children could put their hands down and if they could be told that everything was all right. Jones identified himself as a firefighter and said that he explained that he worked at the station. However, Jones said, the officer just told them all to keep their hands up and not to move.<br />
“I was thinking, ‘Is he going to shoot my dad?’ the whole time,” Keith Jones II, who is 12, said.<br />
His brother said he had a similar fear during the altercation. “I was getting ready about to cry. My hands started to get tired, but I kept them up,” Trevon added.<br />
The tense confrontation ended without further incident, with the officer eventually permitting Jones to retrieve his firefighter’s ID. However, Jones said his boys were traumatized and that their view of police officers had completely changed.<br />
“Images in my head, think about how my dad would have got shot. I keep on trying to forget about it ’cause it scares me a lot,” Trevon told the station.<br />
“I think they view black males as a threat,” Jones added.<br />
According to KPIX 5, the Oakland fire chief has contacted the police chief about the incident. Oakland police have acknowledged the claim, saying that the entire incident was captured on the officer’s body camera and that the police department’s Internal Affairs unit was looking into the complaint.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-74966121821306061912014-09-04T12:03:00.000-07:002014-09-05T12:03:51.226-07:00Collective Coercion in China <b>All tactics described in this article is what private and public sector clandestine agencies do against "leftists" in the USA. </b><br />
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"China targets family, friends to coerce activists"<br />2014-09-04 by Didi Tang for "Associated Press" newswire [<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140905185356/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/china-targets-family-friends-coerce-activists">https://web.archive.org/web/20140905185356/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/china-targets-family-friends-coerce-activists</a>]:<br />
In this photo taken Friday, Aug. 29, 2014 and released by Xiao Yong, Xiao Yong poses for a photo in Wugang county in central China's Hunan province. Xiao Yong used to hold up placards at protests, demanding that China’s leaders declare their assets in a call for political transparency and accountability. But he stopped after men began following his father around and urging him to persuade his 39-year-old son to drop his activism. (AP Photo/Xiao Yong)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfD-yKKIczUhn5ntAbFoZdb1uQaIg3Sq2husHyrM3I21v8Y-wIBwx8pg8hGqoVyL62dvbkduoILR8KjWhyGHLjE1iFYtbfUeX7aeBofiHubNaEY9LxAhJeh_ivS5-mFubWon1mZ09EhI/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfD-yKKIczUhn5ntAbFoZdb1uQaIg3Sq2husHyrM3I21v8Y-wIBwx8pg8hGqoVyL62dvbkduoILR8KjWhyGHLjE1iFYtbfUeX7aeBofiHubNaEY9LxAhJeh_ivS5-mFubWon1mZ09EhI/s1600/6.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a><br />
In this photo taken July 19, 2014 and released by Liao Minyue, Liao Minyue, 22, poses for photos in the city of Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province. When she was younger, Liao tried to convince her mother to stop her activism, but her attitude changed after police detained her mother last year for publicly calling for government authorities reveal their personal assets. Liao now champions the same causes, and has no regrets even though police have revoked her passport and she faces dim job prospects. (AP Photo/Liao Minyue)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KIyF9vyKlyV4geZlN7KEPFyDARZrQ-OrWp5V_kGgRuNbUuOBBEPF44R7Rh7lyhjqNDiNLRAdKJgu9RXl_-EyF5ipgxCdouEA4_QPbHdBVwbZRv4OpHJaAMq0lRtmsQ4nawbtxkRJ3ac/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KIyF9vyKlyV4geZlN7KEPFyDARZrQ-OrWp5V_kGgRuNbUuOBBEPF44R7Rh7lyhjqNDiNLRAdKJgu9RXl_-EyF5ipgxCdouEA4_QPbHdBVwbZRv4OpHJaAMq0lRtmsQ4nawbtxkRJ3ac/s1600/7.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a><br />
In this photo taken June 2014 and released by Liao Minyue, Liao Minyue poses for a graduation photo in central China's Anhui province. During her time in university, 22-year-old Liao was called in by school officials who criticized her mother’s activism, and classmates were warned to keep an eye on her. (AP Photo/Liao Minyue)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJI_HpzsC2iPwAdHR7-tdcB_zkfhO4KwUTByHBYZR0fcXtLQOrvxJeIIy-COG4ckJQUPAN8pWch_waSMOKsxOFYQencCk_3HAH8T7n2BKLvvFLvqrer-P2ZUNlPgunHjEG5Efhta4IQs/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJI_HpzsC2iPwAdHR7-tdcB_zkfhO4KwUTByHBYZR0fcXtLQOrvxJeIIy-COG4ckJQUPAN8pWch_waSMOKsxOFYQencCk_3HAH8T7n2BKLvvFLvqrer-P2ZUNlPgunHjEG5Efhta4IQs/s1600/8.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a><br />
In this photo taken 2001 and released by Liao Minyue, Liao Minyue, left, poses for a photo with her mother Liu Ping at a studio in the city of Xinyu in central China's Jiangxi province. When Liao was younger, she tried to convince her mother to drop her activism. But her attitude changed after police detained her mother last year, and now she champions the same causes. She has no regrets even though police have revoked her passport, and she faces dim job prospects. (AP Photo/Liao Minyue)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVu6-HprH7_clpNYXsUdYeKugme4hHx4vHbNmgGXwIbvhhWlsPaOihSHSdloQdTDXI87ShL2bcfrLYxhv019EHESf7mYQUbxV4SVqLPXojJxDyq9NWmUOUKSJEOH6cCLLoaUVko3pAW0/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVu6-HprH7_clpNYXsUdYeKugme4hHx4vHbNmgGXwIbvhhWlsPaOihSHSdloQdTDXI87ShL2bcfrLYxhv019EHESf7mYQUbxV4SVqLPXojJxDyq9NWmUOUKSJEOH6cCLLoaUVko3pAW0/s1600/9.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a><br />
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BEIJING (AP) — Xiao Yong used to hold up placards at protests, demanding that China's leaders declare their assets in a call for political transparency and accountability. But he stopped after men began following his father around and urging him to persuade his 39-year-old son to drop his activism.<br />
"I started to dread that my father's health would deteriorate because of this," said Xiao, a former employee at a state electrical utility in the southern city of Shaoyang. "The government was working on my family members, talking to them and instilling fear in them."<br />
To deter political and social activists, Chinese authorities routinely target their family members, friends and associates, pressuring them to be unwilling agents of persuasion or penalizing them directly.<br />
The practice is rooted in China's centuries-old tradition of collective punishment, although guilt by association has been officially renounced and is explicitly banned under the country's criminal law.<br />
Yet it remains in the playbook of authorities who want to coerce people into submission by sending police and government employees to talk with relatives of targeted activists. Sometimes they use more menacing tactics, such as blocking children from their schools, stripping spouses of employment and placing relatives under investigation for fraud.<br />
Experts say the practice is on the rise because of increasing pressure to keep social stability, and that it is very effective.<br />
"By making the parents or the children suffer, (the authorities) try to prevent the target person from continuing," said Eva Pils, an international law scholar at King's College London. "And it's very effective because of the guilt you feel for bringing all this anxiety and suffering to them."<br />
