Posted on 05/16/2003 2:55:01 PM PDT by Unknown Freeper
(Harlem-WABC, May 16, 2003) — Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.
Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.
What happened at 310 W. 143rd Street was meant to be the end result of a drug investigation based on confidential information from a police informant. But it is now among the most tragic errors of the NYPD.
Lucille Ross, Building Resident: "She was such a lovely person. If something was to happen with her like this, I want to know why."
The search warrant was apparently issued for apartment 6F in the multi-unit building. It was the home of Alberta Spruill.
Today Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said it was based on what investigators thought was reliable information. But it all turned out to be a terrible mistake.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly: "Entry was made by officers from our Emergency Services Unit who used a flash grenade during that entry. Once inside the officers found the occupant, a 57-year-old woman, identified as Alberta Spruill. She was briefly handcuffed while police conducted a cursory search of the apartment. The patrol captain then entered, and saw that the apartment did not match the description given by the informant, and immediately ordered that the handcuffs be removed."
The commissioner said Ms. Spruill soon told officers she had a heart condition, and then complained of chest pains. EMS was called to the scene and administered aid. But Ms. Spruill died a short time later at Harlem Hospital.
Commissioner Ray Kelly: "On behalf of the entire New York City Police Department, I want to offer my condolences and sympathy to the family of Alberta Spruill. I also want to offer my apology. This is indeed a profound tragedy."
Calvin Alston, Building Resident: "We're all just devestated. Really devestated. Because this is a woman that got up and went to church every day ... went to work every day. And we're all just devestated that this would happen to someone like this."
Police Commissioner Kelly did say a "flash grenade" was used at apartment 6F before officers entered. It may be the use of that flash grenade broke procedure. The ESU lieutenant who used it is now on administrative leave pending the investigation. Those grenades have been used 85 times this year.
And NYPD tells us only four mistakes out of 1,900 search warrants have been made this year. The investigation of this tragedy continues.
I remember when the 4th Amendment really meant we were safe in our persons.
I also became engaged in the 'side topic' as the actions of the police were questioned (side topics occur all the time on most threads on this forum) when this was stated:
Posted by TLBSHOW to A CA Guy
News/Activism ^ 05/16/2003 3:56 PM PDT #52 of 199 ^
do you know how many police officers smoke Pot?
LOTS!
LOTS is significant. So I asked for a source for this information. So far, I have NOT received a source or link for this assertion. Instead, I received a suggestion, from the poster of the assertion,that *I* research the assertion.
So.....it is just that. A baseless comment without source or link. Hence, I give this poster and his comment zero credibility.
Flight can be prevented by surrounding the building. Attempts to shoot officers can be mitigated by a deliberate clearing strategy. As for crooks destroying evidence, I have a simple strategy for that: have a cop show up at the door, knock, wait for the sound of flushing followed by someone opening the door. When someone answers, show them some mug shots of suspects seen in the neighborhood and ask the person if they've seen them. No warrant required, and no risk if the wrong house is visited. Once the sounds of flushing no longer precede the opening door, assuming the dealer's boss hasn't gotten steamed about the trashed inventory, then the police can conduct a proper search.
s know knock raid is based on information that is made available to them before hand. It is very tragic what happened to this lady but I can't see blaming the police for doing exactly what they were trained to do. If these cops knew ahead of time that their is a strong possibility that numerous weapons are inside of the apartment, then why make the raid more dangerous by knocking first and then entering....believe it or not, no knock raids probably save more lives and that includes the suspects as well.
How dangerous have seige raids been back when they were the normal method of getting holed-up criminals?
Uh, because I am in the business! And you are not!
Of course, you wouldn't believe that either.
So you keep spouting off about what you don't have a clue about....
"Out of control police and call it what it is murder."
This type of knee-jerk response serves no purpose but to inflame.
The intended consequence, I'd say.
You asserted most did not
At which point he told me my head was in the sand.
He's also implied that the war on drugs was out of control, then said that Bush wasn't doing enough to stop drugs.
I'm disappointed, Harrowup. I really thought you'd have been able to see the logical inconsistencies in his posts.
I am hardly an expert in room-clearing tactics, but aren't hostage-rescue teams supposed to be trained to clear rooms while minimizing risks to themselves and any innocent hostages?
Admittedly I'm not sure of any case where the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team actually rescued any hostages, but I think some state and city teams certainly have.
Real seasoned cops will tell you in private, if they are honest, the WOD is lost, will never be won, and it's a complete waste of police time, resources, taxes, etc.
It's a racket!
It's just another glaring waste of the peoples tax money!.
> Putting people in cages for this is a joke, for everyone except government employees, judges, lawyers, and others that depend on tax payers for a pay check!
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