The following example from Minnesota shows a typical attitude prevalent among security agencies in our cities.
"Those 33 terrorist groups in Ramsey County? It was a very big lie"
2011-01-23 by Karen Hollish from "Twin Cities Daily Planet" [http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/01/21/those-33-terrorist-groups-ramsey-county-it-was-all-lie]:
Just weeks into the new Ramsey County Sheriff administration, we finally know why former sheriff Bob Fletcher ignored Minnesota Data Practices requests for the 78 Terrorism Information Briefs he boasted about preparing and disseminating since 2005 [http://thehollishpapers.com/page_72].
"They never existed," Randy Gustafson, the new public information officer for Sheriff Matt Bostrom, said in a telephone interview on January 19. "It is a very big lie."
But that's not the only thing Fletcher falsified in this 2009 budget report to the Ramsey County Board, according to Gustafson.
While Gustafson was looking for answers to the Daily Planet's October 20 Data Practices Act request, he discovered that some of Fletcher's most shocking figures, such as his claims that Ramsey County citizens were threatened by 22 domestic and 11 international terrorist groups in 2009, had been made up, too.
"I think that they came from an active imagination," Gustafson said.
"I think the number," he added, "just kind of sounded like a good number."
Gustafson, whose official response to the Daily Planet's request can be read here, said he had to prod some of his new colleagues to get this information. He speculated that Fletcher, as well as Fletcher's employees who supposedly did this anti-terrorism work, had a self-serving reason to stretch the truth.
"What they told the county board was a little bit exaggerated," Gustafson said, "but if they hadn't worded it that way it wouldn't have justified the thousands of dollars of salaries they were getting."
Bob's "secret little army" -
Sources within the department said Fletcher's anti-terrorism unit was shrouded in secrecy.
One of the few descriptions of it can be found on this contentious 2005 e-democracy thread, in which Gary Olding, who identified himself as the leader of the department's Weapons of Mass Destruction - Prevention, Research, and Preparedness Unit, stepped in to describe his work.
"We conduct investigations, surveillance, and develop informants to preempt and solve crimes involving weapons of mass destruction and terrorism before they occur," Olding wrote.
But if one of the unit's crowning achievements was supposedly the creation and distribution of dozens of Terrorism Information Briefs -- which never existed -- just how did Olding and his team members spend their time?
Olding, who left his post a week after Fletcher was gone, didn't respond to the Daily Planet's requests for an interview. His 2009 salary, according to this searchable database on the Pioneer Press website, was $92,380.52.
Just how that public money was spent, and exactly how many people worked underneath Olding, remains unknown.
One deputy who's been with the department for more than ten years described Olding's WMD unit as "Bob's secret little army." At least a half-dozen deputies worked in it, said the deputy, who asked that his name not be printed for fear of retaliation. (City Pages' Matt Snyders documented some of that retaliation in a 2009 article.)
"They existed because they carried out Bob's little secret war," he said, "and his secret war was to create a story, get him in the paper and get him reelected."
An example of the "secret war," he said, was the department's infiltration into activist groups that planned to protest the 2008 RNC convention.
The day-to-day work of the unit's members may have been more mundane, according to what Gustafson has already learned in his short time on the job. Much of the unit's "research" into groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Animal Liberation Front happened through virtual channels, he said.
"They sat around watching CNN and they went to the websites of these different groups," Gustafson reported. "That was how they spent their days."
More to come -
The Daily Planet wasn't the only media outlet whose Data Practices Act requests, calls and emails were completely ignored during Fletcher's 16-year tenure.
Within days of his arrival, Gustafson received no fewer than five Data Practices Act requests from reporters whose earlier attempts had likely ended up in Fletcher's garbage can.
The previous administration didn't exactly make it easy for Gustafson to transition into his work with the public. When he got to his new office, there were no files, papers or outstanding records requests left for him to learn from.
"Inside of the office there were zero pieces of paper," he said.
As the days go on, the suspicious history they're unearthing is a bit of shock, Gustafson said.
"It's just amazing," he said. "We're right now in this discovery phase, and this first quarter is trying to find things out like this."
With a more responsive administration in place, the coming months are sure to bring to light more information about how Fletcher ran his department and how taxpayer money was spent.
It's not just media outlets who are interested in learning the truth: "The questions you raise in terms of the scope, personnel and costs of these past investigations are questions that the new Sheriff is also interested in learning answers to," Gustafson said in his official response. "Upon the conclusion of an internal investigation process now underway we will be able provide pertinent information to you."
Former Sheriff Bob Fletcher, who was on leave from the St. Paul Police Department during his 16 years as sheriff, returned to the St. Paul Police Department as a night watch commander.
Fletcher and the RNC -
"Bob's secret little army" did get around in the run-up to the 2008 Republican National Convention. His office spent hundreds of thousands of dollars chasing anarchists in the year before the convention, culminating in a middle-of-the-night raid on the headquarters of the RNC Welcoming Committee before the convention [http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/08/30/police-break-down-doors-night-time-raid-anarchist-meeting.html], and raids on private homes, in collaboration with the FBI.
Fletcher's investigation started after he viewed a satirical video by the RNC Welcoming Committee, according to a report by the Center for Investigative Reporting published in MinnPost [http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/09/01/11198/assessing_rnc_police_tactics_missteps_poor_judgments_and_inappropriate_detentions]:
"Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher and his team would cite the video among other things in later warrant affidavits as a basis for his probe into the Welcoming Committee when police stormed the group's headquarters just before the convention began as thousands of reporters and more Republican delegates converged on St. Paul.
"But court affidavits ignored something crucial. The Molotov cocktail in the video is phony and lands in a barbecue grill lighting charcoals ablaze as an outdoor chef smiles thankfully. The bolt cutters are passed to another individual beyond the fence who uses them harmlessly as hedge clippers. ...
"The film was a juvenile satire of popular anarchist imagery, but police allowed their fear and enthusiasm for fighting terrorism to prevail."
Fletcher's anti-terrorism crusade led him to clash repeatedly with St. Paul police over RNC security, according to MPR reports [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/11/13/bob_fletcher_rnc_police/].
Watch the video which lead to the persecution of protesters....
"We're Getting ready! RNC Welcoming Committee trailer" video
Posted 2007-10-14 to [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6PLwOt0Bls]:
"Hey, Sheriff Fletcher—I've got a question"
2010-11-16 by Karen Hollish [http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/blog/karen-hollish/hey-sheriff-fletcher—ive-got-question]:
Three emails, five voice mails and 23 days later, I finally heard back from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office about our Data Practices Act request.
As for the 33 terrorist groups the department investigated in 2009, according to its own report?
They don't have anything on file about that, Public Information Officer Holli Drinkwine said.
"I don't think we have any of the terrorism briefs," Drinkwine said Friday, November 12. "I think that's what (our department) gets from the feds. I think they put those things together."
The "feds," Drinkwine explained, are the Minneapolis Joint Terrorism Task Force, of which the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is a partner.
Drinkwine said "three or four" other journalists have already approached her for this same information; as in our case, she referred them to the JTTF.
"I think you're going to get better answers out of them," she said.
But why? Even if the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office didn't write the briefs, as Drinkwine maintains, wouldn't they at least keep copies of them?
"We don't create them," she said. "If we didn't generate them, we don't keep them."
I told Drinkwine it seemed her department should have these records, and that the Twin Cities Daily Planet and I are committed to following through with this process until we get them.
She said she'd look into it again -- but that I shouldn't expect to hear from her next week. Drinkwine lost her job when Sheriff Bob Fletcher lost the election, and she has to use up her accrued vacation and personal time, she said.
I'm interested in hearing what Drinkwine will say when she's back to work on Monday, Nov. 22.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Security agency intimidation tactics against advocates of non-traditional political tendencies (including Peace and Justice)
"Anarchist sues Ramsey County"
2009-02-18 by Randy Furst from "Minneapolis Star Tribune" [www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/39818142.html]:
A member of an anarchist group that organized protests during the Republican National Convention in September has sued Ramsey County, alleging that Sheriff Bob Fletcher failed to provide "all private and public data" that his office had on the activist. The suit asks for the data and damages in excess of $75,000.
Betsy Raasch-Gilman, 56, a member of the RNC Welcoming Committee who calls herself an "anarchist peace activist," said that on Sept. 1, after locking up a building in St. Paul where anarchists were organizing protests, she encountered Fletcher, who told her his office had an "extensive file" on her.
The suit says that despite her requests for the file, Fletcher did not provide it, so she appealed to the state Department of Administration. It issued an advisory opinion that the sheriff's office had not complied with state statutes. The suit was filed by attorneys Ted Dooley and Peter Nickitas.
Fletcher said, "we do have information regarding Betsy Raasch-Gilman because she was an active member of the RNC Welcoming Committee." But, "all of that information is part of an ongoing investigation of the Welcoming Committee and therefore it is confidential under Minnesota data practices law."
Fletcher said that his office informed Dooley of the investigation and also sent a letter to the Department of Administration, but the department told him it never received it.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Domestic assassination techniques
Whatever a public-sector agency can do, a private-sector agency can do with less regulation...
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Justice for Kelly Thomas!
Justice For Kelly: [https://www.facebook.com/Justice4KellyThomas]
"Replay: Fullerton Cops Go on Trial for Killing Schizophrenic Homeless Man Kelly Thomas", 2013-12-08 by Nick Gillespie [http://reason.com/blog/2013/12/08/replay-fullerton-cops-go-on-trial-for-ki]
Kelly Thomas, a 37-year-old homeless man (whom his Dr's say was mentally slow, and had the mind of an 11 year old), was beaten to death in Fullerton, California by police officers who felt they were above the law. They are now on trial.
Kelly was tasered, beaten with batons, punched and kneed repeatedly, and was even hit in the face with the end of a Taser.
After the beating, you can hear Kelly in the video slowly dying as his desperate screams for his father trail off into groans of 'Daddy' and then stop altogether as he loses consciousness. It's important to note that the paramedics treated the officers before tending to Kelly, as he laid in a pool of his own blood.
Video: [http://youtu.be/wYQ5nqPQ_gE]
Full Video: [http://youtu.be/e6yaeD-E_MY]
In the video you see Ramos approach Kelly, "It seems like every day, we have to talk to you about something. Do you enjoy it?" Within minutes, Ramos snaps on latex gloves, holding his fists in front of Kelly's face, taunting him, "See my fists? They are getting ready to fuck you up!" Kelly stands up and pulls away while Ramos then tackles him, punching and kneeing him in the ribs as he pins him down for the other officers like a blood-thirsty hyena.
Manuel Ramos, who pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, Jay Cicinelli, who pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and use of excessive force (Both are free on bail), and Joseph Wolfe, who will be tried separately on charges of involuntary manslaughter and excessive force are the three officers being tried. Three other officers, Officer Kenton Hampton, Sergeant Kevin Craig and Corporal James Blatney, were not charged.
Vallejo Police threaten to bankrupt Vallejo purposefully as blackmail, despite lack of public confidence
Observations from Cyndi Mitchell, "Justice for Mario Romero!", 2013-12-15:
I do not for one second believe that the recent spike in crime in the city of Vallejo is a coincidence.
Everytime there are negotiations between the city and the police, there is a huge surge in crime in Vallejo, and this situation is no different. These rogue KOPs (Killers On Patrol) are so arrogant that they have invited us to show them support tonight at 6PM for a special meeting at Vallejo City Hall.
I say we flood the building and let them know how we really feel about their over-paid and under-trained asses.
Don't think for a second that the police are not capable of murdering your loved ones while being the first on the scene to discover the body. Create a fake investigation and find a mentally challenged person to pin the crime on... it has been done, and it is no secret...
When Vallejo Police murdered my brother Mario Romero, they told people that there was a drive by shooting as they conspired to cover up the fact that they killed an innocent man by shooting him through the palms of his hands, firing 30+ times as he begged for them to stop, then cutting his body from his seatbelt and stealing his body from the scene of the crime.
They are ruining our families, sucking the life out of our community as well as our budget
I do not for one second believe that the recent spike in crime in the city of Vallejo is a coincidence.
Everytime there are negotiations between the city and the police, there is a huge surge in crime in Vallejo, and this situation is no different. These rogue KOPs (Killers On Patrol) are so arrogant that they have invited us to show them support tonight at 6PM for a special meeting at Vallejo City Hall.
I say we flood the building and let them know how we really feel about their over-paid and under-trained asses.
Don't think for a second that the police are not capable of murdering your loved ones while being the first on the scene to discover the body. Create a fake investigation and find a mentally challenged person to pin the crime on... it has been done, and it is no secret...
When Vallejo Police murdered my brother Mario Romero, they told people that there was a drive by shooting as they conspired to cover up the fact that they killed an innocent man by shooting him through the palms of his hands, firing 30+ times as he begged for them to stop, then cutting his body from his seatbelt and stealing his body from the scene of the crime.
They are ruining our families, sucking the life out of our community as well as our budget
Vallejo Police Officer Kent Tribble
“Vallejo Killer Cop Detective KENT TRIBBLE”
from “California’s Deadliest Cops” [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Californias-Deadliest-Cops/205365706293553], updated 2013-12-14:
Guy Jarreau Jr., Dec. 11, 2010 — Vallejo Police Officer Kent Tribble
POLICE SIDE OF THE STORY:
A group of teens were working on a music video outside a tattoo shop near Sonoma Boulevard and Kentucky Street around 3 p.m.
Shop owner was concerned are called police to report a group of about 15 men and one holding a gun.
Officer Kent Tribble drove to the shop and says he saw Jarreau, 34, leave the group and run into a nearby alley.
Tribble followed him, reporting that he shouted for Jarreau to stop.
Kent Tribble says Jarreau stopped, turned and flashed a pearl-handled revolver.
Tribble then shot Jarreau once in the chest, killing him.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY:
Prior to being shot, Guy Jarreau Jr. was assisting fellow classmates and friends with the filming of an anti-violence music video. Vallejo Police Department said in a statement that day that officers were responding to a report of "a man brandishing a firearm."
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AND CIVIL SUIT COMPLAINT:
When Tribble arrived, Jarreau was ahead of the film crew, directing them in which say to go.
The first officer to arrive commanded the film crew to disperse.
As Jarreau and the film crew were following the commands of the first officers, more officers arrived and commanded the film crew to get on the ground.
