Police relationships with community: a measure of trust?

“I wouldn’t want to be bothered with someone I couldn’t trust on a day-to-day basis." 

---Michelle Obama in interview on relationships 

Opinion based on facts
Non-white and poor people have an historically strained relationship with the police. It's sorta like a bad marriage, when a spouse cheats once, is forgiven, but she continues to cheat and cheat over and over again. Forgiveness is one thing; trust is another.

Suppose your spouse continually beat you in the head and you couldn't defend yourself, raped you, brutalized your body, or destroyed your self esteem and mental capacity to think logically. Would you divorce her and get a new woman?

Unfortunately, "we still need the police to keep us safe," some believe. But why do we continually see people running from the police, knowing they could be shot dead? Fear.

Then we read about white supremacists joining the military to learn how to klll others. They join the police force while being bonafide gang members, KKK, Neo-nazis, and PTSD victims. They have guns, tasers, bullet proof vests, handcuffs, billy clubs, cameras, and work in tandem with the justice/court/penal system.

They hold the dark (Watch that movie to really be scared!).

I've interacted with the police in a discussion group and have found this to be true:

1. They feel the media is after them, always portraying them in a negative light.

2. They don't feel valued.
3. They have discretion but seldom use it to the advantage of citizens.
4. They are not perfect but expect us to obey the laws.
5. They investigate citizens but do not release information unless they have to.
6. They act as officers of the court just like prosecuting attorneys.
7. They are under stress and feel they are not getting paid enough for the work they do.
8. They have a hard time respecting people who are not police or members of criminal justice system.
9. They want to police themselves.

How can we solve this problem? 

Transient female becomes sexual assault victim of on-duty policeman in Cobb County, Ga.

Chief Cox called the case one of "unique challenges."

Without giving many details about a crime perpetrated on a woman with no local address almost two months ago, the Cobb County Police held a press conference at headquarters today. They were flanked by several community partners, namely local Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) members, fraternity men, and community activists. 

The ethnicity of the victim was not divulged. It was suggested that the victim was homeless when the attack occurred.

"Protect and serve" is a commonly known police motto.

In the presser auditorium were several members of the Hispanic media, including representatives from Telemundo and Hispatlanta. One reporter waiting outside said it reminded him of a national press conference because of the number of media in attendance and cameras on display.

Officer Andres Alcaraz, an ex-military guardsman who had been on the force four years, was the main reason why the press conference was called. Alcaraz resigned after a Cobb County Police Crimes Against Persons Unit  issued a warrant for his arrest. Alcaraz turned himself in after being placed on administrative leave while the department continued its investigation.

Motorcycle in police headquarters lobby

Alcaraz, a former DUI Taskforce officer, was charged with felony sexual assault/law enforcement while on duty, which is a violation of public office. 

Cobb County Police Chief C. T. Cox stated that the reluctant victim did not come forward immediately after she was stopped and assaulted because she was concerned that her complaint would not be taken seriously. She then confided in two officers from Precinct 4 which led to an internal investigation which is still active and ongoing, according to Cox.

Allegedly, Officer Alcaraz got involved with the victim while on a suspicious person call, and she was being detained by him, not arrested. Rape and kidnapping charges could be added later, according to Cox. The assault happened in Smyna, Ga. near Benson Poole Rd., a residential and commercial area.

“When citizens hire us to do a job,  you expect us to be beyond reproach,” Cox said, which includes being professional, courteous, and not in violation of the law. “I think in this case, there had been a failure to do that, at least by this individual.” The Chief said he didn’t know of any other disciplinary actions against Officer Alcaraz.

There is no body cam footage of the assault even though the officer was issued a body camera. The assault occurred in the wee hours of the morning in an unlit location. 

When asked what the department is doing to counteract trauma and chaos that officers may encounter on the job, he said, “We take the health of our officers, whether physical or mental, very seriously.” Cox said they have established peer support groups, a chaplain is ready to assist officers experiencing spiritual concerns, and an employee assistance program is available through the county. 

Officer Alcaraz is said to have a “few” complaints filed on him during his law enforcement career. Cox said he was appalled at the alleged actions of Officer Alcaraz, but he cannot predict human behavior. He said this case has some "unique challenges" because the police couldn’t locate the victim because she had no local address. 

Cox stressed the importance of the community working with law enforcement to solve criminal issues. 

