Date: 5 October 2010
To: NAACP
From: Tiffany Henderson
RE: Discrimination in Berrien Country (Eddie Peek Death)
On 15 May 2010 my father, Mr. Eddie Peek (Afro-American 61 yrs of age), was rear-ended and killed by a drunken driver, Paige Karsten (Caucasian 21 yrs of age) at 2:21am while traveling on I-94 eastbound to Benton Harbor after picking up newspapers from Herald Palladium, his place of employment. The impact from the crash was so great that Mr. Peek’s (herein after called the victim) van flipped and the rear caught fire (extinguished by a witness). When the Benton Township Police Department (BTPD) arrived at the scene it was obvious that Paige (hereinafter called the perpetrator) was drunk.
Per the police report the following bullets are known facts:
· The victim died at 3:25am at Lakeland Hospital from injuries sustained from the accident.
· The perpetrator was speeding drunk and hit the victim without breaking.
· Officer Robert Fuller found the perpetrator walking around in the median area after hitting the victim.
· Strong odors of intoxicants were coming from perpetrator‘s breath/her eyes were bloodshot red & her speech was slurred.
· The perpetrator said she only had 2 “Jaeger-bombs” at Nacho Papa’s.
· The perpetrator was not able to recite the alphabet from D to P, only reciting “D,E”.
· The perpetrator could not do the one-leg stand, only being able to raise her left foot 6” from the ground a dropping it saying she could not do this.
· The perpetrator stumbled to the right when taking to take her first step in the walk-in-turn test and did not walk heel-to-toe but took steps with her feet apart.
· The perpetrator was charge w/Operating a vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death.
· The perpetrator’s Breath Test result at scene (administered by Officer Fuller) was 0.201% and blood alcohol content from blood specimen (administered at Lakeland Hospital at 4:40am) was 0.217%.
· The accident scene was cleared and cleaned up of all debris and both cars were towed to Jeff’s Towing Yard by 3:30am
· The accident scene was not preserved because officers were not notified of the victim’s death until after 3:30am.
Other known facts:
· The Herald Palladium has not published any news relative to the case or accident since 5/17/10 and has not responded to inquires from the family regarding their lack of coverage considering the victim was killed while working.
· The Herald Palladium has historically and continues to report “front page” news on other accidents, murders and criminal cases when black on black, black on white or white on white outside of St. Joseph/Berrien County.
· The State Police not being called to the scene when the accident occurred in their jurisdiction.
· Officer Robert Fuller addressed the perpetrator as “Paige” and the perpetrator addressed the Officer Fuller as “Bobby” at the scene.
· The perpetrator was allowed to talk on her cell phone for 10 to 15mins in back of the police car prior to being transported from the accident scene.
· Officers were at the hospital (with the perpetrator) when the victim died at 3:25am, yet officer(s) at the crime scene said they were not notified of his death in time to preserve the scene.
· No photos were taken of the scene on the date of accident.
· Because the scene was cleared no attempts were made to reconstruct the scene.
· The BTPD refused to release a copy of the police report (public documentation) and accident records ( CDs) to the family of the victim until August 2010 after numerous requests had been made by the family.
· The Prosecuting Attorney (PA) Michael Sepic met w/the family members of the victim for the first time on 9/30/10 to discuss the status of the perpetrator’s case after being non responsive to prior requests from the victim’s family.
· PA said to the victim’s family, “he was sorry for making so many mistakes” “don’t we (victim’s family) make mistakes too”.
· The PA told victim’s family it’s not the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office responsibility to investigate the accident, but to prosecute on information provided by the police dept.
· The PA said “Anything the perpetrator did prior to killing the victim (drinking at two bars, possibly driving faster the 80mph and possible DUI priors) was irrelevant. He was only concern was the victim being dead, the perpetrator being drunk and what the police has to say.
· When the victim’s family asked the PA why the perpetrator was not being charged with Vehicular Manslaughter or Second Degree Murder, he responded “because I don’t have time” and “I don’t feel like it”.
· PA provided the victim’s family with “new” toxicology report dated 5/25/10 with the blood alcohol level of the perpetrator being .18. He stated the initial report was incorrect because the serum was tested and not the whole blood.
· PA provided the victim’s family with “new” evidence. A toxicology report dated 5/25/10 with the blood alcohol level of the victim being .06. He said the defense attorney would question the victim’s blood alcohol level and him not wearing a seat belt.
· PA said the perpetrator could possibility be sentenced to 1-3yrs or less.
· PA told the victim’s family that a nationwide criminal check was conducted and the perpetrator had no priors. Yet when asked to provide a copy of the CHH report he refused saying it was against the law (Law Enforcement Act). When asked for a written statement he also refused.
· PA said to the victim’s family “hasn’t Ms. Karsten suffered enough”.
· Since the perpetrator was charged, a judge has recused himself, three/four court dates have resulted in continuances, the trail was scheduled for October because the perpetrator had classes and the trial was adjourned by the court on 10/1/10 (with possibly reschedule in Feb. or March of 2011) as a result of “new evidence” (toxicology report) dated 5/25/10 that Mr. Sepic said he received in mid September.
The Berrien County Courthouse, Prosecuting Attorney Office and Benton Township Police Dept. have historically and continue to blatantly legitimize the differences in the judicial process used for “Blacks” and for “Whites." Based upon the reports/evidence provided by their offices, documented/verbal admittance of numerous mistakes, multiple court continuances, the PA’s refusal to provide requested material (full reports), the lack of media coverage by the Herald Palladium, and the arrogant/unprofessional/non-responsive/misleading manner in which the PA has dealt with the victim’s family. It is very evident that political neglect, oppression, racism and discrimination are alive, well and thriving in St. Joseph/Berrien County. I’m requesting support from the NAACP (and any other partnering Civil Rights organizations) to ensure the prejudice in this case is made public and stopped, as well as ensuring the victim rights of my family and other minorities in Benton Harbor are not continually violated by the discriminatory judicial processes of Berrien County. I was taught the Government is “for the people”, yet in Berrien County “the people” don’t include minorities.
Showing posts with label Police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Police. Show all posts
Friday, October 08, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
August 10 Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course Demonstration
About 100 people marched through Benton Harbor on August 10, 2010, the day Whirlpool opened it's Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, despite two court cases pending. We stopped at the golf course entry where we were met by at least 4 sheriff's deputies, 6 Benton Harbor Township police, and 4 Benton Harbor police. Our chanting was loud, especially when Julie Swidwa of the local Herald Palladium, attempted to interview Rev. Edward Pinkney, organizer of the demonstration and local NAACP president. "Julie is one-sided!!" was chanted over and over - the people had at least this one opportunity to let Swidwa hear what is thought of her "reporting," especially the hit jobs she's done on Pinkney over a decade. There was no interview. In a gratuitous show of power, police escorted her away. Whirlpool knows that media are the prime shapers of opinion; the company paper serves them well.
Other chants included, "Jack Nicklaus Go Home!," "Marcus Robinson Go Home!," and "Jean Klock Park was deeded to the people!" (Robinson works in "community development" for Whirlpool.) 130 media outlets sent reporters to cover the opening, so people in many states viewed the demonstration as part of the golf course coverage.
After the golf course protest, a rally was held on a nearby grassy area with speakers from Benton Harbor, Detroit, New York, Minneapolis, southern Illinois, Chicago, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, and elsewhere. Their insightful words made evident their understanding of the era of corporate control we now live under. Government and corporation as one (fascism). And, how corporations prey on the poor. In the case of Benton Harbor, Whirlpool is carrying out a hostile takeover of the city's Lake Michigan beaches, parks, and land. Endangered plant and animal species are of no concern to Whirlpool. African-American people were also in the way, hence, arguably the most aggressively prejudicial and harsh law enforcement/court system in the state (Berrien County). Benton Harbor citizens get time for walking down the "wrong" street. As attorney Buck Davis wrote:
“The thrust [of the county courthouse] is to physically remove and destroy families through the use of the criminal justice system. Every person they can put in jail; every person whose voting rights they can revoke with a felony conviction; every person they can cause to lose their job by putting them on probation; every person they can cause to lose the ability to pay for basic necessities through imposing ruinous court costs and probation is all part of the process. In the 1960s, it was called Negro removal. In Bosnia, it was called ethnic cleansing. It could be called genocide, the removal of the minority population for the purpose of redevelopment of the land. That’s what’s happening in Benton Harbor and the foremost leader of the resistance is Rev. Edward Pinkney.”
Whirlpool Vice President Jeff Noel told U. of Mich. business school students and faculty that if you want poor peoples' land, and have justice groups "on your back," simply bring in Habitat for Humanity to build a few houses and donate some appliances. Part of the land he and his corporate partners wanted was deeded in perpetuity to the citizens of Benton Harbor in 1917 by John Klock, a land owner who's infant daughter died. In a town ceremony, Klock spoke of people who owned no land but would always have this park, and named it after his infant daughter: Jean Klock Park. The largest appliance manufacturer in the world, which has outsourced most of it's jobs leaving Benton Harbor in dire poverty, has enough lawyers to get around the minor inconvenience of a deed.
In a video no longer accessible on the web, former Whirlpool CEO Dave Whitwam stated that this is the last and largest piece (530 acres) of prime real estate along the Lake Michigan shoreline. (Parkland is real estate?) Whirlpool is busy inventing terminology to justify their takeover. An example: they call this the first ever "Master Planned Community." It will have a town center with retail shops and restaurants. (Are they replacing Benton Harbor with a new town?) Deeded parkland for the people is becoming a posh enclave for the wealthy.
A stretch of the most pristine, natural beach front is to be no more. Ever. One protester said that people who grew up in this area and love the land and lake feel like an arm is being cut off.
Judges keep ruling in favor of Whirlpool in cases brought by preservationists.
