Monday, September 23, 2013

Rochester, NY Police Officer Races at High Speeds Near Elementary School, Drives the Wrong Way on a One-Way Street, and Crashes into Car, Injuring Passengers

By Davy V.
Kia Forte after being hit by Rochester, NY Police cruiser W-71,
who was traveling at high rate of speed going the wrong way
on a one way street.
Photo by Davy V.


Is it just me?

Or, doesn't it seem like on the average, every 1-2 months, a Rochester, NY Police officer is involved in some sort of motor vehicle accident, in which the cruiser is either severely damaged, or a total loss, costing Rochester, NY taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.

RPD cruiser W-71,
was traveling at high rate of speed going the wrong way
on a one way street, when it crashed into vehicle
carrying three passengers.
Photo by Davy V.
On Sunday June 30, 2013 a Rochester, NY Police officer crashed into a parked vehicle on Westfield St., in Rochester’s 19th ward neighborhood, around 5:00 a.m.

Neighbors say the were awakened by a “huge bang.”

One woman, who took the photos on the right, said she came outside and saw what she described as a tall Rochester Police officer, bleeding from the back of his head.

According to neighbors, it appears as if the RPD officer fell asleep at the wheel.

On Monday September 23, 2013, a Rochester Police officer crashed into a vehicle carrying three passengers, injuring all three.

Kia Forte after being hit by RPD cruiser W-71
Photo by Davy V.
Neighbors who stood on the corner of Grape and Campbell Streets on Rochester's west side all said the sane thing,

"That police car must have been doing 70 miles an hour going the wrong way up Campbell', said a man who because of fear of retaliation from Rochester Police, wanted to remain anonymous.

"They don't care. They will cover it all up and somehow blame the driver who was doing nothing wrong," said a woman who also wanted to remain anonymous.

The police car, racing at high speeds gong the wrong way up Campbell Street, which is a One-Way street, struck a white four door Kia Forte sedan, at the intersection of Campbell and Grape Street.

The sedan was traveling southbound on Grape St.

The RPD cruiser, which also had an officer in the passenger seat, was traveling east on Campbell Street.

The crash which occurred around 3:30 pm, sent the sedan spinning until it wound up halfway on a sidewalk, about 30 feet from the intersection.

The RPD cruiser wound up about 45 feet from the intersection.

Not only is it disturbing that the accident happened in a residential neighborhood, but also disturbing is the fact that it occurred as Enrico Fermi School #17, which is located just three blocks down Campbell street, was getting ready to dismiss elementary school children for the day.






Click Play to watch video





Click Play to watch video





If you support my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream, corporate-America run news media chooses to ignore,  please make a donation by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog.

All donations are secure and are through PayPal.

If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."



Thank you.



Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Brenda Hardaway Taken Into Custody in Front of her Crying Mother, After Judge Raises her Bail to $25,000; Rochester, NY's African-American Community Remains Silent

By Davy V.
New York State Supreme Court Justice
Francis Affronti

When Greece, NY Police Sgt. Nick Joseph was arraigned in front of New York Supreme Court Justice Francis A. Affronti, in 2008, after he snorted cocaine, and pounded down drink after drink at Spender's bar, then got behind the wheel of his Rochester Police Sgt. brother David Joseph's car, raced down Interstate 390, crashed into a pregnant woman's stalled car at almost 80 miles per hour, rupturing her placenta, then fled the scene, Justice Affronti released him without bail.

On Tuesday September 17, 2013 Brenda Hardaway, a pregnant African-American woman who was driven into a wooden porch deck post, punched in the head, then thrown to the ground by Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull, all caught on a video which has gone viral, showed up to her court appearance to answer numerous charges which the RPD charged her with, including, ironically, assaulting a police officer.

Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull.
getting ready to punch Brenda Hardaway in her head.
Minutes later, as her mother watched, a court deputy walked up behind her, handcuffed her, and took her away, after Justice Affronti increased her $7,500 bail to $25,000.

Hardaway had already previously posted the original $7,500 bail.

According to Affronti, he believes that there is a viable concern that Brenda Hardaway could have future contact with law enforcement.

Justice Affronti, you're probably right sir, Brenda Hardaway probably would have future contact with the RPD.

