New Haven Independent

Routine Police Work? Or Retaliation?

by Thomas MacMillan | May 1, 2009 7:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (56)

With a federal investigation looming of alleged cross-border racial profiling, East Haven police set up a checkpoint by a Latino bakery — and threatened again to snatch a camera when they were watched.

Crusading pro-immigrant New Haven priest Father James Manship and civil-rights advocates from Yale Law School rushed across the New Haven-East Haven border Thursday to watch what Manship described as a retaliatory action against East Haven’s Latino community.

Local police had set up a DWI checkpoint directly in front of Guti’z Bakery, one of several Latino-owned businesses that have complained of police harassment.

East Haven police said that the checkpoint was a routine activity performed at the same location for years. Its placement had nothing to do with the bakery.

Police also threatened to arrest this reporter for taking pictures. They threatened to confiscate the camera.

What might normally be a routine operation took on added tensions in the wake of a February confrontation that made national news and embarrassed the East Haven cops when a videotape revealed they had lied in an official report.

Members of East Haven’s growing Latino community contend that the local police have singled them out for intimidation and harassment, pulling them over without cause and verbally and even physically abusing them.

Father Manship, whose Fair Haven church is made up largely of Spanish-speaking immigrants, has acted as an advocate on their behalf. He was arrested in February while videotaping East Haven police activity in a Latino-owned convenience store. The footage from Manship’s confiscated camera was later released, contradicting the official police report.

After the charges against Manship were dropped, student attorneys at Yale joined with parishioners at Manship’s church to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. Their complaint described the alleged police abuse of East Haven Latinos and called for a federal investigation of the entire department. The Department of Justice has not yet decided whether to launch such an investigation.

Thursday night’s checkpoint consisted of lines of traffic cones, three cruisers, and half a dozen police officers standing on Main Street’s double yellow line. The officers visually inspected and occasionally stopped eastbound motorists. Nearby, in the parking lot of Goody’s Hardware Store, a mobile command unit trailer was parked, along with a police van and several tow trucks.

At 9:15 p.m., Father Manship was standing in front of the bakery, videotaping the scene with his digital camera.

“I’m angry right now,” he said. “This is retaliation. This is what they’ve been doing.”

He described the placement of the DWI checkpoint — so close to Guti’z Bakery — as “really shameful.”

“It’s curious that they would pick right here,” he said, “to further put their heelprint in this situation.”

Manship said that the police activity was having an effect on East Haven Latinos. “I think most people are scared as hell,” he said.

Inside the bakery, owner Pedro Gutierrez (pictured) was closing up shop. He said that he’d had only three customers in the two hours since the checkpoint started, at around 7 p.m. “I normally have much more customers,” he said.

“I feel at the position I can’t do anything,” he said. “This is what it is. What can I do?”

Merlhy Gutierrez, Pedro’s daughter, called from the family’s apartment above the bakery. She said that she had been videotaping the police activity since it began. She said she saw a clear pattern in whom the police chose to stop.

“If you’re white… they were just waving you off,” Merlhy said. She said she saw two cars towed away, both with Latino drivers.

Back outside the bakery, two student attorneys from Yale were taking notes. Valarie Kaur, who helped file the DOJ complaint, said that the police’s action was, at the very least, “shortsighted.”

“At a time when the U.S. Department of Justice is considering whether to open an investigation of the East Haven Police Department, rather than showing any signs of changing their practices, they’re continuing to engage in what the community experiences as racial profiling,” she said. “To not anticipate that this would be seen as a sign of intimidation and harassment is shortsighted.”

Kaur said that she was at the bakery because the Yale team had received a phone call from Merlhy about the police action. “There are calls flying all over the Latino community right now… which is why we’re out here,” she said.

Kaur later said that Yale lawyers estimated that “dozens of families in the Latino community in East Haven were warned of the checkpoint and didn’t leave their homes.”

Manship later said that the checkpoint was “indicative of a deeper issue of policing in the East Haven Police Department.”

“This is why an outside agency needs to come in and look at this,” Father Manship said. “This is a problem that can’t be fixed from the inside.”

Cops And Cameras

I arrived in my car at 9 p.m. and was waved through the checkpoint. After parking my car, I approached one of the officers to inquire about the evening’s activity. The officer told me that the checkpoint was randomly placed and that it had been advertised beforehand in the local paper. I was then asked to move to the sidewalk.

I stepped onto the sidewalk. When the police officers refused to answer any more questions, I began to photograph the checkpoint. An officer who identified himself as Sgt. Miller (at right in top photo) told me to stop taking pictures. He said that I did not have permission to photograph him or any of his officers. He said that they might be involved in “sensitive cases.”

