The plan that led to the arrests of hundreds of teenagers at Kmart, Sonic

KHOU TV Houston ^ | August 24, 2002 | By Jeff McShan

[Dog Gone]

"Simply issuing citations has had little or no impact"

08/23/2002

By Jeff McShan / 11 News

HOUSTON (KHOU) -- With parents still fuming over the arrests of hundreds of teenagers for trespassing, 11 news has learned the chief, himself, was apparently in on the planning for Operation E-racer.

Houston Police Chief Clarence Bradford made it clear this week that the raid on Westheimer would be thoroughly investigated. Hundreds were arrested in a sting operation set up to curtail street racers and trespassers.

But many have filed complaints saying the arrests were unjust. People like Emily Demmler. "I was handcuffed. I was put in the back of a van," she said. "And I sat in a jail cell from 4:00 to 9:00."

Monday night Chief Bradford called for an investigation of the controversial crackdown. He wanted to know who was in charge? What instructions were given to officers? And why were arrests made instead of issuing citations?

Who was in charge? It turned out to be HPD Captain Mark Aguirre. He told 11 news that he was surprised the chief had so many questions about the raid. "It was my understanding that Chief Bradford was in the loop," said Aguirre. "I assume that. Nothing of this magnitude would escape his attention."

Friday night 11 News obtained an interoffice correspondence, which appears to back Captain Aguirre's beliefs. The memo is the plan for last weekend's raid. It was sent to Chief Bradford on May 13, months ago.

In the correspondence Captain Aguirre explains to the chief the proposed solution for the problems in that area and why issuing tickets would not work.

Aguirre says, "Simply issuing citations has had little or no impact. By arresting individuals observed violating local, state or federal laws and towing violators' vehicles, law enforcement will have more of an influence over the individuals' future behavior."

Yesterday most, if not all, the officers involved in the raid were told to report to police headquarters where they picked up a set of over 20 questions. They'll all have to answer the inquiries about what happened last weekend, such as who was in charge. The questions came from HPD's Internal Affairs Division, which is investigating along with the Houston's Office of Inspector General.

[sweetliberty]

" Now what are nice, law abiding people like you and I to do when it happens to us?"

Some of the gestapo "cops can do no wrong" types figure that decent, law-abiding citizens have no business being out after midnight, even on a Saturday night.

[justlurking]

You missed the one about the cops putting up their own "No Trespassing" signs.

I knew there were signs posted (only) in the K-Mart parking lot, but my understanding is those were posted with the consent of K-Mart, even if the police did so.

The problem appears to have been how the signs were portrayed to K-mart management, who thought that they would only be applied to non-customers (the signs said "customers only", after all) and that no one would be prosecuted unless they refused to leave.

After initially refusing comment, K-Mart has stated that they did not ask the police to take this kind of action. I have a feeling they feel the same way as the other business that got shafted by the police earlier. I wonder if they will file a complaint of their own (like the other business owner did).

The owners of the Sonic drive-in have grounds for legal action, as they were an unwilling participant who even refused to let the police tow cars left by the people that were arrested. It will be interesting to see if they decide to pursue it or if they decide to let it pass to avoid antagonizing the mob running the local protection racket (i.e. the Houston PD).

[sweetliberty]

Stone Deaf

Stone Deaf is one of the few truly invincible Warriors because nothing can shatter his impenetrable armor of non recognition. His primitive battle strategy is maddening effective; he simply refuses to acknowledge any arguments he doesn't like. Kung-Fu Master can hammer away with devastating blows, Cyber Sisters can screech in full throat and Profundus Maximus can expound until he drops, but Stone Deaf remains utterly oblivious as he advances his dogged and often repetitious attacks. In the early stages of battle a wide array of Warriors will fling themselves at Stone Deaf, but inevitably they fall back exahusted or lose interest when they see that their best weapons have no effect. His only real enemy is Administrator, who has the power to eject him from the discussion forum.

That is an hilarious thread by the way.

Weekend vanity... What kind of forum poster are you? (illustrated examples)

[HiTech RedNeck]

I knew there were signs posted (only) in the K-Mart parking lot, but my understanding is those were posted with the consent of K-Mart, even if the police did so.

The problem appears to have been how the signs were portrayed to K-mart management, who thought that they would only be applied to non-customers (the signs said "customers only", after all) and that no one would be prosecuted unless they refused to leave.

