PPD Dances Around Issues at Kendra James Community Forum

Where was Scott McCollister last night? Why doesn't he answer for himself? By the way, why doesn't KATU post his picture, instead of the worn-out mug shot of Ms. James, so that the community can protect itself from this violent criminal?

Shamed by questions they usually ignore

07/02/03

T hat was a disaster. That -- the Kendra James "community forum" -- was a community policing catastrophe.

On Tuesday night, the Portland Police Bureau arrived en masse at Mount Olivet Baptist Church and left in a complete mess. Confronted with the kind of questions they routinely ignore or dismiss, the cops looked absolutely ridiculous in an emotional five-hour standoff in North Portland.

They responded to logical questions with superficial dodges. They answered the genuine with the rehearsed.

From Chief Mark Kroeker (and District Attorney Michael Schrunk) on down, they countered righteous anger and pointed inquiries with a PowerPoint presentation.

To use language they should understand, the cops brought pepper spray and a malfunctioning taser to a gunfight.

From the opening act, the staging of the forum -- designed and choreographed by Mayor Vera Katz -- was all wrong. The purple pulpit at Mount Olivet was decked out like a Jerry Springer set, with the two feuding parties -- the friends of Kendra James and the defenders of the cop who killed her, Scott McCollister -- bunched on opposite wings of the dais.

After 30 minutes of Rotary-style formalities, the Rev. W.G. Hardy Jr. of Highland United Church of Christ, stepped into the breach. He was cutting, emotional and eloquent in throwing down the gauntlet.

"I will be respectful, but I am frustrated. I am upset," Hardy said. "I'm irritated with the double talk, the smoke and the mirrors, the perception that we're in agreement with the process that brought us here tonight."

Hardy challenged the notion that McCollister was the one who should have feared for his life that May night on the Skidmore Street overpass, and not James. He voiced the emotion that rippled through the tense sanctuary, then stepped back and invited the cops to deal with it.

And they ignored him. They rolled out the lawyers and game-show hosts. They ran one tedious, listless fact after another up the flagpole. They restaged the incident re-creation video until they delivered a version that fits McCollister's hysterical memory of the shooting.

"We're being sold a picture," JoAnn Bowman, a former state representative, said 90 minutes into the show. "We're being forced to sit through a canned presentation. You can tell people aren't persuaded by what they're hearing."

At 7:15 p.m, the Rev. Roy Tate of the Albina Ministerial Alliance had heard enough. He threw up his hands and said, "We're getting dance-around answers," then sent the microphones out into the audience.

What came back was a little grandstanding, a little race-baiting . . . and numerous deliberate, thoughtful questions.

Were Kendra James' fingerprints on the gearshift of the car she supposedly put into gear?

How did the police explain the trajectory of a bullet that entered James' hip and lodged beneath her breast?

Why was the dying James left handcuffed and unattended while McCollister's partners pressed to see how he was dealing with the shooting?

And does bureau policy prohibit officers involved in a shooting to discuss things over dinner at Applebee's before they're interviewed by investigators?

"It's not a prohibition; it's a request," said Cmdr. Jim Ferraris.

At least Ferraris took a stab at the question. More often than not, the cops just sat there, like defense witnesses waiting for someone to rise up and take the Fifth. They acted as if the answers would have to wait for another night.

At long last, Bishop A.A. Wells leaned forward and summed up the consensus in that body of believers: Portland cops are allowed to use deadly force. An officer is protected when he does. The police union has too much influence over the investigation.

And if the community has some empathy for Kroeker and the mayor as they discipline an officer who screwed up as royally as McCollister did, its sympathy is reserved for the long-lost girl.

Reach Steve Duin at 503-221-8597,  Steveduin@aol.com or 1320 S.W. Broadway, Portland OR 97201.