Greece, NY Police Sgt.
Nick Joseph after crashing into
pregnant woman's stalled vehicle
while high on cocaine and booze.
Those thugs in uniform will stop at nothing now, to retaliate against her, especially after a viral video of one of their brotherhood cops is being viewed around the world.

And Justice Affronti, about Greece, NY Police Sgt. Nick Joseph, a dirty cop who was convicted, and who you DID NOT sentence him to the maximum, which you could have, a cop whose illegal, and reckless actions and behavior almost killed an innocent little girl who had to be delivered through emergency C-Section, 14 weeks prematurely, how is it that you released him without having to post any bail, but you increase a pregnant black woman's bail to $25,000, who was beaten by an RPD cop?

And despite Brenda Hardaway's beating by a white cop, and what is turning out to be as one African-American man put it, "a modern day lynching", Rochester's African-American community, including its "so-called" black leaders, such as City Councilman Adam McFadden, and Lovely Warren, who just won Rochester's Mayoral primary, continue to be silent.

I wonder what civil rights activist Frederick Douglass, who is buried in Rochester's Mt. Hope Cemetery, less than 4 miles from where Brenda Hardaway was beaten by a white cop, would say.



Click Play to watch video of RPD officer Lucas Krull beating Brenda Hardaway


 



If you believe in my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream, corporate-America run news media chooses to ignore,  please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and making a donation.

All donations are secure and are through PayPal.

If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."



Thank you.


Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Rochester, NY Police officer Alexander C. Baldauf Caught on Home Surveillance Video Beating Man

Home surveillance video captured Dwayne Ivery's beating
by Rochester, NY Police officer Alexander C. Baldauf.


By Davy V.

A home surveillance video shows Rochester, NY Police officer Alexander C. Baldauf beating a man, outside his home, as another RPD officer looks on.

Although a bit dark, the black and white surveillance footage shows Dwayne Ivery, at one point trying to cover his head with his hands as RPD officer Baldauf beats the man.

If you look closely, you can see RPD officer Baldauf's own flashlight, illuminating him punching the man repeatedly.

Independent journalist Ted Forsyth, broke the story on Rochester Indymedia.

Click the link below to read Forsythe's full story of the disturbing incident, which includes the video of the surveillance video footage of the beating.

http://rochester.indymedia.org/node/99931


Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Monday, September 16, 2013

Rochester, NY Police officer Caught on Video Refusing to Intervene in Youth Football Game Fight

Rochester, NY Police officer
tells parent that he will not get involved
in stopping a fight at youth football game.


By Davy V.

Imagine this.

You take your 7-year old child to their football game, and as you're waiting for his game to start, a fight breaks out, between the two teams playing.

Then you realize that some of the teenagers on both teams are pepper-spraying each other.

You then notice one child is crying, after having been pepper-sprayed in his face.

In the meantime, while all this is happening, you see something you can't believe, or understand.

A police officer is standing there, watching everything, and refusing to intervene.

Rochester, NY Police officer
watches, as youths fight
at youth football game.
That's exactly what a Rochester, NY mother saw Sunday afternoon, at a game held at Franklin High School, on Rochester's northeast side, between the Southwest Colts, and the Baden Street Bulldogs.

"The fight involved mostly the players from both teams, but everyone got off the bleachers and joined in", said the woman who asked to remain anonymous.

"Then I saw this boy who had climbed on top of a tractor after having been sprayed in the face and he was crying," said the woman.

"No one was helping him, everyone was just running right past him and he was crying and screaming 'I can't see, I can't see!', I bought him two bottles of water and grabbed some napkins and helped him flush his eyes out."

"He kept saying 'Please don't leave me, please don't leave me."

The woman said even more disturbing than the fight was the fact that a Rochester Police officer was watching the whole incident, but refused to get involved.

"He was just standing there, basically saying it wasn't his problem," said the woman.

"I mean there were young children there, the tiny mites were waiting on the sideline, and people were running, it was crazy, and he just stood there," said the woman.

The video below, which another woman recorded, after the Rochester, NY Police officer told a woman that the fight was "Not his problem", shows the RPD officer leaning on a fence talking to two different men, telling them why he won't get involved.

If you listen closely, the RPD officer seems to downplay the fight, and justify his not getting involved by telling the first man "No weapons, only fists right now."