“We can’t watch you and look at the cars at the same time,” said Miller. (Miller, whose first name is John, was also involved in the February videocamera incident. In a separate incident, that state’s attorney’s office in 2008 investigated an incident in which Miller shot dead an armed suspect in a domestic dispute after a car chase; the office found that Miller acted justifiably.)

I continued to photograph. Several of the policemen pointed their flashlights directly at my camera, preventing me from taking a properly exposed image. Sgt. Miller threatened to take my camera “as evidence,” if I didn’t stop photographing. Then he threatened me with arrest, “if you interfere with this checkpoint in any way.”

Shortly after that, two police officers approached me and told me I had to move away. I moved down the sidewalk.

Sgt. Gary DePalma approached me and explained that the checkpoint was a routine operation. “That’s all this is,” he said.

The location was chosen because Goody’s Hardware parking lot is big enough to accommodate turning vehicles, DePalma said. “We operate anywhere we can do it safely.”

“I’ve been a police officer in East Haven for 22 years. We’ve done it here long before the restaurant opened,” the sergeant continued. “This has nothing to do with the bakery.” (DePalma was one of two East Haven cops who chased an unarmed New Haven man named Malik Jones at high speed into Fair Haven in 1997; DePalma’s partner shot Jones, repeatedly, and killed him after the chase.)

“It’s always here,” said a tow truck driver who identified himself only as Roadrash (at right in photo).

“It’s usually always here because of the lot,” said another tower (center, seated), who declined to give a name. He said two cars had been towed so far that night, but he couldn’t say whether the drivers were Latino or not.

“I’ve seen them stop all different kinds of people,” he said. “There is a variety.”

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Comments

Posted by: fairhavenres | May 1, 2009 8:25 AM

Havent the police learned anything about the public's right to video tape and photograph them? Guess not. When is the lawsuit? It seems that is the only way for them to change their bad behavior.

Curious time to set up a check point for drunks, on a Thursday night. I sure would like to know what the price of that check point was and who paid for it?

Posted by: kamb | May 1, 2009 8:38 AM

God bless the EHPD for doing their job.

Posted by: robn | May 1, 2009 8:53 AM

The mayor of East Haven needs to put a very hard shoe in the keister of the chief of police for this second egregious violation of the 1st Amendment. East Haven taxpayers will eventually pay through the nose due to a lawsuit resulting from this juvenile illegal behavior by its police force. Photography is not a crime...its a right.

Posted by: greg | May 1, 2009 8:58 AM

This is amazing stuff ! How dumb the cops must think people are. This stuff just continues on and on, with these racists. I guess if you can kill people of color, get away with it, get saved by the D.A. Dearington, continue to hassle people of color , even when charges get dropped, hassle priests, and business owners, lie on police reports, threaten to arrest citizens filming their activity and take away their equipment, on and on, i guess we have a police state , which adheres to no law , running the town! this is worse than the white cops whoring around, stealing fish, sexually abusing teens, and stealing funds in Madison. These creeps from both towns all need to be locked up for abusing their oath of office .. They make it impossible for honest cops to do their jobs . Dipalma and Miller must be smoking something if they think anyone believes their bull t!

Posted by: Wow | May 1, 2009 9:06 AM

Latinos have no place in East Haven. We stick out like sore thumbs...especially me!!! Dark skin, curly hair, dark eyes, and big booty - awww hell no!!!!! Come back to the Fairside where it's "safe" and the cops HERE won't harass you. Our officers have last names like Torres, Lopez, Rivera, Rodriguez, Valentin, Hernandez, etc. Not to mention they speak our language too!! I go to East Haven for two reasons only - my dentist and Stop and Shop. I go during the day because East Haven cops are too busy answering domestic calls ...

Posted by: Boristt | May 1, 2009 9:36 AM

ROBIN: The easthaven police are just doping their job they let everybody know they where setting up a check point so whats the problem. If yor car is registered and you have a valid drivers license their should be no problem.Why is this harrasment, could it be because some of illegal aliens dont want to do the right thing like every other person like myself who work, pay taxes, register my car etc.

Posted by: citizen | May 1, 2009 9:43 AM

Come on now East Haven is out of control leave these people alone.

Posted by: Bruce | May 1, 2009 9:57 AM

These police need to learn the rules about public photographing. That said, I thought it was a bit spiteful to include the history on some of these officers. Not that these are secrets, but I don't see how it was relevant to the story.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | May 1, 2009 10:09 AM

hmmm if I recall DePalma was one of the cops from many years ago that arrested my EX for fire works. They took him from his home and as he was scream my kids are in the house they drove away! A neighbor hear my kids scream (age 4 and 6 at the time) and got them out of the house. She knew I would be picking them up soon because he had limited visitation.