This forum was simply an effort for Katz, et al, to appear as if they were doing something, and for the community to be able to "vent" their feelings without anything really being accomplished. I fear it will take even more--and more brutal--killings, beatings, and other violence by the police for the black community and white sympathizers to be pissed off enough to go beyond rallies and forums like this one. Make no mistake: peaceful rallies and similar actions--by millions around the world!--did not stop the current war in Iraq. Chanting and marching is symbolic and, oh, how it produces a warm, fuzzy feeling in us... the solidarity! Sure. But one direct action is worth 1000 times more than a million marches in Pioneer Square.

Those in power, like Bush, Katz, Kroeker, etc., are not peaceful. They are not friendly. They won't be persuaded by a march, they won't be intimidated by a vigil, they won't think twice when confronted by cardboard signs.

More is required for change.

sorry.

I'm amazed that got into the oregonian. Here's an article from those fucking right wing propagandists dressed up as a Real news source; OPB. Once again written by that rancid prick Kristian Foden-Vencil. Remember to ring them the next time they hold a pledge drive to ask the public to pay for this trash, and tell them why you're giving their money to real news sources. Keep in mind, this is prepared for audio, so the last two very carefully worded paragraphs are written to have the most impact, as they will be what's strongest in the memory of the listener:

Community Unimpressed with Kendra James Meeting


By Kristian Foden-Vencil





PORTLAND, OR 2003-07-02 (Oregon Considered) - Portland Mayor Vera Katz, and the Chief of Police Mark Kroeker held a public meeting last night to discuss events surrounding the shooting of Kendra James.

A racially diverse crowd of about 450 people packed into a North Portland church to hear why a routine traffic stop ended up with the death of an unarmed black woman, and why the white officer who shot her will remain on the force.

This was no ordinary community meeting. Traffic cones lined the street outside the Mt. Olivet Church and divided the parking lot. Large security guards wearing earpieces manned the doors, and the media had to book a seat days in advance to attend. Kenneth Edwards, with the city's Office of Neighborhood Involvement, was drafted to direct traffic:

Kenneth Edwards: Who are you with. Or are you just a person?
Attendee: I'm just a person
Kenneth Edwards: They're anticipating a large crowd, so they're going to have a lottery in case there's an overflow and they'll be calling colors.

Edwards hands over a ticket and moves to the next car. Such controlled orchestration reflected the event as a whole. And for some, like former state legislator Jo Ann Bowman with the African American chamber of commerce, it set the wrong tone.

JoAnn Bowman: If feel so far that this will be a very intimidating place for people to come. And I believe it was purposefully set up this way to dis-encourage public participation. I was shocked that they set up a 5-hour meeting and if you look at the agenda, it's mostly presentations by the police department.

In fact, it was two and a half hours before the first attendee was permitted to put a question to the panel of 20 police officers. Before that however, Mayor Katz, and other dignitaries spoke.

Katz explained that she'd called the meeting to bring some transparency to the grand jury process--a process that did not result in an indictment of officer Scott McCollister for the shooting. She said that the meeting was an opportunity to practice community policing:

Mayor Katz: Because what community policing is really all about. It's for all of us to open up our minds and our hearts and to accept each other by communicating by understanding and by developing mutual trust between the police and the community.

Katz called for people to enhance that trust by joining the police in one of its many programs--sentiments that were echoed more than once by Police Chief Mark Kroeker.

Mark Kroeker: We have plenty of places for people to be involved in so many different ways, we have places for block captains, we have places on advisory boards there are many. We have opportunities to serve in a variety of volunteer and reserve efforts. And of course we have the opportunity of ride-alongs.

Since James was shot, Kroeker and the Mayor have held several private meetings with leaders of Portland's black community. But any sense of camaraderie seemed to crumble as Pastor W. G. Hardy spoke. He's a member of the community's investigative team set up by the Albina Ministerial Alliance:

W.G. Hardy: I'm irritated with the double talk. With the smoke and the mirrors, the perception that we are in agreement with the performance, the process and the proceedings that have brought us here tonight.