“The police department is doing everything it can - through procedures, policies and training - to prevent this from occurring again.” Almost one year ago to the day, another Cobb County officer was held without bail on a felony charge for assaulting a woman in his home who had the mental capacity of a 10-14 year old girl.

For press conference question and answer session video, go to my Youtube channel: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCE7IygxjkY_C_EPAkvT6dmQ

James Buckner receives award from Justice Dept., Bureau of Prisons

Buckner (r) receives award from Hurwitz.

UPDATE: This award was given for Outstanding Performance in Communications Monitoring and Analysis.

James W. Buckner, Intelligence Analyst-Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Martinsburg, West Virginia, has received an award for outstanding performance.  The award was presented by Hugh J. Hurwitz, Acting Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Buckner, a native of Kentucky, has served 19 years with the BOP. Previously, he was with the Correctional Service - Internal Affairs Sergeant, Security Threat Group Coordinator (street/prison gang intelligence and management), Kentucky Department of Corrections. He also served with the Fayette County Detention Center and spent two years with the Sheriff's Office in Lexington, KY. 

Wife, Marlene, and daughter, Michelle, attended award ceremony.

“My family made the trip, too, which made it more special for me," Buckner said after receiving the award. 

Peace meeting plans in Metro Atlanta

My Hero, Rev. Dr. Henry Bradford, Sr. dies

1957 photo from The Heritage, A&M's yearbook

Listen to obituary: https://obits.al.com/obituaries/huntsville/obituary.aspx?n=henry-bradford&pid=191869198&fhid=23832

The Rev. Dr. Henry Bradford, Jr., my former piano/voice teacher and mentor, has died. If anyone is listening to a heavenly choir and orchestra, he is!

Notes made by Rev. Bradford in my John Thompson Piano Course book

Rev. Bradford taught me how to play "Oh Danny Boy" on the piano and also accompanied me when I performed solos at beauty pageants. He was very patient with me, even though my fingers were small and I didn't like to practice.

The Bradfords were married over 70 years.

"Fingering" I needed to work on noted in red by Rev. Bradford

Bradford is survived by his wife, Nell, and they were married for over 70 years. They have two living children - Andrea and Hank, III. It has been reported that Bradford, 97, died days after being involved in a car accident in which his wife was also injured.

Family hour will be Friday night, and the funeral will be held  Saturday at 12 noon in Huntsville, Ala.

Rev. Bradford wrote the music for A&M's school song.

For more information on Rev. Bradford's life, go to:  http://www.aamu.edu/news/2011/Pages/AAMU-Mourns-Death-of-Icon.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0zO_0bRO3hbfNto9FvX_jeP3oRvQaSre_XPLCypsPkmprXFQNfKLs-pr0

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!

But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!

Funeral: https://www.facebook.com/ucmbc.pastor.davis/videos/dr-henry-bradford-jr-funeral-23-march-2019/1367723656703680/

Muslim leader condemns attack in New Zealand

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place earlier in New Zealand.

Speaking from London, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide, I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to all those affected by the barbaric terrorist attack that has taken place in Christchurch.

“Such heinous and utterly inhumane attacks must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is a grave tragedy that dozens of innocent Muslims have lost their lives whilst joining together for worship. All people, no matter their faith or belief, have the right to worship peacefully.

“This tragic event should serve as a lesson and warning to other countries of the developed world that we must join together to tackle all forms of racial, ethnic and religious hatred with wisdom and with a firm hand.

“Our heartfelt prayers are with the victims of these attacks and all those who have been affected. May the perpetrators of this evil act be promptly brought to justice.”

Additionally from a local member: "We are horrified and devastated by this attack. New Zealand is a peaceful and tolerant country and if this can happen there, it shows that no part of the world is safe from extremism or terrorism. 

"We offer our deepest sympathies and prayers all those affected by this tragedy. 

"Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has spoken out against extremism for many years. It is not the right time to apportion blame but certainly when the dust has settled we hope that authorities across the world will see how the perpetrator(s) were radicalized and what can be done to prevent such hatreds developing in future. Everyone has a role to play to fight extremism by promoting tolerance and speaking out against all forms of bigotry and prejudice."

Read the alleged killer's Manifesto here: 

https://katana17.wordpress.com/2019/03/15/the-great-replacement-manifesto-of-new-zealand-mosque-shooter-mar-2019/

"Healthcare Not Handcuffs" meeting with Georgia Legislators Tuesday

On behalf of local criminal justice reform organizations, you are invited to attend a teach-in and dialogue with Georgia legislators on how our state can reduce criminalization of mental illness and increase access to critical behavioral health services. 