About 100 people marched through Benton Harbor on August 10, 2010, the day Whirlpool opened it's Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, despite two court cases pending. We stopped at the golf course entry where we were met by at least 4 sheriff's deputies, 6 Benton Harbor Township police, and 4 Benton Harbor police. Our chanting was loud, especially when Julie Swidwa of the local Herald Palladium, attempted to interview Rev. Edward Pinkney, organizer of the demonstration and local NAACP president. "Julie is one-sided!!" was chanted over and over - the people had at least this one opportunity to let Swidwa hear what is thought of her "reporting," especially the hit jobs she's done on Pinkney over a decade. There was no interview. In a gratuitous show of power, police escorted her away. Whirlpool knows that media are the prime shapers of opinion; the company paper serves them well.
Other chants included, "Jack Nicklaus Go Home!," "Marcus Robinson Go Home!," and "Jean Klock Park was deeded to the people!" (Robinson works in "community development" for Whirlpool.) 130 media outlets sent reporters to cover the opening, so people in many states viewed the demonstration as part of the golf course coverage.
After the golf course protest, a rally was held on a nearby grassy area with speakers from Benton Harbor, Detroit, New York, Minneapolis, southern Illinois, Chicago, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, and elsewhere. Their insightful words made evident their understanding of the era of corporate control we now live under. Government and corporation as one (fascism). And, how corporations prey on the poor. In the case of Benton Harbor, Whirlpool is carrying out a hostile takeover of the city's Lake Michigan beaches, parks, and land. Endangered plant and animal species are of no concern to Whirlpool. African-American people were also in the way, hence, arguably the most aggressively prejudicial and harsh law enforcement/court system in the state (Berrien County). Benton Harbor citizens get time for walking down the "wrong" street. As attorney Buck Davis wrote:
“The thrust [of the county courthouse] is to physically remove and destroy families through the use of the criminal justice system. Every person they can put in jail; every person whose voting rights they can revoke with a felony conviction; every person they can cause to lose their job by putting them on probation; every person they can cause to lose the ability to pay for basic necessities through imposing ruinous court costs and probation is all part of the process. In the 1960s, it was called Negro removal. In Bosnia, it was called ethnic cleansing. It could be called genocide, the removal of the minority population for the purpose of redevelopment of the land. That’s what’s happening in Benton Harbor and the foremost leader of the resistance is Rev. Edward Pinkney.”
Whirlpool Vice President Jeff Noel told U. of Mich. business school students and faculty that if you want poor peoples' land, and have justice groups "on your back," simply bring in Habitat for Humanity to build a few houses and donate some appliances. Part of the land he and his corporate partners wanted was deeded in perpetuity to the citizens of Benton Harbor in 1917 by John Klock, a land owner who's infant daughter died. In a town ceremony, Klock spoke of people who owned no land but would always have this park, and named it after his infant daughter: Jean Klock Park. The largest appliance manufacturer in the world, which has outsourced most of it's jobs leaving Benton Harbor in dire poverty, has enough lawyers to get around the minor inconvenience of a deed.
In a video no longer accessible on the web, former Whirlpool CEO Dave Whitwam stated that this is the last and largest piece (530 acres) of prime real estate along the Lake Michigan shoreline. (Parkland is real estate?) Whirlpool is busy inventing terminology to justify their takeover. An example: they call this the first ever "Master Planned Community." It will have a town center with retail shops and restaurants. (Are they replacing Benton Harbor with a new town?) Deeded parkland for the people is becoming a posh enclave for the wealthy.
A stretch of the most pristine, natural beach front is to be no more. Ever. One protester said that people who grew up in this area and love the land and lake feel like an arm is being cut off.
Judges keep ruling in favor of Whirlpool in cases brought by preservationists.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
A Benton Harbor resident comes forward with a personal story of police abuse. You'll read in these short paragraphs how corrupt cops (backed by Whirlpool) ruin peoples' lives, and relationships with family and others. This story illustrates one part of the larger corporate objective to remove BH residents - by any means necessary.
I was one of the people in their reign of terror. They raided my house in ‘07 and took my chevy van. They took a large amount of money from my mother-in-law, and gave her only a percentage back. They also took money from me, saying they had found 3 eight balls in the house on the cabinet in vases. They were lying because where they said they found drugs my wife’s mother had cleaned the vases the day before. I told Mr. White, my attorney, that I never made a statement to Officer Collins or Hall, but he indicated that I told Collins that I drove my van around selling drugs to each and everyone that called me.
They also raided my uncle’s house - the same tormenting - them trying to make him say I sold drugs. The only thing I regret is losing my mother-in-law’s trust.
She started calling me a drug dealer, and I had them put out of the projects. I tried to talk to Mrs. Hester - she didn’t want to talk. She said I was a target. I also told her that I didn’t have any drugs nor did I sell drugs.
No one believed me, so I spent 2 days in jail and 2 years on a felony probation. All I want back is my life that I can’t seem to catch up with. I’m glad they found out the truth because nobody was asking questions about what Collins and Hall were doing. Pope tried to talk to the chief, but was not able to. I don’t blame just those two because it took more cops to do the drug raids, and some of those cops were there to witness what was found and what was planted.
I was one of the people in their reign of terror. They raided my house in ‘07 and took my chevy van. They took a large amount of money from my mother-in-law, and gave her only a percentage back. They also took money from me, saying they had found 3 eight balls in the house on the cabinet in vases. They were lying because where they said they found drugs my wife’s mother had cleaned the vases the day before. I told Mr. White, my attorney, that I never made a statement to Officer Collins or Hall, but he indicated that I told Collins that I drove my van around selling drugs to each and everyone that called me.
They also raided my uncle’s house - the same tormenting - them trying to make him say I sold drugs. The only thing I regret is losing my mother-in-law’s trust.
She started calling me a drug dealer, and I had them put out of the projects. I tried to talk to Mrs. Hester - she didn’t want to talk. She said I was a target. I also told her that I didn’t have any drugs nor did I sell drugs.
No one believed me, so I spent 2 days in jail and 2 years on a felony probation. All I want back is my life that I can’t seem to catch up with. I’m glad they found out the truth because nobody was asking questions about what Collins and Hall were doing. Pope tried to talk to the chief, but was not able to. I don’t blame just those two because it took more cops to do the drug raids, and some of those cops were there to witness what was found and what was planted.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Essentially the same article was published in the HP two weeks ago. Beginning with an obviously inaccurate headline, this is nothing more than another propaganda piece. Whirlpool and Herald Palladium efforts at glorifiying intense and harassing police presence fall on deaf ears in Benton Harbor.
In 6th year, BH citizens are becoming fans of extra patrols
By Scott Aiken, Friday, May 28, 2010 (commentary begins with capital letters)
Berrien Springs - A program that has put extra police patrols on Benton Harbor streets each summer since 2005 is helping keep the city safer, officials said Thursday night. The joint effort of the Benton Harbor Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff's Department and state police is gaining public support.
---WHAT public ANYWHERE supports a police state?
Benton Harbor police Chief Roger Lange said city residents in the past questioned the presence of officers from other departments. "That's not being asked anymore," Lange told Berrien County commissioners... he believes people now see the benefit of the joint effort. Lange and Sheriff Paul Bailey presented data...
---NO RESIDENTS from Benton Harbor, nor from anywhere, welcome continued police stops, profiling, harassment, and false arrests. What human being WANTS to be in fear of the out-of-doors? Big Brother/Police State techniques keep poor people indoors, unable to communicate with friends and neighbors, living in a state of siege.
For the years 2005-09, officers working in the joint enforcement effort made 340 felony arrests, 1,417 misdemeanor arrests, 3,082 traffic stops and issued 1,505 tickets. They gave 1,810 warnings and made 4,361 checks of people using the Law Enforcement Information Network, a computerized data system.
---CHIEF LANGE, you could put a stop to these unconstitutional "checks" which you inflicted on pedestrians and drivers. Why waste money on misdemeanor arrests when they're supposed to be dismissed? These statistics are OUTRAGEOUS. Can anyone imagine St. Joe residents being made this afraid? Misery, racism, war on the poor, poverty, genocide, and a police state to make it all possible - Whirlpool is an evil enforcer. That's an understatement.
Money for the program in the warm weather is provided by an annual $50,000 contribution from the county and $50,000 from Whirlpool Corp. The money enables the sheriff's department to put two patrol cars, each manned by two deputies, on the street in Benton Harbor on weekends.
---WOULD that Whirlpool created jobs for residents. Instead, jobs go offshore, and BH residents are imprisoned.
State police add patrols during the week. The deputies and state troopers work with city police. "We're also working together in community programs," Bailey said. "It's not all about enforcement.
---BAILEY, enforcement is all you've ever understood. People have spoken out regarding your racist tendencies. You've never had a clue about "To serve and protect." Whirlpool wants you just the way you are.
"The city police are doing an excellent job, and it's been a great effort with the sheriff's deputies and state police."
---PROPAGANDA, pure and simple.
Lange said the extra manpower enables the city police department to better deal with so-called quality-of-life crimes such as gambling and public urination, and citizens appreciate the effort.
---CITIZENS are in need of jobs. Whirlpool and other corporations outsourced instead of making sure human beings in their midst were able to lead stable lives.
"The citizens' attitudes are changing," Lange said. "The citizens are coming to us and helping us solve crimes." The city police department has brought back a long-dormant reserve officer program, and 18 people who are completing training are to graduate on June 5. Lange said the reserves volunteer their time and will generally work with a certified officer. The reserves will sometimes work alone, he said, but have close radio contact with full-time police. Some of the reserve officers aspire to become certified officers, and their work as reserves allows the department to get to know them and their capabilities, Lange said. That could give a reserve officer an advantage when the city considers applicants to send to the police academy.
---TEACHING the residents how to become members of the occupying force of oppression.
saiken@TheH-P.com
In 6th year, BH citizens are becoming fans of extra patrols
By Scott Aiken, Friday, May 28, 2010 (commentary begins with capital letters)
Berrien Springs - A program that has put extra police patrols on Benton Harbor streets each summer since 2005 is helping keep the city safer, officials said Thursday night. The joint effort of the Benton Harbor Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff's Department and state police is gaining public support.
