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Should the city create a citizen review board for the police department?
Asked at Massachusetts Street on August 25, 2005
“That’s probably a pretty good idea. I don’t think it hurts to have a third party review, but I wouldn’t have any complaints against the Lawrence Police. I think they do a pretty good job.”
“Why not? It would give the public a voice about matters they think should be focused on.”
“Yes. That sounds great. Let the people get involved.”
“It sounds like a good idea because it will be less intimidating to people. It’s hard to complain about the police to the police. It’s nice to have an intermediary.”
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Comments
Richard Heckler 11 years, 11 months ago
Absolutely yes
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
I wish I got a lunch break...
sharron5rs 11 years, 11 months ago
When was Big Brother supposed to take place? Seems like THIS city council, is trying to mmake 2005. The police are responsible for there own. They seem to be handeling it pretty good so far. Dosent or mayor have enough things on his plate already? How many things were put off until it is "looked into" further,in the past year( except roundabouts)Leave the police alone.
Spoken1 11 years, 11 months ago
How in the world is the people having a voice being Big Brother? I am sorry sharron5rs, but that is rediculous. The police having no community oversight IS big brother. You honestly don't think that the community should have any say in how they are policed? WE PAY THE TAXES TO PAY THEIR SALARIES, SO WE SHOULD HAVE A SAY IN HOW THEY OPERATE. Unreal, unbelievable, uninformed.
Grammaton 11 years, 11 months ago
I think it's a great idea. The police as a majority do a heck of a job, one that I wouldn't want to wake up to every day. Although, there are some officers in this town who do not deserve badges. This idea would serve as a suitable means of protection from these officers' malpractice, other than aid that the ACLU and others provide.
Grammaton 11 years, 11 months ago
I thought I had less time to post than I do. So, to elaborate:
I don't think the city will go for this, as there's already adequate means of bringing issues about the police to the police. One simply has to go through the right channels. I'm not, say, going to complain about an officer to another officer.
I could go both ways on this.
papa_smurf 11 years, 11 months ago
Absolutely, simply because of officers like admitted and convicted officer Pfortmiller from Topeka that will be sentenced Sept. 16th. Check out what this servant of the public was charged with and what he was allowed to plead down to. He must have had O.J. Simpsons dream team, its appauling and even the Chief of police can't believe it. Several articles on this story are at archives in the Topeka paper and are really worth the read. The average citizen in his position would have done 20 years.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
I have one thing to say...WHat the hell took so long. Police are one of the only public officials/servants that basically answer to nobody and they act like it. I always love police officers driving around power tripping over every little thing. I love how cops roll up to my window with theri hands near or on their gun and then start talking s*&t about why they pulled you over.
papa_smurf is also right about that topeka cop. Once, they do get busted their is a total "protect you own" mentallity. That cop probably did more but the dept couldn't cover it all up for him fast enough. We need more Serpicos and less Dirty Harrys.
Cops suck.
craigers 11 years, 11 months ago
I don't think it would be a bad idea, but you would have to somehow watch for bias coming from people that have a chip on their shoulder about police officers. Maybe other law enforcement officers should be on the board to offer insight to the citizens. I think this would give the citizens the right mind set to critique the police department. If you don't know what it is like to be in that position, I don't think you have any business judging them. The whole walk a mile in their shoes before you claim to know how they should react to situations.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
consumer_1: Your right I am spewing venom today. You need to get out more if you think cops in Lawrence are much different than cops in Topeka. That might be the most naive and ignorant statement I've ever heard. I respect authority I work for the Gov. and I love living life. But, when I get pulled over for going 8 mph over the speed limit don't treat me like I have a trunk full of Meth and a dead hooker in the back seat.
craigers 11 years, 11 months ago
Yeah, heaven forbid they protect their own. Especially when there are citizens out there that want to whine about being pulled over, Topside! They have their hand on their gun because you never know what you are going to get each and every time you pull somebody over. They aren't profiling your car or anything like that, but they need to be cautious to keep themselves ready in case of an emergency. I for one, don't think Topside and other citizens that are this angry with cops should be on the committee. Let cops protect their own from citizens that don't know better and want to lynch them.
sunflower_sue 11 years, 11 months ago
I'm thinking no. I guess I really don't feel that LPD would "protect their own" if "their own" wasn't deserving of protection. Not to say that it doesn't happen...I just don't think that it is a great problem. I certainly wouldn't want their job. And if I did have it, I wouldn't want uninvolved people making judgement calls on how I reacted when my buns were on the line. It's a difficult ? to answer.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
Good morning everyone on this cloudy rainy day.
I think a review board is a great idea. It would be good for the citizens to have a say in what goes on around here. I do like the idea of living so close the LPD which makes me feel safe.
One thing that does bothers me is this:
My son's g/f got pulled over for speeding not long ago and the officer must have in training that pulled her over. She wasn't sure but he did have another older looking officer in the car with him and he was quite young. This may be long, but bear with me here.
Anyway, He pulled her over, asked her for her drivers license and registration which is normal. He put these two items in his pocket and walked back to his car. She watched as he called in her license and then came back to the car. He then asked her to step out of the car and sit on the curb. After asking what she was doing out so late ( 12:30 pm and shes 18 ) he asked her where she was going. She told the officer that she was going to her grandfather's house to stay the night because her parents were out of town. He asked her why she couldn't stay at her own house, shes 18 and an adult. She mentioned that her parents didn't want her staying alone at the house and to stay at her grandfather's house. He then asked her what her address and phone number and her grandfather's address and his phone number. He then took out his own cell phone and called her grandfather at 12:45 am to make sure she was telling the truth. I can't believe he called her grandfather at that hour which was uncalled for. He then asked her to take a drug and alcohol test which she did. Of course she passed, shes a good kid from a very well known family here in Lawrence.