Posted by: STATE | May 1, 2009 10:21 AM

How long is this going to keep going for? East Haven Police Dept. ALWAYS have had issues and investigations regarding racial profiling and what not...can people see the pattern? An outside agency, federal or state has to come in and investigate undercover.
Bruce the history was added to show the pattern of behavior of these officers who keep abusing their power...
KAMB their not doing their job, they are abusing it.
BORISST, they are not aliens, they are immigrants and not ALL immigrants are ilegal, some are legal, work permits, visas, etc.
I never understood why people are racist, the ONLY AMERICANS are the Native Americans, everybody else comes from another race...Italians, Portuguese, French, Russians, etc.....is all due to our ancestors...Yes we are Americans because we live here or you were born here but your family comes from another background

Posted by: Really? | May 1, 2009 10:39 AM

Keep up the good work POLICE. I was involved in a motor vehcile accident about 2 years ago. My daughter and I were just driving down the road with a green light when my vehicle was t-boned by a drunk driver (who just happened to be Latino). The vehilce was unregisted, uninsured, and the driver did not have a license. Did I mention that the driver was also not in our country legally? I was out of work for 3 months and still have limited movement in my left hand. My daughter suffered facial scaring and will never be the same. Officers told after, that the driver was laughing!!!! Who had to pay for the medical and car bills and lose of work? I DID! Rememner no insurance and illegal status. So I believe that POLICE everywhere should crack down on this type of CRIME, whatever the ethnicity. I believe that if some of you or your family were involved in something like I was, you'd be singing a different tune.

Posted by: m | May 1, 2009 10:43 AM

If people are legal citizens they have nothing to worry about.

Maybe New Haven should follow. As a Morris Cove resident there literally no police presence in are parks where there is large amount Mexican activity with out of state license plates rooming around. That brutal illegal rapist lived on Huntington Ave which is around the corner from Main Street I pay extremely high taxes and should not have to worry about walking thru the parks keep up the good work EH.

Posted by: Oh Hell No | May 1, 2009 10:45 AM

Ohh Hell nahh:

I am not here to debate if there is or isn't racial profiling within the EHPD because I, personally have not experienced it as a minority. I can say when person after person for year after year complain about it something HAS TO BE fishy. People been saying Michael Jackson is a child molester for over 20 years, your telling me there is no truth to it at all? Different people don't come out of the wood work for 20 years talking shit about you if there isn't no truth at all to it. (same situation with East Haven)

Anyway's back to East Haven, what I can say is poor JUDGEMENT on the police departments decision to issue a DUI checkpoint in front of a business THAT happens to be the same business that sparked the initial racial profiling allegations. Oh and wait.. just so happens the same two officers involved in the incident where Father Manship was wrongly arrested were present at the DUI checkpoint.. how ironic. I encourage the young lady who supposedly video tapped a "trend" of who was getting pulled over to come forward and share your video (if it exist) because your footage can be critical in winning this on going battle with the EHPD.

Posted by: Edward_H | May 1, 2009 11:24 AM

BRUCE

These police need to learn the rules about public photographing

I am pretty sure they know the law. These type of thugs just choose to ignore the law or make up their own rules when the situation suits them.

Posted by: Walt | May 1, 2009 11:32 AM

I believe in profiling but maybe the East Haven police overdo it at times.

At the sirport I think the guards should be looking out for Arab- appearing guys not over-the-hill white guys like me.

Last time I was at Kennedy, accompanied by wife, kids, grandkids , great grandkids and sons-in-law, I was locked into the plexiglas cage (like the old telephone booths) until a supervisor released me ( Short time, but it seemed longer.)

How many bearded guys with turbans, carrying Korans and knives,and looking sinister, passed through while the officials were concntrating on the old white guy?

Yes, my sons in-law thought it was tremendously funny and kids excitedly said " Look, they caught one Dad" but it was really a waste of time,

Not profiling is ridiculous.

Posted by: nfjanette | May 1, 2009 11:41 AM

I agreed with both points. The reason for the latter issue is clear: some writers at NHI have a clear bias toward certain opinions about the tragic death of Malik Jones and the current enforcement of traffic (and immigration) laws that not everyone shares. The power of language to "spin" a reader's opinion is well displayed by the words chosen to describe these events in NHI reporting.

I see Mr. Jones as a participant with some responsibility in the events of his death, and I support police efforts to enforce laws that make the roads safer for everyone. If someone is driving an unregistered/uninsured/unsafe vehicle, or if a driver is intoxicated/unlicensed, the police should enforce the law without regard to race/culture/location.