Independent Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser, who has defied government censorship to document events in her home region of Tibet, said her mother, siblings and friends have been summoned by authorities and urged to dissuade her from writing. They also have been threatened with unspecified punishments, the writer said.<br />
She said her brother, fearing for his job, has not spoken to her for two years.<br />
"I am in a state of isolation," Tsering Woeser said in an interview from the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. "It is shameless that this government should want to achieve its end by involving my family and friends."<br />
The practice has been acknowledged by China's state media, which even has criticized local government officials in cases where they have used such coercion to get residents to give up land slated for lucrative development.<br />
When a government worker in the southern city of Shaoyang was suspended from work after his mother, uncle and aunt refused to take a government offer to move out of their family land, the Communist Party-run People's Daily lashed out.<br />
"It is not only immoral but also lawless to coerce people into submission through kidnapping family affinity," the paper said. "This has become a malicious tumor by bad governance that triggers public anger."<br />
However, authorities have not spoken out similarly over the stifling of political or social activism.<br />
Xiao, the man who held up placards, was detained a couple times for activism that he started in 2007, but he carried on — until government workers began to shadow his father.<br />
"Ideals are ideals. Reality is reality," Xiao said. "I have aging parents and a young child, and I must be responsible to them."<br />
Calls to the Shaoyang propaganda office were answered by a man who said he had no knowledge of such coercive methods.<br />
The tactic sometimes backfires by hardening opposition among relatives who are incensed by the unfairness and find support through social media.<br />
In the southern city of Guangzhou, Wang Aizhong, co-founder of the loosely-knit Southern Street movement calling for an end to China's one-party rule, said when he was detained earlier this year for disturbing public order, his interrogators warned him that his wife, her brother, and even her uncle would lose their jobs if he did not cease the activism.<br />
But Wang refused to yield, and his wife stood by him.<br />
"Every person who has decided to take up the fight will face pressure," said Wang, now released on parole. "Someone has to push for democracy, and I would bring harm to the movement if I should withdraw." Guangzhou police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<br />
Wang's wife delivered a scathing open letter to the authorities to pledge her support for her husband and demand his freedom: "Please release your evil hands and let my husband come home!"<br />
During her time in university, 22-year-old Liao Minyue was called in by school officials who criticized her mother's activism, and classmates were warned to keep an eye on her. After she started working at an advertising agency, police showed up, first asking supervisors to monitor her and later announcing an investigation into the business.<br />
"Seeing all the troubles I was bringing in, I resigned," said Liao, who lives in the southeastern city of Xinyu.<br />
When she was younger, Liao tried to convince her mother to stop her activism, but her attitude changed after police detained her mother last year for publicly calling for government authorities reveal their personal assets.<br />
Liao now champions the same causes, and has no regrets even though police have revoked her passport and she faces dim job prospects.<br />
"When I witnessed how the authorities played with the law to arrest my mother, I decided to join her, supporting not only my mother but all that have the courage to defend our rights," she said.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-85534739495976252292014-09-03T18:52:00.001-07:002014-09-03T19:15:42.021-07:00Justice for Yanira! Action called for September 6th!Serrano Family Calls for Street Protest This Saturday to Oppose DA Wagstaffe’s Exoneraton of Cop Who Killed Their 18-Year Old Daughter<br />
Where: Half Moon Bay Fire Station, 1191 Main St. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019<br />
When: 2pm Saturday 9/6/14<br />
For more info see Facebook Page Justice 4 Yanira Serrano-Garcia, killed 6-3-14 by PD in Half Moon Bay! [<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1427336664203023/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/1427336664203023/</a>].<br />
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On June 3rd shots pierced the night silence at around 9pm in the normally quiet Latino neighborhood of Moonridge in the outskirts of quaint Half Moon Bay. When the gunfire from Deputy Trieu’s weapon ceased – 18-year old Yanira Serrano-Garcia, both mentally and physically handicapped, lay dead in a pool of blood just yards her family’s modest home where she lived with her mother, father and brother Tony.<br />
As they had twice before, earlier on the night of June 3d, the family called “911” seeking assistance when Yanira resisted taking her meds. On prior occasions, 911 had responded by sending trained medical personnel to assist in persuading Yanira to take her meds. This time, however, Deputies arrived in a squad car frightening Yanira who already had a fear of the police, related in part to her mental handicap.<br />
According to police, 5’1” (is this correct) Yanira grabbed a “kitchen knife”. Rather than call in backup, rather than use less lethal force, rather than use a taser or mace – Deputy Trieu opened fire killing Yanira in the blink of an eye. According to Yanira’s brother Tony, “My sister was overweight due to her meds and she had been born with a serious physical disability to her leg causing her to limp. She didn’t pose a threat to anyone! Why did the Deputy shoot her when we had called for medical assistance as we had before.”<br />
Outrage immediately spread throughout the mostly farm labor Spanish speaking community around Half Moon Bay prompting hundreds to attend memorial services at the Catholic Church in downtown Half Moon Bay and to participate in massmarches through the downtown area, consisting mostly of Latino youth who bitterly mourned the loss of their close friend and rallied to demand Justice and call for an indictment of Deputy Trieu.<br />
The hopes of the Moonridge community were raised when DA Wagstaffe attended a meeting in the Moonridge community center and promised a full investigation and total transparency. Despite all the talk of Justice – two weeks ago the DA followed the now infamous pattern of law enforcement and DA’s all over California when he fully exonerated Deputy Trieu of any and all criminal charges relating to the shooting.<br />
According to Serrano-Garcia family spokesmen, Tony (Yanira’s brother), “We will not let the final memory of my sister be the DA’s whitewash and completely unjust denial of justice. He basically turned a killer free on our streets. We plan to file a civil lawsuit against the County and the officer who pulled the trigger taking my sister from us at only 18. This Saturday, we are asking all people who support our struggle for justice to join us in Half Moon Bay for a march and rally to protest the DA’s unfair decision and to continue our fight for Justice for Yanira! We also want to make it known that we don’t want Deputy Trieu back in our community!”Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-87467129029474337302014-08-28T19:12:00.000-07:002014-09-03T19:18:38.614-07:00Justice for Andy Lopez! Action called for Sept. 9th in Santa RosaJustice for Andy Lopez Cruz! (Santa Rosa, d. 2013-10-22) [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/10/justice-for-andy-lopez-cruz-santa-rosa.html">link</a>]<br />