Jarreau was already a distance from the film crew and was then blocked off by an unmarked police car, as he was walking in the direction of the alley.
Member of the film crew and friends stated that Officer Tribble was wearing plain clothing at the time of the incident, and that Jarreau was shot as he held his hands in the air, while holding a green cup. The green cup was found at the site of the shooting, as stated by members of the film crew and eyewitnesses. The film crew and friends of Jarreau stated that the officer gave no warning to Jarreau prior to firing his weapon.
Tribble was allegedly not wearing a police uniform and was dressed in clothes that a reasonable person would not identify as clothes of a peace officer.
After Tribble shot Jarreau, he allrgrdly waited unreasonably long before calling for medical assistance for Jarreau. Tribble directed the ambulance to take Mr. Jarreau to John Muir Medical Center, which was unreasonably far from where Jarreau was shot, and other emergency medical facilities would have been more reasonable choices due to their proximity.
OFFICER CLEARED
from “California’s Deadliest Cops” [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Californias-Deadliest-Cops/205365706293553], updated 2013-12-14:
Guy Jarreau Jr., Dec. 11, 2010 — Vallejo Police Officer Kent Tribble
POLICE SIDE OF THE STORY:
A group of teens were working on a music video outside a tattoo shop near Sonoma Boulevard and Kentucky Street around 3 p.m.
Shop owner was concerned are called police to report a group of about 15 men and one holding a gun.
Officer Kent Tribble drove to the shop and says he saw Jarreau, 34, leave the group and run into a nearby alley.
Tribble followed him, reporting that he shouted for Jarreau to stop.
Kent Tribble says Jarreau stopped, turned and flashed a pearl-handled revolver.
Tribble then shot Jarreau once in the chest, killing him.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY:
Prior to being shot, Guy Jarreau Jr. was assisting fellow classmates and friends with the filming of an anti-violence music video. Vallejo Police Department said in a statement that day that officers were responding to a report of "a man brandishing a firearm."
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AND CIVIL SUIT COMPLAINT:
When Tribble arrived, Jarreau was ahead of the film crew, directing them in which say to go.
The first officer to arrive commanded the film crew to disperse.
As Jarreau and the film crew were following the commands of the first officers, more officers arrived and commanded the film crew to get on the ground.
Jarreau was already a distance from the film crew and was then blocked off by an unmarked police car, as he was walking in the direction of the alley.
Member of the film crew and friends stated that Officer Tribble was wearing plain clothing at the time of the incident, and that Jarreau was shot as he held his hands in the air, while holding a green cup. The green cup was found at the site of the shooting, as stated by members of the film crew and eyewitnesses. The film crew and friends of Jarreau stated that the officer gave no warning to Jarreau prior to firing his weapon.
Tribble was allegedly not wearing a police uniform and was dressed in clothes that a reasonable person would not identify as clothes of a peace officer.
After Tribble shot Jarreau, he allrgrdly waited unreasonably long before calling for medical assistance for Jarreau. Tribble directed the ambulance to take Mr. Jarreau to John Muir Medical Center, which was unreasonably far from where Jarreau was shot, and other emergency medical facilities would have been more reasonable choices due to their proximity.
OFFICER CLEARED
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Partners for Peace: Vallejo Police Department (VPD), and the Vallejo Times-Herald (VTH)
VPD is secure with an understanding of complete solidarity with the local monopolized newspaper, and with local churches and military organizations. A recent "Vallejo Peace Rally" was organized for the night of December 15th to rally support for VPD, and the majority of participants are from local churches which are hostile to the news of Human Rights abuse in Vallejo, and which are, incidentally, filled with retired and on-duty soldiers and police personnel, who altogether are supportive of military adventures against civilians around the world (Re: New Apostolic Reformation Movement). However, the organizers "allowed" 3 people speaking out against Human Rights abuse by VPD to take the mic and take a stand for Peace with Justice. However, an organizer and member of the "Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church" (?) was given the last word, and he denounced the memory of the murder victims of VPD, saying the victims are "at Peace" and should not be a focus of the Peace rally...
Worse, yet, is the article written up for the VTH, which censors everything mentioned at the Vallejo Peace Rally concerning Justice against Human Rights abuse in Vallejo. The censorship is indicative of the hostility on behalf of the VTH's editors against Human Rights, and about the purpose of the rally, to raise public support for VPD during a time that the Vallejo City Council is voting to cut their paychecks down to market value (comparable to salaries of PD Officers at Richmond, or Fairfield)... the description of the pro-VPD "Vallejo Peace Rally" was prominently placed above the article about the decision by the Vallejo City Council:
"Vallejo residents seek ways to end spate of violence"
2013-12-16 by Irma Widjojo "Vallejo Times-Herald" [http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_24731688/vallejo-residents-seek-ways-end-spate-violence]:
In various settings, Vallejo residents are wrestling with what to do about a recent spate of violent crime in the city.
Some took their voices to the street, while some gathered in a smaller group to brainstorm ideas.
About 20 people came together Friday night at a business on Springs Road to vent their frustrations.The hour-long meeting was attended by concerned residents, who said they are focused on one main goal: citizen safety.
On Sunday night about 100 gathered at the waterfront to decry the violence, and offer suggestions to respond to it. Both groups indicated they would hold future meetings about the issue.
On Friday night nearly two dozen met in an informal session open to anyone concerned about the recent violence.
"I have heard the cries of so many customers in my business ... They are so frustrated and disappointed with the city," said Jon Connelly, host of Friday's meeting. "Too many good people are being subjected to this kind of behavior."
Connelly and others said something must change because the violence is driving out residents and businesses.
"It's the every day problem," he said. "The police are so overworked, they have to respond to this every day. ... The mugging, the burglaries."
A manager of the 99 cents store on Springs Road said sometimes she has to call police three times in a day due to shoplifting, robbery and other issues.
Another resident said she feels imprisoned in her own home because she doesn't feel safe walking around in Vallejo.
At the meeting, the group shared ideas about what can be done, and plans were made to meet again before the year ends.
"We're not going to stand out and protest, we're going to dive in and do the hard work," Connelly said. "We're going to find an answer, and we're not going to take 'no' for an answer
"We're going to start small, but we're going to grow and assemble an army," he vowed.
Those interested in joining Connelly's effort can call him at (707) 644-0755.
At Sunday night's waterfront vigil, more than 100 people trickled in at about 8 p.m. at the invitation of a young Vallejo resident.
Akilah Jones, 20, said she decided to rally people for the "Stop the Violence" vigil because she was tired of people saying that nothing can be done to change Vallejo.
"The community as a whole can make the decision to say that we're supporting anti violence," said Jones, a California Maritime Academy student and mother of a young child.
She, other speakers, and a few others agreed there needs to be more activities and mentorship for children, like opening a youth center.
"We're going to stand together for this generation, and the future generation," Jones told the crowd. "We're not going to allow the people who are killing people to set the standard anymore."
The speakers included artists reading spoken words and a poem, and other concerned citizens. Some were also making signs that read "It's not snitching, it's saving lives" and "Peace happens when a community takes a stand."
Eric Jones came with about 15 other people to represent the Victory Outreach Church of Vallejo.
"I'm here to support anyone who's grieving," said Eric Jones, who is not related to Akilah Jones.
The 40-year-old man said he was born and raised in Vallejo, and had lived the "street life" himself, but was saved by his faith.
"I hope people will seek the comfort of the Lord, I used to be in the street life, but they can be helped also," Jones said. "As long as you have a breath in you, then you can always change as long as you're willing."
Another attendee, Ricky Nut, Jr. said he sees hope in the city.
The Vallejo school teacher said he is a product of the city and chose to come back to his hometown after graduating college in 2006.
"This is home to me, I feel like I'm supposed to be here and I feel like there are people out here that feel the same way too," Nut said.
He said he knows the family of one of the most recent Vallejo homicide victims. Frank Gore, 27, was killed in a shooting Tuesday night behind a recording studio in the 700 block of Tuolumne Street. His death came hours after another 27-year-old, Anthony Young, was gunned down in another part of the city. No one has been arrested in either case.
Nut said the solution is not to abandon the city.
"We all have the responsibility to respond to this," he said. He said his responsibility is to teach the future generation respect and other life skills.
Like Akilah Jones, Nut said there needs to be more positive activities for the youth.
"We're not doing enough, but we need to buckle down and find a solution," he said.
Akilah Jones said those who want to be involved in her future meetings and events, can email her at AJones@csum.edu.
The anti-violence efforts came after a particularly violent week in Vallejo. Four people were killed and another wounded in a shooting within a five-day period. There have been 26 homicides in Vallejo in 2013, including three fatal officer-involved shootings.
Hours before Sunday's vigil two people were wounded in separate shootings in Vallejo.
---
"Anti-violence vigil planned in response to Vallejo deaths", 2013-12-13 by Jessica A. York from "Vallejo Times-Herald [http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_24716091/anti-violence-vigil-planned-response-vallejo-deaths]:
When it comes to violence in Vallejo, Akilah Jones felt like she had to step up -- in fact, she had little other option. After all, Jones, a California Maritime Academy student and 20-year-resident, is raising her young son here.
And so, for Sunday night, Jones has begun planning the Stop the Violence Vigil. The event is open to anyone and everyone who wishes to honor the memories of those killed this year or in past years in Vallejo -- and better yet, to those who want to do something about it.
"This is my city," Jones said earlier this week. "I want things to change. If my son grows up here, he cannot be the next victim. It's not just the fact that I know what to do to get people active, but it's also the fact that I'm from here and I have a heart for the people ... who are hurting because of it."
Jones said she is particularly hoping to draw together community members 18 to 35 years of age -- a group disproportionally struck by Vallejo's latest violence.
"We're trying to mobilize Vallejo citizens for change in Vallejo," Jones said. "I want to educate people that change is possible. Other communities have ... gone against (violence) and have been successful in their endeavors."
Jones said a local rap artist plans to donate the use of a speaker and microphone, and will read an original poem. She is asking attendees to bring their thoughts, memories and candles to the waterfront, near the Vallejo Ferry Building, around 8 p.m. Sunday.
A positive outcome from the event, Jones said, would be organizing community members to continue working against violence and attending Vallejo City Council meetings to share their concerns with city leaders.
"We're just going to figure things out while everyone who cares about (violence) is there," Jones said.
"Vallejo Council imposes salary, benefit cuts on city police; Unanimous council rejects plea to await new council decision"
2013-12-17 by Jessica A. York from "Vallejo Times-Herald" [http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_24739069/vallejo-council-imposes-salary-benefit-cuts-city-police]:
The Vallejo City Council unanimously agreed Monday night to impose salary and benefit cuts on its police force following a heated public hearing centering on public safety.
The 6-0 vote, with retired officer-Council member Bob Sampayan abstaining, will impose the short-term conditions effective Jan. 1. City staff estimate savings of $2.7 million.
Before voting Mayor Osby Davis said he struggled with the decision because he knows how important public safety is to the city of Vallejo. He said he hopes a safer city will be part of his legacy as mayor.
However, Davis added, "I can't spend what I don't have and be fiscally responsible." Davis also said he believed that taking such steps will avert a return into fiscal insolvency.
Labor-backed incumbent Jess Malgapo also voted for the cuts, but said it disturbed him whenever fiscal problems were addressed on the backs of employees. He said he was casting a "reluctant" aye vote because the adopted contract will expire in six months and negotiations on a new one will address some of his concerns, particularly about retiree benefits.
More than 230 people crowded into the Council Chambers before the vote, and about 40 speakers - evenly divided on the issue - spoke out about it.
Assistant City Manager Craig Whittom told the council that staff recommendations offered to be imposed on police officers differed from a fact finder's report. He said that was necessary in order to strike a balance between needed cost savings and long-term employee retention and recruitment.
Opponents of a vote Monday said the new council, which takes office on Jan. 7, should decide the fate of the employee contract, which is now in an impasse.
Mayor Davis said waiting for the three new council members to take office before addressing the issue would be "unfair" to them because they lack the background of lengthy negotiations.
During the public hearing, retired teacher Tom Ovens urged the council to impose the cuts despite his empathy for officers who would find their retirement package has been changed. He described life in Vallejo as like "a war zone" where residents do not feel safe, and are in need of more officers.
Retired officer Kevin Kelley rejected the city's assumption that retirees who received an increased pension level after 2000 were all earning six figure incomes. Another former officer, retired in 2003, asked the council to allow retirees to maintain their full health care coverage.
"I'll have to stand in the street medians and beg for money," the retiree said.
Resident Doug Darling supported the contract imposition's adoption Monday.
"This is not about love or hate; This is about sustainability," Darling told the council.
Other speakers' comments ranged from suggesting further conversation on the issue to accusing police of being as bad as the criminals they chase.
The council took a break at the end of the comment period before proceeding to decide the issue.
Before the police contract discussion, the council took a moment to honor its firefighters for a life-saving rescue at the end of November. Little Alphonso, 2 years old, was rescued by fire engineer Dyhanne Stohmeyer and others from a drainage tunnel in Blue Rock Springs Creek at Fairgrounds Drive and Coach Lane. Alphonso and his family attended the recognition ceremony.
In other meeting agenda items, the council approved:
• Appointing Liat Meitzenheimer to a term on the Greater Vallejo Recreation District. She had previously served on the GVRD board and was recently a City Council candidate.
• A change to Vallejo parking garage pass hours - from 16 hours to a full 24.
• A $225,000 settlement to the family of 21-year-old Anthony Washington, who died in 2004 after being shot with a Taser by Vallejo police.
• Authorizing a city lobbyist to push legislation providing "victims' rights" for neighborhood associations wishing to take neighborhood nuisances to court.
The Council was also set to consider creating a Police Chief's Advisory Committee, per a recommendation from the former Ad Hoc Citizens Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Justice for Guy Jarreau, jr.!
Justice campaigns against Police Murder and Systematic Cover-Up [link]
Justice for Guy Jerome Jarreau Jr.! [facebook.com/groups/119198064820815/]
Guy was murdered by Vallejo Police on 2010-12-11, and then vilified by his murderers in the mainstream media as a "thug" who deserved to be shot. Guy Jarreau was a student at Napa Valley College who worked for community peace, fed the homeless and acted as a youth mentor. Today, Vallejo Police feel they are above the law, and are white-washing the incident and withholding the video evidence that would show what really happened. Stand up for Community Justice!