Posted by: Bruce | May 1, 2009 12:02 PM

M: "If people are legal citizens they have nothing to worry about."

The store owners are legal immigrants and productive members of society. Yet their business is suffering because their customers feel intimidated.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | May 1, 2009 12:11 PM

Can't be racist profiling.

LATINOS DO NOT CONSTITUTE A RACE.

There are black latinos, white latinos, Incan and Mayan latinos, even latinos who are of Japanese or Chinese stock.

But there is NO racism going on here. Might be something else, but get it RIGHT, will you?

Posted by: Edward_H | May 1, 2009 12:14 PM

Too bad the economy is so rough. The legitimate business owners in East Haven who feel persecuted should consider moving their businesses and tax money over to New Haven.

Posted by: WatchComments | May 1, 2009 12:20 PM

If you were to do a google on East Haven and Chief Gall, you would find many articles from the Register. At the end of those articles you would find the Gallo posee, writing to defend him and his police department.

The time has come to shine the light on this police department and its chief. Time for a change.

Posted by: m | May 1, 2009 12:21 PM

I'm not trying to be ignorant I purchased from the bakery on Main Street and a cop presence isn't going to stop me from shopping where I want. It might stop illegal immigrants migrating to a specific area as a Town. We need to stop protecting these illegal's send back and stop spending money on them. I do think that racial profiling is necessary.

Posted by: greg | May 1, 2009 12:34 PM

REALLY, Your situation was criminal, but your entry is full of racist, political garbage. You and your poor family were hurt in an accident, and rightfully should be angry abour YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION, NO ARGUMENT. Then you go off on " this type of crime". What crime are you talking about , being of color in a racist police state mentality / photographing police who lie on their reports, hassling citizens watching the cops, including business and religious people, threatening to arrest white people watching them do this work, which then gets thrown out of court? How is this connected to the crime perpetrated against your family? Your family was involved in a crime for which i hope you are able to resolve. YOU ARE OWED THAT. It has absolutely nothing to do with the illegal police activity which continues to occur in Staven,which has been racist for every one of my 62 yrs on this planet. These racist cops, and their supervisors,are dirty, and should be put in jail where dirty cops belong. They need to clean house and let the honest police officers run the department, which is supposed to be guaranteed in the Constitution. Law has integrity, Staven has no integrity.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | May 1, 2009 12:35 PM

STATE

Get it straight. Don't you dare call me an outsider. I am a native american because I was BORN here.

Posted by: DAFeder | May 1, 2009 1:17 PM

Oh my god -- Alphonse Credenza is right about something! Latinos aren't a race.

But -- and here's the not-so-big surprise -- it's only because he's wrong about everything else.

There is no such thing as "race," Alphonse. There is only the _perception_ of race. A black Masai and a white Norwegian can easily have more genes in common with one another than two Masai with each other. It's all about how you treat people.

And all you racial profilers out there? Let's step up and profile the perpetrators of the second-worst terrorist attack on American soil, too. Some guy looks like Timothy McVeigh? Pull him over!

Or maybe we should start profiling behavior instead, huh?

David

ps/ M: "[A] large amount of Mexican activity"? Seriously? The cleaners called -- they couldn't get the smell of smoke out of your white robes.

Posted by: greg | May 1, 2009 1:22 PM

M You say you are trying not to be ignorant, yet you say that racial profiling is necessary! What races should be profiled? All Native Americans? How about all Italians? That will go over big in Staven! Maybe all Asians or all Irish ? The options are endless! These cops are only interested in people of color. You cant change the facts.Read the police reports, full of lies,already throw out of court! Who should we profile? Irish, Polish, what about Alaskan natives? We should spend money to get rid of dirty cops, and stop illegal hassling and threatening citizens in a free society. These cops are dirty. Why support dirty cops? Support honest cops! ...

Posted by: laststraw | May 1, 2009 3:39 PM

Greg,
I think you're missing the point "M" and Walt are trying to make.
If an inordinate number of illegals are pulled over in late model cars with PA plates, then I would expect the police to pay special attention to Latino drivers of late model cars with PA plates. Technically, it's profiling, but it's based on the law of averages.
I'd also expect East Haven police to pay special attention to groups of white teens with coolers entering the woods, Middle Easterners with video cameras sitting outside Tweed, and heavyset Italians with violin cases. All profiling.
Police officers are not just supposed to respond to crimes, they're supposed to help prevent crimes as well. So, if you've got to follow that little Honda with Pennsylvania plates until he makes a turn without signaling, then do so. The real problem, is that EHPD doesn't seem to wait for that minor traffic violation. Let's be realistic when we complain about "profiling", as there is a fine line between one person's profiling and another person's attention to detail.
I doubt that "M" or Walt would stand 100% behind the tactics of the EHPD (I doubt anyone would), but that was not their point.