---WHAT public ANYWHERE supports a police state?
Benton Harbor police Chief Roger Lange said city residents in the past questioned the presence of officers from other departments. "That's not being asked anymore," Lange told Berrien County commissioners... he believes people now see the benefit of the joint effort. Lange and Sheriff Paul Bailey presented data...
---NO RESIDENTS from Benton Harbor, nor from anywhere, welcome continued police stops, profiling, harassment, and false arrests. What human being WANTS to be in fear of the out-of-doors? Big Brother/Police State techniques keep poor people indoors, unable to communicate with friends and neighbors, living in a state of siege.
For the years 2005-09, officers working in the joint enforcement effort made 340 felony arrests, 1,417 misdemeanor arrests, 3,082 traffic stops and issued 1,505 tickets. They gave 1,810 warnings and made 4,361 checks of people using the Law Enforcement Information Network, a computerized data system.
---CHIEF LANGE, you could put a stop to these unconstitutional "checks" which you inflicted on pedestrians and drivers. Why waste money on misdemeanor arrests when they're supposed to be dismissed? These statistics are OUTRAGEOUS. Can anyone imagine St. Joe residents being made this afraid? Misery, racism, war on the poor, poverty, genocide, and a police state to make it all possible - Whirlpool is an evil enforcer. That's an understatement.
Money for the program in the warm weather is provided by an annual $50,000 contribution from the county and $50,000 from Whirlpool Corp. The money enables the sheriff's department to put two patrol cars, each manned by two deputies, on the street in Benton Harbor on weekends.
---WOULD that Whirlpool created jobs for residents. Instead, jobs go offshore, and BH residents are imprisoned.
State police add patrols during the week. The deputies and state troopers work with city police. "We're also working together in community programs," Bailey said. "It's not all about enforcement.
---BAILEY, enforcement is all you've ever understood. People have spoken out regarding your racist tendencies. You've never had a clue about "To serve and protect." Whirlpool wants you just the way you are.
"The city police are doing an excellent job, and it's been a great effort with the sheriff's deputies and state police."
---PROPAGANDA, pure and simple.
Lange said the extra manpower enables the city police department to better deal with so-called quality-of-life crimes such as gambling and public urination, and citizens appreciate the effort.
---CITIZENS are in need of jobs. Whirlpool and other corporations outsourced instead of making sure human beings in their midst were able to lead stable lives.
"The citizens' attitudes are changing," Lange said. "The citizens are coming to us and helping us solve crimes." The city police department has brought back a long-dormant reserve officer program, and 18 people who are completing training are to graduate on June 5. Lange said the reserves volunteer their time and will generally work with a certified officer. The reserves will sometimes work alone, he said, but have close radio contact with full-time police. Some of the reserve officers aspire to become certified officers, and their work as reserves allows the department to get to know them and their capabilities, Lange said. That could give a reserve officer an advantage when the city considers applicants to send to the police academy.
---TEACHING the residents how to become members of the occupying force of oppression.
saiken@TheH-P.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Will Whirlpool/Upton Corruption be Brought Down?
(Media-Newswire.com) - 9/10/09 - GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Bernard Hall, Jr., age 33, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the civil rights of inhabitants of the City of Benton Harbor, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis announced today. Hall was indicted back in July 2009 in connection with a corruption investigation involving the Benton Harbor Police Department. Hall faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.
At the time of the offenses alleged in the Indictment, Bernard Hall, Jr. was a sworn police officer of the Benton Harbor Police Department ( BHPD ), serving as the ranking police officer and supervisor of the Narcotics Unit. As head of the Narcotics Unit, Hall was responsible for the supervision of other police officers assigned to the unit—including former BHPD police officer Andrew Thomas Collins. Collins is currently serving time in federal prison for his felony drug conviction on January 26, 2009. At the time of his conviction, Collins admitted that he abused his position of trust as a BHPD officer, in that on more than one occasion he failed to report and submit to the BHPD all narcotics he seized in the course of his duties and instead retained possession of narcotics for his own use, gain or purpose. Collins also admitted that he reported false and fictitious controlled purchases to the BHPD for the purpose of improperly securing search warrants and to embezzle funds of the BHPD.
Count one of the Indictment alleges that Hall and Collins were involved in a pervasive pattern of police corruption resulting in the violation of the civil rights of inhabitants of the City of Benton Harbor. The Indictment alleges that Hall and Collins falsified search warrant affidavits, obtained search warrants without probable cause, embezzled funds from the Benton Harbor Police Department, filed false police reports, and unlawfully seized and misappropriated individuals’ money and personal property for their own personal use.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and its law enforcement partners consider allegations of public corruption to be of the highest importance and priority. U.S. Attorney Davis explained that: “ Because the respect and confidence the citizens place in their governmental institutions is dependant upon the honest and faithful services of the governmental employee, my office will aggressively pursue and prosecute governmental employees who violate their solemn oath and duties.” U.S. Attorney Davis further vowed that his office will work diligently with its law enforcement partners to seek out and remedy any wrongful convictions resulting from Hall’s and Collins’ alleged criminal conduct.
The investigation of this matter was conducted by the St. Joseph Office of the FBI with the cooperation of the Michigan State Police, the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office and the BHPD. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian K. Delaney. [The only hope for Benton Harbor residents to have the state of seige lifted from their community rests with the two US Attorneys, Davis and Delaney. This last paragraph lists people and institutions who have aided and abetted criminal and unconstitutional court and law enforcement behaviors for decades. Their masters are Rep. Fred Upton and Whirlpool Corporation.]
http://media-newswire.com/release_1098521.html
At the time of the offenses alleged in the Indictment, Bernard Hall, Jr. was a sworn police officer of the Benton Harbor Police Department ( BHPD ), serving as the ranking police officer and supervisor of the Narcotics Unit. As head of the Narcotics Unit, Hall was responsible for the supervision of other police officers assigned to the unit—including former BHPD police officer Andrew Thomas Collins. Collins is currently serving time in federal prison for his felony drug conviction on January 26, 2009. At the time of his conviction, Collins admitted that he abused his position of trust as a BHPD officer, in that on more than one occasion he failed to report and submit to the BHPD all narcotics he seized in the course of his duties and instead retained possession of narcotics for his own use, gain or purpose. Collins also admitted that he reported false and fictitious controlled purchases to the BHPD for the purpose of improperly securing search warrants and to embezzle funds of the BHPD.
Count one of the Indictment alleges that Hall and Collins were involved in a pervasive pattern of police corruption resulting in the violation of the civil rights of inhabitants of the City of Benton Harbor. The Indictment alleges that Hall and Collins falsified search warrant affidavits, obtained search warrants without probable cause, embezzled funds from the Benton Harbor Police Department, filed false police reports, and unlawfully seized and misappropriated individuals’ money and personal property for their own personal use.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and its law enforcement partners consider allegations of public corruption to be of the highest importance and priority. U.S. Attorney Davis explained that: “ Because the respect and confidence the citizens place in their governmental institutions is dependant upon the honest and faithful services of the governmental employee, my office will aggressively pursue and prosecute governmental employees who violate their solemn oath and duties.” U.S. Attorney Davis further vowed that his office will work diligently with its law enforcement partners to seek out and remedy any wrongful convictions resulting from Hall’s and Collins’ alleged criminal conduct.
The investigation of this matter was conducted by the St. Joseph Office of the FBI with the cooperation of the Michigan State Police, the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office and the BHPD. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian K. Delaney. [The only hope for Benton Harbor residents to have the state of seige lifted from their community rests with the two US Attorneys, Davis and Delaney. This last paragraph lists people and institutions who have aided and abetted criminal and unconstitutional court and law enforcement behaviors for decades. Their masters are Rep. Fred Upton and Whirlpool Corporation.]
http://media-newswire.com/release_1098521.html
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Quacy Roberts Update
Petty revenge by law enforcement, similar to elementary playground shenanigans, only now lethal and life-ruining
Quacy Roberts, Benton Harbor resident who told the truth in court about drug planting by a BH police officer, is now a target. Police and sheriff deputies rushed him against a fence and he ended up in Berrien County jail after having drugs planted on him again. After a few weeks behind bars his girlfriend just provided bond of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS by putting her house up for collateral. Quacy is free now at great cost to her.
There are about 20 other residents who courageously told the truth about Officer Andrew Collins - you can imagine the fear they live with 24/7 in the scariest county in the state.
Each time cops in this county go after Benton Harbor residents, there is a ripple effect. Children are sent to live with aunts. Spouses and family members are bereft. This is all part of the plan. Whirpool Corp., Rep. Fred Upton, Wendy Dant-Chesser, and the Gang need an ethnic cleansing for their golf course, and by any means necessary, they will get it. Gov. Granholm is their benevolent godmother. And most of Michigan knows nothing about this.
Petty revenge by law enforcement, similar to elementary playground shenanigans, only now lethal and life-ruining
Quacy Roberts, Benton Harbor resident who told the truth in court about drug planting by a BH police officer, is now a target. Police and sheriff deputies rushed him against a fence and he ended up in Berrien County jail after having drugs planted on him again. After a few weeks behind bars his girlfriend just provided bond of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS by putting her house up for collateral. Quacy is free now at great cost to her.
There are about 20 other residents who courageously told the truth about Officer Andrew Collins - you can imagine the fear they live with 24/7 in the scariest county in the state.
Each time cops in this county go after Benton Harbor residents, there is a ripple effect. Children are sent to live with aunts. Spouses and family members are bereft. This is all part of the plan. Whirpool Corp., Rep. Fred Upton, Wendy Dant-Chesser, and the Gang need an ethnic cleansing for their golf course, and by any means necessary, they will get it. Gov. Granholm is their benevolent godmother. And most of Michigan knows nothing about this.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Colorblind No More March/April 2009
By Daisy Hernández
A growing number of states assess the racial impact of drug laws.
