Posted on 09/27/2007 6:23:25 PM PDT by Ken H
Missouri: Police Stake Out Brett Darrow Home
Saint Louis, Missouri police stake out the home of young motorist whose video of an out-of-control police officer garnered international attention.
A young Saint Louis, Missouri motorist faces trouble with local police upset at the national attention his September 7 video of an out-of-control officer has drawn to ongoing problems within area law enforcement agencies.
On Sunday, Brett Darrow filmed a Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department cruiser staking out his home.
"It was the first time I've seen it," Darrow told TheNewspaper. "But my neighbor said he's seen a lot of police down our dead end street since all of this happened."
When Darrow walked outside to his 1997 Nissan Maxima, he noticed two officers sitting in a marked squad car, numbered 65. There is little question as to why the officers were there.
"As I got into the car, he started to pull up the street and he and his partner just stared me down," Darrow explained.
The patrol car drove away as Darrow started his car and followed. Because his camera had been set to capture night-time footage, the first 45 seconds of the video is obscured. It does, however, capture the police car making questionable turning maneuvers in order to get away.
Members of the police community are on the record regarding their desire to stake out Darrow's home and harass the twenty-year-old. In late June, users of St. Louis CopTalk, an unofficial forum for Saint Louis area law enforcement, posted Darrow's home address along with messages containing apparent death threats in retaliation for the young motorist's taping of a DUI roadblock in November and a traffic ticket in June. One CopTalk user repeating the address wrote, "Every copper, City and County, should etch this little punks [sic] name in their [sic] memory. Brett Darrow, [address deleted], city of St. Louis." (View screen capture of post)
This month, however, scandals within the Saint Louis Police Department which otherwise would have been a local story, gathered national attention and fueled additional resentment. Some $40,000 in cash turned up "missing" from the police evidence room on September 17. The city of St. George was forced to fire Sergeant James Kuehnlein for his threat to "come up with reasons" to "lock up" Darrow.
An investigation into whether Kuehnlein's actions merit criminal charges is under way. Darrow met on Monday with a Saint Louis County Police Department detective.
"I quickly learned that this was about finding something I did wrong and not the officer," Darrow said.
Despite the official harassment, Darrow has been comforted by an unexpected level of support from the general public. Motorists who recognized him from various television interviews have stopped to thank him or give him the "thumbs up." A judge also dropped charges from the June traffic stop after a Saint Louis police officer failed to show up at a trial where Darrow had been prepared to defend himself with video evidence.
If you are keeping a ping list for this issue, please add me to it....
Agree....kid is gonna have to keep the tape rolling or get set up by these crooks in cops costumes.
Will do.
Will do.
Sorry. I confused you for the subject of the thread, Brett Darrow. My apologies to all for that.
Will do.
Sorry for the triple post -it was soooo slow -— it must have been three minutes before the post took.
Sounds like a good suggestion for young Mr. Darrow
evidently pulled over a 17 yr old girl (chiefs don't normally do traffic stops) and also, evidently "copped" a plea bargain - but keeps his job...Which might be a good indication that if a regular citizen turns in a complaint about the conduct of one of his officers, without proof, it goes nowhere - except maybe the person then gets the intimidation - black and whites 'patrolling' past your house -
(I was married in and circle of friend in, law enforcement. These bad apples make it tough for the good officers)
Yes, put me on your ping list also.
abb
I am pretty shure the ACLU will be right there with you, to bankrupt a municipality.
May your chains rest lightly upon you also.
Brett could end this tomorrow. He has the power to do so. Does he want to end it tomorrow? That is one question. Why not is another.
Alrighty................my buddy who is an AR platform guru for the .308 flavors says to avoid the AR-10. Do Not BUY was his suggestion......... he stated that the AR-10’s are dirt cheap yet the local gunrunners he’s near can’t sell em off the shelf at even that price.
He highly suggested the DMPS AR flavors of .308........link provided ~!
http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/category.aspx?id=9
Now I remember the DPMS CEO/ President was the guy who broke the Apollo challenge Col Cooper set forth a few years ago...... 20 rnds, 20 seconds , 20 inch group at 1000 yards............ It was done with a DPMS rig in .308 I am told.
Give it a peak and my buddy said if ya want one he can get ya a deal ...... I will grab one as well so maybe we can get a twofer discount.
Lemme know what ya think ....I am in no hurry to purchase unless the rats get mr potato head law dug up again. So if ya need time to decide or not go with a DPMS that is cool as well..........
Let me know what ya think....ask around, check the forums and be sure etc etc .....
But he is a guru at such things , he used to be a sales rep for HK , former SF (Girl Scout) , LEO and a FED as well.........and supplied my unit with tools of the trade as a goobermint gunrunner...
I will avoid the AR-10 versions just based on his suggestions.........
Stay safe ~!
In the course of researching the incident, TheNewspaper learned from an inside source about a CopTalk posting dated June 29, 2007. A user calling himself "STL_FINEST" wrote the following item, presented unedited and in full:
in reply to "Who is this terd?"
I hope this little POS punk bastard tries his little video stunt with me when I pull him over alone- and I WILL pull him over - because I will see "his gun" and place a hunk of hot lead right where it belongs.
___________________________________
1. Do you agree, or do you disagree that a threat was communicated over the internet?
2. If you do agree that a threat was communicated, should authorities investigate it, in your opinion?
This is becoming more than it ever should have been. Once again Brett could end all this easily. Does he want to? Why not? Can you say lawsuit $$$$$$.
It's a tough call. Criminal cops vs criminal aclu lieyers. Personally I hope they both lose!
I just want 2 simple, straightforward answers to 2 simple, straightforward questions. Why are you dodging them?
“Once again Brett could end all this easily.”
How is that?
Q 2.Yes
Any other OBVIOUS questions you need answered?
I know they glazed your clutch, most people nowadays dont even know what a parking brake is for. They did you wrong.
If you were to just call it a miss,and apologize for being smart with the first officer, they would feel the tension relax. Dont be supprised if they apologize also. More than likely they do not want war with the citizens. What good does it do them? What good does it do you?
If you can turn down the heat on this issue, it will be forgotten. If you keep turning the screws on the fuzz, it will probably just keep getting nastier.
It's all up to you.
I would be surprised if they don't end up all felons. The situation is all in their control, they have the power. And if they choose not to follow the laws that they are sworn to uphold, then ever mother lovin' one of 'em needs to get the boot and lose their jobs and their pensions and get sued for every dime that they have. Such is the responsibility that comes with accepting the trust of the citizenry and being given lawful power and authority. They are expected to be and act professional.
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