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The plan that led to the arrests of hundreds of teenagers at Kmart, Sonic
KHOU TV Houston ^ | August 24, 2002 | By Jeff McShan

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

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.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: jackbootedss; kmartraid
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Chief Bradford is trying to play stupid, like he didn't know of these raids in advance. He was in on it from the start.
1 posted on 08/24/2002 10:37:58 AM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: Dog Gone
It's gonna be interesting to see how this plays out...
2 posted on 08/24/2002 10:41:19 AM PDT by Chad Fairbanks
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To: Dog Gone
"Nothing of this magnitude would escape his attention."

After all, despite appearances, he's not really like Chief Wigguns of Springfield. ;^)
3 posted on 08/24/2002 10:41:48 AM PDT by headsonpikes
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To: Dog Gone
Looks like a bunch of whining law breakers want their baby bottles.
4 posted on 08/24/2002 10:43:13 AM PDT by tallhappy
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To: Dog Gone
So the jack booted thugs strike again.

Hoorah for the the new database everybody's name went into.

5 posted on 08/24/2002 10:44:14 AM PDT by dts32041
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To: Dog Gone
He was in on it from the start.

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?

6 posted on 08/24/2002 10:46:03 AM PDT by neutrino
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To: tallhappy
The lawbreakers here appear to be the police.
7 posted on 08/24/2002 10:46:53 AM PDT by Dog Gone
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Here is an earlier, different story on the same "sting".

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/736740/posts
8 posted on 08/24/2002 10:46:57 AM PDT by HighWheeler
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To: Dog Gone
I doubt it.

Police sound to have done exactly what needed to be done.

9 posted on 08/24/2002 10:48:46 AM PDT by tallhappy
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To: niki
ping!
10 posted on 08/24/2002 10:48:59 AM PDT by freebilly
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To: tallhappy
Looks like a bunch of whining law breakers want their baby bottles.

Nonsense! Nothing any of the responsible police officials have done yet can be called whining.

11 posted on 08/24/2002 10:49:23 AM PDT by Grut
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To: neutrino
Excellent idea. There certainly is sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation by the DOJ. I think most locals believe that this police department won't effectively investigate itself.

... Especially when the Chief of Police is trying to cover his own butt.

12 posted on 08/24/2002 10:50:20 AM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: tallhappy
Yeah... the idea of "Since the racers didn't show up, let's just arrest everyone here, whether they have done something wrong or not" sounds REAL legal... tell me, what are the laws like in your world?
13 posted on 08/24/2002 10:50:52 AM PDT by Chad Fairbanks
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To: Dog Gone
I think a lot of Houston citizens are going to be reading up on Title 42 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.
14 posted on 08/24/2002 10:51:15 AM PDT by connectthedots
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To: tallhappy
not completely....many arrested were eating at the local drive in at the time of their arrest..can you explain to me how this is a jailable offense?
15 posted on 08/24/2002 10:52:45 AM PDT by goodieD
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To: tallhappy
Police sound to have done exactly what needed to be done.

I guess I'm not surprised you feel that way.

16 posted on 08/24/2002 10:53:01 AM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: tallhappy
Looks like a bunch of whining law breakers want their baby bottles.

And if 150 law abiding citizens go to jail in mass arrest, who cares?

17 posted on 08/24/2002 10:54:25 AM PDT by freebilly
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To: Dog Gone
You guys would have to post more info than this to make your case.

Liberal and leftists always say kneejerk that the cops are wrong and fscist.

It is par for the course.

18 posted on 08/24/2002 10:55:18 AM PDT by tallhappy
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To: tallhappy
Police sound to have done exactly what needed to be done.

You visiting from China perhaps?
19 posted on 08/24/2002 10:55:35 AM PDT by Arkinsaw
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To: freebilly
And if 150 law abiding citizens go to jail in mass arrest, who cares?

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.

20 posted on 08/24/2002 10:57:15 AM PDT by tallhappy
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