Posted by: Really | May 1, 2009 3:51 PM

GREG>>> The CRIME I was speaking of are vehicles that are unregistered and uninsured. Last time I checked they were crimes as well as DUI's. That may seem like small crimes to most until you are the victim. By the way I am from a Ecuador, in this country legally. It took me years to come here and I live by the rules. So should everyone else.

And please do not insult me and my family, calling us poor. We work hard everyday trying to have a piece of the American dream. I'm sure your family did the same when they emigrated here as well.

Posted by: Town Resident | May 1, 2009 4:11 PM

Just because E.H.P.D is being being accused of racial profiling doesnt mean that is what the meaning of this D.U.I check point was for and if you live and know East Haven you will know where cops sit and also there checkpoint areas are .. They have been doing check points in the same area since i moved here 12 years ago and if you read the paper they always announce it .Also if you follow the law,have a liscence are registered and insurance or not drinking and driving you have no problem.. So what is the big deal about last night?

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | May 1, 2009 4:17 PM

You said If people are legal citizens,they have
nothing to worry about?If you statement is true,Then what happen to the Japanese American who came under Japanese Internment. And to Alphonse you said you are Native American and was born here,Then as a Native American you should know what is is to be Harass and profile and to have you land stole from you.

Posted by: CBA | May 1, 2009 4:40 PM

There can be disputes among different sectors of society, but in order to progress respect of all opinions is absolutely necessary. The postings on this commentary page among a number of writers to each other are rude and boorish. Comments about dirty cops, racial makeup, and white sheet are examples of swarmy little people. If you offer an opinion keep it civil or to your self

Posted by: k | May 1, 2009 10:17 PM

To WOW-your comment about how they speak your language in new haven,i need to tell you the language in AMERICA is english...... so Welcome to America-please speak english or get out!

Posted by: AnEducatedVoice | May 2, 2009 8:00 AM

Is anyone really thinking in here? Lets see, drunk driving is a crime... driving without insurance and registration........ is a crime, I am sorry... did I mention that drunk driving is a crime??????

I have been thru checkpoints in front of Goody's for a number of years (Anyone know that the owners are Jewish) I hope they don't feel like they are harrasing them, I doubt it.... They have been aware of that checkpoint location for years.

I was lucky enough to read that the checkpoints would be set up in East Haven, I was talked to and checked, my license valid, as was my registration and I was let on my way. What a small inconvenience to be sure that my family and children get home safely. I would hate to think of the consequences if an unregistered, or drunk driver was to be on the road and crashed into our vehicle. Would the good Father Manship offer to serve at their funeral for free, spend his time doing what the lord called him for, rather than his personal crusade against law professionals.

A quote from a post from GREG "the white cops whoring around, stealing fish, sexually abusing teens, and stealing funds in Madison. These creeps from both towns all need to be locked up for abusing their oath of office" Why didn't he add the allegations against the New Haven police officer accused of inappropriated actions at an extra duty job? Why didn't he add the conviction of a number of officers from New Haven on corruption charges...

Posted by: EH RESiDENT | May 2, 2009 9:40 AM

Over the past year, EHPD has been setting up a checkpoint in this location....even BEFORE Guti'z bakery has been there. It's ridiculous that the latinos are finding the silliest things to claim is racial profiling. They should feel protected that police are checking for drunk drivers or other people violating the law. Instead, they'r "intimidated" this makes no since unless they're doing something illegal.

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | May 2, 2009 10:05 AM

What one man calls "profiling" is considered common sense to most.

Posted by: Morris Cove | May 2, 2009 11:42 AM

I read the article and the bottom line, it is a D.W.I., check point..point blank, what's the problem?

I wish they did more of these enforcement checks throughout our City., They money is paid through a federal grant, so what's the article about...the location?, so the p.D., should not do there jobs ever again in this vicinity, because it would be construde as harassment...give me a break.

Posted by: C | May 2, 2009 3:57 PM

As a New Haven homeowner and taxpayer I wish they would do things like this! Its easy to be liberal when you don't own a home next to illegal immigrants who are transient, uninterested in actually assimilating into American culture, rude, party and play loud music all the time, and contribute to lower property tax values.

Posted by: Viviel | May 3, 2009 1:30 AM

CBL - Thank you for reminding us to be trully concious of our comments, and remain civil. Cheers, "Live & Let Live", Viviel, A Native New Yorker

Posted by: DAFeder | May 3, 2009 12:23 PM

MorrisCove, AnEducatedVoice, et al,

Racial profiling is always a matter of interpretation -- that's why we don't just call it "racism" and "abuse of power." Driving drunk or with a suspended license is pretty unambiguous, and should be punished. But the tenuous probable cause for checkpoint searches puts us right back in that gray area.