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"Public Outrage to Greet Board of Supervisors over Gelhaus Return to Duty; Demand Grows to Remove Erick Gelhaus from the Streets"<br />
Where: Bd. of Supervisors Meeting 575 Administration Dr, Santa Rosa, CA <br />
When: 2pm, 9/9/14<br />
Contact the Justice Coalition for Andy Lopez Media Committee [justice3@) sonic.net] [jonathan4536@) sbcglobal.net]<br />
<br />
Since District Attorney Jill Ravitch’s full exoneration of Deputy Erick Gelhaus (post election), clearing the Deputy of any and all criminal liability for the death of 13-year old Andy Lopez, a groundswell of outrage has been growing over the return of Erick Gelhaus to the streets of Sonoma County.<br />
Most enraged have been members of the Spanish speaking Latino community of Santa Rosa, many of whom fear for the lives of their children. Nicole Guerra, mother of Andy’s closest childhood friend, spoke recently at the Sonoma County Task Force on Healing to express her anger and fear for her three children who live and play in the Moorland neighborhood where Andy was shot. “I fear for my children everyday they go out to play or go to school. I work with Andy’s Youth, the kids who’ve remained active demanding Justice since Andy’s death. They all feel unsafe whenever a police car drives near them. Since Andy’s death, teenagers will duck and hide to avoid a marked police car for fear of being stopped and harassed. The other day, my two-year old asked me if the police might shoot him! We will remain afraid and angry as long as Gelhaus patrols our streets!”<br />
A press statement by Sonoma County Board member Shirlee Zane lambasted Sheriff Freitas’ handling of the return of Deputy Gelhaus, calling it a “slap in the face” to the community still grieving over the teen’s death. Anti- Gelhaus posters are appearing all over the County – in stores, windows of homes and on telephone poles.<br />
A Facebook Page entitled, “Where has the Sheriff put Erick today?” is spreading virally on Social Media encouraging County residents to report on sightings of Deputy Gelhaus [<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhereisErick">https://www.facebook.com/WhereisErick</a>].<br />
According to Justice Coalition media committee member Mary Moore, “I have been involved in the justice struggle against police-related fatalities in Sonoma County since the mid-90’s. Since the US Civil Rights Commission issued their report in 2000 (from the ’98 hearings in Sonoma County), we have experienced an epidemic of police-related deaths – 64 in total! Now the community is not going back to sleep and we plan to be at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on September 9th to make our voices heard loud and clear about Gelhaus returning to duty!.”<br />
<br />
Poster being hung around town:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9CNkpozaYzx-6fM0Zb3VtL1KF7mxXTQy-B63UqziFQOGCmVWBhGTvj52euhIQtzQlgteuOyo4-i_0UU3QkVb8Od08_BcXAnFfUOqDpVlaLGReS6jUldl8d42NLLol2VWJGKu6GOWLIw/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9CNkpozaYzx-6fM0Zb3VtL1KF7mxXTQy-B63UqziFQOGCmVWBhGTvj52euhIQtzQlgteuOyo4-i_0UU3QkVb8Od08_BcXAnFfUOqDpVlaLGReS6jUldl8d42NLLol2VWJGKu6GOWLIw/s1600/3.jpg" height="640" width="465" /></a>Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-58791593185522556102014-08-26T18:06:00.000-07:002014-08-27T18:06:52.981-07:00"Davis City Council votes 3 to 1 to return military vehicle"2014-08-26 from the "Student Unity Movement":<br />
The City Council of the City of Davis tonight voted to return a "MRAP" military vehicle within a 60-day deadline, while leaving open the exact way that the vehicle would be disposed of, pending staff analysis. The vote was 3 to 1 in favor of returning the vehicle: Dan Wolk, Robb Davis, Lucas Frerichs in favor -- Brett Lee, opposed -- Rochelle Swanson, abstains.<br />
The attainment of the "mine-resistant, ambush-protected" (MRAP) vehicle by the police department, without clearing the specific purchase through the City Council, was heavily criticized by many citizens president. Approximately 38 people make comments about the vehicle, with only 2 of those 38 in favor of retaining the vehicle.<br />
<br />
VIDEO LINK:<br />
[<a href="http://davis.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&event_id=143">http://davis.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&event_id=143</a>]<br />
AGENDA:<br />
[<a href="http://davis.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=davis_450dcf10ab650231d778eba4cbe48b22.pdf">http://davis.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=davis_450dcf10ab650231d778eba4cbe48b22.pdf</a>]Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-86167080072510863872014-08-25T22:45:00.000-07:002014-09-05T12:16:20.118-07:00Victor White III, lynched by Louisiana State Police dept., successful cover-up <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzldpIKc9QNanTFZ_1bkkre4fN_LgNFD7D7jL65-JHEo1xOz3lWcfWhd5BIy8GMpKw5taq2Od1RRsCyHaVzaJkII98w1Bd6cXl8xWRooEidv8dFeEKMCYOJT5NC7zZ8Txe9Ls3YfmQOY4/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzldpIKc9QNanTFZ_1bkkre4fN_LgNFD7D7jL65-JHEo1xOz3lWcfWhd5BIy8GMpKw5taq2Od1RRsCyHaVzaJkII98w1Bd6cXl8xWRooEidv8dFeEKMCYOJT5NC7zZ8Txe9Ls3YfmQOY4/s1600/5.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
"Handcuffed Black Youth Shot Himself to Death, Says Coroner"<br />
2014-08-25 by Hannah Rappleye [<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/handcuffed-black-youth-shot-himself-death-says-coroner-n185016">http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/handcuffed-black-youth-shot-himself-death-says-coroner-n185016</a>]:<br />
Victor White's Parents<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uAug3Z_MSBVEfjrs44ZfAB0lobUT91aDE9BE_t5rEt8mNbMzJYrwQqc9FKkdBSn-phA0h3zUri41NiOgYeL8oUsLsL-qp0b_m9WXp7ynejp-RLpBe41kZbKVeLpLv2p5SY1Eg6Vk40Y/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uAug3Z_MSBVEfjrs44ZfAB0lobUT91aDE9BE_t5rEt8mNbMzJYrwQqc9FKkdBSn-phA0h3zUri41NiOgYeL8oUsLsL-qp0b_m9WXp7ynejp-RLpBe41kZbKVeLpLv2p5SY1Eg6Vk40Y/s1600/1.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a><br />
A recent photograph of Victor White III. White died in March at age 22 after suffering a gunshot wound while handcuffed in a police cruiser. The coroner of Iberia Parish has ruled his death a suicide.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZNBxElt2erEaDAvnrYz1J2kQyOpc-5M1lQwSVWWMG2rafv7sgpvGyLnQSzl4yUi2jH2zzuNETa7H4t8X4PWQ8B5GBeybjVTVqwMNLXmcuiI0mtXBiTxDCK3AVoO5p9E-aGEeoDhX3gU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZNBxElt2erEaDAvnrYz1J2kQyOpc-5M1lQwSVWWMG2rafv7sgpvGyLnQSzl4yUi2jH2zzuNETa7H4t8X4PWQ8B5GBeybjVTVqwMNLXmcuiI0mtXBiTxDCK3AVoO5p9E-aGEeoDhX3gU/s1600/1.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a><br />
In Alexandria, Louisiana, Vanessa White (left), mother of Victor White III, eats dinner with her daughters Precious (13, left) and Victoria White (20, right), and her husband, Rev. Victor White II.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4ax0OmtL6l9Ihwp0ZKu2mYohE-1EtoVzc1xuwhvzj9DOj3PfLgkihbmbwrPe5z-4aPpfe5Op-w3DGNpQTzdgwZnaOiofRfkDHcqOtsdfnNIQLz9PJE7wh6X8pKrhNbt6RLyM-T8KTJ4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4ax0OmtL6l9Ihwp0ZKu2mYohE-1EtoVzc1xuwhvzj9DOj3PfLgkihbmbwrPe5z-4aPpfe5Op-w3DGNpQTzdgwZnaOiofRfkDHcqOtsdfnNIQLz9PJE7wh6X8pKrhNbt6RLyM-T8KTJ4/s1600/2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />
A coroner’s report obtained exclusively by NBC News directly contradicts the police version of how a 22-year-old black man died in the back seat of a Louisiana police cruiser earlier this year -- but still says the man, whose hands were cuffed behind his back, shot himself.<br />
In a press release issued March 3, the day he died, the Louisiana State Police said Victor White III apparently shot himself in an Iberia Parish police car. According to the police statement, White had his hands cuffed behind his back when he shot himself in the back.<br />
But according to the full final report of the Iberia Parish coroner, which was released nearly six months later and obtained exclusively by NBC News, White was shot in the front, not the back. The bullet entered his right chest and exited under his left armpit. White was left-handed, according to family members. According to the report, the forensic pathologist found gunshot residue in the wound, but not the sort of stippling that a close-range shot can sometimes produce. He also found abrasions on White’s face.<br />
And yet, despite the contradictions – and even though White’s hands were never tested for gunpowder residue – the Iberia Parish coroner still supported the central contention of the initial police statement issued back in March. Dr. Carl Ditch ruled that White shot himself, and declared his death a suicide.<br />
In a press release issued Monday, Dr. Ditch said that based on the findings of the pathologist and investigators, it was possible for White “due to his body habitus” to manipulate the gun to shoot himself in the chest.<br />
White’s father doesn’t believe it. He doesn’t believe that a man with a new baby, a girlfriend and a job had the motive for suicide, and he doesn’t think any version of events in which White shot himself, whether in the front or back, is physically possible.<br />
“You can’t make me understand,” said Rev. Victor White II, 53, a Baptist minister and former substance abuse counselor. “You can’t make me understand how my son took his left hand, when he was handcuffed behind the back, and shot himself. I don’t believe a thing they’re saying at this point.”<br />
In Alexandria, Louisiana, Vanessa White (left), mother of Victor White III, eats dinner with her daughters Precious (13, left) and Victoria White (20, right), and her husband, Rev. Victor White II.<br />
Facebook posts reveal two different sides of Victor White III; some photos show a young man acting tough, and another catches him reading the Bible with his brother.<br />
<br />
Those who knew him describe him as a goofball, eager to make friends and family laugh. For a time he had struggled to get himself on track, they say, and there were arrests for property damage and marijuana possession, but six months before he died he seemed to be accepting adult responsibility.<br />
<br />
After months without work, he got a job at a Waffle House in New Iberia, a sugar cane town of 30,000 more than two hours west of New Orleans. He had begun saving for an apartment with his long-time girlfriend and their infant daughter. Family members say he was trying to decide whether to go to community college or apply for a more lucrative job working on one of the oil rigs that dot the Gulf of Mexico. He’d even started commuting to Alexandria, Louisiana now and then to attend Sunday services at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, where his father is the preacher.<br />
"He was ready to start,” said his father, Rev. White. “He’d call and text the family every night. ‘I love you, y’all would have been proud of me, I’m working another double [shift].’ ”<br />
On March 2, the younger White was blowing off steam on the one night a week he had off from Waffle House.<br />
Ashley Boutte, 24, said she picked White and his brother Leonard up around 6 p.m. outside a convenience store. They went back to Boutte’s father’s house to hang out.<br />
“[Victor White] was very social,” Boutte said. “Very happy. He didn't seem like he was mad or sad or anything. He was in a real good mood.”<br />
While at Boutte’s father’s house, they ran into Isaiah Lewis, 24, who was visiting his own father next door. Lewis and White, who had never met before, hit it off. They talked for a few hours, about problems Whitewas having with his girlfriend, about work and life. "We just clicked,” Lewis said.<br />
Boutte and Lewis both say they don’t know whether Victor White had a gun.<br />
Boutte said that when White and his brother were rough-housing in the kitchen, she overheard White say, “Oh yeah, I got mine on me,” in reference to a handgun.<br />
Said Boutte, “Leonard was like, ‘Pull it out,” and it was like, ‘No.’ They were playfighting. I know a lot of guys joke around about having [a gun], so I don’t know, as far as if it was true or not.”<br />
Lewis also said he never saw a gun. Leonard White did not agree to be interviewed for this article.<br />
Lewis and Victor White talked and drank for a while, and White asked Lewis if he would help him buy a small amount of marijuana. After they purchased $10 worth at around 11 p.m., Lewis said, the pair walked to the Hop-In, a gas station a few blocks away, to buy cigars.<br />
According to Lewis and the manager of the Hop-In, while Lewis and White were inside the store, a fight started outside.<br />
Two men in front of the store began shouting. One told the other he was going to get a gun. White told Lewis they should stay inside. A woman called 911. After the men ran down the street, Lewis and White left.<br />
Around 11:30 p.m. White and Lewis were walking a few blocks down the road when a police cruiser slowed, Lewis said. According to a service report provided to NBC News by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Corp. Justin Ortis asked the men to stop.<br />
Ortis performed a “consented pat-down” of White, according to the report, and “located suspected marijuana in front pants pocket.”<br />
They told the officer, Lewis said, that they could identify the men who were fighting. He said they offered to go to the convenience store with them, to talk to the clerk. “I said, ‘You can still probably catch them,” Lewis said. “You’re just burning time here. Victor said, ‘Why can’t you go back to the store and look at the camera?’ They said they didn’t have time for that.”<br />
According to a public information officer for the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, no one was ever apprehended for that alleged offense.<br />
Lewis said that after finding the marijuana, the officer told them, “I’m going to let y’all go, that’s nothing.”<br />
But after the officer ran the men’s names through a police database, he called for backup. As they waited, White and Lewis sat on the ground in front of the police cruiser, headlights cutting into the dark.<br />
By the time a second officer in a separate cruiser arrived, Lewis said, White had been handcuffed behind his back, and placed in the back of the first car. The police report says White was detained and read his rights.<br />
According to the report, a second search of White produced the cigars and a small amount of cocaine, and White said both the cocaine and marijuana were his. “White was then transported to the patrol center to be questioned by narcotics detectives,” the report concludes.<br />