Hardy complained that while the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office had given them over 600 pages of documents, they were unorganized and some were even illegible.

W.G Hardy: The district attorney, when we met with the, they told us that the power is simply with the jury to indict. But we all know, or at least I know, when presenting facts and evidence to a jury, and indictment heavily depends upon the DA's willingness and ability to aggressively pursue an indictment. (cheers).

Hardy and other community leaders had prepared a list of ten questions for the police for example: Is there a policy prohibiting a police officer involved in a shooting from communicating with other officers involved, prior to an investigation? And: If nothing was done wrong in the shooting of Kendra James, can we expect more of the same in the future?

In response, the panel of police laid out there investigation step-by-step for about an hour and a half--from explaining why McCollister failed to properly use his pepper spray, to playing a video of a reenactment of the incident.

The audience however, seemed unimpressed. Afterwards Glenn Hale, Marissa Rivers and L. C. Oattie reacted to what they heard at the meeting.

Glenn Hale: That was pure, garbage, I've heard a lot of bull in my time, but that does it. And you had two Uncle Tom's up there, two black Uncle Tom's up their lying their asses off.

Marissa Rivers: I'm glad that we're here eventually to express ourselves and hear what's going on. Just to hear what they have to say.

L.C. Oattie: Well, it's all a cover up. That's exactly what it is.

Reaction from community leaders was more muted. But there was a definite disconnect between the direct answers that those leaders said they were looking for and the carefully worded replies that Chief Kroeker and others were giving.

Reverend Roy L. Tate, of the Christ Memorial Church, managed to sum up the question on the minds of many as the meeting began to close:

Roy Tate: We just need some specific policy changes that are being considered right now. What changes are you considering right now? (applause) Kroeker, The way I'm looking at this, there's no limit to what we will consider. In other words, we're wide open.

Kroeker says a team is looking into everything from how the bureau recruits and trains new officers, to what the curriculum teaches and how it prepares those recruits for traffic stops.

Why is it that people always get so riled up anytime any police officer has to make a difficult decision in a flash of intense action? Have any of you actually BEEN a police office? Even in a small town, and office can have his life put at risk MANY TIMES DAILY. These people make almost no money and have to put up with criminals, drug dealers, drunk people, doped out people, and indignant assholes. ALL DAY. Then when something like this happens everyone jumps on the cops. Hey, I hate cops personally. They have given me one too many bogus traffic ticket. But that is another issue - what is at issue here is that I would almost guarantee that no one here or at that meeting - if faced with the same circumstances - would probably fare any better. Give up the racist profiling crap, it is old and tired. Police have a tough job and no one appreciates that. Everything is always blamed on racism. Maybe if people don't want to be hassled by police, they shouldn't commit crimes! Maybe if she had been more respectful of the officer this situation would not have happened. Too many maybes. Who is at fault? We may never know for sure. But stop with the outrage. It is out of place here. Save it for the drunk drivers who mow down bicyclists.

Reading through that piece, it seems as if the community members received more airtime, were represented as rightfully angry and frustrated, and generally sided with by the author. The police were made to seem like mindless drones reading off a sheet who did little to help the community find fair and acceptable answers. Where do you get that the writer is right wing? That she didn't end it with some angry black woman cursing out a police officer?

Looking at the last two lines, again, this is audio, so the closing statement is the most important:


Question: Roy Tate: We just need some specific policy changes that are being considered right now. What changes are you considering right now? (applause)

Answer: Kroeker, The way I'm looking at this, there's no limit to what we will consider. In other words, we're wide open.

He didn't answer the question, his statement was nothing but a blanket statement saying they're open to any avenue, this after they just spent 2.5 hours justifying the situation, and after they didn't even fire the killer. So the statement is obviously is false, however this isn't challenged. Instead the narrator:

Kroeker says a team is looking into everything from how the bureau recruits and trains new officers, to what the curriculum teaches and how it prepares those recruits for traffic stops.