Every time an East Haven cop tries to intimidate a reporter, or confiscate a camera, or trump up a routine procedure as a "sensitive case," they lose some benefit of the doubt. And how much benefit of the doubt do they have anymore? Fire bad cops, so the good ones can do their hard, dangerous job.

David

ps/ I can't pass up the English-only nonsense. Know why "English only" isn't in the constitution? Not because the framers of the Constitution didn't discuss it. Because there were so many non-English speakers in America (German, mostly) that the framers decided they needed to include every member of Colonial society.

pps/ C: I'm sorry you have lousy neighbors. I have some, too. My loud partying neighbors and the drug dealers in the park across the street all seem to be US citizens. It's about the behavior, not the citizenship.

Posted by: Edward_H | May 3, 2009 4:49 PM

C
Its easy to be liberal when you don't own a home next to illegal immigrants who are transient, uninterested in actually assimilating into American culture, rude, party and play loud music all the time, and contribute to lower property tax values.

I am no liberal but behavior is the problem in the scenario you described not immigration status. Lot's of native born Americans engage in similiar behavior.

Posted by: Morris Cove | May 3, 2009 5:42 PM

Dafeder

I'm trying to understand your logic, first off since when do you need probable cause to set up a D.W.I., check point?, and where is the gray area when actual police work is being conducted?.

I think the problem arises when you have too many liberals with there twisted point of view that are afraid to call it like it is, this was a check point, has been conducted at this same location for years, and becuase there was an incident at the store, they should abandon this location, which is a main artery into East Haven, within ear shot of several bars?, I think not, they were doing what the good people of East Haven, pay them to do, the fact that one of them is a little camara shy, is also understandable I wouldn't want someone poking a camara in my face when I'm at work, would you?.

Posted by: WachingAngelsOn theWing | May 3, 2009 8:27 PM

I of all people know how he East Havenn Police Dept. operates.My story starts like this.On an early morning in 1999 I was on my way to work at 4:15 in the morning.Now I never heard about a check point this early in the morning.All the industrial jobs and trucking companies that hire the latino community resides there.I was stopped and yes they found an pot an unregisterd vehicle,and they did'nt want to stop at that they found my tree cimbing climbing utility belt and the knife I used for work that had saved my life in the air a couple of times. I sat in the car watching the frenzy as they came out the back of my jeep smiling and saying we got him.. Although I was a con.Prior military. I knew that I was going to pick up another charge for tryng to fix my life.There went 10 years of being clean down the tubes only to start again.You got it you know who I am. I'm Puerto Rican does that surprise you!Too much is too much an Investigtion is long overdue.

Posted by: Morris Cove | May 3, 2009 10:46 PM

Here is a perfect example, this clown breaks the law, having pot in his vehicle and operating an unregistered , unisured vehicle and he wants an investigation conducted.

Nobody cares if your from Puerto Rico, you broke the law and got arrested... good job by the EHPD, they need to keep people like you off the road!!.

Oh and by the way I also hale from the island of Puerto Rico ( San German ). Grow up and stop breaking the law, stop making excuses for your poor judgement.

Posted by: John V | May 3, 2009 11:38 PM

"I think most people are scared as hell," he said.

... that's because people who got here illegally or do illegal things usually are scared of the police.

If you're a law abiding citizen, you've got nothing to worry about. It makes perfect sense to me.

Posted by: Desire for Justice | May 4, 2009 12:33 AM

"The easthaven police are just doping their job they let everybody know they where setting up a check point so whats the problem. If yor car is registered and you have a valid drivers license their should be no problem. Why is this harrasment, could it be because some of illegal aliens dont want to do the right thing like every other person..." Boristt, were you a part of Hitler's Gulag?

When African-Americans born and raised here were kept out of East Haven by racist landlords and real estate agents, were they breaking the law of the United states?

"If people are legal citizens they have nothing to worry about." M.

Were the East Haven police doing their jobs when they chased Malik Jones (an American by birth) out of East Haven into New Haven then pumped him full of bulletts, were they doing their jobs?

Is it the job of East Haven police to harass Blacks and Latinos? Your comments and those of the greedy tow truck drivers are staunch confirmation that many of those who live in East Haven and who think and behave like the police officers are nothing more than ignorant racists. The EH Police set up these check points to show that they care less about the law. The police officer who killed Malik Jones is still on the job! Why would they not be arrogant? They can beat, harass, malign and murder Blacks and get away with it, or even get rewarded, so why not persecute Latinos?