After all of that happened she called me knowing I would still be up. She was in tears because of the way this officer treated her. I told her it sounded like he was harrassing her and he had no right asking her the questions which had no regard to what he pulled her over for. Shes 18 and a very pretty young lady and the way he handled things was a bit strange. To many personal questions I would say here. I told her to inform her parents, pay the speeding ticket because she was speeding, but to also go down and complain how things were handled.
What do all of you think? Would like to get your view of this one.
Have a great Thursday.........its almost FRIDAY.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
Thats not the point here ( last name ) . Well known family or not I feel he over stepped his position.
This officer had no right asking her personal questions like he did. He handled things wrong and she be told about it.
My story isn't odd at all either, this officer was wrong in the way he did his job. He had no right asking her the questions he asked her. She did get a ticket for speeding liek anyone else would have. It was the way he was acting that made her feel uncomfortable.
papa_smurf 11 years, 11 months ago
Consumer1- I'm supporting the police 100% and I agree the Lawrence PD is top notch. Do you imagine the people from Topeka said "This won"t happen to us, here" when they heard the story of the officer from Tulia Texas who was convicted of similar crimes as Pfortmiller? Do you think an officer who has sworn an oath to obey and uphold the law should be scrutinized more than the average citizen. He checked out 4.5 POUNDS of highly addictive Methamphetimine from the police evidence room and never brought it back and has not been charged with trafficking narcotics. He was originally charged with over 100 counts of crimes and not for the theft and possibly the sale of 4.5 POUNDS Methamphetimine. He is a treasonous traitor in the war on drugs and the maximum sentence he can recieve is 16 months, his lawyer is asking for probation. This is a slap in the face to good cops that pay for their own gambling habits and are doing a good job at getting killer drugs like Meth of our streets. Now if you had a pot violation and it went to federal court, you face a minimum of 2 years 2 months in prison, even if it was possesion in your own home. This is unfair, I'm not venomous, I'm outraged at this policy. A student caught with 1 marijuana seed looses federal funding, while a thief or habitual drunk driver or a forger all still qualify. The law should read ANY felony, not exclusively drug crimes. Why shoud we give a child molester federal money and not some kid who had a pot leaf stuck to the bottom of their shoe? A review board would help stop any doubt of immpropriaty.
acg 11 years, 11 months ago
IP's story doesn't sound odd to me. One of the 1st things cops love do when they pull you over is ask where you're going, what you're doing on this side of the city, where you're headed, where you're coming from, etc. Why does it matter to them? Every time I've had a cop ask me where I'm headed I tell them as an American citizen I'm headed down this very public street, as to my final destination it's none of his/her business. It's gotten me into confrontations with them many times but if a citizen knows their rights they'll be jerked around a lot less than one that is uninformed about how much power they actually have. I've had them ask to search my vehicle with no probable cause ( usually after I've gotten lippy with them). I've told them no thanks, we'll just wait for a warrant or they can go ahead and perform an unlawful search and I'll be happy to see them in court for it later. That really torks them off. They hate coming across someone that knows what they can actually get away with. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cop hater by any means. Generally if I'm pulled over it's because I'm speeding or doing something to deserve it and I'll take my ticket and be on my merry way. But I've come across several cops in Lawrence that are just hateful, arrogant pricks that think because some bureauctratic bonehead issued them a gun and a club they should run about town wielding them as they please.
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
Well known family? I had no idea who Bob Billings was until the changed the road to his name(which was a ridiculous idea anyways) and I've lived here all my life! Yeah sorry and the families that I know who are supposedly "well known" I've gone to school with their kids....there probably was a good reason to check then with the records 1/2 of them have....just like the rest of the town.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
I know my views probably won't be the most popular. And I have to confess that I don't live in Lawrence and have never been stopped by the Lawrence PD.
Yes Craigers protecting your own is bad if its illegal activity!
Consumer1-Don't tell me what my opinions are and don't tell me what to think! You havn't been where I have been or seen what I have. I doubt you have ever been called by you crying baby sister only to arrive and find her with a huge black eye given to her by her boyfriend. THen do my citizen duty and call the cops only to have them arrive with the evidence plain on my sisters face, who was ready to press charges, only to have the police tell us they would NOT be arresting him! WTF?!?! THe explantion was a doozie too. I can't even remember it all, something about jail space or it being the 3rd thursday of the month. Now, had I gone down the street and beaten the Piece of S___ within an inch of his life, do you think I would have been arrested? Yes, why because I have financial means to pay the fines and bail that would be levied against me. A jobless nineteen year old does not. I got other situations too, but I won't share them I've said too much already. So Consumer1 can check himself. I'm not saying all cops are bad, just everyone I have dealt with. Until I or my family will ever be treated with courtesy or respect by a police officer I will not change. I will not donate to any funds or charity balls either. However I am glad the Lawrence PD is nice for all of you. Consider yourselves lucky to live in such a nice, polished, upscale town with a nice police force. YOu are in the minority.
acg 11 years, 11 months ago
She could have had a car full of pot? Why because she was a young person on the street at 12:30 at night, she automatically has drugs, is in trouble or needs some nosy cop to give her the 3rd degree? This is a crazy thought, so really let it sink in, maybe she was just driving down the street and didn't need that cop to annoy, harass or question her. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't doing anything wrong at all other than a little speeding. Nooo, that never happens, right OTTR? Everyone the cops pull over has drugs, guns, warrants or an ax murderer hiding in the backseat, right?