Legislation passed in Iowa and Connecticut will now require politicians in both states to consider how proposed drug laws may impact communities of color. Minnesota hasn’t passed a law, but its sentencing commission has already begun taking similar action.
The laws come after decades of research showing how the federal and state policies that made up the War on Drugs have disproportionately targeted Black people, sending them to prison at much higher rates than whites. In Iowa alone, Blacks are imprisoned at 13.6 times the rate of whites.
The Sentencing Project, an organization promoting reforms in the criminal justice system, has been calling on lawmakers across the country to create racial impact statements. The concept is similar to how environmental impact statements work: When a bill is proposed, lawmakers are required to include an analysis of how the environment would be affected if the bill were passed. Racial impact statements will do the same, considering how a proposed sentencing law might cause, for example, an increase of Latino or Black men in prisons.
http://www.colorlines.com/article.php?ID=508
By Daisy Hernández
A growing number of states assess the racial impact of drug laws.
Legislation passed in Iowa and Connecticut will now require politicians in both states to consider how proposed drug laws may impact communities of color. Minnesota hasn’t passed a law, but its sentencing commission has already begun taking similar action.
The laws come after decades of research showing how the federal and state policies that made up the War on Drugs have disproportionately targeted Black people, sending them to prison at much higher rates than whites. In Iowa alone, Blacks are imprisoned at 13.6 times the rate of whites.
The Sentencing Project, an organization promoting reforms in the criminal justice system, has been calling on lawmakers across the country to create racial impact statements. The concept is similar to how environmental impact statements work: When a bill is proposed, lawmakers are required to include an analysis of how the environment would be affected if the bill were passed. Racial impact statements will do the same, considering how a proposed sentencing law might cause, for example, an increase of Latino or Black men in prisons.
http://www.colorlines.com/article.php?ID=508
Eleven Year Old Article and It's Even Worse Now
Fall 1998
Masked Racism: Reflections on the Prison Industrial Complex By Angela Davis
Five times as many black men are presently in prison as in four-year colleges and universities.
What is the Prison Industrial Complex? Why does it matter?
Imprisonment has become the response of first resort to far too many of the social problems that burden people who are ensconced in poverty. These problems often are veiled by being conveniently grouped together under the category “crime” and by the automatic attribution of criminal behavior to people of color. Homelessness, unemployment, drug addiction, mental illness, and illiteracy are only a few of the problems that disappear from public view when the human beings contending with them are relegated to cages. Prisons thus perform a feat of magic. Or rather the people who continually vote in new prison bonds and tacitly assent to a proliferating network of prisons and jails have been tricked into believing in the magic of imprisonment. But prisons do not disappear problems, they disappear human beings. And the practice of disappearing vast numbers of people from poor, immigrant, and racially marginalized communities has literally become big business.
http://www.colorlines.com/article.php?ID=309
Fall 1998
Masked Racism: Reflections on the Prison Industrial Complex By Angela Davis
Five times as many black men are presently in prison as in four-year colleges and universities.
What is the Prison Industrial Complex? Why does it matter?
Imprisonment has become the response of first resort to far too many of the social problems that burden people who are ensconced in poverty. These problems often are veiled by being conveniently grouped together under the category “crime” and by the automatic attribution of criminal behavior to people of color. Homelessness, unemployment, drug addiction, mental illness, and illiteracy are only a few of the problems that disappear from public view when the human beings contending with them are relegated to cages. Prisons thus perform a feat of magic. Or rather the people who continually vote in new prison bonds and tacitly assent to a proliferating network of prisons and jails have been tricked into believing in the magic of imprisonment. But prisons do not disappear problems, they disappear human beings. And the practice of disappearing vast numbers of people from poor, immigrant, and racially marginalized communities has literally become big business.
http://www.colorlines.com/article.php?ID=309
Thursday, April 02, 2009
[Such brave & courageous Berrien County law enforcers always on track, fighting the "drug war." See following article.]
More than 600 pounds of pot found in truck
Hidden compartment held stash worth $600,000 By Kevin Allen H-P 4/1/09
NEW BUFFALO - More than 600 pounds of marijuana will be kept off the streets of Detroit thanks to the keen eyes of a Michigan State Police trooper in New Buffalo Township...
The female driver, who was alone in the truck, was placed in the Berrien County jail pending arraignment.
More than 600 pounds of pot found in truck
Hidden compartment held stash worth $600,000 By Kevin Allen H-P 4/1/09
NEW BUFFALO - More than 600 pounds of marijuana will be kept off the streets of Detroit thanks to the keen eyes of a Michigan State Police trooper in New Buffalo Township...
The female driver, who was alone in the truck, was placed in the Berrien County jail pending arraignment.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Is this possible in Berrien County, Michigan?
Thank You, Michael Phelps!
Ten Reasons to Get High About Pot in 2009
By Norm Kent, 2/6 http://www.counterpunch.org/kent02062009.html
Okay, it is only the first week of February and more people this year have already died from peanut butter than pot...Building jails and keeping people in prisons costs more money than communities can afford...The necessities of twenty first century law enforcement have reduced pot to secondary priorities. More and more cities are encouraging cops to treat simple pot possession as a civil traffic infraction and just write a ticket. As those progressive initiatives take hold, pot prosecutions will diminish and pot users will be treated more fairly.
Ten Reasons to Get High About Pot in 2009
By Norm Kent, 2/6 http://www.counterpunch.org/kent02062009.html
Okay, it is only the first week of February and more people this year have already died from peanut butter than pot...Building jails and keeping people in prisons costs more money than communities can afford...The necessities of twenty first century law enforcement have reduced pot to secondary priorities. More and more cities are encouraging cops to treat simple pot possession as a civil traffic infraction and just write a ticket. As those progressive initiatives take hold, pot prosecutions will diminish and pot users will be treated more fairly.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Law Enforcement Oversight
Thirteen year old national organization with an excellent reputation. We wonder which might be the first Berrien County civilian group to join? NACOLE.org
The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) is a non-profit organization that brings together individuals and agencies working to establish or improve oversight of police officers in the United States. NACOLE welcomes people and organizations committed to fair and professional law enforcement that is responsive to community needs.
The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) is a non-profit organization that brings together individuals and agencies working to establish or improve oversight of police officers in the United States. NACOLE welcomes people and organizations committed to fair and professional law enforcement that is responsive to community needs.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Herald Palladium WATCH
One woman propaganda machine: Wendy-Dant Chesser, Herald Palladium board, Cornerstone Alliance President, Harbor Shores Trustee, Alliance for World-Class Communities officer. (H-P sold in 2000 to Paxton Media Group, Paducah, Ky. Whirlpool VP Jeff Noel from Ky.)
Herald Palladium reports what it wants, how it wants (or how Whirlpool wants)
- truth be damned. Always keep this in mind when reading this "paper."
Example: City Editor reports below that Rev. Pinkney is still in prison (he's been at home since 12/24)
Commentary in CAPS.
Berrien County, MI Cops Plant Drugs and Steal Cars, Money, Etc.
Collins cases could lead to string of lawsuits
Several (several?) arrested for drug crimes by ex-cop hope to have charges dismissed
By Jim Dalgleish - H-P City Editor (no less) Wed., Jan. 28, 2009
BENTON HARBOR - Marlon Sanders admits to satisfaction in knowing that former policeman Andrews Collins is likely headed to prison.
"I'd say what goes around comes around," said the 23-year-old Benton Harbor man, interviewed Tuesday at his father's house.
Sanders is one of 24 people whose drug convictions Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter said should not stand. Cotter, noting Collins' criminal behavior as a Benton Harbor Police Department narcotics officer, is seeking dismissals of the convictions.
However, Cotter's efforts are almost academic for Sanders, who completed a 16-month prison term last April for possession of narcotics less than 50 grams. BANCO AND BH RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE SANDERS AND MANY, MANY OTHERS SUE BERRIEN COUNTY AND BHPD FOR 10 MILLION EACH]
"One of the things I'm mad about is I spent time in prison for no good reason," said the slender, softspoken Sanders. He said "scary" isn't a powerful enough word for prison life in Jackson. He can't get back the time spent in prison, but he said he would like redress. He said he wants to sue and is looking for a lawyer.
He said it's improbable that Collins' supervisors didn't know the young detective was skirting the rules. [CHIEF MINGO, AL COTTER, PETE MITCHELL, AND ON UP KNEW ALL ABOUT COLLIN'S AND OTHERS' ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. THIS OF COURSE HAS NEVER BEEN REPORTED.]
He said it was known on the street that Collins was dirty. "People'd run if they saw Collins," he said.
Sanders said he filed a harassment complaint with the department against Collins in July 2006.
[CHIEF MINGO DID NOTHING] He said Collins had stopped him and searched him four times in previous weeks for walking through areas known for drug sales. [COLLINS AND OTHER COPS WHO DO THIS HAVE NO RIGHT]
Sanders said his arrest came the day after he filed the harassment complaint.
[THIS SAYS EVERYTHING ABOUT MINGO]
Deputy Chief Randel Pompey said he couldn't respond to Sanders' claims because all department records pertaining to Collins had been turned over the FBI.
Sanders was arrested along with Quacy Roberts as they walked along High Street on a hot July afternoon. Roberts and Sanders said in separate interviews that Collins was working with another city narcotics officer, who had to have known how Collins operated.
Roberts, 32, athletically built and more animated than Sanders, said the two officers during the course of the arrest and processing at the police department produced three rocks of crack cocaine no larger than rice kernels. Furthermore, Roberts said the officers used the state's civil forfeiture law to seize from him $1,500 in cash - which Roberts said his mother gave him so he could buy siding for her house.
But he said the civil forfeiture paperwork listed the take at $15. He said he wonders what happened to the other $1,485. [CRIME ROLLS ON IN THE BHPD. COPS HAVE BEEN STEALING MONEY FOR YEARS FROM BH RESIDENTS. NEVER REPORTED.]