To threaten to take away the camera from the journalist! How arrogant? The street is a public place. Anyone can go there and take pictures. The EH police have proven themselves to be LIARS. Thank GOD for Father Manship.

Finally, with reference to C who wrote: "As a New Haven homeowner and taxpayer I wish they would do things like this! Its easy to be liberal when you don't own a home next to illegal immigrants who are transient, uninterested in actually assimilating into American culture, rude, party and play loud music all the time, and contribute to lower property tax values."

C, you are just as ignorant and bigoted as the EH police. Some white Americans are every bit as loud, vulgar, nasty and contribute to lowering property values. As to assimilating into the American culture, what part of the American culture are you talking about? The part that is being displayed in EH? How about the part with the wealthy, suburban Caucasians who troll the inner-cities buying drugs and looking for teen age boys and girls to sexually molest? People who are rude and party all the time are more likely to be Americans than illegals; the illegals are usually too busy working at menial jobs for 14 hours a day. The people who live next door to me are loud mouth, boozing, white Americans who throw beer cans over my fence; I live in what is otherwise a nice neighborhood except for my filthy neighbors. Let there be Justice for ALL, not just for white Americans.

Posted by: DAFeder | May 4, 2009 1:12 AM

Hey, Morris Cove,

You've never been subjected to subjective police work? Every one of the half-dozen or so cops I've ever known has talked exhaustively about the gray areas of their job.

But you've never gotten out of a speeding ticket with a warning, say? I have. It's one of the perks of being a middle-class-looking white guy.

I mean, you're right -- the checkpoint stops don't generally need to show individual probable cause -- but that doesn't mean there's not a balancing act. The Fourth Amendment prohibits "unreasonable searches and seizures" without probable cause, and "reasonability" means gray area. The Supremes found checkpoints permissible in 1990, 6-3. The Wiki-analysis:

"The Supreme Court held that Michigan had a "substantial government interest" to advance in stopping drunk driving....Applying a balancing test, then, the Court found that the Constitutionality of the search tilted in favor of the government."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Dept._of_State_Police_v._Sitz

I get the interest in stopping drunk driving. But if East Haven's "interest" is really to intimidate an ethnic group, regardless of their citizenship status (and clearly, they feel intimidated, justified or not), is it still worth the impingement on the 4th Amendment? That's what I mean about the police intimidation of reporters squandering their benefit of the doubt. If you can't get the 1st Amendment right, I'm not real confident you're still reading all the way through the 4th.

Playing "gotcha!" with video cameras may not _help_ good police do their jobs, but it sure as hell helps the public when police abuse their jobs. Ask the family of the unarmed, restrained guy shot in the back at the beginning of the year:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BART_Police_shooting_of_Oscar_Grant
Or the victims of the LA CRASH squad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rampart_Scandal

Which is a long way of saying, if you're "camera shy" about the public watching you enforce public safety, maybe you should read up on the 1st Amendment and take a Dale Carnegie course.

David

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | May 4, 2009 5:36 AM

WachingAngelsOn theWing

"I was going to pick up another charge for tryng to fix my life"

And just how are you rehabilitating yourself by driving around in an unregistered motor vehicle with banned substances on board?

Posted by: Walt | May 4, 2009 6:35 AM

Confusing letter but as I see it, this guy, an ex(?) con carrying pot and a possibly illegal weapon, is stopped at a checkpoint, driving an unregistered car, but was hassled only because he is Puerto-Rican.

A clear case of discriminatiion.

As a white guy, if I were stopped like that, I am sure they would have smilingly returned my pot , with a gentle suggestion that I register the car when convenient, suggested a safe place fot concealing the knife and then apologized for delaying me..

Posted by: Streever | May 4, 2009 6:50 AM

When the rhetoric (liberal, twisted views, etc) is dropped, DAFeder makes some excellent points.

Police who infringe on our journalist's civil rights have no place in our civil society. Truth. McMillan has a legal right to be there & to observe & document.

It ceases being "routine police work" when the police dictate how you can exist in proximity to it. Does an officer directing traffic get to disallow you to use a camera? No, nor would they. They have nothing to hide.

You may hate undocumented people, but at least realize you're giving up your civil rights when you allow a culture of intimidation to control other members of society.

Posted by: Wicked Lester | May 4, 2009 8:14 AM

This DWI checkpoint has been in this particular location for years, way before any "immigrant business" opened up. There are numerous bars along this street. Stop playing the cry baby liberal race card.