To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/healthcare-not-handcuffs-tickets-56670327475
Join local organizations, state legislators, impacted community members, and advocates to learn about the critical needs facing people in our state, and what the state legislature could do to move from punishment to healing, from locking people up to connecting them to care. 

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

• Impact of Lack of Mental Health Resources on People, Families and Communities
• Historical Perspective on Mental Health and Criminal Justice Reforms in Georgia
• Opportunities for reform:
  • Atlanta/Fulton County Pre-Arrest Diversion Initiative
  • Mental health care in local jails
  • No Health = No Justice community conversations report
• Legislator Panel and Discussion
• Hosted by the Southern Center for Human Rights • Legal Action Center  • Mental Health America of Georgia • National Incarceration Association •  Atlanta/Fulton County Pre-Arrest Diversion Initiative

Update on the Riverside Apartment crisis in South Cobb County, Ga.

This information was provided by Community Activist Monica DeLancy.

The attorney representing the three sister properties - Kingsley Village, Parkview Apartments and Hunter Grove Apartments - withdrew from the eviction cases on March 15th. All cases from those properties were dismissed, and residents who had counter claims were awarded their judgments. There were multiple judgments awarded -were $15000, $1500, $2950, $1200, and $1000.

On Monday, March 11th new property managers took over the property and stated that they are in the process of working maintenance orders and speaking with tenants to build relationships. The tenants who went to court for eviction were filed before the new management started on March 11th.

On March 12th, 30 residents from the South Cobb community went to the state Capitol to discuss HB346 with elected officials as well as education policies. HB 346 is the bill presented by Representative Sharon Cooper that stops landlords from retaliation if residents complain about living conditions on rental properties. The trip was organized by Monica DeLancy, We thrive in Riverside Renters Association in partnership with National Center on Learning Disabilities, and Word of Faith sponsored the transportation.

The three properties are still owned by the same investment group which has requested a jury trial for their 80 code violations. The date of the trial have not been set.

Opportunity to Thrive Community Pop Up will be at Parkview Apartments, 360 Riverside Parkway in Austell, Georgia on Thursday, March 21st 1:00p.m. to 4p.m. This will be an opportunity for residents to meet the new managers and receive fresh fruits and vegetables from Amerigroup. In addition there will be resource guides and keep Cobb Beautiful info table so residents can learn strategies to help keep their community clean. The Community Pop Up is in partnership with We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association.

For more information, contact Monica DeLancy at 770-369-6531.

For federal rental assistance, go to https://www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance.

Culture makes U.S. communities great!

International Night at McCleskey Middle School

Opinion: At the same time I have been reading Alain Locke’s "Race Contacts and Interracial Relations", our WingChun Kung fu School, Atlanta WingChun (http://www.iaw-atlanta.com), was invited to give a demonstration at Cobb County’s McCleskey Middle School for the PTA’s International Night.

Locke removed race from its biological basis and put it on a cultural foundation. The idea that we should harness and promote our many cultural strengths as a nation will lead us to truly make our communities better, for in “America”, all cultures are important; none should be placed in a vacuum, and none should be deemed supreme.

Martial arts training can be enjoyed by all.

At the event, a student of Chinese descent asked me what country I was representing. When I said China, she looked at me a little puzzled. “Do you speak Chinese?” she asked. “No, but my family teaches a martial arts style from China,” I told her.

Yes, African Americans do practice and teach kung fu! In our classes, we teach all races and sexes from different countries -  Mexico, England, Columbia, Ethiopia, etc. Kung fu is an art that can be enjoyed by all, and our Grandmaster is German!

When one of our highest leaders proclaimed that “We speak English here,” he made a lying mockery of our cultural strengths. Doesn’t his wife speak four or five languages? Aren’t polyglots some of the most advanced people in the universe which could mean the more languages you speak, the more folks you can relate to?

Expand your mind, and never limit your learning.

AHEPA Condemns Publisher's Call for KKK to "Night Ride Again"

WASHINGTON, DC - Press release dated Feb. 20, 2019 - Supreme President George E. Loucas has issued the following statement: 

"We are alarmed by an editorial published in the Democrat-Reporter, an Alabama small-town newspaper, that opened, 'Time for the Ku Klux Klan to night ride again.'