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Consumer1-you are right I am a hate monger. I hate it when cops don't do their jobs and protect citizens and arrest "bad guys". You need to step back and look in the mirror at yourself. You are way to quick to lump everyone together as hate mongers that disagrees with you before you even ask why.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
A bit confused here........
No I don't think that was a normal procedure the way he handled pulling her over. I read into what your posted all wrong.
People should be treated the same no matter what family they are from. You got me all wrong here. I was just mentioning that shes a good kid from a good family. Not some smart @$$ kid who gets into trouble all the time.
My son gets pulled over alot and it pisses him off. He feels its because hes biracial. He got pulled over for running a red light when the light was blinking yellow. The officer turned around, looked and said........Oh. Hes gotten pulled over for the blue underground lights under his car ( which are legal ) and was given a ticket. He came home looked up the law online, printed it off and took it down the next day and they had to dismiss it completely. I have a great kid and he doesn't cause problems. He drives a nice car which he has fixed up himself. He gets good grades in school, works at a bank after his 4 period day, then works his second job after that when he can. Hes also involved in sports in the Spring and Fall. The police know him around here by now because of his car I'm sure, but they still pull him over for this and that when hes done nothing wrong.
What I was saying is that the officer treated her as if he was trying to get a date. He asked questions that were none of his buisness. Wrong approach by this young officer and maybe he should go back to the academy.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
OTTR,
My son got a ticket for what they call a J-Turn now on Mass. That was awhile back and yes he paid that ticket.
Its the way this officer handled procedure when he pulled her over. To many unrelated questions were asked I feel that were none of his buisness.
Speeding ticket= you are speeding, you get a ticket not a numbers of questions on where you live and whats your phone number.
craigers 11 years, 11 months ago
protecting your own against illegal activity goes without saying. However, they have to look out for each other when you get vigalanties that think they should be the cops boss because they pay their taxes which inadvertantly pays their paychecks.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Craigers I have no idea why we are arguing then. I thnk we basically agree.
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
Hooray for arguing! Well since we're not getting anywhere let's change the subject.
Anyone else ready for the rain to end?
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
No I love it when it rains. Just like the arguing it will never stop.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
I'm sure he did make that call to back up her story on who whos granddaughter she was . She of course proved herself right, but he woke up her grandfather at 12:30 am as if she was lying and that I feel was wrong.
You want to hear another one, give me until my lunch break to type it out. This one might just make you think some of the officers should go back to the academy for more training.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
The story about my son's g/f is true. I have no reason to lie.
craigers 11 years, 11 months ago
I don't know why we are arguing either. Anybody that does illegal duty needs to get busted and busted hard. Especially that old b/f of your babysitter. I can understand how frustrating that can be. Sorry, my bad, I appologize for arguing.
Linda Aikins 11 years, 11 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
I'm not going to telling you who her grandfather is. Shes a good young lady and didn't deserve the personal questions he was asking her.
I guess this one officer didn't believe her and made that 12:30 am phone waking up her grandfather to see if she was lying. Sorry officer sir........she wasn't lying to you.
My son does get pulled over alot= running a blinking yellow light- officer said it was red until he turned around. Please, made him look foolish and there was no ticket given. Yes, he does feel he gets harrassed for the color of his skin at times. Hes been pulled over on other occasions also and hasn't recieved a ticket.
Why would they pull you over if theres no reason other then one they can make up?
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Based on my unhappiness/Vengence? Are you kidding me?! Is it illegal or not to physically assault a person with your fists? More importantly is it, or isn't it illegal to hit/abuse/assault a woman?
This has nothing to do with a disagreement or personnal vendetta. The innocent is this case was not protected and the offender was not brought to justice! If I come over to your house and besat your face in, and you report it to the authorities. I bet I'd be riding in the back seat of a police car PDQ.
The point is if they are there to protect and serve than it should be done so without exception.
Spoken1 11 years, 11 months ago
sorry craigers, we are the boss of the cops, they are public servants
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
I don't know I had never thought of a review process until today and so far I admittedly have been to busy arguing to think about one. But, lets all come back down and think about what smitty has asked. Instead of pro or con police, lets actually try and come up with a solution. Once again a man named smitty has shown us the way. I will have to think about an actual review board, though. What will be the set up? Will it be like a supreme court thing where I send in a notice/appeal/complaint and the panel takes those cases to the Police Dept. for further review? That is OK and then based on further review a discipline of the officer and arrest of offender. That sounds good.
The actual review board system is seeming to be a complex thing. I need everyone elses help to think it up. I would like to know then how it would be handled on the Dept. side. I would like to see actual action/corrections take place from the PD so it isn't just a formal "bitching committee".
Hong_Kong_Phooey 11 years, 11 months ago
IP: Actually, if the officer that pulled over your son's girlfriend thought that she was doing something illegal (just b/c you get pulled over for one thing, it doesn't mean that's the only thing they suspect) he has every right to ask investigative questions.
Topside: You need to try putting yourself in their shoes. You have to remember that they don't know what they are going to be dealing with when they walk up to your window. Do you think that only "good" people are out driving cars?
