New Haven Independent

Posted by: anon | January 21, 2009 2:21 PM

You should change the headline, which is sensationalist and inappropriate.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 21, 2009 2:23 PM

Request!!
Can other community's get these pictures and names so when you push them out of your community we do not get the privilege of having them move into ours!

Ex Fair haven had a bad barber shop they pushed them into my community...we pushed them back into their community and They are still doing business their and they now have a satalite shop over here!

We need all community to work together on this so we are not just shifting these people into other districts!

Posted by: Edward_H | January 21, 2009 3:05 PM

Usually the NHI declines to identify suspects by race when reporting on crime yet this article makes sure to point out the pictures on the wall are of what he assumes to be African-American men. Why the sudden change? What purpose does identifying the ethnic background of the men in the pictures serve? Especially since these men are not currently suspects in any crime.

Posted by: Ellis Copleland | January 21, 2009 3:53 PM

Printing the race of those on the wall does a valuable public service of revealing the institutional racism of NHPD. On the day we inaugurated the first Black president this ...lieutenant thinks it's a great idea to identify 25 "scary" Black guys who-- by his own admission-- have done NOTHING. This is the essence of a police state. As for the moronic idea that the police need to be "proactive" because it's too late once a crime has been committed, that too defines a totalitarian state. Why don't we just lock up everybody until they can prove they are innocent. That was the philosophy of the Nazis and the Commies. ...

Posted by: Drop the Hammer | January 21, 2009 4:26 PM

Ellis,
They've all been arrested one time or another. That's why they have mugshots. Face it, some people are just toxic and they ruin things for the honest, law abiding citizens. It has nothing to do with race.
Racism will be around for a long time but it can no longer be used as an excuse for being a low life scumbag.

Posted by: Beansie's Mom | January 21, 2009 4:47 PM

I agree with Cedar Hill Resident. If they're not going to jail, odds are you will push them into our neighborhoods. We need to know too.

Posted by: Fairhaven Dave | January 21, 2009 4:52 PM

It is impressive that Thomas MacMillan can trace the geneology of 25 men back to country of origin in such a short peroid of time. What this has to do with them being persons of interest in gang activity remains a mystery to me.

Posted by: Shane | January 21, 2009 5:05 PM

Oh Please Ellis, save it. They have done something in the past since their pictures are on file at NHPD. Most substations have books with pictures to identify possible gang members or problems. This isn't any different. I see that other people commenting like Leo's philosophy....so do I!

Posted by: bfair | January 21, 2009 5:14 PM

I was wondering if drunks will also be placed "on the wall" since identifying them might save the life of a innocent child crossing the street at the same time a drunk is passing through. They also need to be "driven" from neighborhoods and "away" in a cell.

Posted by: FHR513 | January 21, 2009 6:18 PM

Lt. Bombasticki for Chief! I am so glad he did not retired. He had the patience to wait around until we finally got rid of that horrible experiment known as community policing.

Bang some heads for me Lt Bombasticki. And when those unwanted scum leave WEB and come over to Fairhaven, I hope you can some of your officers here to bang a few heads too.

RIP COMMUNITY POLICIING

Thank you Mayor, Chief Lewis, and PERF.

Posted by: FUMING BEAVER HILL RSIDENT | January 21, 2009 7:03 PM

Whew, this is a new level.

First of all, kudos to the NHI for once again printing truthful, accurate articles, painful they might be at times.

Secondly, as a long-time resident of Beaver Hill the comment of Alderman Sandman "I like it. You've got to be pro-active," is blatant racial profiling , period. If that quote is accurate then we have a City Machine Alderman giving a stamp of approval for random and aggressive profiling and we URGENTLY need a non-machine made Alderman, or an apology is in order at least, but the truth is out.

Lt. you managed once again to recklessly drop a Bomb during week one, to be expected BOMBalicki. Such hatred in our City needs to be stamped out at once to allow for the peaceful City we desire.

Sad day in Beaver Hill. Rather shameful on the day of Obama's Inauguration.

Posted by: Ellis Copleland | January 21, 2009 8:09 PM

Officer Shane-
1) An arrest means nothing, especially in this crooked town where mob lawyers routinely harass honest citizens with warrants signed by judges on the take.
2) Even had any or all of them been convicted they presumably have satisfied the judgements as they would otherwise be on probation and therefore much easier to "run out of the neighborhood."
3) Maybe I should be allowed to lock you up just because I find you to be unAmerican. Is that the world you want?