"The KKK terrorized immigrants and minorities, including Americans of Hellenic heritage, during its resurgence in the early 20th century.  The KKK's intimidating and sometimes violent discrimination toward Greek immigrants led to the founding of our Order in 1922 in Atlanta--the home of the KKK's headquarters at the time.

"Therefore, any call for the KKK to 'night ride again'--no matter where it is published or the volume of the media outlet's circulation or distribution--must be condemned.

"We appreciate U.S. Senator Doug Jones and U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell for speaking out against the editorial.

"We call for the author of the editorial, Mr. Goodloe Sutton, who is the publisher and editor of the Democrat-Reporter, to resign."

Earlier this week, Mr. Sutton confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser that he did author the editorial, which was published unsigned.

Background

The Order of AHEPA was founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan.

In 1990, AHEPA filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in the Georgia Supreme Court. It backed the legal position of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of B'nai B'rith in support of a state law banning masks in public which was challenged by the KKK. The court ruled 6 to 1 to uphold the constitutionality of the anti-mask statute.

 

For more info on this subject, go to: https://www.pappaspost.com/forgotten-history-the-klan-vs-americans-of-greek-heritage-in-an-era-of-hate-and-the-birth-of-the-ahepa/

# # #  

 

AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe. 

Uptick in white terrorism indicative of old supremacist ideology

OPINION:  A few months ago, I had to control myself when an older white man purposely and with anger banged into my shopping cart in the grocery store for no apparent reason. My impression was that he was trying to provoke me into a violent altercation. Knowing that there were cameras recording things in the store, I called him out as evil, and he retreated down the aisle.

A few years back at a church function, a white congregant said, "Fuck you," while we were both working as volunteers. When she apologized after I informed the church council of her actions, she told me she had taken medication and didn't remember what she said.

Ten years ago, I was waiting in line when a white woman broke in front of me.  When I called her out, she mentioned, "survival of the fittest" and went to another checkout lane.

All these incidents stuck in my mind as attributed to deep rooted anger/hate probably coupled with pain killers and attempts to cause a stir, perhaps leading to dire consequences for me. I'm glad I kept my cool...

Now I'm confronted with two news items: 

1) a report from the Southern Poverty Law Center that there has been "a 30 percent increase in U.S. hate groups over the past four years and a 7 percent increase in hate groups in 2018 alone, according to the center's annual 'Year in Hate and Extremism' report. The group designated 1,020 organizations as hate groups in 2018, a high of at least 20 years." (https://www.npr.org/2019/02/20/696217158/u-s-hate-groups-rose-sharply-in-recent-years-watchdog-group-reports)

2) a U.S. Coast Guard employee, Christopher Paul Hasson, who is also a self-described white nationalist, was arrested in Maryland last week for plotting mass killings (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/us/christopher-hasson-coast-guard.html)

“If you don't understand white supremacy/racism, everything that you do understand will only confuse you.”

― Neely Fuller, Jr., The United Independent Compensatory Code System Concept a textbook/workbook for Thought, Speech and/or Action for Victims of Racism

Racist ideologies are not new and have been documented in conservative journals. In the May 1995 Edition of Georgia Trend Magazine which featured Newspaper Publisher Otis Brumby on the cover, an opinion piece was printed on page 78 written by Virgil R. Williams, a supposedly noble communicator. 

 

In this article, Williams states in the first paragraph, "A phenomenon is occurring in the lives of the white American male. He is rapidly losing his once esteemed position in American society. Beneath the surface, he is seething with anger. The three characteristics that describe him - white, American and male - are all under attack."

Virgil R. Williams is an entrepreneur, former executive and bank owner, and current CEO of the Williams Companies which provide services to engineering and oil/gas sites. Williams lives in Suwanee, GA in Gwinnett County on a massive estate, according to Globalglobetrotting. (https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/virgil-r-williams-house/view/bing/).

 https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/virgil-r-williams-house/view/bing/

Williams is also former director of Bank of America and former owner of the Georgia Force Arena Football team. I don't mind him having things, especially a nice house, but why is he saying white men are losing ground and must do something because of the plight they are in?

So what do folks like Williams, Hasson, and Trump have in common? 

*They appear angry, especially at people they deem lower than themselves.
*Reconciliation is not their priority.
*They fail to face reality: the world is run by whites who use racism/white supremacy/fear to suppress non-whites. 
*They don't respect white women or "other" races.
*They want it all, including death to those not like them and will even kill other whites who get in their way.

What do you think? What action should be applied?

