City Attorney Says Charges Could Be Dropped Against (KMart) Arrestees

Personally, I am floored. I would think a police chief would go to bat for his officers.

He didn't become Chief of Police by making a practice of defending the indefensible.

I have little admiration for this man because he allowed the Department to get to the point where this could happen, but at least he realized that what happened was wrong and was willing to admit it.

The Chief didn't have many other real options with this flagrant an action against so many individuals did he?

On August 18, an undercover officer had been inside the K-Mart prior to the raid, handing out cards to whom they believed to be legitimate customers.

I'd love to see the objective criteria applied there, since some of the people had actually made purchases. Milk, ok. Soft drink, you're going to jail, buddy. Bread, ok. Candy bar, cuff'em Danno.

Given that he was undercover, those receiving the card would have likely chunked it anyway as people are always handing out junk in stores.

Not to mention the people arrested at Sonic and the people who just simply were not breaking any law.

Separate issue, therefore irrelevant.

Same police department, same methods, same result.

d you can thank our biased, leftist news media for it.

Why? Because they wouldn't cover up mass arrests of innocent people for Aguirre?

You know, I don't shed any tears for Rodney King or the other kid in Kali that got slapped around by the cops. They were guilty and they tried to mix it up with the cops. The cops may have crossed the line in those cases, but given the nature of the perps c'est la vie.

But this is nothing like that. The worst crime being committed was loitering and underage drinking. A family eating in their car at a drive in is not doing either. Someone in the process of leaving the parking lot is not loitering and it is pretty easy to tell if they have engaged in underage drinking.

The bottom line is that HPD did not care if the people they were arresting had committed a crime. As a result, even the arrests of the guilty become suspect, since in cases like this the entire validity of the charge rests solely on the testimony of the arresting officer.

They shot themselves in the foot, the liberal left wing media is just pointing and laughing.

Or is it that there were far more votes cast than there were people at the polls.

I thought that only happened in Chicago.

I expected him to be much more of a weasel, and to give Janet Reno-type answers. "We're investigating, so I can't comment on that right now."

He didn't do that, and he could have, at least for a little while longer.

I'm not sure whether he did this because he figured he couldn't cover up forever, or because he really was surprised and disappointed/angry over what happened on that parking lot. At least for the next couple of days, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

You know, I was just going to coast along and speak with other people on this issue, but I'll be damned if I am going to allow you or anyone else to question my integrity just because I do not agree with you.

I may have sent some personal insults toward some people here, but not once have I accused anyone of being dishonest.

Here is my bottom line: I want a public apology RIGHT NOW, or your posts get forwarded to Jim Robinson.

Here is my bottom line: I want a public apology RIGHT NOW, or your posts get forwarded to Jim Robinson.

Hit the abuse button right now, if it makes you feel better. You don't deserve any kind of apology.

My ma was an uptight nut about a lot of things, but not this. She told me that if I ever wanted to smoke, don't smoke anything the other kids give to me but go get one of her cigarettes from the kitchen drawer.

I have never smoked a puff in my life.

Personally, I am floored

You will be basemented before this is over

My dad said the same thing about beer (and alcohol in general).

As a result, I can take it or leave it. I've had a little too much a few times in college, but it's been years since I did that. I avoided it altogether for 5-6 years when I owned a plane and didn't miss it at all.

Sometimes, I think it's the "forbidden fruit" that makes it attractive. The people that I shoot with tell me that it works the same way with guns: if you hide them away, they'll find them when you aren't around. If you let them handle them (under supervision) anytime they want, they'll either get bored and leave them alone or will get interested in shooting.

Cheerleader style:

Hit it Houmatt hit it!
Hit it Houmatt hit it!

Good grief. What he's raging at wasn't even a good innuendo.

You will be basemented before this is over

Please elaborate. On this, and your problem.

Your Mom sounds like my kinda LADY!

Thank you for the flag, Dog Gone.

I love seeing this back-down, too. At last I can hope that the "Don't Mess With Texas" is beginning to mean something.

"Good on 'em"--all those who have stood up and howled and those who have backed them up. I am proud of them.

The political control begins.

At this level charges dropped (or filed) have little if anything to do with violations or no violations.

You asked for it -- direct control from politicos over the police.

Welcome to it.

It will only get worse.

>> Councilman Mark Ellis and others said that they wondered why no one blew the whistle before this raid, because a smaller sweep was done the night before at a James Coney Island eatery in which 25 people were arrested.<<

Maybe they got a thrill out of it.

>> For a year the people at Wal-Mart have been complaining to the police to get rid of these people who are blocking traffic and generally causing havoc.<<

Wal-Mart has denied calling the police to do this. Can you source your claims?

>> For a year the people at Wal-Mart have been complaining to the police to get rid of these people who are blocking traffic and generally causing havoc.<<

Correction: KMART.

Whoston?

>>On August 18, an undercover officer had been inside the K-Mart prior to the raid, handing out cards to whom they believed to be legitimate customers. <<

To whom "they BELIEVED to be" legitimate customers?!?!?!

My, what insights these brilliant super-men possess. They have the power to walk into a department store, and relying on their keen perceptive abilities, discern who is and is not a legitimate customer.

That is absolutely preposterous. Do you honestly stand behind that ridiculous statement?