Councilman calls for investigation into police actions
6th ward Councilman Rikke Van Johnson released a statement at 5:16 p.m. Monday calling for an investigation into an Aug. 19 altercation between police and residents in a low-income neighborhood on the West side.
Johnson, who has recently taken to openly criticizing city police, said in his release that the incident left a 16-year-old boy arrested and "many injured." Continues ... The incident occurred at the Dorjil housing projects on the West side while residents held a street side vigil for a young father who was slain the day before. On Aug. 20, dozens of residents, including the dead man's mother, came to a city council meeting and lambasted police for alleged brutality. Police Chief Michael Billdt said an investigation would be conducted, and Mayor Pat Morris personally consoled the grieving mother at meeting's end.
“These altercations with law enforcement must stop. I am personally investigating this matter to ensure that the full letter of the law was followed and innocent residents of the 6th Ward were not hurt”, said Johnson in his press release.
Last week, Johnson ripped the police union for not endorsing him for the second time. The union is instead endorsing his opponent, Betty Dean Anderson. Johnson is the only current councilmember without police support. Johnson said the union granted him an interview, but with only two of more than a dozen boardmembers who ultimately decide.
"They blew me off," Johnson said last week.
Comments
I find it interesting why Councilman Van Johnson chooses to now call an investigation into the lawful actions carried out by our City Police Department to arrest a felon. It is painfully obvious that he is retaliating for not getting into the pockets of their Assosciation.
When was the last time he had a town hall meeting to get the citizens to turn in the murderer of a child?
A select few citizens of the crime seiged 6th Ward need to look more at their behavior than that of the Police that protect them!
The Police did not cause the murder of that young man, but I believe the family of the murdered man knows exactly who is responsible for his death...
To date I don't believe the Police have been able to arrest the MURDER suspect that the "innocent residents" of this tight knit community continue to harbor.
Having listened to the allegations made at the council meeting, several people that showed up made claims of having numerous video recordings of this arrest. My question is, why haven't we seen the tape on prime time news shows???!!! Rodney King was on the news the following day, as was the Deputy involved shooting in Chino. Might I add that trial ended in the acquital of the Deputy.
It's sad to see all of the people, to include kids, that needlessly die every year in the 6th Ward, but yet there is no outcry! No going to the City Council! No Mayoral embraces! No Nothing!
The Police are paid to enforce laws of this City, State, and Country. If you abide by these laws, you will have no problems with the "Law".
If I'm not mistaken Mr. VanJohnson's family benefits from the arrests that the Police Department makes, and it's amazing how fast he wants an investigation into the police doing their job, but does not want to talk about land deals arranged by the councilman for his family.
Thankfully the Police are willing to try to stop problems in the 6th Ward since Councilman Van "Pope" Johnson has done little for the GOOD citizens in that Ward!
Get out of your 1960's time warp you're stuck in, and join us in the 2000's!
Posted by: A fox was elected to represent the hen house | September 10, 2007 9:20 PM
The topics hop all over the board, so I will copy the post and [interject my comments within brackets. Like this].
I find it interesting why Councilman Van Johnson chooses to now call an investigation into the lawful actions carried out by our City Police Department to arrest a felon.
[Rikke is fulfilling the task his constituency elected him to perform, their representation and advocacy on matters relative to the ward. Were Rikke to turn a deaf ear to the pleas for intervention on their behalf by ward residents, he would be branded inactive, or worse – possibly said to be pouting & refusing to continue to interact with SBPD in his ward’s best interest.
It bears mentioning that SBPD has called an investigation into this matter, making your label of the actions presumptuous.]
It is painfully obvious that he is retaliating for not getting into the pockets of their Assosciation.
[See above.]
When was the last time he had a town hall meeting to get the citizens to turn in the murderer of a child?
[Rikke constantly encourages the attendees of meetings where he is present to become more active members of the community, and to enlist the assistance of all resources available to better their lot, and to collaborate with all venues available toward improving situations, including the sharing of confidential information with SBPD, among many other possibilities.]
A select few citizens of the crime seiged 6th Ward need to look more at their behavior than that of the Police that protect them!
[We could all benefit from some introspecting; a few select 6th Ward residents do not hold quarter in this regard. The numbers revealing where parolees and registered sex offenders reside, as well as calls for service and other statistics available as public records will clarify the mistaken perception of 6th Ward as the hot bed of all things evil in San Bernardino. It is right and just to hold our public servants accountable ~ a right here that others around the world may never experience in their lifetimes. The first step on the road to perdition is the relinquishment of the very rights many here now take for granted, but than many of our elders have personal knowledge of valiant people dying to provide to us. Effectively suggesting people butt-out of the process is counterproductive.]
The Police did not cause the murder of that young man, but I believe the family of the murdered man knows exactly who is responsible for his death...
[Some say, “We judge as we are”. What a sad commentary about you, if that proves true. If you have raised a child, the thought of denying the authorities any assistance toward achieving justice for your lost little one is anathema to the lifetime of daily hopes and tireless efforts toward what’s best for the child.]
To date I don't believe the Police have been able to arrest the MURDER suspect that the "innocent residents" of this tight knit community continue to harbor.