Supposing this is the case. What happens? The blame would still seem to rest corporately with HPD for misleading K-Mart (who did not request such a drastic action), but the individual officers can't be blamed as they weren't aware that the communication with K-Mart was erroneous.

[justlurking]

Supposing this is the case. What happens? The blame would still seem to rest corporately with HPD for misleading K-Mart (who did not request such a drastic action)

I agree. I don't think K-Mart is significantly at fault in this incident. They were apparently expecting a "reasonable" response by HPD and will ultimately suffer as much or more than anyone.

but the individual officers can't be blamed as they weren't aware that the communication with K-Mart was erroneous.

In another forum that I follow, a few active-duty and former cops have suggested that the subordinate officers were "maliciously following orders", knowing they were overstepping their legal authority and expecting the current outcome. The officer in charge of the operation is apparently not popular with the rank-and-file, and this was an opportunity to stick it to him.

[tallhappy]

Those businesses and others in the area, as well as nearby residents, have in the past complained about the noise and litter, police said.

Thanks.

Key info for the entire episode:

Those businesses and others in the area, as well as nearby residents, have in the past complained about the noise and litter, police said.

Anonymous sources? Yeah right.

Huge throngs of people have been posing a problem and bothering people. In the past citiations were given and it did not end the problems. Now they arrested them.

[tallhappy]

Yeah, there are the Massillion-type idiots here that cry "jack-booted thug" every time an officer sneezes

Exactly.

If the cops were out of line, it will be addressed.

The fact remains that for weeks on end there were out of control crowds bothering people and generating complaints.

Citations did not work.

[tallhappy]

After a few iterations of such thorough enforcement, the crowds will depart. And every single action I've mentioned is legal.

If you read the articles on this, the things you mention (citations etc...) are what had been taking place for weeks on end without ending the problem.

[tallhappy]

Some of the neo-totalitarians on these threads can hardly wait.

You realize you have mental problems I hope.

[freebilly]

You realize you have mental problems I hope.

Here's a guy supporting the arrests of both guilty and innocent parties telling someone they have mental problems. Hey, McFly, helloooo!

[tallhappy]

Re 103...why so hard on yourself?

[tallhappy]

Your response in 110 ten is a perfect example of the problems I'm talking about.

[PatrioticAmerican]

bump to bungling.

[freebilly]

Your response in 110 ten is a perfect example of the problems I'm talking about.

Ah, everyone on this thread is wrong but you! But your righteousness is not going to prevent the city of Houston from getting its a$$ sued off for violating a number of people's civil rights.

[Coleus]

bttt

[HiTech RedNeck]

So, shortsad? What "works" is not the issue here. The issue is first, what did K-Mart honestly believe it had asked for, shortsad? Did it believe it had asked for a bust of all occupants of the lot, rather than those who would not leave? K-Mart, not the city of Houston, is the property owner and it is not the city of Houston's place to "correct" K'Mart's wishes to the harsher. If they were hornswoggled by those cowboys at HPD, shortsad, do the cowboys deserve what they will get? Oh, and second, pray comment about the Sonic arrests, shortsad? Sonic had not consented or posted any no-trespassings at all.

[HiTech RedNeck]

In another forum that I follow, a few active-duty and former cops have suggested that the subordinate officers were "maliciously following orders", knowing they were overstepping their legal authority and expecting the current outcome.

Wow, the chief must have been BAAAAAAAAAD for those officers to be willing to be hauled personally into court for this (which they will be; every shark, er, tort lawyer for 50 miles around is smelling blood).

[HiTech RedNeck]

Wow, the chief must have been BAAAAAAAAAD

[I mean the captain]

I'd love to be a fly on the wall down at the PD just now. (Yeah, I think some here would want me to get swatted)

[justlurking]

[I mean the captain]

Latest reports say that the captain has been suspended (with pay) pending an investigation.

However, said captain has publicly implicated the chief (i.e. chief had knowledge of operation, but not necessarily the methodology). If the chief doesn't quickly put some distance between himself and the captain, he's going to end up in hot(ter) water.

[tallhappy]

I always can see that people have become bereft of any reasonable or competent thing to say (and have an emotional issue concerning it) when they start making (inevitably the same) silly pun on my screen name.

You guys who think with organs other than your brains (or purposely hamper their brain's ability to reason) don't do us any good.

That's how liberals act. People who know liberalism isn't good should stay as far away from that mindset and kneejerk emotional lemming mentality as possible.