Watch the Documentary: [http://northbayuprising.blogspot.com/2012/01/justice-for-guy-jarreau-jr.html]
Guy Jarreau Jr. by Ann Bassette, Paul Billingsley, Malcolm Marshall & Kevin Weston from New America Media [http://newamericamedia.org/]
Guy Jarreau’s mother kisses his picture on a memorial poster. She says her son “came to me this morning,” saying, “Yours is the voice I have always carried since I’ve been your child. Now you need to speak for me.” – Video frame: YO! TV
Guy Jarreau Jr. memorial video from New America Media [http://vimeo.com/namvideo]. –
[http://vimeo.com/17904899]
Video: Ann Bassette, Malcolm Marshall and Paul Billingsley
2011-01-16 "Young Vallejo man's friends, grieving mother say he was filming anti-violence video" by Sarah Rohrs and Irma Widjojo from "Vallejo Times Herald" newspaper
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_17112408?source=most_viewed]
Every day at 5 a.m. Guy Jarreau, 34, called his mother in New Orleans to share a Bible verse with her and then say, "Isn't it just wonderful to be alive?" she recalled.
"That's how we started off the day for each other," Andrea Jarreau-Griffin said of her late son who died in a controversial Vallejo police-officer related shooting Dec. 11.
A month after the shooting, his mother joined friends and family members at a vigil for Jarreau in the downtown Vallejo alley where he was mortally wounded. He died on his way to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
Vallejo police, meanwhile, are continuing their investigation into what they have described as a case of self-defense after Jarreau pointed a loaded pearl-handled pistol at an officer. The officer fired twice, hitting Jarreau once in the chest.
"The suspect had a loaded weapon and he confronted the officer with it and the officer was protecting himself and other members of the public that could have been hurt," police Sgt. Jeff Bassett said.
Police had responded to a 911 call about a man brandishing a gun near some teenagers on the street.
Jarreau's friends, however, say that just be-fore the incident, Jarreau was on the street filming an anti-crime video called "I'm Sick of Living Like This."
Close friend James Holliday said questions remain over a brief video clip police released of the incident showing a man identified as Jarreau with a gun. Police have said the indoor footage was likely taken shortly before the shooting.
"We don't know if he had a gun during the video," Holliday said.
Bassett said he's not sure what happened to the video Jarreau was making, but added "I'm sure it's in evidence."
Bassett said the officer who shot Jarreau was released for full duty a few days after the incident, and after a mandatory investigation and counseling.
The case, Bassett said, has not yet been submitted to the District Attorney's Office, which will review the evidence and decide if the police officer should be charged.
Police, Bassett said, are still waiting on a coroner's report and ballistics evidence before they can submit the report. A sergeant with the Contra Costa Coroner's Office said the reports are done but they must be typed up and undergo official review.
Jarreau's body went to the Contra Costa Coroner's Office because he died at John Muir Medical Center.
The case has attracted the attention of noted Oakland attorney John Burris, who told the Times-Herald his firm is considering representing Jarreau's family.
Burris, who grew up in Vallejo, recently returned to inspect the shooting site.
"We are still completing our investigation the best as we can," Burris said. "We are very close to making a decision. We are still waiting for the coroner's office report."
Burris said Jarreau's "good character" compelled him to look into the case.
"This is a young man who seems to have his life together. How's (it) a young person like that got shot?" he asked.
Attorney Ephraim Walker, an associate in Burris' firm, said a central question is whether Jarreau was actually pointing a gun at the officer.
"That's the big elephant in the room," Walker said. "The big question is what happened in that alley."
What's been happening in the alley since the shooting is that Jarreau's mother, other family members and friends have begun a series of monthly vigils to remember him.
His mother said, in an extensive interview, that her son was a religious, nonviolent man who devoted himself to helping children, poor people and the homeless.
"Vallejo lost a special individual. They lost a true man of God. He was God's, first. Then, he was my son," she said. "I will not rest until I get justice for the wrongful death of my son."
Jarreau-Griffin said it grieves her that flowers, cards, T-shirts and other items left in memory of Jarreau in the alley are regularly swept up and taken away. She added that she hopes someone who saw what happened in the alley steps forward.
A native of New Orleans who grew up in the city, Jarreau had a few run-ins with the law, but has no "violent criminal history," Walker said. Arrests were for public intoxication, public urination and cashing an unendorsed check, Jarreau-Griffin said.
Despite initial reports that said Jarreau came to Vallejo after Hurricane Katrina, his mother said he had lived in the city for 81/2 years and sent her money in the aftermath of the devastating storm. She said he held two jobs and was about to go on a speaking engagement tour with Street Soldiers, a branch of the Omega Boys and Girls Club which promotes non-violence. He also passed out turkeys and other items during the holidays in Vallejo, Richmond and elsewhere, she said.
Jarreau worked with the child care development center on the Napa Valley College campus where he was attending school. He regularly attended North Hills Baptist Church on Admiral Callaghan Lane where he helped with a children's basketball program.
"He was gentle and quiet," church administrative secretary Paula Prentice said, adding that many church members attended the first vigil for Jarreau shortly after his death. She said he didn't have a car and church members often gave him a ride so he could attend services.
"He was making changes in his life. The hardest thing is not knowing what happened," Prentice added.
Jarreau's mother said her son was grieving for his baby who was born and died on the same day in March in San Francisco, and that he was planning to fly to New Orleans on Dec. 16, to surprise his mother and propose to his high school sweetheart.
Jarreau-Griffin said she last spoke to her son the day before he died. Shortly before they hung up he said "Mama, you're my best girl," she recalled.
After several attempts to retrieve her son's possessions, she said police Thursday gave her a gold crucifix he was wearing, covered in his blood, and one of his diamond earrings. The other one is missing, she added.
Of her grief, she said "I feel so empty inside. It's like somebody pushed me down a well and I'm saying 'Where's the bottom to my well?'
"It's so dark. I keep looking for some kind of light."
---
Andrea Jarreau-Griffin cries as she talks about her son Guy, in the photo to the left, who died in a controversial Vallejo police-officer related shooting Dec. 11. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
The video that was shot at his vigil tells the whole story. In that video, a witness came forward clearly stating that Guy Jarreau was holding a blue cup of water in his hand.
The witness stated that the cup of water hit the ground after he was executed by the police officer and the water and cup were clearly seen on the ground next to his body as the police kicked his body twice as he lay there screaming for help. This is clear as day. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand this. The witness stated on video that the officer was talking very negatively toward the other members of the group.
That these young men were handcuffed and sat on the sidewalk and that two other younger children were pushed toward a glass window, shattering it to pieces. Why did Guy Jarreau carry a gun that day?
If you were walking in that part of town, with expensive equipment as they had, would you take extra percaution? Is it a sin for a person to protect themselves and other members of the group?
Didn't the singer in the group clearly state that Guy Jarreau acted as their security?
Didn't you hear the other witness state that there was a shooting at that same tatoo shop one week before?
Whatever Guy Jarreau did earlier in the day prior to the murder, is really irrelevant. The only factor here is what happened in the alley.
It is clear that the 911 tape said the Tatoo shop owner stated that the man who had a gun wore a plaid shirt and the gun was CHROME with a black handle. Guy Jarreau wore a white striped shirt. The gun shown in the video that he had prior to the murder was still blue with a WHITE handle. What is so difficult to understand about this? A second grader can draw these conclusions. If you had an ounce of common sense, you can see that this is a COVER UP by the police.
There are far too many discrepancies and controversial statements. And the fact that the officer is right now working as if nothing happened, is an insult to us all.
A INJURY TO ONE, IS AN INJURY TO ALL!!!!
Justice for Guy Jarreau, jr.!!!
Community Assembly and Rally
1:00 p.m., Friday, January 28, 2010
321 Tuolumne Street , Vallejo , Solano County District Attorney's Office
Vallejo Police killing of Guy Jarreau, jr.
CONTACT: Verrose.Hill (@) hotmail .com, 707-235-6872
In front of the Solano County District Attorney's Office and Service and Justice Center there will be a community rally calling on the District Attorney to conduct a full investigation into the fatal shooting of Guy Jarreau jr. by the Vallejo Police Department in December of 2010. The event will be open to the press, and there will be knowledgeable and concerned community members available to speak about the case and the call for Justice for Guy Jarreau, jr., a man who worked for peace in the community and was an active student at Napa Valley College, working with the Black Student Union and at the Child Daycare center.
A central demand of the community is that all evidence, including video taped footage of the nights events documenting the incident of Guy’s killing, be made available for a full and comprehensive investigation by the District Attorney or the California Attorney General. At this time video tape evidence from the incident is being withheld by the Vallejo Police Department, and there are contradictory accounts between the police who say Guy had pointed a weapon at an officer, versus eye witness testimony stating that Guy kept his weapon in his belt and had only a green plastic cup in his hand.
We, the concerned residents of the community and our fellow people, are demanding that justice be done by exposing the truth of what occurred that fatal night in December on Sonoma Blvd. All evidence from video taped recordings as well as eye witness testimony must be considered in a full investigation by the District Attorney or the California Attorney General. If the police department has done their job according to the law, then they have nothing to hide by releasing the tape for use in a full investigation by the DA.
We further ask that the paramedics who arrived at the seen come forward with their statements.
We ask for the police dispatch recordings.
We ask for any witnesses to issue statements.
We ask that Vallejo Police issue their officers with ear-bud bluetooth video cameras.
We ask for a Citizen review panel.
Endorsed by,
* God First
* Black Student Union, and UMOJA, of Napa Valley College
* Students for a Democratic Society of Napa Valley College (Part of Northbay MDS/SDS)
* Peace and Freedom Party of Solano County
* Oscar Grant Committee Against Police Brutality and State Repression
* Katrina's Dream
* Diablo Valley Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS/SDS)
The following was written as a statement by a student-lead community coalition as it was being organized at Napa Valley College, where Guy Jarreau, Jr. went to school. While attempting to contact the family of Guy Jarreau, the coalition members continued to network but did not make any further public statement until official endorsement was given by God First, the memorial organization begun by Guy's mother Andrea.
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"Justice for Jarreau!" statement from "Napa Valley College SDS" (part of Northbay MDS/SDS):
Hello, We are the Justice for Jarreau committee. Guy Jarreau was a student at Napa Valley College and active member of the Black Student Union/Umoja on campus. Guy was shot and killed by Vallejo police on December 11. He was helping a friend film a music video about the problems of youth violence. Guy allegedly had a gun. However, the eye witnesses reports are contradicting the official police story. According to his peers and mentors, Guy was a hardworking and motivational student. There is more to the story then the police are telling. Further information can be found here: [http://sfbayview.com/2010/the-mehserle-effect-vallejo-shooting-tests-era-of-police-accountability]
---
We are the Justice for Jarreau committee.
We are a committee comprised of concerned students from Napa Valley College.
Our purpose is to coordinate actions in support of Justice for Jarreau.
Our current demands are:
1. Release the evidence! The police confiscated a video tape which recorded the incident. Release the tape!
2. A full and independent investigation! Eye witness reports have contradicted the official police story. There needs to be an independent investigation to clarify the contradictions found within the police version.
We welcome everyone to keep posted as our struggle for justice progresses.
"How the media is exploited", a study from "Napa Valley College SDS - Justice for Jarreau! committee" (part of Northbay MDS/SDS):
Vallejo is an isolated city, sometimes considered to be "eastbay", but nested within the end of Napa Valley bio-region. We're stuck here with many, many types of people getting by. The most beautiful people of like mind can be found among the natives, who see petty differences as material masques, and who look for the common thread.
This is also the land of the "violent", "ghetto", "rap" standard of "hip-hop", of violent "hyphy", mass drug suicides of a generation. This is the land of the "thug", and fellow Napkins of Napa Valley can't stand being here. I know. They say Richmond has a meaner attitude, and I know because we all been there. Richmond also has a rich and powerful side too, as does Oakland, and elsewhere those "sovereign elite" live amongst the people...
You got to know history for it's own sake, because when the need comes, it comes, and those that live say it's because their ancestors chose survival. If the history of Eastern Europe has taught me anything, "communist" and "christian" alike, it's that the different "power-cliques" still use the same whipping slaves to unify the majority. Of course, the idea of "violent black men" is accepted by the North American monopolized media in any metropolis without question, because they "gotta whip 'em up!" to get those ratings, and such crude caricature is overplayed to another degree, because we all know the image of the violent Black man, our neighbor.
If the Vallejo Police Department gives the monopolized media photographs showing Guy Jarreau, jr. behaving like a violent black man, these media groups will report the photographs as typical of who Guy Jarreau, jr. was, without the usual context reserved for anyone else in Vallejo who "don' act poor".
Oscar Grant, Derrick Jones, Martin Cotton, hundred or more in Kalifornia during past 10 years, literally executed in many instances... Black, White, Latino... Northbay, Eastbay, Socal...
The following photographs were given to the monopolized media [they are the only suckas who would never have asked about Guy Jarreau jr., the Man] by an authority at the Vallejo PD, and it's a certain ratings booster.
"Guy Jarreau", the image:
Who is this other guy? What are they up to, huh? I know they aren't thugs.
This Man is not a thug!!! This is a typical man from the community of Vallejo. He changed his life through Jesus, came clean, worked with folks without homes, attended Napa Valley College where he also was employed...
So who is this Man vilified in the press?
No matter what, Vallejo is an extreme community composed of 13 or 14 different gangs representin' 9 different nations flowing in a town with connections worldwide. This is no joke, read between the lines, we are ALL in this together as a community, and Vallejoans know themselves to be FAMILY because we all know eachother.
We all understand what Vallejo PD has to do to protect themselves, but something is wrong, as of here. Like some fascist dictator in Latin America, the monopolized media played the tune called by the authority, and now folks are being triggered to snipe at fellow Vallejoans, as can be typically seen on any comments section in an online article about this incident.
As a native, we all know those extremists are the power in certain hoods. We know. And, here it is. This process of fascism in the community is now becoming reminiscent of the business used by Ku Klux Klan and their ideologically affiliated groups throughout the San Pablo bay area, from Napa Valley to Diablo Valley. Remember how these kinds of extremists used the lynch laws all around the USA? Castration and death, or paralyze for life the Black men accused of "rape" when it was no more than a flirt. They claimed it was "Community Justice by the Conservative Citizens Council", do a wikipedia search, because this is real history, a tradition from the KKK to the CCC right here in the Northbay, to vilify a good man in the media. It's the nature of the beast, and it's Another Man Down!