Update: The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported in 2004 that Virgil R. Williams had $67m in bank stocks (792,048 shares) when he retired and also owned the Georgia Force Football Team which he later sold to Arthur Blank.

Recent: Alabama newspaper publisher says KKK should ride again: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2019/02/21/goodloe-sutton-alabama-kkk-editorial-wont-back-down-ku-klux-klan-linden-alabama-racist-editor/2938252002/?fbclid=IwAR2r94FcAycPQdXY2M2w5rFqPMCCqeQoNJVogf0Lw-uBLXp6XDDyCtFj17A

Shaun Calhoun receives Costco President's Award for heroism

Shaun Calhoun (c) of Metro Louisville, Kentucky received the Costco President's Award for helping a child of one of the chain's members in need of life-saving medical attention. 

Including a heartfelt thanks, the award, and a President's badge,  Calhoun will receive 25 shares of Costco stock.

Calhoun, 35, is married with children. "He is a symbol of what it means to be a good Christian man," said his proud father, George "Bubba" Calhoun.

 Way to go, Shaun! It is reported that the stock he received is worth $5k.

GA Solar mixer brings politicians, policymakers, advocates, and installers together

The Georgia Solar Energy Association held a Connections Networking Mixer last night at the Warren City Club in Virginia Highlands in Atlanta. The event was sponsored by Enercon.

Barber and Ginn attended the function.

Public Service Commission (PSC) Representative Jamie Barber, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Manager, said the state has deregulated many industries, but solar is not one of them. According to its website, the PSC's mission is "to exercise its authority and influence to ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable and reasonably priced telecommunications, electric and natural gas services from financially viable and technically competent companies." One important question is, “Why hasn’t solar been deregulated?”

According to Solar Power Rocks (https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/georgia/), Georgia has an F policy grade in 2019 because of low tax credits. Solar installation tax incentives have soured since 2008 and have not rebounded, even with the passage of the solar Power-Free Market Financing Act of 2015.

When asked would he recommended putting solar panels on the State Capitol, Georgia State Senator Frank Ginn  (R) - 47th District, said he would not recommend putting them on the Gold Dome because it’s the wrong application for an historic, 1879 building, but he has solar on his own residence. 

"I've been in the solar industry since the '70's and actually live in a passive home," Ginn said in my interview. "Most all of the energy we have on the planet, accept for nuclear, came originally from solar.  Whether we're talking about coal, or natural gas, bio-mass, or active solar, it all came from the sun. "

"I do serve on the World Congress Center Oversight Committee, and we've done some things there on parking decks. It's a great application that can be done in urban areas because you're not only producing energy, but you're giving some protection to the automobiles against the heat of the sun," Ginn said.

Ginn also said people need to understand that solar applications are more than just panels on house rooftops but include industrial and major building uses. He said the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, famous for its retractable roof, utilizes solar technology. 

       Young said the sun's power can be harnessed and utilized wherever you are.                   
 (Photo credit: Don Tonic, President/GM and Certified PV Installation Professional)

Thatcher Young, VP of Business Development of VeloSolar, says there are a myriad of ways solar is integrated into customer applications, including solar lighting, portable solar electronic charging, and a whole host of off-grid applications, i.e. tiny homes, campers, etc. which harness electricity naturally available from an unlimited source - the sun.

“Solar energy can be used while you’re hiking, camping or lounging on your own private island,” Young said.

Kurk Johnson and George Lovelace, both IT professionals originally from Kentucky, shared a toast at mixer.

For more information on this organization, go to: https://www.gasolar.org/

University of Alabama history lesson

Correction: Foster Auditorium was not named after Lucy but after Richard Clark Foster in 1939.

Today marks the day University of Alabama Student Autherine Lucy (Foster) was suspended from attending classes, three days after she entered the Department of Education through a side corridor. I visited the place where a courageous Lucy, who wanted to become a teacher, tried to be the first person of color to attend “Bama” despite white protests two years after the Brown desegregation case was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court.

These were the steps leading to Education Building where Lucy was escorted away from protesters.

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Buford Boone of TheTuscaloosa  News described the incident in this editorial:

These are bulletin boards on the walls in the corridor today.

The pictures speak for themselves. Know History. 

The place where Gov. George Wallace stood in the schoolhouse door is Foster Auditorium where young women now practice volleyball and basketball.

It took Lucy 35 years to be awarded her Masters from Univ. of Alabama, but she did it!