Posted by: Bill Saunders | January 21, 2009 8:20 PM

I find it interesting that the NHPD has a desired outcome for these people, when they are still only guilty by suspicion.

Posted by: grey | January 21, 2009 8:21 PM

I don't know why this is praised at all. As Ellis says, this sounds like step 1 toward a police state. Let's think about what happened in Oakland, Texas and Louisiana, and let's stray from any kind of over ambitious (read: trigger happy) police activity. Aren't we (yes, I mean "we" the citizens, which includes these 25 men)innocent until proven guilty? As some point out, they have mugshots and so must committed a crime; then why aren't they currently serving time? Could it be because they've completed whatever sentences they were given? Do we believe any of the crap we spew about rehabilitation? Or are we all suffering from a nasty case of mean-world syndrome? To tell you the truth, I don't see how this is a bright idea. If someone is suspicious, shouldn't the police already be weary of them? I don't know that we really need to plaster their photos on the wall when they, admittedly, don't have any warrants. Unless, of course, what they are really trying to do is remind themselves: "only shoot these people."

Posted by: Bob | January 21, 2009 9:52 PM

Ellis - How about NHPD changing to be nothing but reactive, and do nothing to curb violence, gangs and drug dealing. That way we can have more tragedies like Juana Cole.

Posted by: robn | January 21, 2009 9:57 PM

EC,

On the day we inaugurated the first Black president we're still using claims of instutionalized racism to defend gangs???

BTW..Obama is part Kenyan, Irish, Dutch, French and German...but I'm not a racist and personally, I won't hold his Dutch heritage against him.

Posted by: commenter | January 21, 2009 10:11 PM

The Lt is going for the problem in the area. If they happen to all be black lets deal with it. No one complains when there are no white guys on a basketball teams. Why? Because they are the best. The guys on the wall are the worst and their history should not be sugar coated because a half white, Half black president is sworn into office.

Posted by: Alan Felder | January 21, 2009 11:58 PM

W.E.B. Dubois was a criminologist and said the only way to fight crime is through education and employment. Look at the dropout and unemployment rate in the City of New Haven.

Posted by: anon | January 22, 2009 12:22 AM

Clearly, the Lt is talking about a very specific gang problem, not "racial profiling." None of you commenters were actually there. That's the main problem, other than the fact that the article itself has a sensationalist writing style/headline, probably intentional.

Posted by: Alex | January 22, 2009 1:57 AM

THIS IS RACIAL PROFILING! This is racist, not legal, and needs to be stopped right now! He is just looking to put people in jail and exiling them out of town is stupid. Some of these guys are probably fathers, brothers, sons - fracturing families continues to do more damage to the community. this is very old thinking - that jail and prison are the answers or getting them "out of Dodge." Also there are white people in that area that could be on his wall but he doesn't see them.

"Bombalicki said that the "away" wall would be for people he had put into jail. "That's my job, isn't it?" If he thinks his job description is to to put people in jail that is scary and belligerent. This type of policing is totally uncalled for! He just wants to warehouse more "problem" kids in jail rather than working with them. Where is Shafiq Abdussabur? He knew how to work with kids and keep them out of jail. Just when we have a new president who really gets it we now have a PD in New Haven that really doesn't. HELLO! - COMMUNITY POLICING PLEASE!

Posted by: Tired | January 22, 2009 7:50 AM

Let LT Bombalicki do his job. Fact black kids shoot blacks. Fact majority are convicted felons.

Posted by: Mark Colville | January 22, 2009 8:01 AM

Many who live in the Hill will remember the name Bombalicki from the years he spent in our neighborhood. He has a well-earned reputation for picking on the weak, ie, those who don't necessarily have a place to sleep at night or have trouble keeping themselves employed during the day. He was known to routinely stop young Black men walking on the sidewalk, for no cause whatsoever, and run their names through the computer to see if there was anything he could pinch them for. If he was convinced that you were a problem, there was really no way to change his mind, and he'd find a way to make your life miserable. I know several homeless men- guys who really weren't hurting anyone- who ended up in jail because of him. They literally would hide any time they saw his car coming down the street. Meanwhile, the real "problems"- the guys who shoot guns and run the drug operations- weren't that uptight about Bombalicki's presence. In that regard, he sure as hell left a lot of work undone here...