The facts show the unfired weapon was far from the body indicating it was thrown, did not match the gun described in the 9-11 call, and that nobody was actually ever threatened by Guy Jarreau, he was not threatening that officer!!!
Folks, people in Vallejo are folks of all races, and sometimes, a diverse group of citizens assemble in broad daylight next to the farmer's market to display their guns openly. Liberal journalists would say these were "gun nuts", but these fine citizens assembled specifically to exercise their collective right to bear arms LEGALLY for the cause of personal safety. Right On! These people held their civil rights gatherings throughout 2010, just like people do everywhere in this Libertarian state of California, including Oakland and at gun shows.
The Vallejo PD gave them absolutely no shuffle for this display of firepower, so close to alot of liquor establishments and banks, because this is the kind of thing typical in Vallejo, and it's fine to display this kind of constitutional knowledge. As far as I can figure, everyone knows someone who carries a weapon while walking around most of Vallejo. We natives know extreme things you out-of-towners won't understand, except the Oakland natives.
This is what drew the line for this fellow native of Vallejo. I hate pointing out dangerous truths, but I know what's up, and for this I seek guidance in my culture, and in my personal culture I CELEBRATE KWANZAA, and my history...
Therefore I know what follows.
UMOJA is Unity, a principle held closely by thousands of Vallejoans, including the author of this post, celebrating it during Kwanzaa ever year, no matter what my race might be, because here I live amongst many races and they are my people, and this is my culture, where we exist side by side.
IMANI is the principle we hold that in faith we shall be guided by a still yet unseen hand despite great odds, with community providing UJIMA, another principle of Kwanzaa telling us of the community responsibility to work together for our betterment, through NIA, the principle of purpose.
Some friends are talking about a common purpose to spark the dream for justice for Guy Jarreau.
It is now too much.
Community!
Rise. Stand tall. This man is of us all.
"Typical comments against Guy Jarreau, jr." collected by "Napa Valley College SDS - Justice for Jarreau! committee" (part of Northbay MDS/SDS):
This is a small selection of comments posted at [http://www.topix.com/forum/nascar/TBJA9CK97JOFQPR5L], and are provided here in the order they were posted, for archival purposes only.
Note, this archive was created when the archivist saw a comment by "Real American" which advocated more street executions by Vallejo Police, and saying that "those pants-dragging ni99ers need to be put in their place." However, later, when this archive was being prepared for posting, this comment was erased. Another comment posted by "Real American" is still there, claiming that the witnesses are being watched...
Realize, then, that the website's administrators are allowing intimidation tactics but erasing posts containing profanity, a selective censoring...
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Kim, Redwood City, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Transparency is key here.
Now they say as I originally said
2 shots fired
I heard yelling before which I said sounded directive, police.
No helicopter
Unmarked cop car
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Great Day in Vallejo, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
The credibility of the pants dragging bleeding hearts in NO GOOD, again.
Have a great day everyone.
One less criminial to scare Vallejo residents.
Ho ho ho
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Double D, La Crescenta, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Good shooting Tex! and it only cost the City $2.00 in amunition. Court dismissed!
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NRA Life Member, Oak Harbor, WA, Dec 17, 2010
Good Job VPD!
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JamesMac, Napa, CA, Dec 17, 2010
we got him on video... Yoooohooo thaks vpd for keeping us safe from crazy gunslingers.
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Native Vallejoan, Vallejo, Dec 17, 2010
SOP! Standard Operational Proceedure! The cop followed through with his training. No lies, no deception. Case closed!
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Hmm, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
"Also, police Thursday said that other than the officer there were no other eyewitnesses to the shooting. That contradicted the initial police department account, released Saturday, indicating that more than one officer confronted 34-year-old Guy Jarreau in the downtown alley where he was shot."
Thank goodness the police got their story straight, finally. This transparency thing would be a lot clearer if we could see through it.
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Clarke Johnston, Vallejo, Dec 17, 2010
What part of the helicopter landing elsewhere are you having a problem with? Dang it. Do us all a favor
Don't vote.
Don't have kids.
Watch the videos. Your man isn't a role model, he's a chump. Straight up.
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Angry Citizen, Stockton, CA
Dec 17, 2010
I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach....not to say I knew the victim and he was no where near what you ignorant ass folks have to clearly say about him...VPD are soo trying to cover up for the mistake they clearly made... AND YESS THEIR WAS WITNESSES!!!! I so hope the victims mother hires a civil rights lawyer to sue the hell out of VPD for injustice and killing an innocent man who was just out there advocating for these unpriviledge youths... Cause honestly not all african american men are criminals!!! Get ya facts straight folks :-P
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Cedric, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Oops! A fly in our Liberal oatmeal! Now what path do we pursue?
Personal responsibility for being stuck-on-stupid is many times hard to accept!
I am glad that the officer wasn't hurt, inspire of the Mayor and Clowncil trying to reinvent Vallejo.
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Wanglow, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
"underpriviledge youths", that's a good one. Don't work, don't study, feast on TAXPAYER junk-food and alchohol, stay out until 3 am then sleep until 1100, never have to face a mean foreman or job deadline, or bad weather or horrible commute, hang around all day long in front of liquor stores and phony "barber shops"; yeah, that's a REAL TOUGH life for these poor zombies. In a few years they will all be "underpriviledged adults", gee, I wonder why?
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Willaim, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
I don't care about racial profiling. You know, sometimes it is good we are racially profiled, because the God's honest truth is that 99 percent of the people that are robbing, stealing, killing these drivers are blacks and Hispanics," said Mateo, who is Hispanic and has a black father. [http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/taxi_big_fair_to_profile_0QVhd88HvjGJbruypDUj2L]
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Wanglow, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Ok, and thank you for being fair. I don't know what "facts" you are refering to but you CANNOT name ANYTHING I have ever posted that was untrue. I call 'em as I see 'em, regardless of "race". I have NEVER threatened harm to anyone, never wished ill upon another person undeserving or used profanity in my statements. I constantly write and work to end the democrat-created welfare system which has ENSLAVED generations of our American citizens and doomed them to a life of poverty, crime and disillusionment, without even Hope for a better life. Work is the ONLY Salvation a free-born Man has and by providing JUST ENOUGH free services to barely subsist on this political scourge has altered the course and Promise that this American experiment was created for. Please get off the defensive race issue and focus on the CAUSE of OUR most serious problems and work to change it. Excuses don't pay the bills.
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Bout Time, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
What is the number on your NAACP card? Burris would take this on for free and sooner or later Sharpton and Jackson will be in town. Burris = Slime, Sharpton = Liar, Jackson = Jackwagon. Nice bunch of folks that you people look up to.
And no there was no witness you idiot.
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They will never change, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
No they are not....But this one was and thats the point. You cannot keep on pointing the finger at someone else. When someone does something wrong they have to pay and in his case he paid with his life. Don't run around waving a gun around because you will get shot. You think you are tough or a bad (a)ss with a gun but your not, someone or many innocent people are going to get shot or killed. Like in Sacramento a innocent woman got killed because the IGNORANT black guys shot at each other at the barber shop. They all had guns now go figure....it's the life style you live so guess what? You will go down.
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Clarke Johnston, Vallejo, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "For you 2 quickly judge and dont even know this dude it's really sad that there is still ignorant ppl like your self in this messed up corrupted world... CHUMP!!!"
All I need to know comes from the video. I can and am making a judgement, based on HIS behavior within that video. Don't like it? Tough. He holds the gun like a thug, and threatens the camera like a punk. I'm not ignorant, just informed, unlike yourself. I've not quickly judged, I've sifted through four days of "don't judge and he's a nice guy" from posters like yourself.
Watch the video. If he acted in this manner with the police, so be it.
Guy said he didn't play. Well, it appears that the Vallejo Police don't play, either.
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THE KLAN, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
"not all african american men are criminals" true, but most of the crimes are being done by them.
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case closed, United States, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
the person you say you knew obviously brandished the gun otherwise no one would have known or reported he had one. I seriously question the decision making ability of someone to irresponsibly handle a deadly weapon in that manner.
I also question the thought process of someone who would defend the subjects action. HE WAS CARRYING DEADLY WEAPON! What about that is hard to understand? QUESTION: how else should have the police handled It? Should the police have presumed the subject was not going to them shoot at them? Mabey then we would be having a funeral of police officer...would that make you feel better?
How about calling how it us and saying that the subject made a very poor decision as soon as he got up in the morning, and continued a string of poor decisions until it ultimatey ended up in his own death.
We all choices to make...and the subject made his. Life goes on...at least for those of us choosing not to carry pistols in our pockets.
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Black People, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
Just about 98% in Vallejo. Go figure. Take away your black criminals and VAllejo is almost crime free. Wow, what a thought. Get rid of Vallejo city council and you are 100 % crime free
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Grant, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Here he is carrying around a loaded pistol....and they say hes a role model...hmmmmm? sounds like a piece of trash
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Dirty Larry, Vacaville, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
So if you did not know the victim, why are you making a comment.
They say the "VICTIM" has been on the department for about ten years. I am sure the "VICTIM" is educated and has a family. The "VICTIM" probably is a typical down to earth guy or gal who makes everyone smile. The "VICTIM" gets up everday to put on a bullet proof vest to protect the citizens of Vallejo. I wish I knew more about the "VICTIM," in my eyes he or she is a hero. To the "VICTIM" thanks for your dedication to the community.
Now for the "SUSPECT."
A one-way ticket from New Orleans,$280.00
An ugly stripped shirt, Free from the Goodwill
An education from Napa College, Free from taxpayers
An ugly gun, Free, most likely stolen
Five bullets,#2.50
Getting center pounched in the chest by a .40 cal, PRICELESS
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what a joke, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
This is what happens when the youth of Vallejo try to do something productive!
They were filming a video against violence! And for that the Police shot and killed a wonderful man!
This case stinks and it needs to be investigated by an independent citizens council.
These gun slinging cops are killing innocent people left and right.
Oscar Grant and Derrick Jones in Oakland. Richard Poccia in Napa. And now this gentlemen!
Shame on you police!
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Juan Burris, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Kim wrote: "Transparency is key here. Now they say as I originally said 2 shots fired. I heard yelling before which I said sounded directive, police. No helicopter, Unmarked cop car"
You are a (s)tupid ugly woman. This is not in my nature, but we are all tired of your stupidity. Get a clue. This man had a gun, and was killed because of it. It's as simple as that. I assume you are saying that he never pointed a gun at an innocent person before the police came - thus the 911 tape is made up. I assume you are saying that the man (JARREAU) wearing the same striped shirt in the video is holding the same gun the police found on him- that too was made up. This same bloody shirt was found in the alley which you witnessed, correct?
You are probably a good person. You are probably just very lonely and depressed right now huh? You should be depressed, you are an ugly woman inside and out. One only needs to look at your youtube video with Guy JARREAU'S mother. Get a life Kim...do us a all a favor! Everyone should search the youtube and Guy JARREAU to see your ugly ass - the one wearing the jacket with "Kim" on it.
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VV Resident, San Francisco, CA, Dec 17, 2010
(Until Thursday, police had declined to discuss in any detail what has over the ensuing days become a controversial officer-related shooting. Police had contended that information would be released after investigations were conducted by the Solano County District Attorney's Office and department officials.
But Park said that after "rumors" circulated that Jarreau, originally from New Orleans, and a Napa Valley College student, had been unarmed when he was shot, police decided to release more details.
"We wanted to be more transparent, and show he was in possession of a gun," Park said.)
By caving in and letting this information out....It showed insecurities. Stand your ground VPD.
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Thankful, Walnut Creek, CA, Dec 18, 2010
GOOD JOB VALLEJO POLICE!:)
At least the stupid guy died rather than brought to the county jail where he'd be fed by our tax dollars and then probably re-released into society where he'd father many more children, in which all 5 of his baby mommas would ask for child support. All the while he'd irritate the rest of Vallejo, as he illegally crosses the streets...slowly... in his baggy pants while talking really loud on his cell phone.
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crow2k5, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
Ive known Guy for 8 years & he was not a thug or a criminal, he was a great person, kind, loving, he would go out of his way to help someone. This is a tragedy. I know there is more to this story & i hope the truth comes out. I do not believe Guy pointed a gun @ a police officer. R.I.P. my friend & let the truth be shown, you will be missed... Guy Jarreau Jr...
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Juan Burris, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
Here is the link to this ugly (a)ss woman - acting for the camera! We are all very tired of you!
Everyone look at this pendeja and see it for yourself! http://www.youtube.com/watch...
AND NO I AM NOT A UNION THUG OR ANY PART OF POLICE!
Just a tired concerned citizen, tired of enabling these thugs to wear their pants passed their ass while talking on the phone, yelling in the store, being total inconsiderate etc. etc. etc... while we make excuses for them, choosing words such as DISENFRANCHISED,racial institution etc...etc.
By the way, did we see the video of him HOLDING THE GUN WITH THE SAME BLOODY STRIPED SHIRT He was shot wearing .... THE ONE THE POLICE ALLEGEDLY FOUND IN THE ALLEY!- WHO IS THE MALCOLM X LOOK ALIKE with him....PATHETIC!
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Fight City Hall, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
crow2k5 wrote: "Ive known Guy for 8 years & he was not a thug or a criminal, he was a great person, kind, loving, he would go out of his way to help someone. This is a tragedy. I know there is more to this story & i hope the truth comes out. I do not believe Guy pointed a gun @ a police officer. R.I.P. my friend & let the truth be shown, you will be missed... Guy Jarreau Jr..."
I am sure he was a great guy to someone, but you don't have to point a gun at someone to get shot. Just hanging on to a gun and running or just not dropping it justifies shooting. Next time you run after someone with a gun, don't shoot them until they shoot at you, ahahahhahahahh I will come to your funeral. This is not a TV show or movie. You pants dragging punks never learn
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crow2k5, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
He knew those teens, they were making a music video, i talked to them, those same teens made & are going to make more tribute videos for Guy on youtube. He wasnt a danger to anyone. if you guys really knew him, you wouldn't be posting all these hateful comments, he would tell youths pull your pants up, be proud, dont be a thug, be somebody... He made a bad judgement bringing a gun to the video shoot & it cost him his life. millions of ppl own guns & they are not all thugs & criminals...