Although the audio is not the best, the officer is then heard telling the second man, "Whole lotta adults, coaches, administrators, and parents handle the situation... before cops go in..."

I guess this Rochester, NY Police officer gives a whole new meaning to the played out phrase "To Protect and Serve", huh?

Nice job Chief Sheppard!

Not only are you teaching your officers to beat one-legged amputees, and punch pregnant women in the head, but now your officers are refusing to protect young children and families?



Click Play below to watch video





If you would like to support my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream, corporate-America run news media chooses to ignore,  please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and making a donation.

All donations are secure and are through PayPal.

If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."



Thank you.


Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Disabled Woman Claims Rochester, NY Police officer Brian Phillips Threatened her Life; "I can kill you and get away with it."

By Davy V.

In 2007 Rochester, NY Police officer Brian Phillips helped found The Badge of Honor Association, or B.O.H.A., a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Western New York.

Six years later, a disabled Rochester woman says RPD officer Phillips threatened to kill her.

The woman's son, who works for a security company which is owned by a Rochester, NY Police officer, contacted me asking for my help.

Laurie Ramos, 48, says Rochester, NY Police officer Brian Phillips showed up to her home at 89 Grape St., on Rochester's west side, with a woman who was babysitting Ramos' grandchildren.

That woman called police after Ramos told her she would not be able to watch her grandchildren because of her disability.

Laurie Ramos suffers from fibromyalgia, as well as a herniated disc, and back problems.

She can't stand or sit for prolonged periods of time, and takes medication which often causes her to go to sleep.

Ramos says her doctor gave her strict orders not to watch young children, in order not to exacerbate her condition.

According to Ramos, she tried explaining to Rochester, NY Police officer Brian Phillips, that as a result of her condition, she would not be able to watch her grandchildren.

That's when Ramos says that officer Phillips lost it.

"He was yelling at me that I had to watch the kids," says Ramos.

"The officer kept yelling at me saying that I had no choice, that I had to watch them."

Ramos said officer Phillips then told her "I have no time to deal with people like you."

"I kept trying to tell him that I am not supposed to be watching any children, but he didn't care," said Ramos, adding, "Then he gets right in my face and tells me right in front of the children, 'You're pissing me off, you piece of shit, I can kill you and get away with it, because I'm a cop and they'll just cover it up.'

"He then told me to get in the house, and then he closed my door," said Ramos.

Ramos says that's when she called 911.

"I told the dispatcher that an officer just threatened to kill me," said Ramos.

Ramos said she asked to see a supervisor.

According to Ramos, when she came back outside her home, she could see the officer was sitting in his car talking on the phone, across the street from her house.

"I could hear him and he was talking to someone," said Ramos.

Ramos said that the officer told whoever he was on the phone with, "Yeah I told her she pissed me off and I told her she's a piece of shit."

After waiting at least a half hour, Ramos says she called again asking for a supervisor, who did come after about about another half hour.

Ramos says the officer who came, was a Rochester Police Sgt., who told her the officer's last name was Phillips.

After asking the Sgt. why would he have an officer like that working for him, Ramos says the Sgt. told her, "I didn't hire him."

Ramos said the Sgt. told her to go to the RPD's Internal Affairs Monday morning, and file a complaint against officer Phillips.



Note: After calling Rochester Police, West Side Division Sgt. Stewart called me back a short time later.

Sgt. Stewart, who I want to point out, was very professional, gave me the officer's full name, and IBM #.

Brian Phillips, IBM #1207.

Sgt. Stewart also gave me the name of the RPD Sgt. who responded to Laurie Ramos' residence, Rochester Police Sgt. Colletti.




If you believe in my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream, corporate-America run news media chooses to ignore,  please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and making a donation.

All donations are secure and are through PayPal.

If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."



Thank you.


Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Monday, September 9, 2013

Rochester, NY Police officer Garcia Shows that Badges Do Grant Extra Rights

By Davy V.
Rochester, NY Police officer Garcia (right),
eats lunch with fellow officer.



At first look, the photo on the right seems quite innocent.

Two Rochester, NY Police officers sitting at a table, having lunch.

However it's not that photo that's worth a thousand words.

It's the photo below that one.

That Rochester Police cruiser "E-41", belongs to RPD officer Garcia, the male officer sitting at the table.