Again, wrapping up the whole dialogue up, as they always do, with the appropriate "stay calm, everything is under control, we're taking care of the situation" statement; even though the police are the would be defendants in the case.

This is so...funny. Ha ha ha ha.

Every time I post something regarding an opb article, and someone writes a negative response, at that same time, pepperface is visited by someone on the opb server. The tracker even gives the name of the individual because they use the user.opb.org system, don't worry PM, aka Weirdo, I won't post it. But instead of being offended and trying to slather some kind of overboard response, maybe try to make some changes in house. I mean, you realize the more you put out manipulative bullshit, the more people will be looking to other news sources, and the more they see the difference between your broadcasts and what they know is the truth, the less they'll give you money when you beg for it twice a year. Though I guess you've got that covered being funded by GE, Archer-Daniels, Your "Mr. Bush" [okay, that's a little overboard, sorry, still laughing (see infinity +1 above)], HP, NASA, Airforce One, The Aluminati [reynolds wrap], et al blah blah blah...........blabla

This discussion is so volatile right now that it is hard to look at things realistically.
As I see it (if I'm off base, let me know);

Policing is difficult at best, and because of the huge responsibility to the public, training and competence is critical. Incompetence and psychological maladjustments must be weeded out.

Kendra James did make some negative lifestyle choices. That, in combination with her condition the night of the incident increased the likelihood that she would be placed in jeopardy. That aside, it is the responding officers' duty to handle a potentially volatile situation in a manner that shows due diligence to both themselves and the public. This is accomplished by adequate training and experience. To say that Kendra alone was responsible for her fate removes any responsibility on the part of the police to have taken actions that would have mitigated the perceived threat. Just think if this was your daughter who was caught up in this situation. Even if she got caught up in an unhealthy life style, you would expect that the police could manage her reactions in a more reasonable manner.

Portland Police are probably no worse than any other major city. Just look at NYC and LA. What is wrong is the lack of accountability, the old boys club of protecting their own (why do you think Serpico had a bounty on his head?), and the state of class and race in America. It's the whole system that is wrong, and Portland is not unique in this regard.

Not all police are bad.

People do share responsibility for their own lives.

When problems with poorly managed institutions clash with problems in communities, violence is often the result. It is the mandate of the public institutions to appropriately deal with the problems of the community through the most effective and humane methods possible.

Police departments need to be more in touch with issues facing all communities, not selected ones.

Communities need to empower themselves to improve their own lot and not expect support to come from institutions, as these institutions are not equipped, funded or have the understanding to provide such support. Portland communities are strong and can do this.

I am actually a little confused. Who is PM? I am just a random troll who goes to both left and right sites to point out errors in logic and be a general pain in the ass. I don't listen to public radio...hell, I'm based on the East Coast. I just find that Portland has one of the greater concentrations of bigots, half-wits, and one-sided thinkers on Indymedia and so I come here to spew my crap in an effective intellectual vacuum. I'd prefer if you not encourage hacking of my IP address/computers, as it is against the law, and I am more than happy to use the admins of the indy media site as foils for your misdeeds. :) I am only speaking my mind. You are free to do the same and I will not prevent you.

Let the community vent, I see this as their right.
But I have just a few questions.....

Where were all the do gooders while James was out smoking crack in some run down motel in the middle of the night?

Where were her children????

Why does the Rev Tate hide his head in the sand OVER THE SHOOTING OF OVER 60 African Americans by other African Americans in the last year? Including an innocent gal that REALLY WAS PREGNANT? Or the guy who took a stray round in the head and was KILLED as he rolled down MLK?

Why is it THAT EVERY NIGHT OF EVERY WEEK SOME RESIDENTS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOD shoot at one another?

Where is the outrage, where is the passion?

Seems to me that communtiy stands much much more to fear from their own than they do the cops....maybe they oughtta put as much effort into stopping that violnce as they do a rare police shooting.