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VVV, San Francisco, CA, Dec 18, 2010
I agree. The police are already contradicting their story. I do not believe a word they are saying, and neither should anyone.
The police in Vallejo are killers.
The people posting on this forum are racists, psychotic, and ruining Vallejo by treating the youth as criminals. I know for a fact that many of these sick people hang out on the stormfront website for white supremacists. I watch you.
We need to stand up against these bigots, take back our town, and restore justice!
Justice for Oscar Grant, Justice for Derrick Jones, Justice for Richard Poccia, and Justice for Guy Jarreau.
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Mothman, San Francisco, CA, Dec 18, 2010
So I guess the thing to do is question the honesty and verbally bash those officers that have stayed on to work the streets of this city. Through bankruptcy, city councilwomen threats to come after them, half the number of cover officers, lack of show of support from citizens, no hope of future bargaining in good faith, lower pay, less benefits, no chance of promotion, and no light at the end of the tunnel. Crime is arising in our City and we are doing a great job of pushing those that want to stay and help out of here! What a concept. What an embarrassment.
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VVV, San Francisco, CA, Dec 18, 2010
The thing to do is to question the lies we are being told by the Vallejo Police!
The thing to do is to stand up to the scum posting racist, vile, and disgusting remarks on this site!
The thing to do is to rise up, as a community, clean out all the scum like the ones posting here, and take back our town!
We are sick of the police killing people! And we are sick of the pieces of trash over taking this forum with this racism and bigotry! Its time to take out the trash.
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QUICK FIX, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
We need for people to be assured that every confrontation with police will be done legally, and if a citizen happens to get murdered by the police it should be recorded. There is more than one reason that a cop killing another human being should be recorded. Other than that it is evidence for the particular incident, it also will give people (who ever is involved) a first hand look at what the situation we give police permission to kill citizens actually looks like. Please read up and press our council and our police department to look into these cameras they can wear. Check it out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34620212/ns/techn...
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Real American, Vallejo, CA
Any so-called witness to the so-called killing needs to know, you are being watched.
2010-12-16 "Vallejo Police Release Tapes of 911 Call in Officer Involved Shooting" from "Bay City News"
[http://www.fugitive.com/archives/33014]
Vallejo police released an audiotape today of the 911 call that preceded a fatal officer-involved shooting on Sonoma Boulevard on Saturday afternoon, as well as video footage shot by the victim’s associates that shows the man with a gun.
Police shot 34-year-old Guy Jarreau of Vallejo once in the chest shortly before 3 p.m. when he allegedly interfered with a 911 call for assistance, police said. He died Saturday at the John Muir Medical Center.
In the 911-call audiotape, a man told the police dispatcher that a group of about 15 young men were in front of his tattoo shop at 2118 Sonoma Blvd. He said the group was videotaping something, and the oldest man in the group flashed a gun at him as he left his shop. He then told the dispatcher the man had the gun in a front pocket of his jeans. The caller said the weapon was a revolver, which he described as a chrome gun with a black handle. Parts of the audiotape are unintelligible because of a buzzing sound. Responding officers arrived at the scene and tried to detain the group, but one man walked south on Sonoma Boulevard, police Sgt. Kenny Park said. When an officer called out to the man, later identified as Jarreau, he allegedly ran into an alley in the 2100 block of Sonoma Boulevard just north of Florida Street, Park said. The officer lost sight of Jarreau as he turned a corner, and when the officer turned the corner, Jarreau was facing him as he approached, Park said. “It was apparent the man was trying to draw a gun from his pocket, and that’s when the officer recognized the threat to his safety and fired his weapon,” Park said.
Park said Jarreau had a criminal history in Louisiana. Police also posted a short video on the department’s webs site www.vallejopd.com, of Jarreau brandishing a revolver allegedly recovered from the scene of the shooting. The site has a picture pulled from the video that shows Jarreau with the gun, plus three still photographs of the weapon. The footage appears to have been shot an hour or less before the shooting and was taken by Jarreau’s associates.
Park said the blue-steel revolver seen in the video and in the still photos is the same revolver recovered from Jarreau’s hand at the shooting scene. It has a white pearl handle grip. The revolver contained five live rounds, police said. The video only shows Jarreau, and there is no sound.
The officer who shot Jarreau has not been identified. Park said he has been on the Vallejo police force for about 10 years and is on paid administrative leave. There were no witnesses to the shooting, and police are encouraging anyone with information to call detectives at (800) 488-9383, Park said. Vallejo police and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the shooting.
Video #1: [http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/uploads/547/Movie_0001.wmv]
Video #2: [http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/uploads/547/VPD1014469.mov]
2010-12-24 "The Mehserle effect: Vallejo shooting tests era of police accountability" by Kevin Weston[http://newamericamedia.org/2010/12/the-mehserle-effect---vallejo-shooting-tests-new-era-of-police-accountability.php]
Kevin Weston is director of New Media and Youth Communications at New America Media and, for the past 10 years, director and publisher of YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia. He can be reached at kweston@newamericamedia.org.
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December 24, 2010 Vallejo, Calif. –
In the Bay Area, the veneer of police impunity seems to be thinning even as high-profile cases of police shooting unarmed Black men – in Oakland and nearby Vallejo – continue to occur.
Aftershocks following the killing of Oscar Grant III by ex-BART transit officer Johannes Mehserle have shaken up the landscape of police and community relations in the Bay Area. The age-old idea that, when it comes to Black males, police could get away with anything is being challenged.
Mehserle’s trial and guilty verdict, though probably only partial justice – he’ll do about a year when it’s all said and done – may have opened a crack in the blue shield of silence that has protected police from ever being held accountable. Grant was killed in front of a 21st century audience.
The scene of Grant being shot in the back by Mehserle is seared into the public memory, because it was virally-enhanced, and things have changed for the better – in the short term. Weeks after Mehserle was sentenced to two years for involuntary manslaughter in the slaying of Grant he was denied bail. It was a miracle that the Alameda County District Attorney even filed a case against Mehserle. And that is the difference between now and years past. Inside actors – officials sworn to uphold the law – are questioning suspicious police-involved shootings more than ever before.
Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts made headlines recently when he asked for a federal investigation into two of his officers involved in the shooting death of an unarmed East Oakland barbershop owner. The same team of OPD killed an unarmed woman in 2008. And, as if to underscore this budding new era of police accountability, officials in Oakland – including the newly elected mayor, Jean Quan – participated in a meeting designed to address police brutality recently hosted by the NAACP.
Now, the case that could break the trend or add full moon energy to the movement for justice involves a 33-year-old Black man, community activist, student and mentor who was gunned down in a lonely alley in Vallejo, Calif. Guy Jarreau Jr. was shot and killed by a Vallejo Police Department officer Saturday, Dec. 11, in the early afternoon.
He had lived in Vallejo eight years after coming from New Orleans. According to eyewitnesses interviewed by New America Media, Jarreau had his hands up facing the officer who shot him twice. “I didn’t hear no warning, no nothing,” said Martin L’Esperance, a witness and friend of Jarreau. “We were shooting a video on Sonoma, walking back and forth with the cameras. Guy was with us. He was security for us. He was there watching us, directing us – telling us what we should do in the video. The cops just pulled up on us, told him (Mr. Jarreau) to stop – everyone was walking away. He (Mr. Jarreau) walked into the alley. The cop just came onto the sidewalk, pointed into the alley and shot twice. “After that they told us all to get on the ground. … They handcuffed us all. We was like, ‘Is he ok? Is Guy ok?’ And a cop said: ‘I don’t give a f––k if he lives or he dies.’ That’s what the cop said. Then he said, ‘If you say something else, we’ll shoot you too.’ … Guy didn’t have a gun,” said L’Esperance.
L’Esperance and other eyewitness accounts contrast with the Vallejo Police Department’s story [http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/uploads/547/1011469-1.pdf].
According to an official press release: “Officers arrived on scene at 3:01 p.m. and observed the suspect flee into a nearby alley. The officers confronted the man, who was now holding the firearm. In self defense, the officer fired on the suspect, striking him at least once. The suspect was taken via air ambulance to a Bay Area trauma center, where he was later pronounced dead.”
According to witnesses, Jarreau lay on the ground for close to 45 minutes before he received help. Time will tell whether or not the Solano County district attorney will look at this case with the scrutiny it deserves. If officials do act, Vallejo will join Oakland, Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans in pursuing justice by holding police responsible for their actions. It is a moment of momentum for accountability that Black communities across the country should welcome.
Justice for Guy Jerome Jarreau Jr.! [facebook.com/groups/119198064820815/]
Guy was murdered by Vallejo Police on 2010-12-11, and then vilified by his murderers in the mainstream media as a "thug" who deserved to be shot. Guy Jarreau was a student at Napa Valley College who worked for community peace, fed the homeless and acted as a youth mentor. Today, Vallejo Police feel they are above the law, and are white-washing the incident and withholding the video evidence that would show what really happened. Stand up for Community Justice!
Watch the Documentary: [http://northbayuprising.blogspot.com/2012/01/justice-for-guy-jarreau-jr.html]
Guy Jarreau Jr. by Ann Bassette, Paul Billingsley, Malcolm Marshall & Kevin Weston from New America Media [http://newamericamedia.org/]
2010-12-24 Memorial for Guy Jarreau, jr.
Guy Jarreau Jr. memorial video from New America Media [http://vimeo.com/namvideo]. –
[http://vimeo.com/17904899]
Video: Ann Bassette, Malcolm Marshall and Paul Billingsley
2011-01-16 "Young Vallejo man's friends, grieving mother say he was filming anti-violence video" by Sarah Rohrs and Irma Widjojo from "Vallejo Times Herald" newspaper
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_17112408?source=most_viewed]
Every day at 5 a.m. Guy Jarreau, 34, called his mother in New Orleans to share a Bible verse with her and then say, "Isn't it just wonderful to be alive?" she recalled.
"That's how we started off the day for each other," Andrea Jarreau-Griffin said of her late son who died in a controversial Vallejo police-officer related shooting Dec. 11.
A month after the shooting, his mother joined friends and family members at a vigil for Jarreau in the downtown Vallejo alley where he was mortally wounded. He died on his way to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
Vallejo police, meanwhile, are continuing their investigation into what they have described as a case of self-defense after Jarreau pointed a loaded pearl-handled pistol at an officer. The officer fired twice, hitting Jarreau once in the chest.
"The suspect had a loaded weapon and he confronted the officer with it and the officer was protecting himself and other members of the public that could have been hurt," police Sgt. Jeff Bassett said.
Police had responded to a 911 call about a man brandishing a gun near some teenagers on the street.
Jarreau's friends, however, say that just be-fore the incident, Jarreau was on the street filming an anti-crime video called "I'm Sick of Living Like This."
Close friend James Holliday said questions remain over a brief video clip police released of the incident showing a man identified as Jarreau with a gun. Police have said the indoor footage was likely taken shortly before the shooting.
"We don't know if he had a gun during the video," Holliday said.
Bassett said he's not sure what happened to the video Jarreau was making, but added "I'm sure it's in evidence."
Bassett said the officer who shot Jarreau was released for full duty a few days after the incident, and after a mandatory investigation and counseling.
The case, Bassett said, has not yet been submitted to the District Attorney's Office, which will review the evidence and decide if the police officer should be charged.
Police, Bassett said, are still waiting on a coroner's report and ballistics evidence before they can submit the report. A sergeant with the Contra Costa Coroner's Office said the reports are done but they must be typed up and undergo official review.
Jarreau's body went to the Contra Costa Coroner's Office because he died at John Muir Medical Center.
The case has attracted the attention of noted Oakland attorney John Burris, who told the Times-Herald his firm is considering representing Jarreau's family.
Burris, who grew up in Vallejo, recently returned to inspect the shooting site.
"We are still completing our investigation the best as we can," Burris said. "We are very close to making a decision. We are still waiting for the coroner's office report."
Burris said Jarreau's "good character" compelled him to look into the case.
"This is a young man who seems to have his life together. How's (it) a young person like that got shot?" he asked.
Attorney Ephraim Walker, an associate in Burris' firm, said a central question is whether Jarreau was actually pointing a gun at the officer.
"That's the big elephant in the room," Walker said. "The big question is what happened in that alley."
What's been happening in the alley since the shooting is that Jarreau's mother, other family members and friends have begun a series of monthly vigils to remember him.
His mother said, in an extensive interview, that her son was a religious, nonviolent man who devoted himself to helping children, poor people and the homeless.
"Vallejo lost a special individual. They lost a true man of God. He was God's, first. Then, he was my son," she said. "I will not rest until I get justice for the wrongful death of my son."
Jarreau-Griffin said it grieves her that flowers, cards, T-shirts and other items left in memory of Jarreau in the alley are regularly swept up and taken away. She added that she hopes someone who saw what happened in the alley steps forward.
A native of New Orleans who grew up in the city, Jarreau had a few run-ins with the law, but has no "violent criminal history," Walker said. Arrests were for public intoxication, public urination and cashing an unendorsed check, Jarreau-Griffin said.
Despite initial reports that said Jarreau came to Vallejo after Hurricane Katrina, his mother said he had lived in the city for 81/2 years and sent her money in the aftermath of the devastating storm. She said he held two jobs and was about to go on a speaking engagement tour with Street Soldiers, a branch of the Omega Boys and Girls Club which promotes non-violence. He also passed out turkeys and other items during the holidays in Vallejo, Richmond and elsewhere, she said.
Jarreau worked with the child care development center on the Napa Valley College campus where he was attending school. He regularly attended North Hills Baptist Church on Admiral Callaghan Lane where he helped with a children's basketball program.
"He was gentle and quiet," church administrative secretary Paula Prentice said, adding that many church members attended the first vigil for Jarreau shortly after his death. She said he didn't have a car and church members often gave him a ride so he could attend services.
"He was making changes in his life. The hardest thing is not knowing what happened," Prentice added.
Jarreau's mother said her son was grieving for his baby who was born and died on the same day in March in San Francisco, and that he was planning to fly to New Orleans on Dec. 16, to surprise his mother and propose to his high school sweetheart.