The officers dismissed Lewis, and he walked back to his father’s house.<br />
But by 5 a.m., Lewis said, detectives were knocking on his door, asking that he come to the station to answer questions about his friend. At no point throughout the course of the subsequent interview, Lewis said, did they tell him that White had died while in the custody of police officers.<br />
"I try playing it out in my head,” Lewis said. "If we had different timing … I don’t know what went wrong exactly that night.”<br />
Early on the morning of March 3, Rev. White and his wife Vanessa, 44, raced down Interstate 49 in their powder blue van, toward Iberia Parish, two hours south of their home in Alexandria. They’d received two disturbing and cryptic phone calls – one from their son, Leonard, and another from the Louisiana State Police. Both said they needed to get to New Iberia because “something had happened” to their son Victor.<br />
<br />
"I tried not to think the worst of it,” Vanessa said. “I was never imagining that he had gotten shot.”<br />
<br />
When they arrived in New Iberia, Rev. White said, a state investigator told him over the phone that his son was dead and that she was investigating the circumstances. Officials said the family would not be allowed to see the body. Rev. White rushed to the parish jail on Broken Arrow Road to find someone who could tell him what happened. After panicked phone calls to the local coroner and the doctor who pronounced his son dead, Rev. White was finally led into the parish morgue, where thebody lay waiting on the coroner's slab.<br />
Rev. White said that his son’s face seemed swollen, but he could not tell if it was the swell of death, or if his son had been hit. He noted a laceration on the left side of his face. He was not allowed to view the body below the chin.<br />
“I saw distress in his face,” he said. “I saw death.”<br />
As police investigators stood on either side of him, Rev. White performed the last rites over his son’s body, then left the room to tell his wife what he saw.<br />
The Whites did not know anything about the circumstances of their son’s death until after their visit to the morgue, when a family friend in New Iberia called to tell them the State Police had issued a press release on Facebook.<br />
The press release stated that, “[Victor White III] was taken into custody, handcuffed behind his back, and transported to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office for processing. Once at the Sheriff’s Office, White became uncooperative and refused to exit the deputy’s patrol vehicle. As the deputy requested assistance from other deputies, White produced a handgun and fired one round striking himself in the back.”<br />
Within hours of White’s death, the Louisiana State Police had assigned investigators to the case.<br />
Due to the pending investigation, records normally considered public are not available. The State Police will not yet release dash cam footage, or the number of or names of any officers present during White’s death. They will not give any timeframe as to when they expect the investigation to conclude.<br />
“You always want to make sure in the end you did whatever you could do possible, that in whatever case you put forward, is the right case, and the outcome is the right outcome,” said Trooper Brooks David, public information officer for the Louisiana State Police. “So if it takes us eight months, or two months, you always want to make sure that you do the right thing.”<br />
The State Police did issue a cursory preliminary incident report stating that White had been shot with a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun, but that no weapon had been found when White was searched prior to the shooting. According to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, parish police are issued .45 caliber handguns.<br />
The Sheriff’s Office also said via email that White had not been involved in a physical altercation with officers.<br />
The coroner’s report notes that White had two lacerations on the left side of his face – one above his left eyebrow, and one on his left cheek. Lewis said that the last time he saw White – meaning after the police stop, when he was about to walk home and White was in custody – White’s face was unmarked. The original police statement in March said White had been “uncooperative” before the incident, but the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office told NBC News that White had not been involved in any physical altercation with police.<br />
According to the coroner's report, White had a blood alcohol content of .132 percent, which would have made him legally drunk if he were driving, and he also tested positive for marijuana. He tested negative for cocaine and any other narcotics.<br />
The coroner’s report states that according to police, White had intimated he was going to commit suicide before he shot himself.<br />
“The decedent was a 22-year-old black man who was reportedly in a locked patrol car with his hands handcuffed behind him when officers heard a shot and found the decedent slumped over,” the coroner’s report reads. “A small caliber pistol was found and a projectile was found within the shirt. Allegedly he had made a statement that ‘he was gone’ or some similar phrasing before being placed in the patrol car.” The coroner’s report does not say whether White’s wound is consistent with that caliber.<br />
The report does not explain why the initial police statement said White shot himself in the back. Officials declined to comment on why no weapon was discovered during the two recorded searches of White.<br />
The Sheriff’s Office and the State Police both declined requests from NBC News to discuss the forensics of the case. The Sheriff’s Office did say that no civilian complaints have ever been filed against Corp. Ortis, the officer who first stopped White and Lewis. Ortis did not respond to requests for comment, and a second Iberia Parish officer who was on duty that night declined to speak to NBC News.<br />
In the press release issued this morning, Iberia Parish Coroner Dr. Carl M. Ditch, said that he ruled on the White case "without bias."<br />
"Although the decedent was handcuffed at the time with his hands to his back, due to his body habitus, the pathologist and investigators agree that he would have been able to manipulate the weapon to the point where the contact entrance wound was found," Ditch wrote.<br />
The White family says that although they are anxiously awaiting the final results of the Louisiana State Police’s investigation, they have little faith investigators will contradict the coroner’s ruling. “I don’t’ think anything is going to be different from what they already said,” said Rev. White, who has retained a lawyer but hasn’t yet decided whether to file a lawsuit. “It’s difficult to see that anything else would bring us back what we need. The only thing we want back is our son.”Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-21436204979602732922014-08-21T13:04:00.000-07:002014-08-22T13:04:25.474-07:00"Bee wins legal battle for names of UC Davis officers in pepper spray incident"2014-08-21 by Sam Stanton from "Sacramento Bee" [<a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2014/08/21/6645851/bee-wins-legal-battle-for-names.html">http://www.sacbee.com/2014/08/21/6645851/bee-wins-legal-battle-for-names.html</a>]:<br />
After more than two years of legal battles, The Sacramento Bee has prevailed in a court fight to force the release of the names of police officers involved in the November 2011 pepper spray incident on the University of California, Davis, campus.<br />
