Police Oversight, Meeting Tonight at Library

Thanks to Matt Leslie for reminding me about tonight's meeting.  Here is Matt's blog post...

by Matt Leslie 

Citizen Committee Seeks Civilian Oversight of Fullerton Police Department in the Wake of Beating Death of Kelly Thomas, Reports of Abuse by Officers, Recent and Impending Lawsuits against FPD

FULLERTON, CA, The Police Oversight Proposal Committee (POPC) will host a public presentation on methods of police oversight Wednesday, July 11, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Fullerton Public Library Conference Center. The public are invited to attend. There is no admission charge.   

Read more HERE... 

 

Release the Phone Call

There has been much discussion of late regarding the call to the Fullerton Police Department which resulted in officers making contact with Kelly Thomas on July 5, 2011.

A member of the media has made an official request for the recorded phone call, which was not a 911 call.  That request was forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney's Office for their input.  The response from the DA basically says that the call evidence in a criminal case, the investigation of which is still ongoing.

In my opinion, there are very few records which are not open to public scrutiny.  The recording in question is should be released to the public just like any 911 recordings.  I cannot see any reason for it to be kept secret.

If the District Attorney feels it should be suppressed while the matter is further investigated, I suggest he obtain a court order barring its release to the public.  Without such an order, I can see no legal way nor a logical reason for the City of Fullerton to stand in the way of the release.

Letter from OC DA to Fullerton PD.

OC Register Columnist Avoids the Obvious

OC Register columnist David Whiting shows the same trait as the Fullerton City Council members being recalled- denial.

Whiting gives his impression of the Fullerton recall election and the reaction of the public since the video was released.

While Whiting is entitled to express his opinion, he chose to use his creative writing skills over his journalist skills to express his support of the three doomed council members Jones, Bankhead, and McKinley.

I suppose when the facts are present, one need only close their eyes and the facts go away.  I'm sure my toddler would agree.

Unfortunately, sticking one's head in the sand doesn't resolve anything.  It only drags out the inevitable demise that is certain to follow.

Whiting gives the before and after impressions of the soon-to-be ex-councilmen and uses some mild quotes. He ignores, as city council candidate Matt Rowe pointed out, numerous tasteless, insensitive, and demeaning comments made by McKinley.  Bankhead and Jones also made plenty of similar remarks that have reflected poorly on our city.

From Matt's Facebook post at the OC Register on-line:

Here's some better quotes for Councilman McKinley.
---
Theme: Compassion
On sexual assault and the FPD (Rincon).
"Those ladies weren't people like this." 
This is not compassion. This is judgement. Does Pat McKinley side with the victims here or with the officer? You decide, then read the next one.
"It was just inappropriate touching. Not a good thing, but it ain't a dangerous thing."
This is not compassion. Pat McKinley actively dismissed what it feels like to be sexually assaulted and defended the officer's actions. Need more, read below. 