Rochester, NY Police officer Garcia was too lazy to find a parking spot at a Wegmans Food Market on East Avenue, in Rochester, NY, on Monday, like his fellow officer did, so he decided instead, to park where ever he wanted.

So officer Garcia parked his cruiser an area typically reserved for vehicle loading, and not intended for parking.
Rochester, NY Police officer Garcia's "E-41" Cruiser,
parked in an area not designated for parking.



Rochester Police officer Garcia then served himself Chinese food, sat down, and had lunch, not caring that while other tax paying citizens parked their vehicles in a legal parking space, he did not.

Because he didn't have to.









If you believe in my work, exposing police misconduct, corruption, double standards, and covering issues mainstream, corporate-America run news media chooses to ignore,  please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and making a donation.

All donations are secure and are through PayPal.

If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."



Thank you.


Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Rochester, NY Taxpayer Dollars at Work; RPD officers Travel Outside their Jurisdiction to Eat at Asian Restaurant

By Davy V.
Hibachi Sushi Buffet in Henrietta, NY.

A Rochester, NY taxpayer who follows my work, thought it was a bit strange that not one, not two, but three Rochester, NY Police cruisers were parked in South Towne Plaza, a shopping strip mall in Henrietta, NY, a suburb of Rochester.

As you can see in the photo on the right, taken by the concerned citizen, three Rochester
Police K-9 cruisers are seen parked in front of Hibachi Sushi Buffet.

And that's exactly where they were.

Eating inside.
Three Rochester, NY Police cruisers
parked in front of Hibachi Sushi Buffet restaurant.

Photo Credit: Tito


An employee at the Asian restaurant did confirm that at least three Rochester Police officers did eat at the establishment.

The employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said that when she came into work, shortly after 11:00 am, the RPD officers were already there, and that they left shortly after 1:00 pm.

While some will say what's the big deal, they were just eating lunch, I beg to differ.

This latest incident is one of many in which City of Rochester officials, including RPD officers have been spotted outside city limits, wasting taxpayer dollars, while engaged in activities clearly not work related.

And when you consider that it's the taxpayers who are footing the bill, including gas for three RPD cruisers, it's actually disgusting.

So there you have it Rochester, NY, your taxpayer dollars at work.

Note:

It is not clear if there were any K-9 dogs inside cruisers.

After leaving several messages for an RPD supervisor to contact me regarding this incident, my calls were never returned.



If you believe in my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream, corporate-America run news media chooses to ignore,  please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and making a donation.

All donations are secure and are through PayPal.

If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."



Thank you.

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Like It Never Even Happened

By Davy V.

Many of us have seen that Serv-Pro restoration company television commercial, where the company's slogan is "Like it never even happened."

Well, on Sunday afternoon, some folks in Rochester, NY acted like it never even happened.

Like what never happened?

Like the Rochester, NY Police department isn't continuing its decades-long history of abusing, innocent African-Americans and Latinos.

Benny Warr
Like on May 2, 2013, Benny Warr, an African-American one-legged amputee wasn't assaulted by white Rochester, NY cops as he sat in his motorized scooter, waiting for the city bus.

Identified only by their street names, the RPD officers known as "Rock", and "Joey", grabbed the 52-year old disabled man, slammed him the sidewalk, pepper-sprayed him, then in order to justify their Gestapo-like actions, charged Warr with resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Like what never happened?

Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull.
gets ready to punch Brenda Hardaway in the head.
Like on Tuesday August 27. 2013, 2013, Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull, who is white, didn't assault 21-year old African-American pregnant woman named Brenda Hardaway at her home.

In a video which has gone viral on the Internet, RPD officer Krull is seen driving Hardaway into a wooden porch deck post, before punching her in the head, and then throwing her to the ground.

Then again, just like in Benny Warr's incident, in an attempt to justify beating a pregnant woman, Rochester Police turned around and charged Hardaway with several misdemeanors and velonies including assaulting a police officer.

Assaulting a police officer!

A pregnant woman who was punched in the head by an RPD cop!

Oh by the way, Brenda Hardaway was just indicted on the charges by a brand jury.

And Rochester Police officer Lucas Krull is still patrolling the streets.

Now, about those folks on Sunday afternoon.