Posted by: George Hill | January 22, 2009 9:35 AM

I am amased that people are saying that Leo is profiling anyone. He is a dedicated Police Officer and one who truly cares what happens to people, Black,White or any other ethnic backround.
People complain when nothing is being done, but when you finally get someone like Lt Bombalicki who will take action, you have the nerve to bad mouth him. If they had more like him in the NHPD you would not have the problems you have today, and are the same problems that have been going on for the last 20 years. What the people of the WEB should do it completely stand up for this LT. and I as his old partner assure you things will get done and done right.

Posted by: nfjanette | January 22, 2009 10:25 AM

This is racist, not legal, and needs to be stopped right now!

I agree. But as much as we've tried to get the drug gangs in this area to stop denying entry to criminals of other racial/ethnic/religious background, they continue to roll back all the years of civil rights progress and stick to "African-American" members with a few token "Caribbean-Americans" just thrown in give the illusion of diversity. Let's organize a march to protest, man!

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | January 22, 2009 11:12 AM

"On the day we inaugurated the first Black president"

You mean, his white mother was black, too?

Posted by: Mister Jones | January 22, 2009 11:21 AM

Stripped of rhetoric, this sounds like normal, regular police work to me. Gather your intelligence, talk to the beat cops, talk to the community leaders and find out who the troublemakers are so they can be engaged and diffused. Another day this would have been called community policing.

Posted by: joey A | January 22, 2009 11:29 AM

The writer and or the independent are tying to create another story by pointing out race! The main independent writer wouldn,t do it when he was allegeitly mugged, and very well knew the race then!

Posted by: LastStraw | January 22, 2009 1:51 PM

Thank you, NFJ. I just pooped myself.

I love the fact that New Haven is a very progressive city, but sometimes we let "progressive" talking points get in the way of common sense. Are we really going to complain that the police have identified members of a suspected gang and are going to keep an eye on them? Isn't that what we pay them to do?
While the Dubois "Education and Employment" option is definitely something to strive for, I'm guessing Lt. Bombalicki is neither a teacher nor has the ability to hire new police officers.
Let the man do his job.

Posted by: Ellis Copleland | January 22, 2009 2:28 PM

Bombalicki is the new Billy White

Posted by: hello | January 22, 2009 2:43 PM

give me a break with this race card b.s. if you need to think about it that much your the race problem. how else do you describe a person. and seeing that it just happens to be a prominent african american neighborhood thats what it is. they obviously are oganizing a gang and the police or tring to stop it before it gets worse just like anywhere else and any other race or background.

Posted by: IN THE TRENCHES | January 22, 2009 3:54 PM

To Robn, Cedarhill, Beansie's, and all other victims of indifferent mental monorails: First and foremost, this is illegal. It is actions such as this that create "Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell situations". This is racial profiling, no matter what type of bow it's wrapped in. The fact that these men were once arrested is no excuse. It is ideals such as yours that make it easier for EX-convicts to choose the corner over asking for a job. Though the comments are few, this blog is a microcosm of the society that awaits them after they've "paid their debt" to it. These opinions represent the thoughts of many potential employers that will stand between them providing for their families and starving. If they are not charged with a crime it's obvious that they have payed the price for whatever they've done. Let's keep in mind that people from ALL walks of life end up in prison. Prison is a BAD PLACE that people get sent to. It's not necessarily a place where BAD PEOPLE get sent to. How many of you watched IRON Man the movie? Well the star(Robert Downey Jr.) is a convicted felon who sold drugs,carried an illegal gun, and attacked a police officer. How about Home Improvement? The star(Tim Allen) was caught with almost a kilo of cocaine. Snitching on his friends earned him a shorter sentence and a chance to go on to become a household name. Know Martha Stewart? Paris Hilton? Fortunately, these people are not people of color, so their fates differ extraordinarily from some poor Black kid from the projects. So let's be real about the racial aspect of this case. This idea is insane and smacks of racial profiling!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 22, 2009 4:41 PM

IN THE TRENCHES
Dont' single out the quit ones, the ones not baiting an argument over this, All we did was express concern about our community's. Ones that we fight crime daily in. First thing I did was contact my district manager about this. She is truly a caring women that gets everyone's concerns. I live in an area that consists of many kinds of people. Some good and some bad. I was raised their are good people and their are bad people... that simple. I do not want the bad people in my area using my good children as their runners!! I do not want the bad people in my area taking from these kids, what little hope they have in living a good life away by throwing them a few bucks to look out!! I do not want the bad people in my area ruining my small blue collar community, work three jobs just to show their kids that it may take 3 jobs but you can own a home, community to have to deal with Bad people when they come home from a hard day!

I fight for rights of all so do not judge and do not drag me in this fight.

nfjanette one creative way to make a point.

Posted by: robn | January 22, 2009 5:19 PM

ITT,

Lt. Bombalicki didn't put their photos on a wall becuase they had a record, becuase they have a record, he had access to their photos. Theres a difference.

He put their photos on a wall becuase he had been warned of "problematic" activity by other officers and people in the neighborhood.

Bollacks to those making silly comparisons to Nazis and Commies. We're talking about a watchful eye, not false imprisionment. He's watching out for gang activity.

He's simply doing his job.

Posted by: Mrs.D | January 22, 2009 8:12 PM

To all who do not think these wonderful, upstanding,citizens should not be watched closely, I ask you to please invite these 'innocent' men into your homes. This way, the rest of us can feel safer, and you will not have to stand in front of the TV cameras screaming racism when one of them gets arrested. Again. Since you are all so certain they are not the ones committing crimes, then I ask you, good citizens, to please give Leo the names of those who are.

Posted by: why | January 22, 2009 9:15 PM

Why doesn't he post this on the cityofnewhaven.com site for goodness sakes!

Posted by: IN THE TRENCHES | January 22, 2009 9:50 PM

CedarHill and Robn, you miss my point as well as the point of it all. My intention isn't to "drag" anyone into an arguement. I simply implor you guys to turn off the news, put down the Register and open your eyes to what's going on in our neighborhoods. Resisting Lt Bombalicki's COINTELPRO aspirations IS showing concern for our neighborhoods. As stated by ANON, none of you guys were there, so how do you know any of these targeted men are actually gang members or even aspiring to be? It's amazing how you social experts are quick to think the worst when it comes to ? youth. It's amazing how you put so much trust in a police force ravaged with corruption-whether it makes the 6 o'clock or not. It's frightening how you rush to support a man well known for using brutal and illegal tactics to "do his job." Being a former resident of one of his former districts, I have personally witnessed this man harrass and oppress anyone he deemed "trouble," whether his suspicions were unfounded or not. I've seen him threaten to arrest mothers who only wanted to know why he had his boot on their sons back or neck. I have seen him pull over people for no reason other than to search their vehicles. I've witnessed him stop kids on the street, talk down to them, and search them with no probable cause, only to send them on their way when nothing is found on them. He and his minions terrorized the Hill. I can only account fear of retribution for the reason he was not "pushed" from the neighborhood by it's residents. I suspect he was put in this area because he's willing to cross the line of illegality to "stop crime." He's not a tough cop, he's a rouge cop. I'm not speaking of things disgruntled criminals or the Register told me. I've SEEN these things happen. But I guess it's ok as long as only ? people will be affected by his brutality. I guess the ends justifies the means when it comes to our kids. My words may be blunt, but they are the unadulterated, unfiltered truth. This man needs to be handing out newspapers so he can get used to dealing with ALL types of people. Don't let ignorance and fear blind us to another crooked cop. Gang members aren't the only ones who destroy neighborhoods. Bad cops do too. In fact, bad cops are worst because they get paid to be one of the good guys. What Bombalicki is doing is dangerous. He is poisoning the minds of the new cops, in turn birthing the future Billy Whites.

Posted by: Dorthula Green | January 22, 2009 10:02 PM

Well, isn't this interesting. I understood community policing to be working to help our youth stay out of jail not just chomping at the bit to put them in jail. I've heard of wanted posters.... This "away" wall gives new meaning to the "driving while black" rule. It is already a known fact that Black men are far more likely to get arrested than white men. It has very little to do with true criminality. How many of us know of a political leader who's son, sister, brother, cousin or husband who has committed some aweful crime-embezzlement, fraud, drug possession, domestic violence, drunk driving- but has gotten off secretly or at worst given a slap on the wrist and sent off to continue being a nuisance. We dare not tell the truths we know.

This isn't about crime... This is about harrassment. Where's the "away" wall for the downtown crowd that continously causes havoc. It is a frightful thing to try to walk downtown at night because white young adults are crowding the sidewalks, often inebriated tot he hilt. "Where's the away wall for the downtown crew"... Oh yeah, they're privileged and protected. How could I be so naive... AWAY WITH THE WALL!

Posted by: FHR513 | January 22, 2009 10:48 PM

Mrs. D.
I hear your frustration. But what we have here is a complete breakdown in community policing. Lt Bombasticki is a throwback to another era of policing that did not work.

The thugs are shooting up Fair Haven, while Lewis isolates himself behing the PERF Report.

When Nick Pastore was chief, he ushered in the era of community policing, and New Haven become a model for the nation. Solve rate was 100% for homocides. Why? Because police in their districts knew how to work with the community, gained trust. This collaboration between community and police was effective.

There is no committment to community policing. Lewis et al in the NHPD and Mayor DeStefano, are trying to pull the wool over our eyes with ridiculous stunts, high power rifles in squad cars, prostitute stings, police dogs, an armored assault vehicle, plans to militarize the police uniforms, and ticketing bicylces for riding on the sidewalks, leaves us who care, shaking our heads in disgust.

If you think Lt. Bombasticki will have an effect on crime in your neighborhood, think again. When he was in the Hill he picked on defenseless people, while he ran from the real terrors.

An old bag of hot air and old hunting stories. It might impress his grandchildren, but he is just childlish. Maybe he should join the duck hunters on the Q-River. He probably be more effective behind a duckblind.

Posted by: John Dattilo | January 23, 2009 7:29 AM

I have known Leo Bombalicki for over thirty years and worked with him for most of that time.
You will never find a more dedicated and honest Police Officer that knows how to get the job done.
I for one am releived that Leo is now in charge of the district where I grew up and where my elderly parents and young grandchildren still live.
Good Luck, Leo!

Posted by: Mister Jones | January 23, 2009 9:12 AM

I knew Leo a long time ago and I still think he's a good guy.

FHR513 you may think prostitution stings and ticketing bicyclists are stunts, but they help make our city a better place. If you ever have lived in a neighborhood with hookers on the corner and johns cruising for them, ogling and propositioning young women in your family, you would know that the neighborhood is safer without them.

Even something as trivial-sounding as bicycle riding education and traffic enforcement has a public safety impact, encouraging civility, respect for laws and reducing accidents and injuries. This one cuts across racial, economic and social lines. I've had way too many close calls, both with black kids running lights on Whalley and stupid white Yalies darting down sidewalks on their bikes [and don't get me going about self-righteous Yalies not looking when they cross the street. Just because they think they have the right of way in a crosswalk won't stop a car from breaking their legs when they dart into the street expecting traffic to magically stop].

And has anyone noticed the rise in shootings since the narcotics squad was disbanded? Believe me I don't pine for the old Billy White ways, but even an old lefty like me, who thinks drugs should be legalized, recognizes that guns, drug dealing and youth are a deadly mix and that we need good policing.

Posted by: Seth | January 23, 2009 11:54 AM

Community Policing has not worked because very few of the Police are of the community. We continuously build a Police force to fast-track our young men to the penitentiary. This city needs leadership that is reflective of its citizens, Police and Teachers who are not afraid to live in the neighborhoods which they serve, and most importantly, Parents who step up to the plate and actually raise their children.

Articles like this run because the people they affect have no knowledge that they exist. I commend Ellis and Alan for speaking up against this gross dereliction of duty. It is the job of the Police to ensure the safety of the people, not to streamline kids into the prison system.

Posted by: DAFeder | January 23, 2009 1:09 PM

"He said that the "away" wall could also include individuals who had been driven out of the neighborhood and into neighboring districts."

Is there a Rotisserie League for this kind of thing? Are the other district substations playing with their own 25-man roster?

David

Posted by: robn | January 23, 2009 1:17 PM

ITT,

If the pictures (supposed mugshots) were in a file cabinet instead of a wall, our impressions of this of this might be a very different. The impression one might be given of chattel is reasonable and upsetting.

However, there's been only surveillance and no misconduct. You've made some pretty serious allegations about this officers conduct and you might want to back it up with something more than heresay.

Might make an interesting NHI article followup. NHI could start with some very curious quotes found in this document.

http://www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/Cases/AROap/71ap500.pdf

Posted by: DEZ | January 23, 2009 2:22 PM

Do you think 'community policing' would work better if the police were forced to live in the neighborhoods they were policing? I do. I think the police would be much more in touch if they lived in the city they policed. Branford, Essex, North Haven? Coming from these towns, do you think police can look at city residents with the same suburban 'eye' that they live every day?

Posted by: IN THE TRENCHES | January 23, 2009 3:04 PM

Yes Robn, I Have made some serious allegations concerning the aforementioned officer's conduct. Though I'll admit these are allegations from years past, I stand by everything I've claimed to have seen. The scary and sad thing is that you obviously are very unaware of what a fraction of New Haven's Finest are out there doing on our streets. For if you were scarcely aware, you'd know that the things I've described happen everyday and not just with Lt. Bombalicki. I dare to assume that he's taken steps to curb his aggression after "Billy Whitegate." Then again, this "away" wall shows that he's still up to at least some of his old tricks. And this is the perfect place to unfold his evil plan uncontested and unnoticed-a neighborhood plagued with gangs and gun violence. A place where "lock 'em All up, let the judge sort 'em out" is the silent song of hope amongst some of its residents. The fact that he actually gave this "hot list" the light of day showcases his arrogance and ignorance to peoples' civil rights. This is not some new practice created by the great Leo the lyin'. This is a practice that an arrogant sociopath-in-uniform dared show to a reporter. Yourself and others may get the impression that I am anti-police or anti-Bombalicki. I am neither. I have relatives that wore the uniform and represented it with pride,integrity, and dignity. I also grew with and befriended several officers on the force. And Lt. Bombalicki has never arrested or assaulted me to date. I am just very familiar with some of his practices. By the way, you know his former district, the Hill? There is still violence,gang activity, and drugs there. Hey, Thanks Leo!

Posted by: bfair | January 23, 2009 3:05 PM

I recall Billy White, being characterized as "a good guy" "a hero" to some. He was even named "Top Cop". He knew all the "bad guys"too. Now we know why. It's disconcerting to me that even though Bomalicki admits that those "on the wall" have not committed crime he is allowed by the new administration to openly target people and place them on his personal "away wall".Will we see any of the corrupt NHPD officers who have served time on that wall?Are they suspects too? In addition several men who hang out together are defined as "suspect gang members". NHPD is systematically becoming a throwback to the old civil rights struggles. Big guns, rifles, dogs, swat teams,and total indifference to certain segments of the population and as someone mentioned earlier "on the day that we elected a Black man to the White House. Yes, A brilliant Black man. (Now get over it.) Obama made a point of stating that he does not believe in governing by fear tactics. He's witnessed (like many of us have) the detriment that type of governance brings and is working toward building a better government. I salute the NHPD officers who truly are in this community to PROTECT and SERVE.

Posted by: Edward_H | January 23, 2009 3:26 PM

This does not seem like racial profiling as they are keeping tabs on specific known troublemakers. The only racial profiling in this article seems to have been done by the author who assumed all 25 men are African American. If the author did do some type of research to ascertain the thnic backgrounds of these individuals this research is not mentioned in the article. I do think there is a strong argument whether or not expending limited police resources on people who are not suspects of any crime is a effective use of resources. I guess only time will tell.

NHI

Does anyone over at the NHI care to explain why race is so prominently displayed in this article when in every other article on crime the race of the suspects is rarely, if ever mentioned?

ROBN

I could be wrong but I don't think ITT's comments count as hearsay since he/she is claiming to have actually witnessed the events described in his/hers post.

Posted by: robn | January 23, 2009 6:13 PM

EH,

Good catch...a better way to put it would be uncorroborated testimony. I'm honestly interested to know more about whats going on in this particular instance and some more in depth reporting backed up by some FOI requests could tell us a lot.

Posted by: Drop the Hammer | January 25, 2009 8:35 AM

Why are they all males?
This is gender profiling at its worst! What, women don't commit crimes? As a male I am deeply offended by this! I'm so sick of the stereotype that males commit most of the crimes! I'm so sick of this sexist society!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 25, 2009 11:10 AM

Barb, I have lived in this city all my life, There was a point in time that Billy White was a great cop. In the end yes he turned dirty. I think most referred to his prior works. I think the way they set up the new Narc squad they will be able to avoid this..
PS THANK YOU NARC's great job this week!! the people of Cedar Hill thank you!!!

Every substation has these pic on there wall. Not for public use, but for use of the officers in that district. I believe that the pic's were taken out of context.