As for the question of the day, I don't think a citizen review board would be a good idea. The public has no idea what it is like to be a cop, myself included. Just because you've watched a few episodes of 'COPS' it doesn't mean you know. They deal with people in emotional states that most of us can't imagine. Their daily life is spent putting their lives on the line to help out people that they've never met. Half the time the people that called them turn on them when they realize that somebody is going to jail. Many of the people that whine about police brutality are the same ones that start mouthing off and actin' the fool when the police show up and end up having to restrain them.
Hong_Kong_Phooey 11 years, 11 months ago
So Smitty, you don't think that the police have a right to consult with their attorneys before writing a report of the incident (which is basically a written confession of everything that occurs during ANY incident)?
Hong_Kong_Phooey 11 years, 11 months ago
IP: The blue lights on your son's car are legal - as long as you can't see the actual light bulb's. Second, I obviously don't know all of the circumstances surrounding your son being pulled over, but if his car is as "pimped out" as you say it is, then he probably has tinted windows. How many times have you been driving behind a car with tinted windows and were able to determine the race of the driver? How about at night? Maybe your son's getting pulled over because, surprise, he's breaking the law! I'm not saying your son is a bad kid, maybe he's just a bad driver.
craigers 11 years, 11 months ago
The portion of your taxes that actually pay that officer's salary would be so small that you would be a small contributor to that officer's paycheck. Therefore you should have as much control over that officer in relation to your contribution. This would resemble voting rights in common stock. So Spoken1, your vote and right to be the cops boss doesn't have much clout. They are not servants and citizens that have no idea about the law shouldn't tell PD how to conduct their jobs. I wouldn't tell a lawyer how to handle a case in court, because I am not a lawyer. Spoken1 do you get angry when a cop busts you for speeding or any other traffic violation?
Spoken1 11 years, 11 months ago
craigers, that is like saying that since a small portion of my taxes goes to the schools that I shouldn't have any say about them either. And besides, I wasn't stating that I should have ultimate power over the police, I was saying the community should, and since it is the taxes of the community that pays the salaries of the police, then the community should have a say in how the department is run. I believe that all aspects of government should be monitored by the people that pay their salaries. To protect and serve, means they are public servants, so where do you get that they are not? Who do they work for? The public. I don't get angry if I get in trouble for doing something against the law, but that isn't the issue. The issue is to keep the police in the same system of checks and balances the rest of us are in, they are NOT above the law, and they are just as liable to answer the community when they have exceeded the limits of the law.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
HKP,
Hes not a bad driver, but has been given his share of tickets. Hes a good kid, but has his moments just like any other teenager does. I think hes just getting tired of getting pulled over ( the last 3 times ) and no ticket was given. Its starting to bother him like I believe it would bother anyone else.
His car is noticable...tinted windows included. Hes taken pride in the work he has done to it. It certainly doesn't look like it did when it belonged to me. He went to a car show in KC not to long ago, and now he has sponsers sending him things in the mail for this and that.
I gave him the car, but I also told him that he will pay his own ins, tickets, tags and reg, gas etc.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Hong_Kong_Phooey, Hey man that was like 7 hours ago. Plus, I want to give you a big DUh! I know that. But there is a way thes guys can profile without profiling. If you pull me over in a 3-piece suit in my explorer there is a difference than two people (out numbered) in an 86 olds cutlass on dubs with a rust colored door.
If not, I would think that after a brief conversation with the officer he/she would be able to tell I'm just a common lead foot an dnot some felon on the loose. However, most people, myself included don't like the thrid degree from start to finish. I am glad they are cautious, I would be too. But, once the situation is addressed they could lighten up. Wouldn't you agree.
I don't mean to offend any Olds Cutlass Drivers out there, but where I come from that was the car of choice for drug dealers and gagstas. That, and whatever the buick equivalent was.
Lowell Holmes 11 years, 11 months ago
craigers - the police ARE servants, "public servants" doesnt it say on the patrol cars "to protect and to serve". Also, while it is true that any single persons contribution to an officers paycheck is miniscule, we as a community make up the entire check of said officer so we are all his "boss". Having said all that I am not sure a review board is needed or even in the best interest of the community. I have had several dealings over the years with the LPD for various things good and bad and I can say overall they are an extremely professional and courteous group. However, on the one occasion where I felt the officer I was dealing with was not being even a little professional or courteous, I reported his butt and he was reprimanded and eventually fired because I was not the only one to complain about him. So unless a reviwe board can add something really significant and benificial, it would be a waste of time and energy and just one more thing for our fine police force to deal with.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
1st Topic of the day: I'm very hesitant to say I would support a "citizens" review board. If there is not a police presence (member) on the board, there could be a lot of jumping to conclusions -- determined by citizens who have never been involved in situations where police officers have been wounded or killed in the past. The fact that my family has strong law enforcement ties does not make me against a board of some sort. In fact, it makes me more aware of the need for the departments to take extra measures when "policing" their fellow officers. A mixed board would be more successful, IMHO. Considering the very mixed approval/disapproval of the City Commission's decisions about everything else -- how in the world could they be put in charge of disciplining the PD?
2nd Topic: IP, I understand your concern regarding your son and what could very well be racial profiling. My oldest granddaughter, also bi-racial, was recently stopped and told that she must have the tinting changed on her car windows. She tried to explain that she had just bought the car (to go back and forth to her college in KC) from (a local dealer) , and was assurred the tinting was within legal requirements. It was mid-afternoon, she was not speeding or in any way intentionally breaking the law. When he checked her tags and license he discovered that she had never had a ticket or a violation of any sort. Yet she was still given a ticket and sent on her way. Whether or not the officer was profiling her we will never know, but as a bi-racial person she has endured a lot of racism and her self esteem took another hit when this happened. [I need to add that this happened on her way to school, it was the Olathe PD and not the LPD, but the situations are not dissimilar.]
