Compton residents express outrage over shooting of unarmed driver

sfgate - AP ^ | 5/11/05 | GREG RISLING

[SmithL]

Compton, Calif. -- Angry residents poured out their emotions Wednesday to Sheriff Lee Baca, following a shooting in which 10 deputies fired more than 100 rounds at an unarmed driver.

Baca met with the community and heard their concerns about a range of topics that included everything from unsolved murders to racial profiling. Dozens of people spoke with Baca, who sat in the crowd at a community center, and demanded answers and accountability for the deputies' actions.

"We need to know now why does it always happen in our community," said Mollie Bell, a longtime Compton resident. "When will (law enforcement) turn around and say they are wrong. If the leadership doesn't say it's wrong it will keep happening."

Baca said the meeting Wednesday will be the first in a series of meetings with Compton residents about the shooting and their concerns.

"We're here to listen but also here to explain. We're here to tell the good, the bad and the ugly," he said.

Before the meeting, Baca visited and talked with residents on the street where deputies fired 120 shots at an unarmed driver in a pre-dawn attack Monday that was captured on an amateur videotape.

[SmithL]

With over 120 shots, I would expect him to be feeling no pain whatsoever.

[goldstategop]

There is rarely a note of appreciation expressed to the cops for keeping the community safe from danger. The usual response of politicians and the cop honchos is to gang up on rank and file cops where there is a racially charged shooting. Here the usual presumption of innocence and guilt is reversed. The cops stand convicted and the suspect is transformed into a martyr of police brutality. Hey - we've all seen this script followed many times before.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[ReadyNow]

1) The Police Force that Couldn't Shoot Straight

2) This kind of thing never happened when the cops were free to use nightsticks, blackjacks, fists, etc.

[ambrose]

"He should have armed himself." - Clint Eastwood

[ambrose]

The note of appreciate is good pay, fat pensions, excessive overtime pay, and early retirement.

And free donuts.

Is it too much to ask for that they do their freepin' jobs??

[tahotdog]

The videotape shows deputies firing dozens of rounds in the direction of Hayes' vehicle. Some smashed into walls or went through windows of nearby homes. Some ricocheted off the SUV. Four struck Hayes, and one hit a deputy.

[taxesareforever]

I'd be upset too with a police force which seems to be in need of pistol range practice.

[Spktyr]

They can't, the LAPD is so hamstrung by regs and PC that they aren't an effective force.

There was an article here on FR not long ago about why the LAPD is a sad decayed shell of its former self and why it's not coming back any time soon.

[org.whodat]

With over 120 shots, I would expect him to be feeling no pain whatsoever.

I don't know about the bad shooting, but I do know that, the cop in the lower right side of the film of this shooting, needs to be fired. I have never seen such careless discharge of a weapon in my life. If you watch the clip you can see him shooting directly at the deputes on the other side of the car.

[Spktyr]

And the LASD is just as bad off, just not as publicized.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Oh give me a break. How many times were Compton residents "outraged" over hearing gunshots day in and day out by gangs and rappers glorifying the violence in their city.

[Dustbunny]

Simply amazing !

[Yaelle]

The dude admittedly smoked crack and went for a joyride...he's lucky he's not taking a dirtnap. As for Sheriff Baca's troops, was this an unannounced target shooting field trip? They wouldn't impress any girls on Captain Stubing's love boat skeet shooting venue. Straight outta Compton? How about straight outta bullets. Ice Cube could have a lot of fun with this one. Compton lost their own police dept. a few years ago because of corruption. The LA County Sheriffs didn't do themselves any favors with this PR nightmare! Baca wants higher taxes for public safety...he'd probably spend it all on ammo and pensions.

[umgud]

The cops looked pretty bad in the video, but I still say the only real answer is for them to set on their duffs and not police the high crime areas. Let Jessie Jackson bring peace to the community.

[scott says]

LOW WATT

[thombo]

With Jesse Jackson takin care of business here in Fl,i wouldn't be surprised if Al Sharpton shows up in Compton to get some face time.

[de Buillion]

"the cop in the lower right side of the film of this shooting, needs to be fired."

I noticed that too, but what I consider more unbelievable, is that: 1. Out of an admitted 120 rounds fired, only 4 hits on target, as well as the friendly fire thing on an officer,and 2. 4 hits on target, and the target is in stable condition? What the hell are these cops (possible sarcasm) shooting? The guy isn't dead! What's wrong with this picture?

[de Buillion]

"With Jesse Jackson takin care of business here in Fl,i wouldn't be surprised if Al Sharpton shows up in Compton to get some face time. "

Was predicted on BOR tonite.

[Huntress]

"We need to know now why does it always happen in our community," said Mollie Bell, a longtime Compton resident.

Uh, isn't this the same community whose citizens pulled Reginald Denney from his truck, beat him half to death, smashed his head with a brick, and then did a little dance over him during the Rodney King riots?

[goldstategop]

An all-black community can't even keep order on its own streets? Oh puhleeaze! If there's angst, it should be directed at the trouble-makers rather than at the people who do their darndest to keep Compton safe for its law-abiding residents.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)