The Benton Harbor Police Department, like many police departments, uses civil forfeiture seizures to supplement their budgets. [AGAIN, COPS STEALING MONEY AND, AS USUAL, GETTING ORDERS TO DO SO FROM ABOVE - WAAAY ABOVE]
Among the questions surrounding the reversed convictions is whether the city will have to reimburse those who lost cash, cars and other items - some of which were sold with the money supporting the department. [NOTHING WAS "LOST" - IT WAS STOLEN - AND SHOULD ALL BE RETURNED: CASH, CARS, AND OTHER ITEMS. FULL REPARATIONS ARE REQUIRED. H-P EDITOR SHOULD SUPPORT THIS.]
City Manager Richard Marsh said he is studying the question. [MARSH SHOULD BE FIRED]
Cotter is seeking to have Roberts' conviction for narcotics possession less than 25 grams dismissed. Like Sanders, Roberts had already served his time, one year in the Berrien County jail. He was released in November. He said he talked to one lawyer about suing the city.
Prosecutors offered him plea bargains after the arrest, but he said was certain he could beat the charge at trial because there was no physical evidence linking him to the drugs. [UNTIL COLLINS PLANTED THE DRUGS]
It didn't work out that way.
He said his jury was all white and unwilling to believe police officers were capable of concocting evidence. [AT LEAST THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT: POLICE & THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DISHONEST & OPERATE OUTSIDE OF THE LAW. HONEST REPORTING COULD HAVE CHANGED ALL OF THIS.]
Sanders said he accepted a plea deal, bucking advice from Edward Pinkney, the outspoken critic of Berrien County's court system who is now in prison for threats issued against a Berrien judge. (what?) [REV. EDWARD PINKNEY KNEW THAT COLLINS WAS PLANTING DRUGS ON PEOPLE AND HE SPOKE ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES AT CITY COMMISSION MTGS. NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. DEFENSE ATTY. BRIAN BERGER WAS WORKING WITH PROSECUTOR COTTER - PINKNEY SPOKE TO BERGER ABOUT 3 PLANTINGS ON A. GIBBS, C. MCKINNEY, Q. ROBERTS - BERGER AIDED AND ABETTED PROSECTOR COTTER TO GET THEM ALL CONVICTED. AGAIN, WHERE WERE THE OBJECTIVE REPORTS?]
"I was scared of what they would do to me if I took it to trial and I lost," Sanders said.
[ANYONE IN COURT IN BERRIEN HAS REASON TO BE SCARED. EVEN THE MEDIA WILL SUPPORT THEIR ARRESTS, CONVICTIONS, IMPRISONMENT.]
Word of Collins' ways had reached at least two defense lawyers. Scott Sanford, on the Berrien drug court roster of court-appointed lawyers, said Collins' arrest "didn't come as a shock to me and a lot of other defense attorneys. ... Where there's smoke, there is fire." [HE DID NOTHING MAKING HIM AS GUILTY AS COLLINS]
Sanford, based in St. Joseph, called the Collins situation "sickening because we have to rely on those police reports. And I'm sure the law enforcement community feels the same way."
[SANFORD HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THIS AND FAILED]
St. Joseph lawyer Brian Berger, also on that roster, said he heard of the problems.
[REV. PINKNEY TOLD BERGER POSSIBLY 20 TIMES THAT DRUGS WERE BEING PLANTED.]
"Defendants at times claimed there was some wrongdoing on Officer Collins' part, but that was never proven," he said.
Berger said prosecutors, judges, juries and even defense lawyers rely on police reports and testimony as the most reliable building blocks in criminal cases. [IN BERRIEN COUNTY, THEY DO NOT WANT PROOF - ONLY CONVICTIONS]
"I don't believe police officers up and down the line are lying," Berger said.
[NOT ONLY ARE THEY LYING, BUT SO IS BERGER, SINCE HE KNEW THE TRUTH]
"I think (Collins) is an isolated case. At least I hope it's an isolated case."
[COLLINS MAY BE ARRESTED, BUT DRUG PLANTING AND ALL THE REST GOES ON TODAY IN BERRIEN COUNTY - BERGER KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT AS DOES THE ENTIRE COURTHOUSE & THE MEDIA.]
One woman propaganda machine: Wendy-Dant Chesser, Herald Palladium board, Cornerstone Alliance President, Harbor Shores Trustee, Alliance for World-Class Communities officer. (H-P sold in 2000 to Paxton Media Group, Paducah, Ky. Whirlpool VP Jeff Noel from Ky.)
Herald Palladium reports what it wants, how it wants (or how Whirlpool wants)
- truth be damned. Always keep this in mind when reading this "paper."
Example: City Editor reports below that Rev. Pinkney is still in prison (he's been at home since 12/24)
Commentary in CAPS.
Berrien County, MI Cops Plant Drugs and Steal Cars, Money, Etc.
Collins cases could lead to string of lawsuits
Several (several?) arrested for drug crimes by ex-cop hope to have charges dismissed
By Jim Dalgleish - H-P City Editor (no less) Wed., Jan. 28, 2009
BENTON HARBOR - Marlon Sanders admits to satisfaction in knowing that former policeman Andrews Collins is likely headed to prison.
"I'd say what goes around comes around," said the 23-year-old Benton Harbor man, interviewed Tuesday at his father's house.
Sanders is one of 24 people whose drug convictions Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter said should not stand. Cotter, noting Collins' criminal behavior as a Benton Harbor Police Department narcotics officer, is seeking dismissals of the convictions.
However, Cotter's efforts are almost academic for Sanders, who completed a 16-month prison term last April for possession of narcotics less than 50 grams. BANCO AND BH RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE SANDERS AND MANY, MANY OTHERS SUE BERRIEN COUNTY AND BHPD FOR 10 MILLION EACH]
"One of the things I'm mad about is I spent time in prison for no good reason," said the slender, softspoken Sanders. He said "scary" isn't a powerful enough word for prison life in Jackson. He can't get back the time spent in prison, but he said he would like redress. He said he wants to sue and is looking for a lawyer.
He said it's improbable that Collins' supervisors didn't know the young detective was skirting the rules. [CHIEF MINGO, AL COTTER, PETE MITCHELL, AND ON UP KNEW ALL ABOUT COLLIN'S AND OTHERS' ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. THIS OF COURSE HAS NEVER BEEN REPORTED.]
He said it was known on the street that Collins was dirty. "People'd run if they saw Collins," he said.
Sanders said he filed a harassment complaint with the department against Collins in July 2006.
[CHIEF MINGO DID NOTHING] He said Collins had stopped him and searched him four times in previous weeks for walking through areas known for drug sales. [COLLINS AND OTHER COPS WHO DO THIS HAVE NO RIGHT]
Sanders said his arrest came the day after he filed the harassment complaint.
[THIS SAYS EVERYTHING ABOUT MINGO]
Deputy Chief Randel Pompey said he couldn't respond to Sanders' claims because all department records pertaining to Collins had been turned over the FBI.
Sanders was arrested along with Quacy Roberts as they walked along High Street on a hot July afternoon. Roberts and Sanders said in separate interviews that Collins was working with another city narcotics officer, who had to have known how Collins operated.
Roberts, 32, athletically built and more animated than Sanders, said the two officers during the course of the arrest and processing at the police department produced three rocks of crack cocaine no larger than rice kernels. Furthermore, Roberts said the officers used the state's civil forfeiture law to seize from him $1,500 in cash - which Roberts said his mother gave him so he could buy siding for her house.
But he said the civil forfeiture paperwork listed the take at $15. He said he wonders what happened to the other $1,485. [CRIME ROLLS ON IN THE BHPD. COPS HAVE BEEN STEALING MONEY FOR YEARS FROM BH RESIDENTS. NEVER REPORTED.]
The Benton Harbor Police Department, like many police departments, uses civil forfeiture seizures to supplement their budgets. [AGAIN, COPS STEALING MONEY AND, AS USUAL, GETTING ORDERS TO DO SO FROM ABOVE - WAAAY ABOVE]
Among the questions surrounding the reversed convictions is whether the city will have to reimburse those who lost cash, cars and other items - some of which were sold with the money supporting the department. [NOTHING WAS "LOST" - IT WAS STOLEN - AND SHOULD ALL BE RETURNED: CASH, CARS, AND OTHER ITEMS. FULL REPARATIONS ARE REQUIRED. H-P EDITOR SHOULD SUPPORT THIS.]
City Manager Richard Marsh said he is studying the question. [MARSH SHOULD BE FIRED]
Cotter is seeking to have Roberts' conviction for narcotics possession less than 25 grams dismissed. Like Sanders, Roberts had already served his time, one year in the Berrien County jail. He was released in November. He said he talked to one lawyer about suing the city.
Prosecutors offered him plea bargains after the arrest, but he said was certain he could beat the charge at trial because there was no physical evidence linking him to the drugs. [UNTIL COLLINS PLANTED THE DRUGS]
It didn't work out that way.
He said his jury was all white and unwilling to believe police officers were capable of concocting evidence. [AT LEAST THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT: POLICE & THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DISHONEST & OPERATE OUTSIDE OF THE LAW. HONEST REPORTING COULD HAVE CHANGED ALL OF THIS.]
Sanders said he accepted a plea deal, bucking advice from Edward Pinkney, the outspoken critic of Berrien County's court system who is now in prison for threats issued against a Berrien judge. (what?) [REV. EDWARD PINKNEY KNEW THAT COLLINS WAS PLANTING DRUGS ON PEOPLE AND HE SPOKE ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES AT CITY COMMISSION MTGS. NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. DEFENSE ATTY. BRIAN BERGER WAS WORKING WITH PROSECUTOR COTTER - PINKNEY SPOKE TO BERGER ABOUT 3 PLANTINGS ON A. GIBBS, C. MCKINNEY, Q. ROBERTS - BERGER AIDED AND ABETTED PROSECTOR COTTER TO GET THEM ALL CONVICTED. AGAIN, WHERE WERE THE OBJECTIVE REPORTS?]
"I was scared of what they would do to me if I took it to trial and I lost," Sanders said.
[ANYONE IN COURT IN BERRIEN HAS REASON TO BE SCARED. EVEN THE MEDIA WILL SUPPORT THEIR ARRESTS, CONVICTIONS, IMPRISONMENT.]
Word of Collins' ways had reached at least two defense lawyers. Scott Sanford, on the Berrien drug court roster of court-appointed lawyers, said Collins' arrest "didn't come as a shock to me and a lot of other defense attorneys. ... Where there's smoke, there is fire." [HE DID NOTHING MAKING HIM AS GUILTY AS COLLINS]
Sanford, based in St. Joseph, called the Collins situation "sickening because we have to rely on those police reports. And I'm sure the law enforcement community feels the same way."
[SANFORD HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THIS AND FAILED]
St. Joseph lawyer Brian Berger, also on that roster, said he heard of the problems.
[REV. PINKNEY TOLD BERGER POSSIBLY 20 TIMES THAT DRUGS WERE BEING PLANTED.]
"Defendants at times claimed there was some wrongdoing on Officer Collins' part, but that was never proven," he said.
Berger said prosecutors, judges, juries and even defense lawyers rely on police reports and testimony as the most reliable building blocks in criminal cases. [IN BERRIEN COUNTY, THEY DO NOT WANT PROOF - ONLY CONVICTIONS]
"I don't believe police officers up and down the line are lying," Berger said.
[NOT ONLY ARE THEY LYING, BUT SO IS BERGER, SINCE HE KNEW THE TRUTH]
"I think (Collins) is an isolated case. At least I hope it's an isolated case."
[COLLINS MAY BE ARRESTED, BUT DRUG PLANTING AND ALL THE REST GOES ON TODAY IN BERRIEN COUNTY - BERGER KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT AS DOES THE ENTIRE COURTHOUSE & THE MEDIA.]
Berrien County, MI legal system & law enforcement corrupt from top to bottom
Article with commentary in CAPS
Collins pleads guilty to drug trafficking
Former BHPD narcotics officer could serve up to 40 years for contraband frameups
By David Warfield H-P Wed., Jan. 28, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS - Former Benton Harbor Police officer Andrew Collins pleaded guilty Monday to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of crack cocaine, federal authorities announced Tuesday.
For the felony conviction, Collins faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum 40 years and up to a $2 million fine.
[BANCO AND CITIZENS OF BH BELIEVE HE DESERVES 40 YEARS/20M]
Collins, 26, was indicted in December by a U.S. District Court grand jury in December.
[SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDICTED AT LEAST TWO YEARS SOONER]
The charge stemmed from a February 2008 police department investigation that turned up a large stash of drugs in Collins' police locker. [POLICE CHIEF MINGO'S LOCKER SHOULD BE CHECKED]
The drugs, including about nine grams of cocaine, some marijuana, and heroin, should have been recorded and stored as evidence, but Collins instead kept them for his own gain.
In his plea, Collins admitted to keeping drugs seized during arrests, then reporting false and fictitious purchases and using the drugs he held to improperly secure warrants and make arrests in other cases. [WE HOPE HE DECIDES TO BE HONEST TO STOP THE SUFFERING. TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT MINGO, PETE MITCHELL, BERNARD HALL, ART COTTER, AND ON AND ON]
Collins quit the Benton Harbor force Feb. 20, 2008 - two days after the drugs were found in his locker. Two days later Collins was convicted in the Berrien County Trial Court on an assault charge stemming from a bar fight in November 2007. He was later put on probation for the assault conviction.
Collins was free on bond before pleading guilty Monday to the drug charges. He is now back in custody and will be sent to a federal prison after sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney said Tuesday. [AFTER 100'S OF FAMILIES HAVE BEEN RUINED BY DRUG PLANTING (FRAMING), BANCO HOPES HE GETS 40 YEARS]
In a press release, Delaney said the U.S. Attorney's office in Grand Rapids is working with authorities to "seek out and remedy" wrongful convictions resulting from Collins' misconduct.
[U.S. ATTYS. IN GR ARE FORCING BERRIEN COUTNY PROSECUTOR ART COTTER TO SEEK OUT AND REMEDY WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS]
In December, Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter asked courts to reverse convictions against 24 people convicted of drug charges based on evidence obtained by Collins.
[THERE SHOULD BE WELL OVER 100 REVERSED CONVICTIONS PROSECUTED BY COTTER BASED ON EVIDENCE OBTAINED BY COLLINS]
Cotter said last month he sought court orders to release those in prison for the offenses, and that he is seeking a retrial for two of the 24 improperly convicted. [COTTER NEEDS TO BE TRIED!]
Collins pleads guilty to drug trafficking
Former BHPD narcotics officer could serve up to 40 years for contraband frameups
By David Warfield H-P Wed., Jan. 28, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS - Former Benton Harbor Police officer Andrew Collins pleaded guilty Monday to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of crack cocaine, federal authorities announced Tuesday.
For the felony conviction, Collins faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum 40 years and up to a $2 million fine.
[BANCO AND CITIZENS OF BH BELIEVE HE DESERVES 40 YEARS/20M]
Collins, 26, was indicted in December by a U.S. District Court grand jury in December.
[SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDICTED AT LEAST TWO YEARS SOONER]
The charge stemmed from a February 2008 police department investigation that turned up a large stash of drugs in Collins' police locker. [POLICE CHIEF MINGO'S LOCKER SHOULD BE CHECKED]
The drugs, including about nine grams of cocaine, some marijuana, and heroin, should have been recorded and stored as evidence, but Collins instead kept them for his own gain.
In his plea, Collins admitted to keeping drugs seized during arrests, then reporting false and fictitious purchases and using the drugs he held to improperly secure warrants and make arrests in other cases. [WE HOPE HE DECIDES TO BE HONEST TO STOP THE SUFFERING. TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT MINGO, PETE MITCHELL, BERNARD HALL, ART COTTER, AND ON AND ON]
Collins quit the Benton Harbor force Feb. 20, 2008 - two days after the drugs were found in his locker. Two days later Collins was convicted in the Berrien County Trial Court on an assault charge stemming from a bar fight in November 2007. He was later put on probation for the assault conviction.
Collins was free on bond before pleading guilty Monday to the drug charges. He is now back in custody and will be sent to a federal prison after sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney said Tuesday. [AFTER 100'S OF FAMILIES HAVE BEEN RUINED BY DRUG PLANTING (FRAMING), BANCO HOPES HE GETS 40 YEARS]
In a press release, Delaney said the U.S. Attorney's office in Grand Rapids is working with authorities to "seek out and remedy" wrongful convictions resulting from Collins' misconduct.
[U.S. ATTYS. IN GR ARE FORCING BERRIEN COUTNY PROSECUTOR ART COTTER TO SEEK OUT AND REMEDY WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS]
In December, Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter asked courts to reverse convictions against 24 people convicted of drug charges based on evidence obtained by Collins.
[THERE SHOULD BE WELL OVER 100 REVERSED CONVICTIONS PROSECUTED BY COTTER BASED ON EVIDENCE OBTAINED BY COLLINS]
Cotter said last month he sought court orders to release those in prison for the offenses, and that he is seeking a retrial for two of the 24 improperly convicted. [COTTER NEEDS TO BE TRIED!]
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The question now is how many, who, and at what levels were his accomplices?
Reports all over the web say: "U.S. attorney's office in Grand Rapids claims Benton Harbor 26-year-old Officer Andrew Collins used his position to steal seized drugs. The indictment also says he reported fictitious drug sales to improperly gain search warrants and embezzle police funds." Of course there's the mention of consistent drug-planting to arrest, convict & imprison innocent Benton Harborites. The question now is how many, who, and at what levels were his accomplices?
Here are comments from media websites such as WNDU.com:
--I always thought this type of stuff was in Hollywood. Wow. I'm thrown back by this one. Reminds me of the movie, Training Day.
Posted on Jan 11, 2009
--Below, James described his impression of Collins as a "slick, lying, arrogant jerk." That's very interesting to me because I knew Collins for years, long before he became a police officer, and I had exactly the same impression. ...It's too bad, but he's just going to have to do his time. And many of us who have known him for years could see this coming.
Posted on Dec 26, 2008
--Sometimes organized crime gets one of their own on the force. If that's the case, the news won't talk about it, as a favor, you know, to the force, who have a kind of "understanding" with underworld elements as well as local beat reporters.
Posted on Dec 26, 2008
--I was on the jury of a drug case where Officer Collins was the key testifier to the fact that the accused hid crack in the seat of his police cruiser while being detained. Office Collins came off as a slick, lying, arrogant jerk. I was an alternate juror, but had I been retained for the verdict, would have voted for innocence based on Officer Collin's testimony (I believed he set up the accused).
Here are comments from media websites such as WNDU.com:
--I always thought this type of stuff was in Hollywood. Wow. I'm thrown back by this one. Reminds me of the movie, Training Day.
Posted on Jan 11, 2009
--Below, James described his impression of Collins as a "slick, lying, arrogant jerk." That's very interesting to me because I knew Collins for years, long before he became a police officer, and I had exactly the same impression. ...It's too bad, but he's just going to have to do his time. And many of us who have known him for years could see this coming.
Posted on Dec 26, 2008
--Sometimes organized crime gets one of their own on the force. If that's the case, the news won't talk about it, as a favor, you know, to the force, who have a kind of "understanding" with underworld elements as well as local beat reporters.
Posted on Dec 26, 2008
--I was on the jury of a drug case where Officer Collins was the key testifier to the fact that the accused hid crack in the seat of his police cruiser while being detained. Office Collins came off as a slick, lying, arrogant jerk. I was an alternate juror, but had I been retained for the verdict, would have voted for innocence based on Officer Collin's testimony (I believed he set up the accused).
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Chief Mingo Goes after Commissioner Henry
WSJM reporting 1/7/08:
Benton Harbor Commissioner Juanita Henry says she's being targeted by Chief of Police Al Mingo. Commissioner Henry pled guilty this week in Berrien County Trial Court for having an inoperable vehicle. Henry says the city dropped five other charges concerning an unmaintained shed and rubbish in her yard, but chose to plead guilty to the one charge to avoid going to court.
Henry says she believes Police Chief Al Mingo targeted her with related citations because she's been asking the department some "tough questions." But Mingo says those allegations are not true. [Over the past couple of years Ms. Henry has been vocal about police department problems such as drug planting, cops stealing cars to sell on ebay, people ticketing cars who are not sworn-in officers, and police work needing improvement.]
Benton Harbor Commissioner Juanita Henry says she's being targeted by Chief of Police Al Mingo. Commissioner Henry pled guilty this week in Berrien County Trial Court for having an inoperable vehicle. Henry says the city dropped five other charges concerning an unmaintained shed and rubbish in her yard, but chose to plead guilty to the one charge to avoid going to court.
Henry says she believes Police Chief Al Mingo targeted her with related citations because she's been asking the department some "tough questions." But Mingo says those allegations are not true. [Over the past couple of years Ms. Henry has been vocal about police department problems such as drug planting, cops stealing cars to sell on ebay, people ticketing cars who are not sworn-in officers, and police work needing improvement.]
Monday, January 12, 2009
Letter to Editor, Jan. 11, HP - COMMENTARY IN CAPS
Cotter deserves credit for doing the right thing
Editor,
Congratulations to Berrien County Prosecutor Art Cotter in following up on crimes allegedly committed in the Benton Harbor Police Department's narcotics unit.
THE LAST THING COTTER SHOULD BE IS CONGRATULATED. HE WAS THE ONE WHO PROSECUTED ALL THESE PEOPLE. HE IS DISMISSING CHARGES ONLY BECAUSE THE FEDS ARE FORCING HIM TO. IN THE END, IT WILL INVOLVE OVER 100 PEOPLE.
Also, hats off to the state and local police who cooperated in the drug-trafficking investigation.
YES, HATS OFF TO THE POLICE FOR SPENDING THEIR WORK HOURS AND OUR TAX MONEY ARRESTING PEOPLE WHO HAD DRUGS PLANTED ON THEM.
Hopefully, this is a start in improving on the consequences of laws involving narcotics.
ARE YOU REFERRING TO NARCOTICS PLANTED BY OFFICERS?
[FOR CURRENT INFORMATION ON "THE DRUG WAR", SEE:
http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2008/12/drug-laws-are-ravaging-constitution.html
Drug Laws Are Ravaging the Constitution, Dec. 26, 08
The Bill of Rights: Killed in Action, By Michael Dee, http://www.ursm.us/]
In discussing narcotics and the prison population with a college professor friend recently, I agreed with him that the prison population should be reduced by less reliance on such tactics as: the use of jailhouse informants in trials; the use of cross-culture eye-witnesses in trials; poor public defense by court-appointed attorneys. AGREED.
According to Michigancampaignforjustice.org, Michigan is failing our public defense system. Our judges have shown interest in ideas that can improve justice in our midst. BERRIEN COUNTY JUDGES HAVE NOT SHOWN AN INTEREST IN ANYTHING BUT SENDING PEOPLE TO PRISON FOR ANY REASON AT ALL - THEY KNEW ABOUT THE DRUG PLANTING ALL ALONG. IN FACT, IT'S AGAINST BERRIEN COUNTY "LAW" FOR JUDGES TO TRY TO IMPROVE JUSTICE. THEIR ONLY JOB IS TO SEND PEOPLE TO JAIL OR PRISON, ESPECIALLY BLACK PEOPLE.
Thanks to the officers and Cotter for making things right for the accused, and saving taxpayers many thousands of dollars. IF COTTER HAD BEEN AN HONEST PUBLIC SERVANT, HE WOULD NOT BE COSTING TAXPAYERS ANY MONEY AT ALL. NOT ONLY DID COTTER KNOW ABOUT ANDREW COLLINS PLANTING DRUGS ON INNOCENT CITIZENS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT THIS PRACTICE IS GOING ON TODAY, ESPECIALLY IN SHERIFF BAILEY'S DEPARTMENT. WILL FAIR-MINDED BERRIEN COUNTY CITIZENS GET INVOLVED?
Milt Zoschke
Benton Harbor
MORE BACKGROUND ON THIS SORRY SITUATION: County Prosecutor Art Cotter was point man for years for B.C. Courthouse and Whirlpool for arresting (AND REMOVING) Benton Harbor residents. Regarding the most prolific drug planter, Andrew Collins, he had a fight in St. Joe - police arrested him. He resigned and they abandoned their normal procedure of allowing an officer to clean out their locker, and did it for him. Such a huge amount of drugs was found that the chief had no choice but to report this to the Feds.
Meanwhile, the investigation into two other city police officers is ongoing.
Editor,
Congratulations to Berrien County Prosecutor Art Cotter in following up on crimes allegedly committed in the Benton Harbor Police Department's narcotics unit.
THE LAST THING COTTER SHOULD BE IS CONGRATULATED. HE WAS THE ONE WHO PROSECUTED ALL THESE PEOPLE. HE IS DISMISSING CHARGES ONLY BECAUSE THE FEDS ARE FORCING HIM TO. IN THE END, IT WILL INVOLVE OVER 100 PEOPLE.
Also, hats off to the state and local police who cooperated in the drug-trafficking investigation.
YES, HATS OFF TO THE POLICE FOR SPENDING THEIR WORK HOURS AND OUR TAX MONEY ARRESTING PEOPLE WHO HAD DRUGS PLANTED ON THEM.
Hopefully, this is a start in improving on the consequences of laws involving narcotics.
ARE YOU REFERRING TO NARCOTICS PLANTED BY OFFICERS?
[FOR CURRENT INFORMATION ON "THE DRUG WAR", SEE:
http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2008/12/drug-laws-are-ravaging-constitution.html
Drug Laws Are Ravaging the Constitution, Dec. 26, 08
The Bill of Rights: Killed in Action, By Michael Dee, http://www.ursm.us/]
In discussing narcotics and the prison population with a college professor friend recently, I agreed with him that the prison population should be reduced by less reliance on such tactics as: the use of jailhouse informants in trials; the use of cross-culture eye-witnesses in trials; poor public defense by court-appointed attorneys. AGREED.
According to Michigancampaignforjustice.org, Michigan is failing our public defense system. Our judges have shown interest in ideas that can improve justice in our midst. BERRIEN COUNTY JUDGES HAVE NOT SHOWN AN INTEREST IN ANYTHING BUT SENDING PEOPLE TO PRISON FOR ANY REASON AT ALL - THEY KNEW ABOUT THE DRUG PLANTING ALL ALONG. IN FACT, IT'S AGAINST BERRIEN COUNTY "LAW" FOR JUDGES TO TRY TO IMPROVE JUSTICE. THEIR ONLY JOB IS TO SEND PEOPLE TO JAIL OR PRISON, ESPECIALLY BLACK PEOPLE.
Thanks to the officers and Cotter for making things right for the accused, and saving taxpayers many thousands of dollars. IF COTTER HAD BEEN AN HONEST PUBLIC SERVANT, HE WOULD NOT BE COSTING TAXPAYERS ANY MONEY AT ALL. NOT ONLY DID COTTER KNOW ABOUT ANDREW COLLINS PLANTING DRUGS ON INNOCENT CITIZENS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT THIS PRACTICE IS GOING ON TODAY, ESPECIALLY IN SHERIFF BAILEY'S DEPARTMENT. WILL FAIR-MINDED BERRIEN COUNTY CITIZENS GET INVOLVED?
Milt Zoschke
Benton Harbor
MORE BACKGROUND ON THIS SORRY SITUATION: County Prosecutor Art Cotter was point man for years for B.C. Courthouse and Whirlpool for arresting (AND REMOVING) Benton Harbor residents. Regarding the most prolific drug planter, Andrew Collins, he had a fight in St. Joe - police arrested him. He resigned and they abandoned their normal procedure of allowing an officer to clean out their locker, and did it for him. Such a huge amount of drugs was found that the chief had no choice but to report this to the Feds.
Meanwhile, the investigation into two other city police officers is ongoing.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Berrien Corruption Rolls On
Here are excerpts from a (typical) Herald Palladium article on Benton Harbor and drugs. Emphasis and brackets telling the ugly truth added by Mrs.Dorothy Pinkney.
[Whirlpool's Man] Mingo vows to continue fight on drugs in city
[Just another article to keep fear alive. "Rehabilitation" and "Restorative Justice" unheard of in this isolated county]
J.Swida 12.30.08 - BENTON HARBOR - Police Chief Al Mingo said that restoring the community's confidence in the police department and continuing its war on drugs [passe concept, proven to be nonfuctional and unsuccessful - mob rule backwater Berrien County will use it to justify mass imprisonment] will be his top priorities in 2009.
"It is my goal to work closely with the courts, judges and prosecutor to bring and keep the city's drug issues under control," Mingo said. "I am committed to providing strong and ethical leadership in this area." [Officers from the BH police dept. have never honored their badges under Chief Mingo. Corruption has existed for decades.]
The department suffered a setback with the federal indictment in December of former narcotics officer Andrew Collins on drug charges. Mingo said he will not let up on the war against drugs in the city because 95 percent of all crimes committed in Benton Harbor are in some way connected to drugs. [Chief Mingo knew Officer Andrew Collins was planting drugs on the citizens of Benton Harbor. My husband and other citizens of BH reported Collins at several commissioners' meetings resulting in no investigations. Andrew Collins was given the 2007 Officer of the Year Award - for planting drugs on innocent citizens.]
Updating or enhancing the city's ability to communicate with other police agencies and enhancing community policing initiatives are two other top goals for the new year, the chief said. [Read: harrass, intimidate, arrest, jail as many BH residents as possible in '09]
Foot patrols downtown, in parks and in troubled neighborhoods would go a long way in bolstering crime prevention, he said. Becoming aggressive in the area of truancy would also be a crime reduction measure because young people would be in school instead of on the streets. [Wealthy golfers don't want to look at Black youth!]
Mingo said the expansion of Harbor Shores, Harbor Town and other developments will more than justify the need for increased personnel in the department. [Get those Black people outta here by any means necessary.]
This year, even with budget restraints, the department was able to retain five of the eight School Resource Officer positions that resulted from a federal COPS grant in 2004. Hiring an experienced grant-writer would help the department secure future funds and meet other goals, he said. [Watch the funneling of that grant money to Whirlpool, Fred Upton, and St. Joseph!]
Mingo said one of the biggest accomplishments in 2008 was assigning two officers to full-time community service initiatives. Working closely with schools and block clubs, the officers were able to engage the city's youth in worthwhile activities, like Shop With a Cop, Spring Break Bash and Summer Slam Basketball League, the chief said. [Two guns stolen from the police department is being investigated now. This was an inside job. Also, the police dept. was towing citizens' cars and selling them on ebay. You can't make this stuff up.]
Benton Harbor and Benton Township are among the few agencies in the area that have maintained their own dispatch centers, while most others have joined with Berrien County's central dispatch system. Mingo has said it would save money, with no loss in efficiency, to join the county system. City commissioners, so far, have not been receptive to the idea.
[Giving Chief Mingo a vote of confidence is ridicious and the norm for
Whirlpool-controlled BH and Berrien Cty. Mingo should be fired.]
[Whirlpool's Man] Mingo vows to continue fight on drugs in city
[Just another article to keep fear alive. "Rehabilitation" and "Restorative Justice" unheard of in this isolated county]
J.Swida 12.30.08 - BENTON HARBOR - Police Chief Al Mingo said that restoring the community's confidence in the police department and continuing its war on drugs [passe concept, proven to be nonfuctional and unsuccessful - mob rule backwater Berrien County will use it to justify mass imprisonment] will be his top priorities in 2009.
"It is my goal to work closely with the courts, judges and prosecutor to bring and keep the city's drug issues under control," Mingo said. "I am committed to providing strong and ethical leadership in this area." [Officers from the BH police dept. have never honored their badges under Chief Mingo. Corruption has existed for decades.]
The department suffered a setback with the federal indictment in December of former narcotics officer Andrew Collins on drug charges. Mingo said he will not let up on the war against drugs in the city because 95 percent of all crimes committed in Benton Harbor are in some way connected to drugs. [Chief Mingo knew Officer Andrew Collins was planting drugs on the citizens of Benton Harbor. My husband and other citizens of BH reported Collins at several commissioners' meetings resulting in no investigations. Andrew Collins was given the 2007 Officer of the Year Award - for planting drugs on innocent citizens.]
Updating or enhancing the city's ability to communicate with other police agencies and enhancing community policing initiatives are two other top goals for the new year, the chief said. [Read: harrass, intimidate, arrest, jail as many BH residents as possible in '09]
Foot patrols downtown, in parks and in troubled neighborhoods would go a long way in bolstering crime prevention, he said. Becoming aggressive in the area of truancy would also be a crime reduction measure because young people would be in school instead of on the streets. [Wealthy golfers don't want to look at Black youth!]
Mingo said the expansion of Harbor Shores, Harbor Town and other developments will more than justify the need for increased personnel in the department. [Get those Black people outta here by any means necessary.]
This year, even with budget restraints, the department was able to retain five of the eight School Resource Officer positions that resulted from a federal COPS grant in 2004. Hiring an experienced grant-writer would help the department secure future funds and meet other goals, he said. [Watch the funneling of that grant money to Whirlpool, Fred Upton, and St. Joseph!]
Mingo said one of the biggest accomplishments in 2008 was assigning two officers to full-time community service initiatives. Working closely with schools and block clubs, the officers were able to engage the city's youth in worthwhile activities, like Shop With a Cop, Spring Break Bash and Summer Slam Basketball League, the chief said. [Two guns stolen from the police department is being investigated now. This was an inside job. Also, the police dept. was towing citizens' cars and selling them on ebay. You can't make this stuff up.]
Benton Harbor and Benton Township are among the few agencies in the area that have maintained their own dispatch centers, while most others have joined with Berrien County's central dispatch system. Mingo has said it would save money, with no loss in efficiency, to join the county system. City commissioners, so far, have not been receptive to the idea.
[Giving Chief Mingo a vote of confidence is ridicious and the norm for
Whirlpool-controlled BH and Berrien Cty. Mingo should be fired.]
Friday, January 02, 2009
Berrien County goal of ruining Benton Harbor lives goes on and on and on
Man jailed after drug raid
Jan 1, 09 1:08
BENTON HARBOR - A Benton Harbor man was arrested on drug trafficking charges Wednesday after police served a search warrant at his residence and found suspected crack cocaine and marijuana.
********** of **********was booked at the Berrien County jail on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and maintaining a drug house, all second offenses.
********was also being held on a civil warrant for failing to appear in court to answer allegations of failing to pay child support.
Detective Sgt. Robert Boyce of the Berrien County sheriff's Narcotics Unit said a search warrant for ******** residence was obtained after a monthlong investigation.
Sheriff's officers served the warrant at 8:15 a.m. and found four adults and three juveniles in the house, Boyce said.
The search turned up suspected crack cocaine with a street value of $500, a small amount of suspected marijuana and other evidence, Boyce said. The juveniles were turned over to family members and three of the adults who were in the house were not charged, Boyce said.
Jan 1, 09 1:08
BENTON HARBOR - A Benton Harbor man was arrested on drug trafficking charges Wednesday after police served a search warrant at his residence and found suspected crack cocaine and marijuana.
********** of **********was booked at the Berrien County jail on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and maintaining a drug house, all second offenses.
********was also being held on a civil warrant for failing to appear in court to answer allegations of failing to pay child support.
Detective Sgt. Robert Boyce of the Berrien County sheriff's Narcotics Unit said a search warrant for ******** residence was obtained after a monthlong investigation.
Sheriff's officers served the warrant at 8:15 a.m. and found four adults and three juveniles in the house, Boyce said.
The search turned up suspected crack cocaine with a street value of $500, a small amount of suspected marijuana and other evidence, Boyce said. The juveniles were turned over to family members and three of the adults who were in the house were not charged, Boyce said.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Stolen Lives: Killed by Law Enforcement
"In the fall of 1996, a friend who was organizing for the first National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality asked me to help out. In the course of attending meetings, I met some of the relatives of victims of police killings. When I heard their stories of how their loved ones were killed, I was horrified. Like most people, I had believed the news accounts of these killings which usually describe the victims as criminals posing an immediate threat to the community. After meeting with many relatives and eyewitnesses over the course of the past three years, I now know that this widely promoted notion is very far from the truth.
Continuing to attend meetings, I would hear about police killings occurring weekly and decided to keep track of these deaths. I began my own newspaper research and compiled the results. When I could, I contacted family members for their version of events. I have yet to come across an eyewitness account which corroborates the police version of events."
http://www.october22.org/StolenLivesCasesBook.html
Continuing to attend meetings, I would hear about police killings occurring weekly and decided to keep track of these deaths. I began my own newspaper research and compiled the results. When I could, I contacted family members for their version of events. I have yet to come across an eyewitness account which corroborates the police version of events."
http://www.october22.org/StolenLivesCasesBook.html
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Berrien County Watch
1 arrested, 2 sought after drug raids
Sat., Nov. 22, 2008
BENTON HARBOR - Police arrested one person and are seeking warrants for the arrest of two others after raids on an apartment and a house in the city Thursday and Friday.
The Berrien County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit, with help from county road patrol and Benton Harbor police, raided 922 Buss Ave., Apt. 1, around 8:15 a.m. Friday and arrested Ezia Terrance Brown, 28, for investigation on charges of possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house, both second offenses. He also has warrants for a traffic offense and driving on a suspended license, police said.
According to a sheriff's department news release, the apartment was searched on a warrant that resulted from a monthlong investigation into alleged drug sales from the residence. Police seized suspected marijuana and $128 under civil forfeiture law and arrested Brown. A 26-year-old woman at the house was not charged, and two children were turned over to a family member.
In another case, police are seeking arrest warrants against a 36-year-old woman and 31-year-old man after a raid on 563 McAllister St. at 5:15 p.m. Thursday.
Acting on a search warrant that resulted from a weeklong investigation, police seized about $200 worth of suspected marijuana and other evidence of drug trafficking, along with $446 cash.
Three adults at the house at the time of the search were released, and two juveniles were turned over to family members, police said.
Sat., Nov. 22, 2008
BENTON HARBOR - Police arrested one person and are seeking warrants for the arrest of two others after raids on an apartment and a house in the city Thursday and Friday.
The Berrien County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit, with help from county road patrol and Benton Harbor police, raided 922 Buss Ave., Apt. 1, around 8:15 a.m. Friday and arrested Ezia Terrance Brown, 28, for investigation on charges of possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house, both second offenses. He also has warrants for a traffic offense and driving on a suspended license, police said.
According to a sheriff's department news release, the apartment was searched on a warrant that resulted from a monthlong investigation into alleged drug sales from the residence. Police seized suspected marijuana and $128 under civil forfeiture law and arrested Brown. A 26-year-old woman at the house was not charged, and two children were turned over to a family member.
In another case, police are seeking arrest warrants against a 36-year-old woman and 31-year-old man after a raid on 563 McAllister St. at 5:15 p.m. Thursday.
Acting on a search warrant that resulted from a weeklong investigation, police seized about $200 worth of suspected marijuana and other evidence of drug trafficking, along with $446 cash.
Three adults at the house at the time of the search were released, and two juveniles were turned over to family members, police said.
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