3rd Topic: This is not an attack -- it is a question because I am not sure I remember correctly. In the Greg Sevier case, didn't the parents call the police because their son was in a room with a knife and they were afraid he would kill himself and when the police arrived he charged them with the knife? If I am remembering wrong, please let me know (as if you all wouldn't :). I was under the impression that perhaps the young man had indeed committed "suicide by police action."
Hong_Kong_Phooey 11 years, 11 months ago
Topside: That has got to one of the most ridiculous things I've heard you say on here. You don't think that a guy in 3-piece suit could be transporting drugs? In a gigantic SUV for that matter? Man, you gotta try thinking outside the box. 80 year old women have been found transporting large quantities of drugs, so basically, anybody is a suspect. Do you know how many cops have been shot AFTER they made contact with the driver of the car they pulled over. Caution is only effective if you maintain it.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Damn man you totally didn't get it. Yes, I know that. I'm sorry its my fault for not explaining it a little more clearly. Yes people in SUVs can transport drugs. Yes Old people transport drugs or could be terrorists. I'm simply stating what is MORE likely. That an 87 year old couple has drugs in their car or (sorry IP) two youths in a car that is "pimp'd out". That was my ONLY point. If cops didn't profile a little bit they would rarely catch anyone with drugs. A small secondary point would be that once the cop took a look at a person and saw they were basically a decent citizen they could lay off the dragnet routine.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
BTW-I'm wearing a suit and listening to Cypress Hill at my desk. So I'm totally crossed up.
Lowell Holmes 11 years, 11 months ago
So Topside, you can tell a decent citizen just by looking at them?
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
Okay.......not originally from here ( from Cali ), so whats grain alcohol?
I guess the kids these days used the term " pimped out " to describe their cars. His car is noticable yes, for sure now that he got it painted. Its not an import, but looks great.
I have never smelled pot or alcohol on him so not sure if hes doing that. He may doing some partying with friends, but we have a pretty good relationship and we talk alot.
A parent can only hope their children make right decisions when it comes to experiencing teenage life.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
IP: Ohhh, soooo, only imports can be expected to look great? That's pretty un-American!!! (Couldn't resist, what with the confrontational mood of the board today :)
craigers 11 years, 11 months ago
Like I have said before, the people I am saying shouldn't have the right on a committee like this are the ones that are angry at the cops for some reason or if they are on a power trip. I am saying that too many people base the fact that they pay their taxes, which means they can be indignant to those that are serving them. A committee not on a power trip should be the ones reviewing the way the police does their business. Mightyquin, you went about the complaint in the right way. You obviously are not like the ones I have mentioned above.
Spoken1, your comment about the schools is very true, however like the people above I have singled out for being power hungry shouldn't. Yes we should have a say in the way things are done in schools and other jobs in the public sector, but we do need to be careful of people that just want to be in charge, that is all.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
LOL.......... No not at all. Hes drives an American made care and it looks great. I was referring to the movie " Fast and Furious "
You know most of those cars if not all are imports. I guess you could say he didn't have a choice in his car since it was given to him.................FREE.
LOL
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
mightyquinn- I hope you saw my above post since I saw we posted about the same time. and I hope that clarified it for you. Man, most of you people need to simmer down a notch, some of you take things much to literally. I would like to be in a foxhole with some of you, though, because you can definitely jump on a grenade faster than most.
Lowell Holmes 11 years, 11 months ago
Topside - My post was just for the line in your post "once the cop took a look at a person and saw they were basically a decent citizen". I was only wondering how you could tell a citizen was "decent" just by looking. I dont think it is possible which is why officers have to ask questions. Folks who are "decent citizens" which I define in this case as having done nothing wrong and are not hiding anything, will be able to answer without stuttering ot mumbling and looking away. While someone who is guilty of something will have trouble and will often lie and give themselves away. Officers are trained to ask questions and to look for signs that a person is being less than truthfull.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
TOB,
I didn't think at all you meant my son. I just didn't know what grain alcohol was. Things are different here and believe me when I say I have learned a few words since moving here. Just look.......I learned another new one today..........LOL
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
I disagree about the attorneys. Since cases such as this are obviously going to be high profile, which means other lawyers will be sifting that officers words like fine flour, they should be allowed counsel to be sure their statements cannot be used to condemn them just because of their wording when describing an incident. This board is more than ample evidence of what can happen to a post made hastily and then dissected and put back together to say something altogether different than the poster intended.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Thanks Smitty you are right on all counts. This went south fast. It doesn't look like anyone else will chip in either. Also, thanks for the info, but this situation happened like 3 years ago and everyone is basicallly over it. We just don't harbor much love for the local police.
I will give props, however to the Highway Patrol. I have been helped by them on a couple of occasions. Also, they are the ones who catch the majority of the big drug smugglers. Local PD hassle kids with dime bags while Hi-Po are the ones who find semis full of dope or (unfortunately) smuggling illegal aliens. Think of what a crappy day that is for those Texas troopers who have found those semis full of dead people that were trying to cross over, yikes.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Sorry mightyquinn I didn't know you worked for Bill Clinton. ala " tell me what the definition of is" is.
What a joke. Think about it for a minute before you reply. I meant a decent citizen-or would upstanding-be better as a person who does right and never intentionally breaks laws except perhaps an occasional parking or speeding ticket. Even once convicted felons can be decent/upstanding citizens. My father is a good example he did time it Leavenworth back in the day, but retired from an upper management job in a gov. agency.