Jarreau-Griffin said she last spoke to her son the day before he died. Shortly before they hung up he said "Mama, you're my best girl," she recalled.
After several attempts to retrieve her son's possessions, she said police Thursday gave her a gold crucifix he was wearing, covered in his blood, and one of his diamond earrings. The other one is missing, she added.
Of her grief, she said "I feel so empty inside. It's like somebody pushed me down a well and I'm saying 'Where's the bottom to my well?'
"It's so dark. I keep looking for some kind of light."
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Andrea Jarreau-Griffin cries as she talks about her son Guy, in the photo to the left, who died in a controversial Vallejo police-officer related shooting Dec. 11. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
Comments found at the Vallejo Times-Herald newspaper website:
Francine Simon-HenryJan 17 The video that was shot at his vigil tells the whole story. In that video, a witness came forward clearly stating that Guy Jarreau was holding a blue cup of water in his hand.
The witness stated that the cup of water hit the ground after he was executed by the police officer and the water and cup were clearly seen on the ground next to his body as the police kicked his body twice as he lay there screaming for help. This is clear as day. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand this. The witness stated on video that the officer was talking very negatively toward the other members of the group.
That these young men were handcuffed and sat on the sidewalk and that two other younger children were pushed toward a glass window, shattering it to pieces. Why did Guy Jarreau carry a gun that day?
If you were walking in that part of town, with expensive equipment as they had, would you take extra percaution? Is it a sin for a person to protect themselves and other members of the group?
Didn't the singer in the group clearly state that Guy Jarreau acted as their security?
Didn't you hear the other witness state that there was a shooting at that same tatoo shop one week before?
Whatever Guy Jarreau did earlier in the day prior to the murder, is really irrelevant. The only factor here is what happened in the alley.
It is clear that the 911 tape said the Tatoo shop owner stated that the man who had a gun wore a plaid shirt and the gun was CHROME with a black handle. Guy Jarreau wore a white striped shirt. The gun shown in the video that he had prior to the murder was still blue with a WHITE handle. What is so difficult to understand about this? A second grader can draw these conclusions. If you had an ounce of common sense, you can see that this is a COVER UP by the police.
There are far too many discrepancies and controversial statements. And the fact that the officer is right now working as if nothing happened, is an insult to us all.
A INJURY TO ONE, IS AN INJURY TO ALL!!!!
Justice for Guy Jarreau, jr.!!!
Community Assembly and Rally
1:00 p.m., Friday, January 28, 2010
321 Tuolumne Street , Vallejo , Solano County District Attorney's Office
Vallejo Police killing of Guy Jarreau, jr.
CONTACT: Verrose.Hill (@) hotmail .com, 707-235-6872
In front of the Solano County District Attorney's Office and Service and Justice Center there will be a community rally calling on the District Attorney to conduct a full investigation into the fatal shooting of Guy Jarreau jr. by the Vallejo Police Department in December of 2010. The event will be open to the press, and there will be knowledgeable and concerned community members available to speak about the case and the call for Justice for Guy Jarreau, jr., a man who worked for peace in the community and was an active student at Napa Valley College, working with the Black Student Union and at the Child Daycare center.
A central demand of the community is that all evidence, including video taped footage of the nights events documenting the incident of Guy’s killing, be made available for a full and comprehensive investigation by the District Attorney or the California Attorney General. At this time video tape evidence from the incident is being withheld by the Vallejo Police Department, and there are contradictory accounts between the police who say Guy had pointed a weapon at an officer, versus eye witness testimony stating that Guy kept his weapon in his belt and had only a green plastic cup in his hand.
We, the concerned residents of the community and our fellow people, are demanding that justice be done by exposing the truth of what occurred that fatal night in December on Sonoma Blvd. All evidence from video taped recordings as well as eye witness testimony must be considered in a full investigation by the District Attorney or the California Attorney General. If the police department has done their job according to the law, then they have nothing to hide by releasing the tape for use in a full investigation by the DA.
We further ask that the paramedics who arrived at the seen come forward with their statements.
We ask for the police dispatch recordings.
We ask for any witnesses to issue statements.
We ask that Vallejo Police issue their officers with ear-bud bluetooth video cameras.
We ask for a Citizen review panel.
Endorsed by,
* God First
* Black Student Union, and UMOJA, of Napa Valley College
* Students for a Democratic Society of Napa Valley College (Part of Northbay MDS/SDS)
* Peace and Freedom Party of Solano County
* Oscar Grant Committee Against Police Brutality and State Repression
* Katrina's Dream
* Diablo Valley Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS/SDS)
The following was written as a statement by a student-lead community coalition as it was being organized at Napa Valley College, where Guy Jarreau, Jr. went to school. While attempting to contact the family of Guy Jarreau, the coalition members continued to network but did not make any further public statement until official endorsement was given by God First, the memorial organization begun by Guy's mother Andrea.
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"Justice for Jarreau!" statement from "Napa Valley College SDS" (part of Northbay MDS/SDS):
Hello, We are the Justice for Jarreau committee. Guy Jarreau was a student at Napa Valley College and active member of the Black Student Union/Umoja on campus. Guy was shot and killed by Vallejo police on December 11. He was helping a friend film a music video about the problems of youth violence. Guy allegedly had a gun. However, the eye witnesses reports are contradicting the official police story. According to his peers and mentors, Guy was a hardworking and motivational student. There is more to the story then the police are telling. Further information can be found here: [http://sfbayview.com/2010/the-mehserle-effect-vallejo-shooting-tests-era-of-police-accountability]
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We are the Justice for Jarreau committee.
We are a committee comprised of concerned students from Napa Valley College.
Our purpose is to coordinate actions in support of Justice for Jarreau.
Our current demands are:
1. Release the evidence! The police confiscated a video tape which recorded the incident. Release the tape!
2. A full and independent investigation! Eye witness reports have contradicted the official police story. There needs to be an independent investigation to clarify the contradictions found within the police version.
We welcome everyone to keep posted as our struggle for justice progresses.
"How the media is exploited", a study from "Napa Valley College SDS - Justice for Jarreau! committee" (part of Northbay MDS/SDS):
Vallejo is an isolated city, sometimes considered to be "eastbay", but nested within the end of Napa Valley bio-region. We're stuck here with many, many types of people getting by. The most beautiful people of like mind can be found among the natives, who see petty differences as material masques, and who look for the common thread.
This is also the land of the "violent", "ghetto", "rap" standard of "hip-hop", of violent "hyphy", mass drug suicides of a generation. This is the land of the "thug", and fellow Napkins of Napa Valley can't stand being here. I know. They say Richmond has a meaner attitude, and I know because we all been there. Richmond also has a rich and powerful side too, as does Oakland, and elsewhere those "sovereign elite" live amongst the people...
You got to know history for it's own sake, because when the need comes, it comes, and those that live say it's because their ancestors chose survival. If the history of Eastern Europe has taught me anything, "communist" and "christian" alike, it's that the different "power-cliques" still use the same whipping slaves to unify the majority. Of course, the idea of "violent black men" is accepted by the North American monopolized media in any metropolis without question, because they "gotta whip 'em up!" to get those ratings, and such crude caricature is overplayed to another degree, because we all know the image of the violent Black man, our neighbor.
If the Vallejo Police Department gives the monopolized media photographs showing Guy Jarreau, jr. behaving like a violent black man, these media groups will report the photographs as typical of who Guy Jarreau, jr. was, without the usual context reserved for anyone else in Vallejo who "don' act poor".
Oscar Grant, Derrick Jones, Martin Cotton, hundred or more in Kalifornia during past 10 years, literally executed in many instances... Black, White, Latino... Northbay, Eastbay, Socal...
The following photographs were given to the monopolized media [they are the only suckas who would never have asked about Guy Jarreau jr., the Man] by an authority at the Vallejo PD, and it's a certain ratings booster.
"Guy Jarreau", the image:
The photographs were extracted by Vallejo PD from a video created during the time when Guy Jarreau, jr. and friends were producing an anti-violence video, and segments of which portray sarcasm about the typical violent attitudes so pervasive among minority youth, hence the gun.
It is not the gun described by the 9-11 call. It is not the man described in the 9-11 call.So who is this Man vilified in the press?
No matter what, Vallejo is an extreme community composed of 13 or 14 different gangs representin' 9 different nations flowing in a town with connections worldwide. This is no joke, read between the lines, we are ALL in this together as a community, and Vallejoans know themselves to be FAMILY because we all know eachother.
We all understand what Vallejo PD has to do to protect themselves, but something is wrong, as of here. Like some fascist dictator in Latin America, the monopolized media played the tune called by the authority, and now folks are being triggered to snipe at fellow Vallejoans, as can be typically seen on any comments section in an online article about this incident.
As a native, we all know those extremists are the power in certain hoods. We know. And, here it is. This process of fascism in the community is now becoming reminiscent of the business used by Ku Klux Klan and their ideologically affiliated groups throughout the San Pablo bay area, from Napa Valley to Diablo Valley. Remember how these kinds of extremists used the lynch laws all around the USA? Castration and death, or paralyze for life the Black men accused of "rape" when it was no more than a flirt. They claimed it was "Community Justice by the Conservative Citizens Council", do a wikipedia search, because this is real history, a tradition from the KKK to the CCC right here in the Northbay, to vilify a good man in the media. It's the nature of the beast, and it's Another Man Down!
The facts show the unfired weapon was far from the body indicating it was thrown, did not match the gun described in the 9-11 call, and that nobody was actually ever threatened by Guy Jarreau, he was not threatening that officer!!!
Folks, people in Vallejo are folks of all races, and sometimes, a diverse group of citizens assemble in broad daylight next to the farmer's market to display their guns openly. Liberal journalists would say these were "gun nuts", but these fine citizens assembled specifically to exercise their collective right to bear arms LEGALLY for the cause of personal safety. Right On! These people held their civil rights gatherings throughout 2010, just like people do everywhere in this Libertarian state of California, including Oakland and at gun shows.
The Vallejo PD gave them absolutely no shuffle for this display of firepower, so close to alot of liquor establishments and banks, because this is the kind of thing typical in Vallejo, and it's fine to display this kind of constitutional knowledge. As far as I can figure, everyone knows someone who carries a weapon while walking around most of Vallejo. We natives know extreme things you out-of-towners won't understand, except the Oakland natives.
This is what drew the line for this fellow native of Vallejo. I hate pointing out dangerous truths, but I know what's up, and for this I seek guidance in my culture, and in my personal culture I CELEBRATE KWANZAA, and my history...
Therefore I know what follows.
UMOJA is Unity, a principle held closely by thousands of Vallejoans, including the author of this post, celebrating it during Kwanzaa ever year, no matter what my race might be, because here I live amongst many races and they are my people, and this is my culture, where we exist side by side.
IMANI is the principle we hold that in faith we shall be guided by a still yet unseen hand despite great odds, with community providing UJIMA, another principle of Kwanzaa telling us of the community responsibility to work together for our betterment, through NIA, the principle of purpose.
Some friends are talking about a common purpose to spark the dream for justice for Guy Jarreau.
It is now too much.
Community!
Rise. Stand tall. This man is of us all.
"Typical comments against Guy Jarreau, jr." collected by "Napa Valley College SDS - Justice for Jarreau! committee" (part of Northbay MDS/SDS):
This is a small selection of comments posted at [http://www.topix.com/forum/nascar/TBJA9CK97JOFQPR5L], and are provided here in the order they were posted, for archival purposes only.
Note, this archive was created when the archivist saw a comment by "Real American" which advocated more street executions by Vallejo Police, and saying that "those pants-dragging ni99ers need to be put in their place." However, later, when this archive was being prepared for posting, this comment was erased. Another comment posted by "Real American" is still there, claiming that the witnesses are being watched...
Realize, then, that the website's administrators are allowing intimidation tactics but erasing posts containing profanity, a selective censoring...
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Kim, Redwood City, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Transparency is key here.
Now they say as I originally said
2 shots fired
I heard yelling before which I said sounded directive, police.
No helicopter
Unmarked cop car
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Great Day in Vallejo, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
The credibility of the pants dragging bleeding hearts in NO GOOD, again.
Have a great day everyone.
One less criminial to scare Vallejo residents.
Ho ho ho
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Double D, La Crescenta, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Good shooting Tex! and it only cost the City $2.00 in amunition. Court dismissed!
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NRA Life Member, Oak Harbor, WA, Dec 17, 2010
Good Job VPD!
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JamesMac, Napa, CA, Dec 17, 2010
we got him on video... Yoooohooo thaks vpd for keeping us safe from crazy gunslingers.
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Native Vallejoan, Vallejo, Dec 17, 2010
SOP! Standard Operational Proceedure! The cop followed through with his training. No lies, no deception. Case closed!
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Hmm, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
"Also, police Thursday said that other than the officer there were no other eyewitnesses to the shooting. That contradicted the initial police department account, released Saturday, indicating that more than one officer confronted 34-year-old Guy Jarreau in the downtown alley where he was shot."
Thank goodness the police got their story straight, finally. This transparency thing would be a lot clearer if we could see through it.
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Clarke Johnston, Vallejo, Dec 17, 2010
What part of the helicopter landing elsewhere are you having a problem with? Dang it. Do us all a favor
Don't vote.
Don't have kids.
Watch the videos. Your man isn't a role model, he's a chump. Straight up.
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Angry Citizen, Stockton, CA
Dec 17, 2010
I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach....not to say I knew the victim and he was no where near what you ignorant ass folks have to clearly say about him...VPD are soo trying to cover up for the mistake they clearly made... AND YESS THEIR WAS WITNESSES!!!! I so hope the victims mother hires a civil rights lawyer to sue the hell out of VPD for injustice and killing an innocent man who was just out there advocating for these unpriviledge youths... Cause honestly not all african american men are criminals!!! Get ya facts straight folks :-P
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Cedric, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Oops! A fly in our Liberal oatmeal! Now what path do we pursue?
Personal responsibility for being stuck-on-stupid is many times hard to accept!
I am glad that the officer wasn't hurt, inspire of the Mayor and Clowncil trying to reinvent Vallejo.
