Posted on 08/24/2002 10:37:58 AM PDT by Dog Gone
"Simply issuing citations has had little or no impact"
08/23/2002
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.
Hoorah for the the new database everybody's name went into.
I suspect that the only way any truth will come out is if the DOJ gets involved. Since, as I understand it, you're a member of the Bar, might it be possible for someone to place a friendly call to the local AUSA...and motivate some action?
Police sound to have done exactly what needed to be done.
Nonsense! Nothing any of the responsible police officials have done yet can be called whining.
... Especially when the Chief of Police is trying to cover his own butt.
I guess I'm not surprised you feel that way.
And if 150 law abiding citizens go to jail in mass arrest, who cares?
Liberal and leftists always say kneejerk that the cops are wrong and fscist.
It is par for the course.
This article stated they were not law abiding.
My impression is you do not stick to truth due to problems concerning your personal beliefs. Lefists and liberal seldom can control their emotions enough to be objective or rational.
I think this is the case for you.
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