As far as some officers techniques, yes I to have had the joy of seeing this happen to. And I was not quit about it but I was stifled. But looking back at the situation now, I have to say I understand that if a cop does a little scared straight technique with youth there can be a positive outcome. All though the flip side of the coin to that is the youth can start thinking of the cops a enemey and people they do not respect. So which way is the right way?

The issues are not simple ones. The laws protect the criminals, if a cop arrests someone there is a good chance he will be back to work the next day. We sit here saying the youth crime is elevating and it needs to stop. Well here is a question, who the hell is teaching these kids??? By targeting the adult criminals that are working the system and using the children of our community's, we are putting a halt to the next generation of bad guys, we are giving the kids of these community a chance to not be pressured into this life style!
What battle do we fight is the question? Damed if you do, damed if you don't. Get the programs out there to help the adults that want it, but remember you can not save everyone and everyone does not want to be saved! So lets at the least for now protect the youth of these areas by taking away the crime teachers!

Posted by: Elfer | January 25, 2009 7:13 PM

HOT AIR, NOISE, BLOGGING, FULMINATING, SPEWING AND THE POLITICAL AND CITY MACHINE ROLLS ON LEAVING ALL THIS TO DISAPPEAR IN THIN AIR, BUT KEEP IT UP IT ALLOWS FOR GREAT COMIC RELIEF AT THE END OF THE DAY ON NHI.

GOOD NIGHT!!!

Posted by: Kevin Ewing | January 26, 2009 1:07 AM

I've been of two minds about this. Being an African American man all my life, I get nervous anytime I see a bunch of 'us' posted as targets for police. It brings up too many memories of long ago and recent abuses by police of black men. So my knee jerk reaction is to scream racism and at some level it might very well be or at least play into the decisions.

On the other hand, I ask the question where did this list of names come from? Is it based on police intelligence... information from residents? There is a reason these men show up on the list and I'm willing to bet that there is good reason. My experience is that in neighborhoods considered 'bad' the majority of the residents are 'good.' There are just a select few who insist on repeated antisocial behaviors that tear down community. And most of us know who at least a couple of those 'bad' people are. So it wouldn't be hard to compile a list.

What troubles me most about this is the missing wall. Where is the wall for those of the 25 that are rehabilitated? Is there to be no effort (assuming that they are justly on this list) to get these men back into the community?

Do not misunderstand me. I don't expect the police to do that for me. Instead, I would hope that we as the 'good folks' in the community would reach out to these young men, find out what they need and try to help them get it so that they can start contributing. If they refuse, lock their tails up! Or maybe we can turn some young men around. Either way, we get our community back.

My old training officer used to look at the young folks hanging out on our streets and say, "you know, the cure for cancer could be in one of those minds standing on that corner." I think he might have been right.

So I'm going to ask my district manager for the West River list (I know he has one) and I hope that some of my neighbors will go with me to talk to my brothers and sisters on that list and let's try to bring them back into the fold.

Posted by: anon | January 27, 2009 5:01 PM

I recommend the book Minority Report. Also, the play, the Eumenides.

Have we just pulled anyone who has ever been arrested who is in the district and directed officers to harass them out of town? What were the criteria?

I worry about this and worry about the assignment of this officer to WEB - was he the sgt in the Hill a few years ago? I don't think the community thought much of him there. But we wouldn't want to cast aspersions on someone without knowing, would we.

Posted by: Alan Felder | January 28, 2009 7:55 AM

Where are the Yale University Law School, and the ACLU? I'm reminded that these young men are Black, and not illegal immigrants.

Posted by: Walt | February 3, 2009 6:29 AM

Kevin Ewing, above, has good, balanced, views.

Take a look~

Posted by: Ashley Burney | February 9, 2009 12:16 PM

I am UPSET that the police have YET AGAIN found another way to criminalize youth who aren't guilty of commiting any crimes. Why shouldn't youth be able to hang out? They aren't engaging in any youth activity and for a police to assume that they are in "a gang" it just makes me livid. Notice, all 25 of the young men are all African American and anyone who says that this isn't a racial disparity is seriously blinded by what's right in their faces. Leave these youth alone, dont they already have to deal with being racially profiled and harrassed by police enough as it is?

Posted by: Ashley Burney | February 9, 2009 3:22 PM

negative activity is what i meant to say instead of youth activity

Posted by: A. Nelson | March 23, 2009 4:52 PM

wow, i never thought I'd see the day they'd do something like this. Sometimes I think police are just getting bored so they do things like this, it cracks me up, it really does.