Is that good enough or do we have to really get nuts.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Smitty why do they even bother asking these questions? Nobody wants to actually help come up with a solution they just want to bitch. Today is a great example.
Lowell Holmes 11 years, 11 months ago
Solution? For what problem? The question was should a citizens review board be formed. I ask why? What problem/s would it help to correct? Is there a need? I dont believe there is a need because I fell there are means available for those who havew grievances with the LPD. There, short sweet and no bitching.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
smitty: thanks for the summary. I do remember the series of deaths now and the concern about a serial offender. Earlier I thought someone said it was 3 years ago, I thought this happened much farther back than that. What was the year?
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
See mighty quinn was that so hard. I think that is where smitty and I and Noonwe else was seemingly headed anyway. I feel there is a need for a review board, but I don't think it could ever be implemented in a way that would do any good for the public. I think once any complaints reached the dept. they would smile and nod and then when the meeting was over, so would be the caring aobut the complaints.
Hong_Kong_Phooey 11 years, 11 months ago
Smitty: You are a conspiracy theorist. Of course Olin was going to come out to the scene of an officer involved shooting! Furthermore, I love how you have appointed yourself as the appraiser of correct police procedures because you've done some google searches. A search of your previous posts would just lead one to believe that you have a personal vendetta against Officer Bordman and will take any opportunity to try and accuse him of something, anything that might be construed as being "shady".
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
TOB-What the hell is that song about anyway? Is it metaphorical or did I fall asleep in history class or was there and actual historical figure? Who performed that song was it Paul Revere and the Raiders? Also, I remember a movie aoubt 10-15 yrs ago called the Mighty Quinn it was about Jamaican gangters or something.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
14 years, I really didn't think it was that long ago. No wonder my memory was a bit hazy, half the time I can't remember last week! Which actually works out quite well at times. Keeps me from dwelling on things :)
nlf78 11 years, 11 months ago
That's definitely more than 3 years ago.
I think a citizen review board is a good idea. I've never had any problems with the police or their procedures personally, but it'd be nice to have a check/balance system out there.
acg 11 years, 11 months ago
Exactly what are the means available to someone who has a grievance with a cop on the LPD? Let's see, when my best friend's ex husband, a Lawrence cop, smacked around her 6 year old daughter from a previous marriage and she called his supervisor they made him take a 2 hour anger management course. 6 months later when the psycho attacked her with a butcher knife and she called the police the two that showed up at her door tried to convince her that she was overreacting and asked if it was worth ruining his career to press charges. They insinuated that maybe she should just leave town so as to avoid any further problems in the marriage. Who do we complain to now when the cops act up? Cops? They're going to cover each other's butts because that's what they do best.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
How does everyone like the added (anonymous) -- as though that was not the whole point -- being able to freely speak your mind!
Is anonymous a bad thing?
BAN identification!
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
TOB: some Bob Dylan rambling? Smile when you say that!
beatrice 11 years, 11 months ago
Topside: Clinton might not have known the definition of "is" when it came to his lame attempt at explaining an affair outside his marriage. Not a single person died.
President Bush doesn't know the definition of "Mission Accomplished," thus we are still at war. Now we are nearing 2000 dead Americans, and the number will continue to rise.
Which is worse?
As we should with our federal government, we should also ask questions of our local government, including police officers -- most of whom I believe do an upstanding job for the citizens of Lawrence!
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
2000 dead Americans really is not that much. If you look at history that actually is an incredibly low number. That's not to say each and every one is not important but people try to make the numbers seem a lot worse than they really are.
I have a friend who went over there, got shot in the head and came back, lived to tell about it. He says he doesn't even watch the news because the coverage is ridiculous. Instead of complaining about what's going on why don't you show some support and be grateful NY didn't get a nuke and we have 2 million dead Americans.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
TOB: That would be no fun at all :):)
I guess it's like a self-help group. We will be Posters Anonymous!
(Before someone gets bent out of shape, I am not making fun of such organizations. I happen to think AA provides a very worthwhile and necessary service. People helping people.)
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
We're missing a lot of regular posters today.
Topside 11 years, 11 months ago
Whoa, Beatrice, rear it back a step. WHo said I loved Bush? Well, President Bush that is. I know how people misunderstand what I write.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
Hey there, omb! I was just wondering where you and our faithful others were today.
Linda Aikins 11 years, 11 months ago
Here's one.
Pertinere (pert-near')
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
The Patriot Act should be defended! Not ONE person has had their privacy invaded because of the act. Even the ACLU and all their "greatness" hasn't been able to come up with some one who has been violated.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
TOB: the disclaimer is sincere. I was just joking around with the (anonymous) and did not want to offend someone unintentionally, especially since the offense levels are running high today.
wichita_reader 11 years, 11 months ago
Been reading all day, just not posting.
I believe a properly appointed citizen's review board with proper procedures would be a good idea.
Word to o_m_b's 4:29 post.
As to the "anonymous" link, it looks like the omnipotent davidryan has been at work.
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
anonymous...hm...if you don't have the guts to stand by your post if some one knows it's you you shouldn't write anything in the first place.
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
bankboy119: there is a safety factor involved when making posts anonymously. Re-read some of the past posts and you will understand why we don't necessarily want a traceable name connected with our comments. With (anonymous) we don't know whether or not the one we are (ahem) exchanging thoughts with might be the supervisor that controls our evaluation :):)
beatrice 11 years, 11 months ago
bankboy: You really do need a break. "2000 dead Americans really is not that much." ???? Are you kidding me? It makes me think of the saying, "With friends like this, who needs enemies?"
Topside: sorry if I jumped too harshly on your Clinton comment. My mistake. I didn't mean to hit you with friendly fire. : )
OTTR: Why do you keep writing that IP's kid has a "pimped out ride"? All she said is that he fixed it himself. Would the fact that she also mentioned that he is bi-racial have anything to do with your questionable choice of words?
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
Ceallach you're right I never thought about it that way haha. That would be very bad indeed...
Beatrice, 2000 people is nothing, we lost almost 3 times that on 9/11. At least 618000 Americans died in the Civil War, and some experts say the toll reached 700000. 350 times what has died in Iraq
404,000 American Sodiers died in WWII. That's 202 times the amount that has died in Iraq!
Americans need to buck up and realize we don't live in a Utopia, we have people out there that want to kill us, and those people aren't afraid to go strap a bomb to themselves to do it.
There are soldiers out there who aren't afraid to put their wives, girlfriends, sisters and children in front of them while they stand behind them and fire at OUR soldiers. Have you seen Blackhawk Down beatrice? If not go watch it. My friend has seen the same scenario in Iraq. He was there and went back after getting shot. He's seen his comrades, his friends, blown up while trying to help an injured ememy who would rather blow himself and our soldier up than be taken prisoner. He's seen American's hung on a bridge burning because they were defending YOUR way of life and free speech.
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
Bob I was wrong about the anonymous thing. I didn't think through all of the implications of not being anonymous on here...especially with as strong of viewpoints as some of us have.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
OTTR,
The tickets that my son has recieved is for the folllowing:
5:30 am while parked across the street from our house more then 12 inches from the curb.
A speeding ticket for going 6 miles over the speed limit. He asked for it and he got it. Bummer for him for speeding. I'm not the tpye of mom that says.......poor baby....LOL
A ticket for the lights under his car that was dismissed because it wasn't illegal.
I'm sure there a couple more that I can't remember, but those were for minor things like a fix-it ticket.
It may be his so called " pimped out " ride as some of you have mentioned. It is flashy, and noticable, but its just a car and a car certainly doesn't have anything to do with the type of person driving it.
I called and talked to the LPD about 2 weeks ago about my son always getting pulled over. I didn't talk to Mr, Olin, but to another gentleman who works there. I told him about the 3 different times hes been pulled over and not been given a ticket. He looked up my son's DL and told me everything I needed to know. Dates, times and why they pulled him over. My son told me that one of the officers that pulled him said.........Well I see your car parked all over Lawrence. My son said, maybe its because I have two jobs and I work. Yes, he got smart with that officer, but I believe hes getting tired of being pulled all the time.
Like I said before.......I have a good kid. His grades are fantastic and he works two jobs. Four period day at school then off to the bank for his internship for his third year of accounting and marketing at school. After that hes off to his second job until around 10:00. He plays ball in the Spring and Fall and when he can he umpires for the younger age teams.
I'm very proud of him and getting tickets he DESERVES is fine. I get tired of hearing about the times he gets pulled for stupid reasons on their part.
Example: Officer....... " You ran that red light back there ".
My son......." You mean the ones thats flashing yellow?"
beatrice 11 years, 11 months ago
bankboy: Your friend isn't defending my freedoms. Yes, he has answered the call of his country, which is an honorable thing. However, the war in which he is serving is not about protecting Americans, and it should be questioned. If it were truly about protecting us, there would have been many weapons of mass destruction found (remember them?). Instead, it is about trying to establish American control over an oil-rich nation, pure and simple. Yes, Saddam was evil, but he is far from being the only evil ruler in the world. If it was about bringing freedom to people under harsh rule, we would have been helping clean up the mess in Sudan a long time ago, just one of many examples.
Now, my father, who fought the Japanese in WWII -- he was helping protect our freedoms. The Japanese attacked us. Iraq did not. You shouldn't compare the two wars.
Regarding your minimizing the deaths realized thus far (and if it makes you happy, there will be many more to come), I would like to see you tell a family member of even one of the dead in the war in Iraq that their loss is "nothing." And then do it again, and again, and again, ... until you reach the final person. Then tell me it is "nothing." Look past the numbers, and see the actual people who are no longer with us. And for what? Nearly 2000 dead is far too many. Period.
Also, your numbers are wrong. 6000 didn't die on 9-11, and they were killed by terrorists supported by the fanatics in control of Afghanistan. Remember Osama, the one behind the attacks? While we are busy in Iraq, he has remained at large. How does this protect us? That is where our might should be concentrated. (You see -- I'm not anti-America, I just question this war in Iraq.)
Finaly, yes, I have seen Black Hawk Down. What does Hollywood have to do with anything? (I also saw War of the Worlds, but I don't believe we were actually attacked by aliens. FYI - most movies are fiction.) If you feel people there would kill us in an instant even though we are fighting for them, don't you think maybe we should reconsider our tact? Maybe?
Oh, yes, cops are good people by and large.
Carmenilla 11 years, 11 months ago
I don't care to post on here so much anymore. Its just not any fun when people pick on eachother senselessly. I think IP is getting a taste of that....Its too bad really. We have so many fun people on here. But that don't make the trolls any nicer does it?
The only thing I wanted to respond to was a statement made by bankboy119.
Where oh where do you get your body count on 9-11? Everything I've read has the count at about 2750 give or take. If 2750 is 3x 2000 than I have some serious math issues. Otherwise, play nice folks...
beatrice 11 years, 11 months ago
IP: you should tell your son to take the bus from now on, because you are tired of defending him on this board. : )
He sounds like a great kid. Good for you.
Carmenilla 11 years, 11 months ago
Beatrice we seem to be on the same wavelength.
Also, your comment yesterday about the wonderful XTC song "Dear God" was greatly enjoyed. I love that song and wish more Christians could hear it.
And "Watching the Detectives" is my favorite Elvis song too!
bankboy119 11 years, 11 months ago
It was suppose to be about 3000. I didn't have the exact number and I typed a 6 instead of a 3...I should really proofread better.
And Black Hawk Down was the way my friend described the war over there, only with more helicopters. The terrorists, they hate us. They hate you whether you like it or not.
And Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11? Where do you get your news? Michael Moore?
"The 9/11 commission reported that bin Laden was willing to explore possibilities of cooperation with Iraq.
Bin Laden met with a senior Iraqi intelligence officer in the Sudan in 1994 or 1995.
Bin Laden sent out a number of feelers to Iraq offering cooperation.
In 1998, Iraq took the initiative and in support of bin Laden's fatwa against the U.S., two Al Qaeda members went to Iraq for meetings.
Same year and Iraqi delegation went to Afghanistan to meet with bin Laden.
More meetings in 1999 and Iraqi officials offered bin Laden a safe haven.
This is all from the 9/11 commission report, mind you.
And in late June 2004, a member of the commission said new information suggested a lieutenant colonel in Saddam's Fedayeen was a prominent member of Al Qaeda.
Not to mention that Zarqawi (search) was operating in Iraq well before the U.S. invasion.
In a post 9/11 world this kind of information isn't enough to knock off Saddam? In my world it is. But it is not if you're against regime change and against the war no matter what."
That was straight from the news by the way
beatrice 11 years, 11 months ago
bankboy: So you are in support of putting our energy into Iraq, because "bin Laden was willing to explore possibilities of cooperation with Iraq," he had people hold meetings there, etc... Even if you believe everything in the report (this is coming from the same intelligence people who told us about the WMDs, correct?), don't you think we should put our effort into getting the evil person who started this -- bin Laden?
But this is still beside the point. Each and every death is something, and I actually believe that your claim that 2000 dead Americans "is nothing" is anti-American. How do you think the troops would react to learn that there are Americans who feel that their deaths thus far "is nothing." How many before you finally say, "Well, that is something." Each and every death is tragic. Realize that.
By the way, if you are so gung ho for this war, why aren't you over there? If you were, I guarantee you would realize the true cost of each and every death.
italianprincess 11 years, 11 months ago
Ty Beatrice and Carmenilla and also Ceallach.
He is a good kid, I don't have much to worry about with him.
Now my little one who just turned eight this month is the one who may give me a run for my money. One can only hope he heads down the path his older brother is taking.
Have a great evening.........
Ceallach 11 years, 11 months ago
May the topic of the day Rest in Peace.
Until tomorrow ---------------
sunflower_sue 11 years, 11 months ago
Just doing my pre-beddy bye rounds and noticed the (anonymous) next to the names. Well DUH! Isn't that a bit redundant?
On the other hand, I called my brother (who lives in another city) yesterday and told him that the topic of the day was something that he might be really interested in. He read all the posts and I asked him if he could pick out me and our sister's pen names. Took him all of 2 seconds. Maybe if "anonymous" had been next to our names yesterday, it would have tripped him up. Hmmmmm!
sunflower_sue 11 years, 11 months ago
Dear David Ryan, I'd like a fun topic tomorrow. I've been a very good girl this year (mostly). Thanks, s_s
GreenEyedBlues 11 years, 11 months ago
No way! Down with peer accountability.
papa_smurf 11 years, 11 months ago
The police only up hold the laws, thats their job. The job of creating laws is the special intrest groups and tons of money thrown at politicians by the LOBBISTS to sometimes make or keep idiotic nonsensical laws on the books that are in total disregard of public opinion for the benefits and monetary gain of large corperations. We need total disclosure of any and all money "soft" or otherwise listed and made public. The amounts, the corperation funding the lobbist and the politician or political party in which this money was given to. This will encourage the voters to decide who really is in charge of our government, the people or the special intrests and their powerful and tempting lobbists.
papa_smurf 11 years, 11 months ago
Which scenerio sounds safer?
At midnight on a young persons 21st birthday they-
A. Go to the bar with friends to "power Hour" and try to drink 21 shots of alcohol in their first legal sitting while their friends and fellow bar patrons cheer them on and set a bucket next to them for "when" the get sick", risk alcohol poisoning or choking to death on their own vomit.
or B. Having over some friends, smoking a couple joints, watching a movie or playing cards. Then having cake and ice cream at midnight ( a the side effect from smoking pot) and having a sleep over or a safe and sober cab or other person give rides home?
Spoken1 11 years, 11 months ago
craigers, I can get with you there. I do not believe people on a power trip should be on a review board for anything. And, I think that having a totally independant review board would be a bad thing as well. I would think that a board made of citizens and police working together would be the best policy as hopefully the natural bias on both sides would pull the commitee towards the middle, a fairer footing for all. Checks are no good without balances.
JacqueB 11 years, 11 months ago
Sure----there is nothing wrong with a little checks and balances. But-----that does not mean that the general public should have the right through this column to police the police. I think that the general public should not be allowed to judge or make valid recomendation about the specific day to day operations of Law Enforcement. If you take a look at some of the comments in the section about allowing alcohol in the student Union you will understand what I am saying.
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