On Kelly Thomas.
"You can't get six people around one guy."
This is not compassion. This is attacking witnesses to the crime. As the video demonstrates, you can certainly get six officers on one guy. They piled on and crushed Kelly to death. Again, this is not compassion, this is Pat McKinley defending the FPD on national television. Need more?
"I've had my eyes bloused a few times myself... facial injuries are not life threatening."
This is not compassion. This is Pat McKinley minimizing the injuries that Kelly Thomas received. He's making a foray into medicine and is not acting appropriately for a councilman. No eye blousing every received by Pat McKinley should EVER be compared to Kelly Thomas's injuries. Need more?
"I can guarantee neither of these officers intended for Kelly Thomas to die. They had no intention of murdering him."
THIS IS NOT COMPASSION. This is Pat McKinley, again, sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. He has no idea what the officers' intent was. Here he is AGAIN advocating for the FPD and not advocating for a citizen of Fullerton, a victim of the FPD. Still need more?
"This should be an interesting trial and Mr Barnett is an extremely competent lawyer, and he has said that he has other information."
This is not compassion. This is Pat McKinley alluding to evidence held by the defense that may exonerate the officers. He has no business stating this, true or untrue. He's supposed to be advocating for citizens, for Fullerton, and for victims of crime inside the city limits. Making a statement about how good the defense attorney is and how interesting he's going to make the trial is not compassion. If it is, it's only for the FPD.
---
Theme: Police Discipline:
"I probably hired them all."
Yup. You probably trained them, too. Not exactly who I want ensuring my rights aren't violated.
"We changed the entire culture of the department."
I have no doubt you did.
"We put Rincon on administrative leave, immediately."
Really? This is a lie. Pat McKinley left Rincon on the job after receiving multiple complaints. He assaulted many many women. What did Pat McKinley do about it? He left him on the street, retired, then blamed the incoming police chief. View it yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg3uCUnivlU&feature=youtu.be
---
I have no idea why the person writing this article wrote what they did. What I can tell you is that we're not all on the same page. The quotes presented by the author, at best, occurred weeks and months after Kelly was killed. What the author should be presenting is what the council members said before the press got a hold of the case. That's the justification for the recall.
I guess this really sums up the reporter's journalistic ability: "As one speaker in council chambers put it, 'The world is watching this meeting.' I'm not so sure about the world."
The speaker was Ron Thomas. The world is most definitely watching. 10 million views and counting.
YES ON RECALL.

Well said Matt!  

Sticking our head in the sands of Fullerton have left us with over $1-BILLION of debt, no less than a dozen law suits, several former police employees incarcerated or on trial, accounting gimmicks and misappropriation of public funds, illegal taxes, and a blood on our streets.  \

The only cure for Fullerton's failed leadership is to replace the council with competent and caring leaders who will not look the other way while Rome is burning.

CAUSE: head in sand, EFFECT: (see images below)

A DUI crash mock-up. Unlike many

other Fullerton images, no one died

or was injured in this picture.

Irony and Semantics - The Fullerton Police Department

Its truly ironic that only one day after I posted comments from FPD regarding burglaries and the need for residents to lock up their valuables, that we find out one of their own has been arrested for burglarizing the FPD property room.

Click here for the OC Register's story.

Wondering how many more bad apples will fall from the FPD tree, I asked Acting Chief Dan Hughes if it was safe to say that FPD was trying to clean house.

"I would rather phrase it as I promised if I learned of any suspected conduct by an employee at the police department that violated public trust, I would immediately investigate and take decisive action.  Hopefully, the community will recognize I intend to keep my promises."

Ok, Chief, that's one way to look at it.  


I like Chief Hughes; I think he is sincere about his job and the public's trust.  I'm also acutely aware that he has some level of culpability in the culture of corruption within FPD.

That said, how can two people seeing the same thing not agree on what to call it? Is not the sky blue??

As it turns out, what I see as a culture of corruption I think Hughes and the FPD command staff sees as a deficiency in training or perhaps ignorance. Gennaco's report thus far seems to support the "deficiency in training" mindset while the rest of us listening to the OC District Attorney's rehash of the same event -"see my fists? They are getting ready to fuck you up"- and it supports a clear case of corruption preceded by and followed with actions not supported by any departmental policy.

Lecturing to a classroom filled with police recruits on following policies to keep your job, a police chief once noted, "Why create a police policy? If you have a written policy, you have to follow it." Implied was the notion that employment is more important than doing what is right.  It uses ignorance as an excuse while we all know that ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse for violating the law.

I don't know what all of the issues are within the Fullerton Police Department but it is clear that some employees are corrupt.  Not dealing with the problem for 17 or 18 years has made it much worse.  Not having specific written policies all these years has also contributed to the culture.

But I do know that a few more of those bad apples will fall before the public's trust is restored.  And shaking the tree hard is Dan Hughes.  

You're Invited... Mental Health & Homeless

City Task Force Seeking Ideas

Here is a Press Release from the City of Fullerton as they begin their work to address Fullerton's homeless. 