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Wanglow, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
"underpriviledge youths", that's a good one. Don't work, don't study, feast on TAXPAYER junk-food and alchohol, stay out until 3 am then sleep until 1100, never have to face a mean foreman or job deadline, or bad weather or horrible commute, hang around all day long in front of liquor stores and phony "barber shops"; yeah, that's a REAL TOUGH life for these poor zombies. In a few years they will all be "underpriviledged adults", gee, I wonder why?
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Willaim, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
I don't care about racial profiling. You know, sometimes it is good we are racially profiled, because the God's honest truth is that 99 percent of the people that are robbing, stealing, killing these drivers are blacks and Hispanics," said Mateo, who is Hispanic and has a black father. [http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/taxi_big_fair_to_profile_0QVhd88HvjGJbruypDUj2L]
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Wanglow, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Ok, and thank you for being fair. I don't know what "facts" you are refering to but you CANNOT name ANYTHING I have ever posted that was untrue. I call 'em as I see 'em, regardless of "race". I have NEVER threatened harm to anyone, never wished ill upon another person undeserving or used profanity in my statements. I constantly write and work to end the democrat-created welfare system which has ENSLAVED generations of our American citizens and doomed them to a life of poverty, crime and disillusionment, without even Hope for a better life. Work is the ONLY Salvation a free-born Man has and by providing JUST ENOUGH free services to barely subsist on this political scourge has altered the course and Promise that this American experiment was created for. Please get off the defensive race issue and focus on the CAUSE of OUR most serious problems and work to change it. Excuses don't pay the bills.
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Bout Time, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
What is the number on your NAACP card? Burris would take this on for free and sooner or later Sharpton and Jackson will be in town. Burris = Slime, Sharpton = Liar, Jackson = Jackwagon. Nice bunch of folks that you people look up to.
And no there was no witness you idiot.
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They will never change, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
No they are not....But this one was and thats the point. You cannot keep on pointing the finger at someone else. When someone does something wrong they have to pay and in his case he paid with his life. Don't run around waving a gun around because you will get shot. You think you are tough or a bad (a)ss with a gun but your not, someone or many innocent people are going to get shot or killed. Like in Sacramento a innocent woman got killed because the IGNORANT black guys shot at each other at the barber shop. They all had guns now go figure....it's the life style you live so guess what? You will go down.
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Clarke Johnston, Vallejo, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "For you 2 quickly judge and dont even know this dude it's really sad that there is still ignorant ppl like your self in this messed up corrupted world... CHUMP!!!"
All I need to know comes from the video. I can and am making a judgement, based on HIS behavior within that video. Don't like it? Tough. He holds the gun like a thug, and threatens the camera like a punk. I'm not ignorant, just informed, unlike yourself. I've not quickly judged, I've sifted through four days of "don't judge and he's a nice guy" from posters like yourself.
Watch the video. If he acted in this manner with the police, so be it.
Guy said he didn't play. Well, it appears that the Vallejo Police don't play, either.
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THE KLAN, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
"not all african american men are criminals" true, but most of the crimes are being done by them.
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case closed, United States, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
the person you say you knew obviously brandished the gun otherwise no one would have known or reported he had one. I seriously question the decision making ability of someone to irresponsibly handle a deadly weapon in that manner.
I also question the thought process of someone who would defend the subjects action. HE WAS CARRYING DEADLY WEAPON! What about that is hard to understand? QUESTION: how else should have the police handled It? Should the police have presumed the subject was not going to them shoot at them? Mabey then we would be having a funeral of police officer...would that make you feel better?
How about calling how it us and saying that the subject made a very poor decision as soon as he got up in the morning, and continued a string of poor decisions until it ultimatey ended up in his own death.
We all choices to make...and the subject made his. Life goes on...at least for those of us choosing not to carry pistols in our pockets.
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Black People, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
Just about 98% in Vallejo. Go figure. Take away your black criminals and VAllejo is almost crime free. Wow, what a thought. Get rid of Vallejo city council and you are 100 % crime free
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Grant, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Here he is carrying around a loaded pistol....and they say hes a role model...hmmmmm? sounds like a piece of trash
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Dirty Larry, Vacaville, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Angry Citizen wrote: "I think VPD could of handle this situation in a totally differnt approach.... [for complete quoted post, please see it above]"
So if you did not know the victim, why are you making a comment.
They say the "VICTIM" has been on the department for about ten years. I am sure the "VICTIM" is educated and has a family. The "VICTIM" probably is a typical down to earth guy or gal who makes everyone smile. The "VICTIM" gets up everday to put on a bullet proof vest to protect the citizens of Vallejo. I wish I knew more about the "VICTIM," in my eyes he or she is a hero. To the "VICTIM" thanks for your dedication to the community.
Now for the "SUSPECT."
A one-way ticket from New Orleans,$280.00
An ugly stripped shirt, Free from the Goodwill
An education from Napa College, Free from taxpayers
An ugly gun, Free, most likely stolen
Five bullets,#2.50
Getting center pounched in the chest by a .40 cal, PRICELESS
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what a joke, Oakland, CA, Dec 17, 2010
This is what happens when the youth of Vallejo try to do something productive!
They were filming a video against violence! And for that the Police shot and killed a wonderful man!
This case stinks and it needs to be investigated by an independent citizens council.
These gun slinging cops are killing innocent people left and right.
Oscar Grant and Derrick Jones in Oakland. Richard Poccia in Napa. And now this gentlemen!
Shame on you police!
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Juan Burris, Vallejo, CA, Dec 17, 2010
Kim wrote: "Transparency is key here. Now they say as I originally said 2 shots fired. I heard yelling before which I said sounded directive, police. No helicopter, Unmarked cop car"
You are a (s)tupid ugly woman. This is not in my nature, but we are all tired of your stupidity. Get a clue. This man had a gun, and was killed because of it. It's as simple as that. I assume you are saying that he never pointed a gun at an innocent person before the police came - thus the 911 tape is made up. I assume you are saying that the man (JARREAU) wearing the same striped shirt in the video is holding the same gun the police found on him- that too was made up. This same bloody shirt was found in the alley which you witnessed, correct?
You are probably a good person. You are probably just very lonely and depressed right now huh? You should be depressed, you are an ugly woman inside and out. One only needs to look at your youtube video with Guy JARREAU'S mother. Get a life Kim...do us a all a favor! Everyone should search the youtube and Guy JARREAU to see your ugly ass - the one wearing the jacket with "Kim" on it.
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VV Resident, San Francisco, CA, Dec 17, 2010
(Until Thursday, police had declined to discuss in any detail what has over the ensuing days become a controversial officer-related shooting. Police had contended that information would be released after investigations were conducted by the Solano County District Attorney's Office and department officials.
But Park said that after "rumors" circulated that Jarreau, originally from New Orleans, and a Napa Valley College student, had been unarmed when he was shot, police decided to release more details.
"We wanted to be more transparent, and show he was in possession of a gun," Park said.)
By caving in and letting this information out....It showed insecurities. Stand your ground VPD.
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Thankful, Walnut Creek, CA, Dec 18, 2010
GOOD JOB VALLEJO POLICE!:)
At least the stupid guy died rather than brought to the county jail where he'd be fed by our tax dollars and then probably re-released into society where he'd father many more children, in which all 5 of his baby mommas would ask for child support. All the while he'd irritate the rest of Vallejo, as he illegally crosses the streets...slowly... in his baggy pants while talking really loud on his cell phone.
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crow2k5, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
Ive known Guy for 8 years & he was not a thug or a criminal, he was a great person, kind, loving, he would go out of his way to help someone. This is a tragedy. I know there is more to this story & i hope the truth comes out. I do not believe Guy pointed a gun @ a police officer. R.I.P. my friend & let the truth be shown, you will be missed... Guy Jarreau Jr...
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Juan Burris, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
Here is the link to this ugly (a)ss woman - acting for the camera! We are all very tired of you!
Everyone look at this pendeja and see it for yourself! http://www.youtube.com/watch...
AND NO I AM NOT A UNION THUG OR ANY PART OF POLICE!
Just a tired concerned citizen, tired of enabling these thugs to wear their pants passed their ass while talking on the phone, yelling in the store, being total inconsiderate etc. etc. etc... while we make excuses for them, choosing words such as DISENFRANCHISED,racial institution etc...etc.
By the way, did we see the video of him HOLDING THE GUN WITH THE SAME BLOODY STRIPED SHIRT He was shot wearing .... THE ONE THE POLICE ALLEGEDLY FOUND IN THE ALLEY!- WHO IS THE MALCOLM X LOOK ALIKE with him....PATHETIC!
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Fight City Hall, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
crow2k5 wrote: "Ive known Guy for 8 years & he was not a thug or a criminal, he was a great person, kind, loving, he would go out of his way to help someone. This is a tragedy. I know there is more to this story & i hope the truth comes out. I do not believe Guy pointed a gun @ a police officer. R.I.P. my friend & let the truth be shown, you will be missed... Guy Jarreau Jr..."
I am sure he was a great guy to someone, but you don't have to point a gun at someone to get shot. Just hanging on to a gun and running or just not dropping it justifies shooting. Next time you run after someone with a gun, don't shoot them until they shoot at you, ahahahhahahahh I will come to your funeral. This is not a TV show or movie. You pants dragging punks never learn
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crow2k5, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
He knew those teens, they were making a music video, i talked to them, those same teens made & are going to make more tribute videos for Guy on youtube. He wasnt a danger to anyone. if you guys really knew him, you wouldn't be posting all these hateful comments, he would tell youths pull your pants up, be proud, dont be a thug, be somebody... He made a bad judgement bringing a gun to the video shoot & it cost him his life. millions of ppl own guns & they are not all thugs & criminals...
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VVV, San Francisco, CA, Dec 18, 2010
I agree. The police are already contradicting their story. I do not believe a word they are saying, and neither should anyone.
The police in Vallejo are killers.
The people posting on this forum are racists, psychotic, and ruining Vallejo by treating the youth as criminals. I know for a fact that many of these sick people hang out on the stormfront website for white supremacists. I watch you.
We need to stand up against these bigots, take back our town, and restore justice!
Justice for Oscar Grant, Justice for Derrick Jones, Justice for Richard Poccia, and Justice for Guy Jarreau.
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Mothman, San Francisco, CA, Dec 18, 2010
So I guess the thing to do is question the honesty and verbally bash those officers that have stayed on to work the streets of this city. Through bankruptcy, city councilwomen threats to come after them, half the number of cover officers, lack of show of support from citizens, no hope of future bargaining in good faith, lower pay, less benefits, no chance of promotion, and no light at the end of the tunnel. Crime is arising in our City and we are doing a great job of pushing those that want to stay and help out of here! What a concept. What an embarrassment.
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VVV, San Francisco, CA, Dec 18, 2010
The thing to do is to question the lies we are being told by the Vallejo Police!
The thing to do is to stand up to the scum posting racist, vile, and disgusting remarks on this site!
The thing to do is to rise up, as a community, clean out all the scum like the ones posting here, and take back our town!
We are sick of the police killing people! And we are sick of the pieces of trash over taking this forum with this racism and bigotry! Its time to take out the trash.
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QUICK FIX, Vallejo, CA, Dec 18, 2010
We need for people to be assured that every confrontation with police will be done legally, and if a citizen happens to get murdered by the police it should be recorded. There is more than one reason that a cop killing another human being should be recorded. Other than that it is evidence for the particular incident, it also will give people (who ever is involved) a first hand look at what the situation we give police permission to kill citizens actually looks like. Please read up and press our council and our police department to look into these cameras they can wear. Check it out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34620212/ns/techn...
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Real American, Vallejo, CA
Any so-called witness to the so-called killing needs to know, you are being watched.
2010-12-16 "Vallejo Police Release Tapes of 911 Call in Officer Involved Shooting" from "Bay City News"
[http://www.fugitive.com/archives/33014]
Vallejo police released an audiotape today of the 911 call that preceded a fatal officer-involved shooting on Sonoma Boulevard on Saturday afternoon, as well as video footage shot by the victim’s associates that shows the man with a gun.
Police shot 34-year-old Guy Jarreau of Vallejo once in the chest shortly before 3 p.m. when he allegedly interfered with a 911 call for assistance, police said. He died Saturday at the John Muir Medical Center.
In the 911-call audiotape, a man told the police dispatcher that a group of about 15 young men were in front of his tattoo shop at 2118 Sonoma Blvd. He said the group was videotaping something, and the oldest man in the group flashed a gun at him as he left his shop. He then told the dispatcher the man had the gun in a front pocket of his jeans. The caller said the weapon was a revolver, which he described as a chrome gun with a black handle. Parts of the audiotape are unintelligible because of a buzzing sound. Responding officers arrived at the scene and tried to detain the group, but one man walked south on Sonoma Boulevard, police Sgt. Kenny Park said. When an officer called out to the man, later identified as Jarreau, he allegedly ran into an alley in the 2100 block of Sonoma Boulevard just north of Florida Street, Park said. The officer lost sight of Jarreau as he turned a corner, and when the officer turned the corner, Jarreau was facing him as he approached, Park said. “It was apparent the man was trying to draw a gun from his pocket, and that’s when the officer recognized the threat to his safety and fired his weapon,” Park said.
Park said Jarreau had a criminal history in Louisiana. Police also posted a short video on the department’s webs site www.vallejopd.com, of Jarreau brandishing a revolver allegedly recovered from the scene of the shooting. The site has a picture pulled from the video that shows Jarreau with the gun, plus three still photographs of the weapon. The footage appears to have been shot an hour or less before the shooting and was taken by Jarreau’s associates.
Park said the blue-steel revolver seen in the video and in the still photos is the same revolver recovered from Jarreau’s hand at the shooting scene. It has a white pearl handle grip. The revolver contained five live rounds, police said. The video only shows Jarreau, and there is no sound.
The officer who shot Jarreau has not been identified. Park said he has been on the Vallejo police force for about 10 years and is on paid administrative leave. There were no witnesses to the shooting, and police are encouraging anyone with information to call detectives at (800) 488-9383, Park said. Vallejo police and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the shooting.
Video #1: [http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/uploads/547/Movie_0001.wmv]
Video #2: [http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/uploads/547/VPD1014469.mov]
2010-12-24 "The Mehserle effect: Vallejo shooting tests era of police accountability" by Kevin Weston[http://newamericamedia.org/2010/12/the-mehserle-effect---vallejo-shooting-tests-new-era-of-police-accountability.php]
Kevin Weston is director of New Media and Youth Communications at New America Media and, for the past 10 years, director and publisher of YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia. He can be reached at kweston@newamericamedia.org.
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December 24, 2010 Vallejo, Calif. –
In the Bay Area, the veneer of police impunity seems to be thinning even as high-profile cases of police shooting unarmed Black men – in Oakland and nearby Vallejo – continue to occur.
Aftershocks following the killing of Oscar Grant III by ex-BART transit officer Johannes Mehserle have shaken up the landscape of police and community relations in the Bay Area. The age-old idea that, when it comes to Black males, police could get away with anything is being challenged.
Mehserle’s trial and guilty verdict, though probably only partial justice – he’ll do about a year when it’s all said and done – may have opened a crack in the blue shield of silence that has protected police from ever being held accountable. Grant was killed in front of a 21st century audience.
The scene of Grant being shot in the back by Mehserle is seared into the public memory, because it was virally-enhanced, and things have changed for the better – in the short term. Weeks after Mehserle was sentenced to two years for involuntary manslaughter in the slaying of Grant he was denied bail. It was a miracle that the Alameda County District Attorney even filed a case against Mehserle. And that is the difference between now and years past. Inside actors – officials sworn to uphold the law – are questioning suspicious police-involved shootings more than ever before.
Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts made headlines recently when he asked for a federal investigation into two of his officers involved in the shooting death of an unarmed East Oakland barbershop owner. The same team of OPD killed an unarmed woman in 2008. And, as if to underscore this budding new era of police accountability, officials in Oakland – including the newly elected mayor, Jean Quan – participated in a meeting designed to address police brutality recently hosted by the NAACP.
Now, the case that could break the trend or add full moon energy to the movement for justice involves a 33-year-old Black man, community activist, student and mentor who was gunned down in a lonely alley in Vallejo, Calif. Guy Jarreau Jr. was shot and killed by a Vallejo Police Department officer Saturday, Dec. 11, in the early afternoon.
He had lived in Vallejo eight years after coming from New Orleans. According to eyewitnesses interviewed by New America Media, Jarreau had his hands up facing the officer who shot him twice. “I didn’t hear no warning, no nothing,” said Martin L’Esperance, a witness and friend of Jarreau. “We were shooting a video on Sonoma, walking back and forth with the cameras. Guy was with us. He was security for us. He was there watching us, directing us – telling us what we should do in the video. The cops just pulled up on us, told him (Mr. Jarreau) to stop – everyone was walking away. He (Mr. Jarreau) walked into the alley. The cop just came onto the sidewalk, pointed into the alley and shot twice. “After that they told us all to get on the ground. … They handcuffed us all. We was like, ‘Is he ok? Is Guy ok?’ And a cop said: ‘I don’t give a f––k if he lives or he dies.’ That’s what the cop said. Then he said, ‘If you say something else, we’ll shoot you too.’ … Guy didn’t have a gun,” said L’Esperance.
L’Esperance and other eyewitness accounts contrast with the Vallejo Police Department’s story [http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/uploads/547/1011469-1.pdf].
According to an official press release: “Officers arrived on scene at 3:01 p.m. and observed the suspect flee into a nearby alley. The officers confronted the man, who was now holding the firearm. In self defense, the officer fired on the suspect, striking him at least once. The suspect was taken via air ambulance to a Bay Area trauma center, where he was later pronounced dead.”
According to witnesses, Jarreau lay on the ground for close to 45 minutes before he received help. Time will tell whether or not the Solano County district attorney will look at this case with the scrutiny it deserves. If officials do act, Vallejo will join Oakland, Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans in pursuing justice by holding police responsible for their actions. It is a moment of momentum for accountability that Black communities across the country should welcome.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Community Objects to Sonoma County Deputy Gellhaus Return to Duty
Unite for Justice against Police Murder and Systematic Cover-Up! [link]
Campaign for Justice for Andy Lopez Cruz! (d. 2013-10-22; Santa Rosa) [link]
2013-12-07 Press Release from the "Andy Lopez Organizing Committee"
Contact: Jon Melrod [415-806-0154]
Stop the Miscarriage of Justice by the Sonoma County Sheriffs’ Dept.
Mass Picket Line at Santa Rosa City Council 12.10.13 @ 4pm
STOP THE WHITEWASH NOW!
On October 22nd, Deputy Sheriff Erick Gelhaus, reputed weapons training expert and 28-year veteran of the Sonoma County Sheriffs’ Department, shot and killed 13-year old Andy Lopez.
Sheriff Gelhaus was placed on leave pending an internal investigation by the Sheriffs Department to determine if he had violated internal ethical or operating procedures of the Department. Without releasing any results of the investigation, Gelhaus is being returned to duty on Monday 12.9.13.
Not only has the Sheriffs Department’s so-called “internal investigation” lacked transparency with no findings being announced before Gelhaus returns to duty, BUT the 90-day investigation by the SR Police Department as to whether Gelhaus engaged in criminal activity has thus far resulted in no public comment and no transparency.
Under such opaque circumstance it is a miscarriage of justice and a slap in the face of the Santa Rosa Community to returnGelhaus to duty at this time. Perhaps it is Sheriff Freitas’ Holiday Gift to Sheriff Gelhaus and the Sheriffs Department -- NOT A GIFT BUT AN INSULT TO THE OUTRAGED SANTA ROSA COMMUNITY THAT HAS PROTESTED ANDY’S MURDER 9 TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 22nd.
There will be a mass picket line in front of the SR City Counsel Meeting this Tuesday @ 4pm to show our outrage and displeasure at this WHITEWASH!
Campaign for Justice for Andy Lopez Cruz! (d. 2013-10-22; Santa Rosa) [link]
2013-12-07 Press Release from the "Andy Lopez Organizing Committee"
Contact: Jon Melrod [415-806-0154]
Stop the Miscarriage of Justice by the Sonoma County Sheriffs’ Dept.
Mass Picket Line at Santa Rosa City Council 12.10.13 @ 4pm
STOP THE WHITEWASH NOW!
On October 22nd, Deputy Sheriff Erick Gelhaus, reputed weapons training expert and 28-year veteran of the Sonoma County Sheriffs’ Department, shot and killed 13-year old Andy Lopez.
Sheriff Gelhaus was placed on leave pending an internal investigation by the Sheriffs Department to determine if he had violated internal ethical or operating procedures of the Department. Without releasing any results of the investigation, Gelhaus is being returned to duty on Monday 12.9.13.
Not only has the Sheriffs Department’s so-called “internal investigation” lacked transparency with no findings being announced before Gelhaus returns to duty, BUT the 90-day investigation by the SR Police Department as to whether Gelhaus engaged in criminal activity has thus far resulted in no public comment and no transparency.
Under such opaque circumstance it is a miscarriage of justice and a slap in the face of the Santa Rosa Community to returnGelhaus to duty at this time. Perhaps it is Sheriff Freitas’ Holiday Gift to Sheriff Gelhaus and the Sheriffs Department -- NOT A GIFT BUT AN INSULT TO THE OUTRAGED SANTA ROSA COMMUNITY THAT HAS PROTESTED ANDY’S MURDER 9 TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 22nd.
There will be a mass picket line in front of the SR City Counsel Meeting this Tuesday @ 4pm to show our outrage and displeasure at this WHITEWASH!
Monday, December 9, 2013
California Military Department
California Military Department [http://www.calguard.ca.gov]
"Across our organization, we are committed to improving, preparing and protecting our communities, state and nation."* California Army National Guard
* California Air National Guard
* California State Military Reserve (CSMR)
* California Youth and Community Programs.
"Why More States Should Establish State Defense Forces"
by Jessica Zuckerman, Colonel Martin Hershkowitz, Brigadier General Frederic N. Smalkin and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. [http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/02/why-more-states-should-establish-state-defense-forces]: (Footnotes are numbered, and given after article)
SDFs are exempt from the restrictions of the Posse Comitatus Act,[10] which prohibits troops in federal service under Title 10 from engaging in domestic law enforcement activities.[11] While the Posse Comitatus Act has never proved to be a major obstacle to deploying federal forces for domestic emergency response, and does not apply to the Army National Guard or Air National Guard while serving solely in state status under Title 32, SDFs may enforce civilian criminal law uninhibited by legal obstacles, if given that power under state law.[12]
Typically, SDFs are under the control of the state’s governor, in his or her role as militia commander in chief; operational control and the chain-of-command typically run from the state’s adjutant general (TAG), through the state’s military department, to the commanding general of the SDF.[13] That is, the adjutant general, who is the state’s senior military commander and typically a member of the governor’s cabinet, commands the SDF on behalf of the governor. As the commander of the State Military Department, TAG is responsible for all training, equipment allocation, and decisions regarding the SDF’s strength, activity, and mission. The adjutant general is also the commander of the state’s National Guard and often directs state emergency response.[14] Through TAG and the state’s joint staff, the SDF can easily coordinate with other key components of the state emergency response.
Footnotes:
* [10] 18 U.S. Code, § 1385, Posse Comitatus Act; and J. R. Brinkerhoff, “Understanding the Posse Comitatus Act and the Insurrection Act,” State Defense Force Journal, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Fall 2007), at [http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA494995&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf] (February 7, 2012).
* [11] James Jay Carafano, “Assessing Plans to Deploy U.S. Military on the Homeland Security Front,” Heritage Foundation WebMemo No. 2156, December 5, 2008, at [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2008/12/Assessing-Plans-to-Deploy-US-Military-on-the-Homeland-Security-Front].
* [12] James Jay Carafano, “Critics of the Hurricane Response Miss the Mark in Focusing on Posse Comitatus,” Heritage Foundation Executive Memorandum No. 983, October 3, 2005, at [http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2005/10/critics-of-the-hurricane-response-miss-the-mark-in-focusing-on-posse-comitatus].
* [13] Col. H. Wayne Nelson, Col. Robert Barish, Brigadier Gen. Frederic Smalkin, Lt. Col. James Doyle, and Col. Martin Hershkowitz, “Developing Vibrant State Defense Forces: A Successful Medical and Health Service Model,” State Defense Force Monograph Series, Winter 2006, at [http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA494466] (February 7, 2012).
* [14] Arthur N. Tulak, Robert W. Kraft, and Don Silbaugh, “State Defense Forces and Homeland Security,” Parameters, Vol. 33 (Winter 2003–2004), pp. 132–146, at [http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/Articles/03winter/tulak.htm] (February 7, 2012).
Military Police Soldiers of The California State Military Reserve (CSMR)
"State of California: PMO News", October, 2006, publication of the Provost Marshal Office of the 40th Infantry Division Support Brigade for the California State Military Reserves [www.40dsbpmo.org], this edition retrieved 2013-12 from [www.calstatela.edu/faculty/dherz/Police%20Reserve%20Trainee.pdf]:
State Police Reserve Trainees Wanted -
The State of California is standing up a State Defense Force to respond to state emergencies in California. This can include Civil Disturbance, Natural Disasters, and acts of Domestic Terrorism. The California State Military Reserve is the State Defense Force for California. We have NO federal mission, so we can not be federalized and can not be sent overseas. Our job is to take over the state military missions from the California National Guard when they are called to federal service. With the California National Guard a third smaller than it was at the time of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, and with so many of the remainder of CNG troops engaged in the Global War on Terror, the California State Military Reserve must be prepared to respond to a state emergency.
CSMR Benefits -
• NO Overseas Deployment • NO Term Contract • NO academy required. • Annual Uniform Allowance • Pending Retirement Benefit • Pending Education Benefits • Free Military Police Training • State Military ID Card • Access to Base Exchange and Clothing Sales. • Military Email Account • Life Insurance Benefit • Eligible for Membership in the National Guard Association of California. • Civilian job protected by Law. • List Military Police service on resume.
Police Reserve Trainee Requirements -
• Age 19-45 • California Resident • US Citizen • California Drivers License • No Felony Convictions • Be height/weight proportionate • Live within driving distance of Los Alamitos, California. • In general good health. • Not a sworn employee of a first responder agency. • Able to train 1 day a month. • Have an understanding and proficiency in the English language. • Have the ability to qualify with the M16/M-4 and M-9 (9mm Beretta). • Pass a background check.
Be Ready for California -
State Military Police Reserves train one day a month at the JFTB Los Alamitos. Additional training days are available for those wishing to train more than one day each month. In addition, you will participate in a 5-day Annual Training at Camp Parks, California. There is no boot camp. 120 positions are open. CSMR Military Police Trainees will train each month in various Military Police subjects including but not limited to: Riot Control, Checkpoints and Road Blocks, Restricted Area Access, Fire Team Movement, Military Drivers License, Nuclear/ Biological/Chemical suits (MOPP Gear), Base Security/Interior Guard, Combat LifeSaver, PC 832, WMD/Terrorism Response, Convoy Security, Radio Communications, as well as basic Military Police course instruction. When ordered to State Active Duty for training or for a state emergency, CSMR Military Police Reserve soldiers are paid at the same rate as soldiers of the California National Guard. Contact christopher.mott@ca.ngb.army.mil
Police Instructors Wanted -
Current and former law enforcement officers are needed to provide police training to soldiers of the California National Guard and State Military Reserve. Experienced investigators can assist with the Criminal Investigations Division. Prior service members come in at their former rank. There is also a State Officer Candidate School and Warrant Officer School for soldiers seeking an officer commission. Must be ages 21- 63. Contact the Brigade Recruiting NCO, SGT Chris Mott at christopher.mott@ca.ngb.army.mil for additional details. www.casmr.com 562-795-2898
Base Security Positions Opened at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos.
On September 9th, the State of California opened up 79 Base Security positions at State operated military bases, including 15 positions at the JFTB Los Alamitos. Applicants should be in the California National Guard or California State Military Reserve, in the ranks of E-3 to E-6, and have a background in law enforcement or security. For additional details, contact christopher.mott@ca.ngb.army.mil Members of the CSMR have no federal mission and can not be deployed overseas. These are full-time paid positions with full state benefits.
M-16/M-4Training on the Small Arms range at Camp Roberts, California. The Small Arms Training Team is run by the California State Military Reserve.
Above: Standing Search. Below: Vehicle Search training, detecting Improvised Explosive Devices.
Riot Control training.
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