Rochester, NY's Baber AME Church hosted the annual Friends and Family Day, inviting who else but the Rochester Police department for some barbecuing fun!

Pastor James Simmons said that they want to strengthen the community by building relationships between city residents and Rochester Police.

“We want to build that opportunity between community and the police department. Often times there is a strain between the two. We want to build community policing. We want to build opportunities where people get to know officers,” said Simmons.

"A strain between the two"?

Pastor Simmons, are you referring to a white cop punching a pregnant black woman in the head, then throwing her to the ground?

Do you mean that "strain" Pastor?

Also at the cookout were the NAACP.

The NAACP?

As in the National Coalition for the Advancement of Colored People?

As in the same NAACP who continues to be silent regarding the Rochester, NY Police department's contouring abuse of African-Americans?

The same NAACP that sat at a table of Rochester-area clergy members

Yes.

That same NAACP.

They all cracked jokes with members of the Rochester, NY Police department, as they flipped burners and hots on the grill,

And acted like it never even happened.


Click Play to watch video of RPD cops beating African-American one-legged amputee.


 


Click Play to watch video of RPD cop Lucas Krull beating African-American pregnant woman.





If you believe in my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream, corporate-America run news media chooses to ignore,  please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and making a donation.

All donations are secure and are through PayPal.

If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."



Thank you.


Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Did Rochester, NY Police Help Double Shooting Murder Suspect Get Away?

By Davy V.
Rochester, NY Police Chief
James Sheppard

Neighbors on Rochester, NY's Pullman Avenue say that Rochester, NY Police officers took too long in responding to a double shooting that left a 32-year old man, in critical condition, and a 27-year old woman, Walesy Alvarez, dead.

"I called 911 and asked what the hell is taking so long, they said we've got police coming". said Keith Perez, a neighbor.

"It must have been at least ten minutes before the first policemen came"

"I'm upset that the response just doesn't seem to be there", said Perez,
referring to the Rochester, NY Police department.

One woman described her attempts at calling 911, "You couldn't get through, you couldn't even get through, the phone was just ringing."

"That's the problem, we could not get through!" said the woman.

Rochester, NY Mayor Thomas Richards
Asked what he had to say about his officers' response time, a Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard said in a sarcastic tone, "We would have loved to have been here sooner."

In the meantime, Marcus Freeman, who is considered to be armed and dangerous, is somewhere out there.








Marcus Freeman,
wanted in double shooting which left
one person dead.


Click Play below to watch Rochester, NY Mayor Thomas Richards, guarded by Rochester Police officers, do the "no comment" shuffle, when I ask him what he thinks about what neighbors are saying regarding the RPD's response time.


 




Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara


Rochester, NY Cop Shoots and Kills Dog, after it Bites Woman

By Davy V.

WARNING: Disturbing graphic photos.

The trigger-happy Rochester, NY Police department has shot and killed another dog.

This latest shooting marks the second time in less than two months that a Rochester Police officer has discharged their firearm near innocent bystanders, on a residential street.

According to Rochester Police, a woman was bitten by a dog, on DeJonge Street, on Rochester's northeast side.

Rochester, NY Police officer
Chris Burgstrom
The woman is said to have suffered a 5-inch laceration to her torso.

Rochester Police say that when an ambulance arrived, they could not reach the woman because the dog was still lose and behaving in a threatening manner.

They refused to elaborate any further.

RPD says that's when they were called.

A Rochester Police officer who arrived on the scene, immediately shot and killed the dog.

"Cinnamon"
On July 11, 2013, Rochester, NY Police officer Chris Burgstrom shot and killed "Cinnamon", a 9-year old Belgian Shepherd, twice in the head, right in front of its owner, Floyd James Jr., a U.S. Army veteran, after Burgstrom said the dog looked "aggressive".

That incident was the second time in just the past 6 months, that Rochester Police officer Chris Burgstrom has shot and killed family pet.

On January 8, 2013, Burgstrom shot and killed "Codi", a lost family dog, as his owner was looking for him.

RPD officer Burgstrom, responding to a call for a loose dog near Rochester's Charlotte Park, spotted Codi, struck the scared dog with his cruiser, then chased him down to a pier, where he removed his department-issued Remington 870 shotgun from his cruiser, and shot Codi in the back of the head, executing the innocent family pet.
Photo showing entrance wound in back of Codi's head,
and exit wound at the front.
