The Bee and the Los Angeles Times sued in May 2012 to have the names released, and the case came to a close late Wednesday, when the California Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the police officers’ union seeking to stop release of the names.<br />
UC officials released the officers’ names late Thursday after giving the Federated University Police Officers Association time to notify the officers.<br />
The issue stems from the fallout of the pepper-spraying of students during a peaceful protest on campus that raised international outrage. To deal with the outcry, UC officials asked for a full, independent report on the incident to be compiled by a task force headed by former state Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso.<br />
The 190-page Reynoso report was released in April 2012, but with the names of most officers redacted after the union went to court arguing that their identities should remain shielded from public view.<br />
“We attempted to publish the full, unredacted report in March 2012, and the campus police officers’ union brought a lawsuit to keep us from doing so,” UC spokesman Steve Montiel said in a statement. “We have complied with the courts’ judgments and orders.<br />
“Now that the state Supreme Court has dismissed the union’s final appeal, we are prepared to release the unredacted report. The union asked for the opportunity to make a good-faith effort to notify the affected officers today before doing so, and we have complied with that request.”<br />
The release of the unredacted report, available at www.sacbee.com, names at least 17 officers who were involved in the incident along with then-Lt. John Pike, whose image went viral when he was videotaped pepper-spraying students seated on the ground. Some of the other officer names have been revealed in the past, but Thursday’s release marks the first time that many of the names have been made public.<br />
Officer Alex Lee is named in the report as the second officer who deployed pepper spray at Pike’s direction. Pike was subsequently fired, despite a recommendation that he face discipline but be kept on the job. Lee is no longer listed in a state salary database as working at UC Davis.<br />
Other officers are named in passages simply describing their duties or actions that day, or in some cases describing the challenges they felt.<br />
“What we were going to do was to remove the tents from the Quad,” Sgt. Paul Henoch is quoted as saying in an interview.<br />
But the Reynoso report does not include the names of all the officers who were present Nov. 18, 2011, according to separate, confidential documents obtained by The Bee.<br />
Those documents, part of the internal affairs investigation that led to Pike’s firing, indicate 28 officers were interviewed about events that day and include dramatic interviews with 21 of them as they describe the fear they felt at times from the crowd.<br />
“I was thinking, ‘Man, we don’t have enough officers for this,’ ” Officer Kevin Skaife says in the confidential documents. “At the point when we’re encircled, I’m thinking, ‘This is horrible, this is really bad …’ ”<br />
“I was actually frightened,” Officer Ruben Arias told investigators, according to the 76-page confidential report. “I was actually frightened in the sense of I didn’t know what the crowd was doing, what they’re capable of, and it wasn’t the peaceful crowd that everyone thought it was. They were really agitated.”<br />
Many of the officer comments reflect a feeling that they believed the protesters posed a threat to them. The officers had gone to the university quad that afternoon after Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi ordered police to remove tents that had been set up as part of a protest against tuition hikes and by supporters of the Occupy movement that was then sweeping the nation.<br />
Katehi has said she wanted the police to remove the tents peacefully and was shocked at the use of pepper spray, but came in for fierce criticism in the wake of the incident, which led to the resignation of Police Chief Annette Spicuzza.<br />
The incident cost the university millions of dollars in investigative and legal fees, including $1 million paid out as part of the settlement of a lawsuit brought by 21 students hit with pepper spray.<br />
Although the student names have been public since shortly after the incident, Thursday marked the first official release of officers’ names in Reynoso’s investigation.<br />
Other officers named in both the Reynoso report and the confidential documents obtained by The Bee are: Lt. Barry Swartwood, Officers Jason Barrera, Bill Beermann, Justin Brewer, Raymond Sutera, Danny Sheffield, Joanne Zekany, Moaz Ahmad, Brian Halley, Vincent Kwong, Mikkio McCullough and Robert Sotelo. Another officer is named in the Reynoso report only by last name and is listed as having “no comments” for investigators; an officer with that same surname is listed in the confidential documents.<br />
UC spokesmen could not explain why all of the officers named in the confidential documents were not included in the Reynoso report. However, that report was designed to provide a narrative of the events of the incident and may not have named everyone interviewed.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-84174034210946586672014-08-20T21:39:00.000-07:002014-08-24T21:40:28.871-07:00LA County Sheriff's Deputy implicated in Child porn traffickingAn example of when an officer realizes the power of being above the law.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Former L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy Arrested in Child Porn Bust"</span><br />
2014-08-20 by Gina Silva for "FOX-LA"<br />
[<a href="http://www.myfoxla.com/story/26331820/former-la-county-sheriffs-deputy-arrested-in-child-porn-bust">http://www.myfoxla.com/story/26331820/former-la-county-sheriffs-deputy-arrested-in-child-porn-bust</a>]:<br />
At six in the morning they knocked on the door and loudly announced, "We have a search warrant! LAPD, come on out!" There was no response. Again, officers from LAPD's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force announced loud enough for everyone in the Whittier neighborhood to hear, "Apt. 105, come on out!" Still nothing. One last time, an officer yelled, "Lorne Reed, come on outside!" When there was no movement, officers busted the door open. A shocked Lorne Anthony Reed was taken outside in his underwear.<br />
Officers say he's been under investigation for child pornography. Officer Carlos Monterroso said of the investigation, "We have tools as law enforcement to identify targets or persons who are downloading or trading child pornography on the internet and we've identified this particular location as a place where child porn was being downloaded. What exactly does that consist of? Investigator Shanon Gaeney explained, "It's very disturbing. People often think of child pornography as pictures of young girls on beaches in bikinis. This is not it. It is the photographic and video evidence of child rape." Detectives interviewed Reed, who is a former L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy. They went through the entire apartment and they say they found what they were looking for. "We found numerous images of child sexual exploitation," said officer Maurice Kwon. The images were heartbreaking. Men sexually abusing girls as young as five. Reed was taken into custody, his two young children placed with the Department of Children and Family Services. He's facing charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-79753152439515139742014-08-20T21:30:00.000-07:002014-08-24T21:33:02.197-07:00Sonoma Co. Sheriff's Deputy caught publicly torturing an alleged drunk near Guerneville<b>Sonoma County Sheriff's Department </b>[<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2014/01/sonoma-county-sheriffs-department.html">link</a>]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Video of arrest near Guerneville spreads through social media"</span><br />
2014-08-20 by Julie Johnson for the "Press-Democrat" daily newspaper [<a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2557372-181/video-of-arrest-near-guerneville">http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2557372-181/video-of-arrest-near-guerneville</a>]:<br />
(An image still from the video.)<br />
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A video clip of a Sonoma County sheriff’s deputy punching and trying to restrain a Cotati man who was on the ground near Guerneville has spread through social media at a time when high-profile shootings have launched a national conversation about law enforcement use-of-force.<br />
The 21-second clip, which was taken Saturday and posted on the Santa Rosa Copwatch Facebook page, depicts a moment when two deputies are on the ground trying to restrain Jonathan Carrozzo, 31, who eventually was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of public drunkenness and resisting arrest.<br />
The video was taken by a passing motorist who said he was disturbed by what he saw during the encounter.<br />
The Sheriff’s Office released its account of the incident on Wednesday in response to media requests. Sgt. Cecile Focha, a spokeswoman for the agency, said the two punches shown on the video were “distraction jabs” used to get people to “stop what they’re doing.”<br />
Several attempts to reach Carrozzo by phone and email were unsuccessful.<br />
Focha said the deputies had been trying to help the intoxicated man get a ride home when Carrozzo became agitated and “squared off” at them, leading them to restrain him. Carrozzo later spoke to three Sheriff’s Office sergeants and each time apologized for his conduct and declined to file a complaint against the deputies, according to Focha.<br />
The man who took the video said he was driving home on eastbound River Road when he saw “someone swinging, arm up and down, punching somebody.”<br />
The man, a local business owner, said he didn’t want to be identified publicly because he didn’t want his involvement in the matter to affect his business. He pulled over and started taking video on his phone when he realized two deputies were striking a man on the ground.<br />
“It was pretty brutal if you ask me,” the man said. “He was crying and saying ‘I’m sorry.’”<br />
After posting the video to his private Facebook page, he gave it to local attorney Dave Jake Schwartz, who posted the video to the Santa Rosa Copwatch page on Facebook on Sunday afternoon. The Copwatch page, which has been a hub of communication by people concerned about the shooting of 13-year-old Andy Lopez by a sheriff’s deputy, is a forum about police accountability.<br />
The video went viral.<br />
The businessman said the Sheriff’s Office reached out to him and that he gave a copy of the video to a detective and was told he would be interviewed by someone with the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.<br />
Focha said the video did not depict the entirety of the encounter, which began at 6:13 p.m. Saturday when a 911 caller reported that a man was lying in the roadway. The caller said the man appeared to be “out cold” and could get run over, said Focha.<br />
The man was lying down on the side of the road behind a parked car when the Russian River Fire Department and deputies arrived. Paramedics examined the man and determined that he did not require medical attention, Focha said.<br />
Focha said the encounter was initially amicable. Carrozzo loaned the deputies his phone to ask a friend staying at a nearby campsite to come get Carrozzo, who had been at a beer festival at Stumptown Brewery, she said.<br />
While they waited, Focha said, Carrozzo became agitated and began making statements about police actions in Ferguson, Mo., where an officer shot an unarmed black teenager.<br />
“He asked if they drove tanks. He said, ‘Let’s go.’ He had plenty to drink,” Focha said.<br />
On the video, the deputies shout “Stop resisting,” “Give me your hands” and “Show me your hands.” One deputy is down a slope in a thicket and appears to be restraining the man’s head. A second deputy is astride Carrozzo’s lower legs and strikes the man’s upper thigh and his face. That deputy then kicks out a foot in what appears to be a strike to Carrozzo’s face.<br />
The deputies didn’t plan to arrest Carrozzo until the man became agitated and stopped cooperating, according to Focha.<br />
Focha said the Sheriff’s Office is reviewing the incident to determine if the deputies followed policy.<br />
Sonoma County DUI lawyer Dave Jake Schwartz said he posted the video to the Copwatch page because he wanted “to show people what happens on the street and to contribute to the dialogue about police accountability, that’s all I’m trying to do.”<br />
“I know people are going to draw their own conclusions,” Schwartz said. “To me, the video speaks for itself and it looks excessive.”Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-69167084811235662962014-08-20T21:21:00.000-07:002014-08-24T21:21:30.860-07:00Vallejo PD acquires heavy assault vehicle from USA Dept. of Defense<b>Vallejo Police Department</b> [<a href="http://northbaycopwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/vallejo-police-department.html">link</a>]<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Vallejo Police Department acquires armored military truck for search, rescue operations, Department hopes to use 14-ton Caiman sparingly" </span><br />
2014-08-20 by Tony Burchyns for "Vallejo Times-Herald" daily newspaper [<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1179960597">http://www.time</a><br />
<a href="http://sheraldonline.com/breaking_news/ci_26374265/vpd-acquires-armored-military-truck-search-rescue-operations">sheraldonline.com/breaking_news/ci_26374265/vpd-acquires-armored-military-truck-search-rescue-operations</a>]:<br />
Lt. John Whitney talks about the Vallejo Police Department's new armored rescue vehicle, acquired through a Department of Defense program that supplies local law enforcement agencies with military gear. The vehicle will be on public display at the department's open house on Sept. 6. (Photo: CHRIS RILEY—VALLEJO TIMES-HERALD)<br />
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As the nation debates the phenomenon of increasingly militarized local police forces, the Vallejo Police Department has quietly acquired a menacing, mine-resistant armored vehicle from the Department of Defense.<br />
Weighing a hefty 14 tons, the six-wheel-drive Caiman troop transport vehicle came to the city in May through a federal program that supplies local law enforcement agencies with surplus military gear. The department plans to unveil it to the public at its open house next month.<br />
"This is one of those things where we hope we never have to use it," Lt. John Whitney said. "But it's good to have around. And if we need to use it once a year, then it's worth it just for that."<br />
At a time when many are criticizing the use of military tactics by police in Ferguson, Mo., to control rioters after an officer shot dead an unarmed black teenager, Whitney stressed the new vehicle would be used appropriately, and sparingly. He added the department has no plans to use it for crowd control purposes.<br />
"It's not an armored assault vehicle," said Whitney, adding that it won't be used to patrol the streets. "It's flat out for going into areas where we need to protect people and rescue people ... If the public sees this, more than likely they're going to know from somewhere in the news why it was out. We're just not going to go roll this thing around."<br />
He added, "If you see a major SWAT incident, you may see it there. But more than likely you won't. This is for maybe a once or twice a year deployment, and we hope it doesn't even have to be that."<br />
Depending on their configuration, the vehicles can cost the military between $416,000 and $775,000. But the cost to the city was just $14,000 for shipping, paint and details, according to the police department.<br />
"We were offered it through the (Department of Defense) program," Whitney said. "It didn't cost the city a penny. The only thing we had to pay for was to get it painted."<br />
It's not the first time the Vallejo has gotten extra military gear on the cheap. The city has previously received a Hummer, rifles and even refrigerators from the Department of Defense.<br />
The vehicle will be used mainly for search and rescue operations, Whitney said. It will also provide an alternative to the department's aging Peacekeeper armored vehicle, which has regularly broken down after being deployed.<br />
Due to its design, the rescue vehicle can be driven in flooded areas and over any terrain in Vallejo. It can also be used in tactical emergencies, such as a school shooting.<br />
"If there's an active shooter, we can pull this right into a campus and load people in," Whitney said. "It can also go up steep hills and it's got a lot of power so it won't get bogged down."<br />
"Like I said," he added, "It's better to have it ... just in case."<br />
The rescue vehicle will be on display at the Vallejo Police Department Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 6, 111 Amador St.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042033131195083302.post-58717043567883306192014-08-19T13:51:00.001-07:002014-08-19T13:51:40.785-07:00Every 58 Hours... a civilian public-sector security agent is killedThe following is an example of a partisan argument whose purpose is to mirror what is selectively percieved as the oppositions rhetoric, and which uses a well-known figure as a "straw man" to direct hatred towards a symbolic leader of the author's ideological opposition.<br />
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">"A Cop Is Killed Every 58 Hours: Law-enforcement officers across the country risk their lives every day"</span>by Michelle Malkin from "National Review" [<a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/385458/cop-killed-every-58-hours-michelle-malkin">http://www.nationalreview.com/article/385458/cop-killed-every-58-hours-michelle-malkin</a>]: <br />If you’ve been watching cable news, reading Hollywood celebrities’ tweets, and listening to race-hustling opportunists, you might think that every police officer in America has a finger on the trigger, hunting for any excuse to gun down defenseless youths.<br />This hysterical nonsense must be stopped.<br />The Cirque du Cop-Bashing, with Al Sharpton as ringmaster, is working overtime to exploit the deadly incident in Ferguson, Mo. That means stoking anti–law enforcement fires at all costs.<br />Are there bad cops? Yes. Does the police state go overboard sometimes? Yes. Do the demagogues decrying systemic racism and braying about “assassinations” know what happened when teenager Mike Brown was tragically shot and killed last week? No.<br />Here’s a reality check. While narcissistic liberal journalists and college kids are all posting “hands up” selfies in hipster solidarity with Ferguson protesters, it’s law-enforcement officers who risk their lives in “war zones” every day across the country.<br />The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) reports that a total of 1,501 law-enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past ten years, an average of one death every 58 hours, or 150 per year. These include local and state police officers, federal officers, correctional officers, and military law-enforcement officers.<br />Fact: Last year, 100 law-enforcement officers were killed. On average, over the past decade, there have been 58,261 assaults against law enforcement each year, resulting in 15,658 injuries.<br />Fact: New York City has lost more officers in the line of duty than any other department, with 697 deaths. Texas has lost 1,675 officers, more than any other state.<br />Just this week, NLEOMF released preliminary fatality statistics from August 2013 to August 2014. Total fatalities are up 14 percent, from 63 last year to 72 this year. “Five officers were killed in ambushes, which continue to be a major threat to law enforcement safety,” the group notes.<br />Among the men in uniform who gave their lives this summer:<br />* Police officer Scott Patrick of the Mendota Heights Police Department in Minnesota. He was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on July 30. Patrick leaves behind a wife and two teenage daughters.<br />* Police officer Jeffrey Westerfield of the Gary Police Department in Indiana. Westerfield was shot in the head and killed in a July 6 ambush while sitting in his police vehicle after responding to a 911 call. The suspect had been previously arrested for domestic violence and for kicking another officer. Westerfield, a 19-year police-department veteran as well as an Army veteran, leaves behind a wife and four daughters.<br />* Officer Perry Renn of the Indianapolis Police Department. He was shot and killed while responding to reports of gunfire on July 5. After 20 years on the job, Renn chose to serve in one of the city’s most dangerous areas, even though his seniority would have allowed him to take a less dangerous role. “He chose to work in patrol to make a difference in the field,” police chief Rick Hite said at Renn’s funeral. “Every day, Perry got out of his police car.” Renn is survived by his wife.<br />* Deputy sheriff Allen Bares Jr. of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. The 15-year law-enforcement veteran was shot and killed on June 23 while investigating two suspicious suspects. Bares had been mowing his lawn while off-duty when he witnessed a suspicious car crash. When he went to investigate, he was gunned down. The assailants stole his truck as he lay dying. “He’s the type of person that would give his shirt off his back to anybody,” a cousin said in tribute. “Anyone that knows Allen will tell you that he was that kind of person.” Bares leaves behind a wife and two children.<br />* Police officer Melvin Santiago of the Jersey City Police Department in New Jersey. Santiago, a proud rookie cop who loved his job, was ambushed on July 13 by a homicidal armed robber. Santiago was 23 years old. After Santiago’s killer was shot dead by police, the violent Bloods street gang vowed to “kill a Jersey City cop and not stop until the National Guard is called out.”<br /><br />Al Sharpton, concocter of hate-crime hoaxes and inciter of violent riots against police, had no comment.Northbay MDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11836119072173208035noreply@blogger.com0