[If that sentence were more than hyperbole – and I grant you the benefit of doubt there – you would appear to have knowledge of the killer’s whereabouts – and be withholding that information from the authorities. You aren’t an accomplice, are you? Don’t cruelly speculate that otherwise anonymous members of our community are intimately acquainted with a murderer because their family has suddenly become thrust into becoming one of surviving family members. Random acts of lethal violence could befall any of us, or our loved ones.]
Having listened to the allegations made at the council meeting, several people that showed up made claims of having numerous video recordings of this arrest. My question is, why haven't we seen the tape on prime time news shows???!!! Rodney King was on the news the following day, as was the Deputy involved shooting in Chino. Might I add that trial ended in the acquital of the Deputy.
[Note: It is acquittal. Try investing in a spell check program. Note: The determinations of which videos to air are not the decisions of the people supplying them. It may come as a surprise for you to read that there are countless more crimes committed each hour than make the headlines; not every item is a newsworthy item, for many reasons. What is valuable in the investigation is that any obtainable video records will be reviewed by the authorities and perhaps provide leads to the arrest and conviction of those found guilty. That you are instead bemoaning your missed opportunity to see someone’s life blood spill into the curb on “primetime news shows” is another sad commentary about your priorities.[
It's sad to see all of the people, to include kids, that needlessly die every year in the 6th Ward, but yet there is no outcry! No going to the City Council! No Mayoral embraces! No Nothing!
[The 6th Ward is vibrant and blossoming with the 210 opening doors until recently effectively cutting it off and isolating it from opportunity through the poorly planned decisions of decades past. It is arguably the most spiritually based ward in our city. The parks and community areas are bustling with wholesome activities for all. People are recognizing the long-sought help is present through Rikke’s service in office. The mayor’s embrace is firm and fast: Operation Phoenix is transforming lives as we blog. Make-A-Difference Day ( October 27th this year), will be an activity-filled day in Ward 6, with mayoral support. This is not to say mayoral support is absent citywide; I know of at least one major citywide project he is also supporting that day. There is plenty more than “No Mayoral embrace. No Nothing” in Ward 6. As an aside: The double negative is often accepted as a subconscious expression of the positive. That means: Many learned folk believe writing “No Nothing” mean, “something”, not “Nothing”.]
The Police are paid to enforce laws of this City, State, and Country. If you abide by these laws, you will have no problems with the "Law".
[Unfortunately, that naïve stance denies that many otherwise innocent people find themselves with “problems with the law” as victims because the criminal element has disturbed their vehicle, home, other property or person, or that of a friend, acquaintance or loved one. It happens all day, every day. There are at least 3 sides to every issue.]
If I'm not mistaken Mr. VanJohnson's family benefits from the arrests that the Police Department makes, and it's amazing how fast he wants an investigation into the police doing their job, but does not want to talk about land deals arranged by the councilman for his family.
[Rikke’s family business does not receive a commission for the arrests made by SBPD; it provides a service to members of the public wishing to remain out of custody as long as possible. In exchange for guaranteeing that these people will appear in court on a set date, the business is paid a set price, indicative of the pending charges. Not anyone may have such a business ~ detailed licensing and background checks are mandatory; if anything, Rikke’s family business is a testament to his honesty, reliability, character, clear background and abilities.]
Thankfully the Police are willing to try to stop problems in the 6th Ward since Councilman Van "Pope" Johnson has done little for the GOOD citizens in that Ward!
[The police are paid, as you wrote earlier, to protect and serve, enforcing our laws. In return for contributing to the good of Ward 6 Rikke is paid a paltry $50.00 a month. He is expected to be at every early breakfast meeting; every luncheon; every neighborhood watch or other residents’ meeting; the televised biweekly council meetings; various committee and other meetings; answer all telephone calls attentively; respond to all electronic and USPS correspondences; read and investigate all matters before him; advocate for the public good; defend the constitution from all enemies; be present at all grand openings in Ward 6; encourage new ventures in Ward 6; lobby for public works and other infrastructural improvements and maintenance issues there, and much more. Oh, and to hear you tell, maybe he should be shaking down hidey-holes for murderers in his spare time, too. He has to do all this in addition to remaining a family man and active church member and successful business owner, as always.
Rikke was served a heaping plate when he arrived in office: Valerie had been too busy making backroom deals and getting her braids done to bother with something as insignificant as her official duties for years; Arias was too busy to have the maggot-infested matted fur removed from her dog, let alone concern herself with matters beyond her own home; Anderson left the voters still yearning for MORE, so, they rightly elected Rikke. I don’t see any residents circulating recall petitions in Ward 6, as in years past; the people are happy with Rikke’s level of action – 7 days a week, morning, noon and night, holidays included.]
Get out of your 1960's time warp you're stuck in, and join us in the 2000's!
[We’ve been here all along; the SBNow Blog is just introducing us with this new venue for communication. Care to join us?]
FOUR MORE YEARS, RIKKE! FOUR MORE YEARS!
s/ Right-On Rikke ROCKS!
Posted by: Right-On Rikke ROCKS! | September 13, 2007 5:39 PM