Contact Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard at (585) 428-7033

Contact Rochester, NY Mayor Thomas Richards at (585) 428-7045


Click link below to read my piece on Rochester, NY Police officer Chris Burgstrom

http://davyv.blogspot.com/2013/08/rochester-ny-police-officer-chris.html



Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Rochester, NY Woman who was Beaten by Cop is Indicted by Grand Jury; African-American Community Continues to be Silent

By Davy V.
Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull,
before punching pregnant woman in head.

They lined up in their Sunday's best.

Only it was a Friday.

Over a dozen African-American Rochester, NY clergy members spoke in front of news cameras and denounced the beating of a pregnant African-American woman, by RPD officer Lucas Krull, which was caught on video.

The video, which has gone viral, shows 21-year old Brenda Hardaway, yelling that she's pregnant, seconds before Krull being drives her into a wooden porch railing post, punches her in the head, then throws her to the ground.

Hardaway was then charged with assault, attempted obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device, obstructing governmental administration, unlawfully possessing or selling noxious material, menacing and resisting arrest, and held in jail in lieu of $7,500.

"Release her or they're going to see something they've never seen before", said the clergymen who held an 11:00 am press conference at Faith Temple Apostolic Church Friday, led by Bishop Jerry McCullough.

“This has been happening in Rochester for quite a while and we’re appalled", McCullough said, before adding, “We’re here to do something about it, we got lawyers, we got money, we're hiring people to help us.”

Yep.

They talked the talk.

They just didn't walk the walk.

At least not yet.

We'll see.

Here's what I don't get.

Over 2,000 members of Rochester's African-American community, took to the streets and marched in downtown Rochester as part of the Trayvon Martin Million Hoodie March protests held in cities throughout the U.S.

But not one member of Rochester's African-American community has organized any rally, march, or protest, despite a white cop caught on video punching a black pregnant woman in her head!

In fact, with election time right around the corner, Rochester City Council President Lovely Warren, who is African-American, and who is running for Mayor, and who was present at that Trayvon Martin Million Hoodie march, has been extremely careful in commenting on the disturbing 5-minute video which shows RPD officer Krull beating Hardaway.

Responding to a call for Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard to resign, after he supported officer Krull's actions, this is what Lovely Warren had to say:

"I have worked alongside Chief Sheppard to institute the "Policing in the Spirit of Service" model, to recruit minority and women police officers, to attend community meetings and to do youth outreach. He has been responsive, and I appreciate his willingness to come from behind his desk in public safety building and be personally present in the community. We cannot allow one incident to undo the good work that he has done, yet Chief Sheppard must take the lead to help the community understand the actions taken by the officer in question, and to repair and rebuild the community's trust."

Safe.

Sterile.

And spoken like a true politician!

Oh yeah, those clergy members?

They promised a march on City Hall.

I don't see any of them there yet.

Even though Brenda Hardaway was just indicted, by a Monroe County Grand Jury.



Note:

Interestingly enough, just one week before the incident where RPD officer Krull was caught on video assaulting a pregnant woman, I attended a mini Mayoral debate forum where I asked Lovely Warren, if elected Mayor, what would she do about the out of control, rogue, Rochester Police officers.



Click Play below to hear Rochester, NY City Council President Lovely Warren's super safe, sterile response.




Click Play to watch video of Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull beating pregnant woman

 



Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Monday, September 2, 2013

Irondequoit, NY Police officer Caught on Video Threatening 15-Year Old Skateboarder: "My suggestion to you is don't get in my way, shut your mouth, and go that way... you're on my sidewalk!"

By Davy V.

Note: Even though this page exposes the Rochester, NY Police
department, from time to time, I will feature other neighboring
law enforcement agencies, such as the Irondequoit, NY Police
department.
Irondequoit, NY Police officer
threatening minor.

Like many teenagers, 15-year old Irondequoit, NY resident Drake, whose last name I have decided not to publish, since he is a minor, and has not been charged with any crime, loves skateboarding with his friends.

Unfortunately, Drake says, when it comes to skateboarding, Irondequoit, NY Police officers don't share his passion.