_________________________________

Do you have an idea – large or small – that could improve the resources and services provided to Fullerton’s mentally ill homeless? The City of Fullerton and the Fullerton Task Force on Homelessness would like to hear from you.

           

Just log onto FullertonTaskForce.info and share your ideas.
           

FullertonTaskForce.info is an interactive virtual “town hall” website dedicated to soliciting ideas and feedback from the community about improving information sharing, services and resources related to the mentally ill and homeless in the community.

           

Al Zelinka, community development director for the city, said FullertonTaskForce.info provides residents, business people, students and other interested stakeholders with “a creative and convenient way to share ideas, provide feedback, and make recommendations on a broad variety of issues related to this outreach effort.

           

“This new public engagement platform allows a more diverse audience of participants that might not be able to attend conventional public meetings. Anyone interested in providing constructive ideas and solutions can simply jump on-line from work, home, school or wherever they have Internet access, and join in the discussion.”  

The on-line forum will be used in conjunction with traditional public meetings to provide information to the task force.

           

“We are always looking for better ways to capture input and ideas from citizens,” said Rusty Kennedy, director of the Orange Cou8nty Human Relations Commission and task force chairman. “FullertonTaskForce.info is a great way to engage with people who cannot attend public meetings.”

           

Kennedy added, “This technology allows us to interface with hundreds of Fullerton residents and the public at-large. We appreciate that Fullerton residents have a strong desire to be involved in a constructive discussion regarding these issues in our community and this platform will allow us to better listen to citizens’ ideas and solutions.”

           

Further information about FullertonTaskForce.info may be obtained by calling Zelinka at (714) 738-3347, or Rob Ferrier, assistant to the city manager, at (714) 738-6760.

Fullerton council member describes a completely dysfunctional City Hall

Fullerton City Council Member Bruce Whitaker spoke on camera about the dysfunction plaguing Fullerton City Hall.  He describes receiving reports that were complete fabrications and being stonewalled by City Manager Joe Felz and the City's Risk Manager. 

Fullerton's previous risk manager, Darryl Raymond Phillips, pleaded guilty in June to several work-related felonies. 

After all of the signs of government corruption that we have seen in recent months its no surprise that managers and department directors are not cooperating.  Their actions beg the question, what are they hiding?  Public humiliation or something much larger?

Please watch this video through to the end. 

Did Fullerton Police Chief Violate Contract?

From KTLA

KTLA: Council member Whitaker says police chief violated his contract by living in San Clemente

Chief Michael Sellers, who is currently on medical leave, never moved to Fullerton as required by his employment contract. KTLA’s David Begnaud’s filed this report Thursday night:

 

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (KTLA) -- Fullerton Police Chief Michael Sellers, who has been on medical leave since August, has some questions to answer about one of the terms of his contract with the city.

Chief Sellers' contract -- signed on April 1, 2009 -- dictated that he had to "make a bona fide effort" to make Fullerton his primary residence by December 2010.

That deadline passed almost a year ago, but Sellers still lives some 40 miles away, in a gated community in San Clemente.

Property records indicate that he has lived there for the past 10 years.

"I think there were no efforts of any sort that he exhibited," Fullerton City Councilman Bruce Whitaker told KTLA.

Whitaker is one of two councilmembers who have, in the past, called for Sellers to resign.

"I think we should press the matter," Whitaker said.

"On behalf of taxpayers, they understand right now that we're paying large amounts of money for a chief not to be on the job."

Sellers was hired at a salary of $192,000 per year -- about $16,000 every month.

"If he hasn't lived up to the terms of this agreement, I'd be in favor of pushing our side of the equation," Whitaker said.

But legal expert Ken Rosenfeld says the phrase "make a bona fide effort" is so vauge that it would almost be impossible to prove that Sellers did not make an effort.

Councilman Whitaker says he will try anyways.

"I've talked to the city manager about it, but we haven't pressed for an internal opinion about it," Whitaker said. "I imagine that will follow shortly."

Sellers' medical leave began in August amid growing scrutiny of his department's handling of a violent altercation between six police officers and 37-year-old homeless man Kelly Thomas.

He recently asked a second extension to his medical leave, which would last at least another 60 days.

City Manager Jose Felz says Sellers is legally allowed to take up to 12 months medical leave as a law enforcement officer.

The city has hired a doctor to review Sellers' medical records, however, then make a recommendation to the city.

Capt. Kevin Hamilton has taken over as acting chief in his absence.

Editorial - Toxic Waste Dump In Fullerton

By Joe Sipowicz for FullertonsFuture.org 10/1/2011

In yesterday’s OC Register, Councilman Pat McKinley, the chief architect of the Fullerton Police Department ‘s profound culture of corruption, responded to the news that KFI’s John and Ken are coming to Fullerton to promote his recall.

“They are toxic people who create problems for a lot of folks. I wish they would stay away.”
More PR gold from the man who ran the FPD into a moral cesspool during his 16-year stint as Chief of Police.

Oddly, McKinley has offered no public opinion as to the comparative toxicity of:
1) police officer sentenced to jail for fraud to support his pill habit.
2) police officer arrested in Miami airport for iPad theft.
3) police officer who smashed recording device on jail wall to avoid complicity in jail suicide.
4) police officers beating up and falsely arresting Veth Mam.
5) police officers lying on the witness stand about Veth Mam.
6) police officer beating up and falsely arresting Edward Quinonez.
7) police officer sexually assaulting a dozen women in the backseat of his patrol car, with recording device turned off.
8 ) police officers issuing traffic citations to harass protesters.
9) police officers ambushing and murdering a helpless homeless man.
10) police officers turning off recording devices during murder.
11) police officers colluding to falsify reports about said murder.
12) superior officers coaching said falsification.
13) return to street of said miscreants.
14) police officer spokeshole deliberately issuing lies to the media to misdirect, temporize, stall and otherwise obscure said murder and cover up.
15) councilmembers insulting protesters as “lynch-type mob.”
16) councilmembers discounting injuries of murder victim.
17) etc., etc. etc.

Good God! What a litany of toxic behavior, and the really scary part is that this is only the stuff we know about. And the chowderhead McKinley has the nerve to call anybody else on the planet “toxic?” The level of denial of responsibility is remarkable. Of course being given a $215,000 a year pension may create an unavoidable attitude of arrogance and self-entitlement.

However, Mr. McPension has a generous streak, to be sure:
“Councilman Pat McKinley said he supports the radio hosts right to stage a rally, but the former Fullerton police chief certainly disagrees with the pair’s opinions…”

Well, thanks awfully, Pat. You support the First Amendment. Well, you support it when people are watching, obviously. No elaboration about what he specifically disagrees with John and Ken about.

Bankhead Speaks Up, Sort of

The "No Recall" camp released this half-hearted statement from our Mayor Pro Tem, Don Bankhead the other day.

“At the outset, I offer my apology to the Thomas family. Your son spent many safe nights on the streets of our city – on July 5th two rogue police officers failed Kelly and the God fearing residents of Fullerton. Today is one of the darkest days in Fullerton’s history. I spent 31 years on the Fullerton police department, retiring in 1988. It’s an organization that I cherish – however today I believe two officers have disgraced the department and our city. I reviewed cases where lawful force was used during my extensive career and understand their complexity. The D.A. has initiated the legal process by charging Officers Ramos and Corporal Cicinelli, a judicial process that makes America the best in the world. May Kelly Thomas rest in peace and may God bless his family.”

Bankhead was one of the council members who hired former Fullerton police chief Pat McKinley.  McKinley readily admits, almost as a badge of honor, that he was responsible for hiring the officers charged in the murder of Kelly Thomas. This trail of bad decision-making is long.  

Bankhead's statement that "Your son spent many safe nights on the streets of our city" is shockingly insensitive.  Bankhead assumes that one unsafe night is not so bad when compared to many safe nights!  He assumes that Kelly actually had many safe nights, a fact which remains to be proven.

Bankhead also uses the term "rogue officers".  I take exception to that term because it implies that these two officers are the only bad apples in a tree of perfect fruit when in fact here have been many cases of significant police misconduct within the ranks of the Fullerton PD in just the last 3 years.  I don't think these officers are alone in their attitude toward their job or the way they fulfill their mission.  I believe the Fullerton Police Department employs several officers with the same sort of callous disregard for humanity and lack of respect for life and liberty.

That said, not all of Fullerton's police officers are bad.  Just how bad the problem is remains to be seen.  I've heard some say that 99% of Fullerton cops are great.  Just based on the number of pending criminal and civil cases against Fullerton cops for on- and off-duty behaviour, that percentage looks a lot more like 85% might be great.  Regardless of the numbers, we can hope that Michael Genaco's investigation will help make Fullerton a better place for us to live and work.

Genaco's investigation has the potential to close down the FPD or clean it up.  In the end, the public trust in law enforcement must be restored.   

Fullerton - Emergency Closed-Door Council Meeting

Eureka PD to Pay Out $4.5-Million for On-Duty Murder

Martin Cotton Family Awarded Over $4.5 Million in Trial Against Eureka Police, Interview: Video

Martin Cotton Family Awarded Over $4.5 Million in Trial Against Eureka Police, Interview: Video

by dave idFriday Sep 23rd, 2011 7:22 PM

On August 9th, 2007, Eureka police officers Justin Winkle, Gary Whitmer, Adam Laird, and five others were involved in beating an unarmed Martin Cotton II to death. Eureka police pummeled Martin Cotton's body and head in broad daylight, using pepper spray repeatedly. Martin Cotton was then sent to jail without being offered medical treatment. He died in jail within about an hour. A federal civil rights trial in Oakland was filed to seek justice for Martin on behalf of his young daughter. The case, Siehna Cotton et al v. City of Eureka, included the testimony of police readily admitting they beat Martin Cotton all over his body and did not seek medical assistance for him afterward. The police however denied that they hit Martin Cotton in the head, most likely because blows to the head were determined to be the cause of death. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT COTTON 

###

Commentary:

On-duty officers beating a man to death.  A year ago I would have had some doubts about these types of allegations.  Now, after hearing Orange County DA Tony Rackauckas describe what he saw and heard on the Fullerton Police Department's own audio and video recordings and the way in which Kelly Thomas was beaten, I have a new perspective.  I'm not lumping all officers in with either Eureka's or Fullerton's accused murderers but it certainly gives me a reason to question the credibility of officers when arrestees and the public at large claim officer misconduct.

The loss of trust is difficult to overcome.  With the evidence in the Thomas case likely being publicized in the coming months, the gap of distrust will continue to grow.  Fullerton PD needs to root out their problematic employees and begin community outreach efforts which have been missing for years.  That's what we call "getting ahead of the problem."  It is also what has been missing from our police chief and city council for years.

The work needed to bridge the gap of community division and anger is monumental and over due.

Orange County DA: FPD Officer Ramos Murdered Kelly Thomas

Fullerton Police Officer Manny Ramos and Corporal Jay Cicinelli murdered Kelly Thomas after Ramos said, "Now see my fists?  They're getting ready to fuck you up!"

What the DA describes is extremely disturbing and sickening.  It is shocking beyond words. 

To say that I am disappointed that the Fullerton Police Department did not take action against Ramos and Cicinelli earlier is a gross understatement.

What happened is unconscionable. 

The Fullerton Police Department is done.

Ramos & Cicinelli

City Council Meeting Tonight

There is a City Council meeting tonight at 6:30 in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth Ave.

So many of you have been coming out and expressing your thoughts and concerns about Fullerton and the pressure is mounting.  Keep the pressure on them and don't let up. 

We are all concerned about the elephant in the room, the death of Kelly Thomas at the hands of Fullerton police officers. 

We must also not loose site that city officials, beginning with the City Council, have continued to waste tax dollars and resources to pay for certain elite benefits and infrastructure boondoggles.  That money - OUR MONEY - can and should be used to benefit everyone, not just well-connected developers and powerful public employee unions.  

Fullerton's own Police Officers Association has demonstrated quite well their condescending and elitist attitude and abusive use of authority towards anyone who questions their actions or, god forbid, wants officers held accountable ever since Kelly was beaten into a coma on July 5th.  This is the same union that protects bad cops, uniformed thieves and badge-wearing sexual predators from justice.  Its the same union whose members give out tickets to protest supporters who honk their horn.  What has the Fullerton Police Officers Association done for the People of Fullerton?  Lies, cover-ups, and corruption. 

And in case you think I'm anti-cop, I'm not.  I'm anti-bad cop and pro-good cop.  There is a difference. 

CA Legislators Seek to End Warrantless Cell Phone Searches

As you may recall, I wrote about warrantless cell phone searched HERE after reading about the People v. Diaz, which held that information in cell phones may be searched without a warrant or other judicial supervision.

As I said before, the Administration of Justice major in me thinks the practice is a quick way to get information to use against the suspect.  As an investigatory practice, it sounds expedient but the Constitutionalist in me says STOP!  What's the rush?  Go get a warrant. 

There is a push from the California Senate and supported by the Assembly to protect against warrantless electronic searches.  Senate Bill 914, sponsored by Mark Leno (D) authored the proposed law.  I think this marks the first time I have agreed with any bill proposed by Leno, someone I consider a far-left liberal.   

Giving me some "conservative comfort", the bill will not hamper officers under exigent circumstances such as when safety is threatened or destruction of data is imminent.

The California Supreme Court ruled on January 3, 2011 that police may search the files and data stored on the cell phones of suspects who are arrested without having to obtain a warrant.  The Court likened cell phones to an article of clothing. 

The OC Register Editorial Board said on January 12, 2011:

It is archaic and short-sighted to liken cell phones to an article of clothing or a wallet; they are more akin to minicomputers, often containing extensive, intimate personal and professional data. Applications on phones store financial information, bank records and passwords, not to mention personal e-mails, photos and text messages. Giving police offers undue power to seize and peruse cell phones without a warrant is a threat to fundamental rights.

As shocked as I am that I agree with Leno's bill, I am glad to see it moving forward.  There was some language in the original bill which created a basis for the State to reimburse local agencies for State-mandated costs.  That was removed and the current version is clean and clear. 



"Warrant?  Is this guy for real?  I don't need a

warrant to search his camera.  Oops!  I accidentally

destroyed the FILM in the camera.  Sorry."



The law will protect against warrantless searches of ALL portable electronic devices that are capable of creating, receiving, accessing, or storing electronic data or communications.  That means, at least to me, that officers will need warrants to search iPads, iPods, all smart phones and cell phones, and gadgets not yet invented.

You can read the current version of the law which needs Senate approval due to the deletion of the reimbursement clause by clicking HERE.

And in case you were wondering, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas OPPOSES WARRANTED SEARCHES! 

A Message from Ron Thomas

After a meeting with the City Manager and many others tonight, the event for Sept. 10th has been canceled. We will still have a protest, but there was not enough time to coordinate everything that had to be done for the bands, food, venders, and so on.

 

However; after the protest on the 17th of Sept, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at the Fullerton Museum stage area (Pomona and Wilshire) where the Farmers Market is held, it is now set in stone with everyone to have a huge fund raiser. There are many bands (confirmed), raffles, lots of KTMF items for sale, lots of food, venders, and fun for all. Please attend and bring your friends and family members. You will start to see a lot of advertisement for this, as the bands are very well known.

 

Because this is a fund raiser, please bring canned goods, clothing, or you can donate cash/checks...........

All of the proceeds will go directly to feed and clothe the homeless.

 

Thank you for everything that you do.

Ron Thomas

Do government agencies share information?

Not very well according to a new book out by the National Defense Intelligence College and made available through the National Technical Information Service.  The only thing more obscure than these two federal agencies which few outside the walls of federal institutions have ever heard of, might be this book.

Some in-the-know government agents have put their minds together to look at the way intelligences agencies interact.  Since 9/11 the intel community has struggled to work with one another and divulge information to law enforcement. 

The book is a collage of essays and analysis of various operations around the world.

So, why bring up this book here and now?  For starters, the text on the cover, "CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?"  Those words were spoken by Rodney King after surviving a beating by LAPD officers and the riots that ensued after the officers were acquitted.  King walked away with $3.8-million.

Now, in the aftermath of Kelly Thomas's death at the hands of several Fullerton Police officers, I'm wondering how well the Fullerton Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the City's hired consultant will share their intel with one another. 

Maybe if the parties involve would just talk to one another, it would be a good start.  However, we are not hearing much of anything from anyone.  Are the Fullerton Officers at the scene on July 5th cooperating with ALL of the investigations?  Are the agencies sharing information with each other?  Are other "incidents" involving the FPD being investigated by the OCDA or FBI? 

Lastly, something the book doesn't address is sharing information with the public. 

Go ahead and keep us in the dark; we'll see how long that lasts!

What is the Fullerton Police Department trying to hide?

A couple of years a go I subscribed to the Orange PD's iWatch system because I teach at Santiago Canyon College and feel a duty to be informed and advise my students. 

When Fullerton PD unveiled their system a few months back at a council meeting I wanted to sign up immediately.

Since signing up, I have received a few dozen email alerts of crimes around Fullerton.  On the surface, they are supposed to keep residence aware of the issues in their neighborhoods.  Subscribers can click areas on a map and receive alerts attributed to that particular area. 

A few weeks ago I noticed something odd about the alerts.  All of them were crimes involving cars getting broken into.  In some instances the crimes were automotive vandalism. 

Missing from every single alert were crimes against people, or "crimes persons" as they are known to law enforcement. I went back and reviewed the emails just to make sure.  No, not one alert that involved a robbery, rape, assault, or any other crime against a person.  Why?

Seeking answers, I contacted the Fullerton Police Department's Public Information Officer, Sergeant Andrew Goodrich.  Goodrich said that crimes persons should be included in the alerts and suggested that there were no such crimes in the particular district I had subscribed to.  A quick check of my iWatch settings indicated that I had subscribed to all 39 areas!

Concerned that there was some filtering of data that eliminated reports of rapes and assaults, I asked Goodrich how specific crimes are chosen to be posted.  Here is his response:

"Our RSVPs (retired volunteers) search through a report that is generated specifically for iWatch, and then decide from that report which crimes to report on.  The criteria and direction I give them is to include crimes that they would want to know about if they lived in those neighborhoods.  Robberies and assaults are on this report that is generated.  I will look into why there haven’t been any reported lately, but that’s how we do what we do.

Andrew Goodrich

Sergeant – Community Services / Public Information Officer

Fullerton Police Department

agoodrich@fullertonpd.org

(714) 738-6838

(714) 525-3559 Fax"

There you have it; iWatch does not alert citizens to those crimes which involve people getting hurt. I suppose if people think that the only crimes being committed in Fullerton are car burglaries on the other end of town, they may feel their police department is doing just fine.

If you ever want to see just how lopsided the public reporting is, compare Fire Department service calls to Fullerton Police Department service calls.  The Fire Department openly reports their Downtown workload for paramedics while NOTHING is reported in the crime blotter.  (hat off to Fire Chief Knabe)

It's sad that we cannot trust our own Police Department to keep us informed. 

Fullerton City Council Meeting August 2, 2011