Posted by: laststraw | May 4, 2009 3:16 PM

"Were the East Haven police doing their jobs when they chased Malik Jones (an American by birth) out of East Haven into New Haven then pumped him full of bulletts, were they doing their jobs?"
-D4J

Yes.
When those red & blue lights flash, you pull over. Period. End of story. Stop bringing this up. It's the law. He should have stopped. He might be alive if he did.
Had the EHPD shot Malik after he immediately pulled over, shut down the engine, rolled his window down, and placed both hands on the wheel, well then you'd have the right to complain.
The EHPD is no band of angels, and history shows us that there are some major issues in that department, but you can't use a regular DUI-enforcement or a drug-dealer running from the police as your basis for this. Dig deeper.

" The EH Police set up these check points to show that they care less about the law. "
-D4J

???
This sentence doesn't make much sense. Care to explain?

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | May 4, 2009 6:53 PM

STREEVER

"You may hate undocumented people, but at least realize you're giving up your civil rights when you allow a culture of intimidation to control other members of society."

You gotta be kidding me! Obama is telling me how much I can make before being regressively taxed, telling me what kind of car I can drive, is promoting a smart electric grid that can spy on my power usage and selectively turn off appliances that it deems is uneccessary, is promoting a healthcare system that will catalog my most private of personal info for all to see, and ration care to the point that it will decide, not me, what medical treatments are appropriate for my needs and tell me when it is time to die.

Just who do you think is a greater immediate threat to our liberties?

Posted by: Morris Cove | May 4, 2009 10:02 PM

Dafeder

The word your trying to search for is discrection, not subjective, and I do realize that police have discrection in there job, and yes I have been given a break on minor traffic stop. ( went through a stop sign ), and yes I was given a break but I don't share your skin tone I can not pass for a white male, so your theory on white privilege is a moot point.

And as I stated in my first comment the police don't need probable cause to conduct a D.U.I. check point ( thanxs for the long winded version ), so I still don't get all the hoopla associated with the police doing there jobs. As far as the camara goes, I for one would welcome those dash mounted camaras, I think it would eliminate a lot of false compliants, from people like the fellow blogger who was stopped for no appearent reason other then operating and unregistered car, with no insurance, and illegal drugs, and a possible weapon....poor guy, why didn't you address him.hmmmmmm I wonder?

Posted by: DAFeder | May 4, 2009 11:29 PM

Morris Cove,

Re: "Hmmmmm" -- I didn't address him 'cause I didn't understand what the hell he was talking about!

The long-winded version was to say that the 4th Amendment's PC requirement was waived for a specific reason, not discarded altogether. I want to make sure the people who bend the 4th Amendment for the sake of public safety don't break it for abuse of power.

I agree with you on the dash-mounted cameras, by the way.

David

Posted by: bebe1222 | May 5, 2009 11:29 PM

As a Latina I don't see what the problem is.....Register your car,carry valid insurance leave the illegal drugs and weapons home wear your seatbelt do as your told....get badge numbers and names and if then and only then you feel violated you file a formal complaint with the police department...you don't go running to Father Manship or Rev. Al Sharpton first.....years ago they did the same thing in Fair Haven but i guess something happened along the way and it was stopped...when i leave the house i am very vigilant as i don't know if those cars with OH, PA MA or CT license plates are insured but hey i think i will just stop driving and take mass transit..then its really racial profiling when the cops,ICE and the feds hop on the bus to check ID's but then again it might not be safe either to ride CT transit

Posted by: A.J. | May 7, 2009 2:28 AM

I find it unbelievable that the majority of the people on here are absolutely ignornat. Although I understand some of the points, it still doesn't beat EHPD doing there job...so they're tough, oldschool, police officers...they get the job done...all this BS with Banship. Listen buddy, for the safety of the officer's, they can't conduct their investigation and focus on you at the same time...how do they know that you don't have a weapon on you and what your true intensions are???...you have the right to film somebody, whether that's the Police or not, BUT you do not have the right to INTERFERE with their investigation of ANY kind...that IS a crime, and that's why I defend the officer in making the arrest against Manship in Feb, regardless of being dishonest in the report. These guys were doing there job on that DUI checkpoint, and to have some jackass come and try and taunt them is just retarded...YOU INTERFERE;YOU GET ARRESTED;DEAL WITH IT!

Posted by: ezcuinkle | May 12, 2009 9:58 AM

Thats terrible... i cant belive this is the UNITES STATES OF NORTH AMERICA. (USA) 2009 come on how many times people went to the moon, how many times people been descover the cure for any virus, and seekness, this is the year of 2009 come on there are some people still trying to find the CURE for that terrible seekness some people we call ignorance and racism.

Routine Police Work? Or Retaliation?

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