Take, for example an incident which occurred a couple of weeks ago while Drake was skateboarding with some friends near Norton Street, and Culver Rd.

Two Irondequoit, NY Police officers drove up to the teens, exited their cruisers, and approached the youths.

As the video below shows, Drake, shows he obviously knows a thing or two about video recording any and all interactions with law enforcement, as he wastes no time in recording the IPD officers.

The video shows the officers questioning one of Drake's friends, also a minor.

"They wanted my friend to get in the car with them", Drake tells me, after he contacted me to tell me he wanted me to have the video, because he's tired of Irondequoit Police harassing him and his friends when they're skateboarding.

In the video, Drake can be heard telling his friend "They're just going to fuck you over."

Then, one of the IPD officers can be seen walking right up to Drake.

"How about this? The next time you say the f word, and if you don't move right now, I'm going to lock you up..." says the officer.

Drake is then heard asking "For what?"

The officer, seen walking back up to the teen, replies "You can't swear in public, you just said the f word, my suggestion to you is don't get in my way, shut your mouth, and go that way..."

The officer then tells Drake, "You're on my sidewalk."

To which the teen, again showing he knows his rights, tells the officer, "This is not your sidewalk, it's public."

"Oh it's my sidewalk, trust me", the officer replies.

Then, in a classic example of the intimidation tactics, law enforcement officers use, the same officer threatens to charge another teen with disorderly conduct.

The teen also shows he knows his rights, and respectfully tells the officer that he has done nothing wrong.

The officer, realizing that he has been video recorded harassing minors, then seems to concede, and walks away with his fellow officer.

I asked Drake how does it make him feel that those who take an oath to serve and protect, instead harass innocent people.

"It makes me mad that I'm harassed in my own neighborhood for doing nothing wrong, and committing no crime", Drake said.

"It makes me feel like a target in my own community."


Click Play to watch video




Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Rochester, NY Clergy Asks Police Chief James Sheppard to Resign, and Demand the Immediate Release of Pregnant Woman, Beaten on Video by RPD Cop Lucas Krull

By Davy V.
Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull,
getting ready to punch pregnant woman in head.

Tensions in Rochester, NY's African-American community continue to rise, just days after a disturbing video was posted to YouTube, showing Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull, driving 21-year old Brenda Hardaway, who says she's 5 months pregnant, into a wooden porch railing, then punching her n the head with a closed fist, before throwing her to the ground.

"Release her or they're going to see something they've never seen before", said the clergymen who held an 11:00 am press conference at Faith Temple Apostolic Church Friday.

The statement was in reference to Brenda Hardaway, who was remanded to the Monroe County Jail in lieu of $7,500.

Hardaway is being held on several charges including resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Her 16-year old brother, Geomeno Hardaway was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, and was released.

Meeting with other church leaders, Bishop Jerry McCullough said, “This has been happening in Rochester for quite a while and we’re appalled"

McCullough added, “We’re here to do something about it, we got lawyers, we got money, we're hiring people to help us.”

According to Rochester, NY police, Brenda Hardaway interfered with the arrest of her 16-year-old brother.

Not surprisingly, Mike Mazzeo, President of Rochester's Locust Club. the RPD's Union, just as Rochester Police Chief did hours earlier, defended the beating.

“All she had to do was put her hands behind her back and be handcuffed,” Mazzeo said, adding "The protocol is to use the amount of force necessary to make the arrest."

Mazzeo called RPD officer Lucas Krull's punch to Hardaway's head, "light force."
From left to right; Minister Florence, Al Sharpton.
and my Dad Mario Vara, before we marched
in downtown Rochester, NY 1991

As an activist against police misconduct, and corruption, I have been marching these same Rochester, NY streets since the mid 1980's, when I used to accompany my Dad, Mario Vara, a community activist against police abuse, and Al Sharpton, who was good friends with my Dad, along with the late Reverend Raymond Graves, a legendary Rochester civil rights leader, I personally saw all these great men, not only talk the talk, but walk the walk as well!

So, at the press conference I told the members of the clergy, that I've seen alot of press conferences, and news camera photo-ops.

But, I asked them, what would they do different this time?


Check out the video below of the press conference


 




Check out the video below of Rochester, NY Police officer Lucas Krull  beating pregnant woman






Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara