Get Your Own Task Force
Who cares about the homeless and mentally ill? Lots of people, it seems, but only some of them were approved to serve on a task force investigating the issues on behalf of the city. At the city council’s most recent meeting on September 20th City Manager Joe Felz presented a proposal entitled Fullerton Task Force on Homelessness and Mental Health Services. The city council had asked for such a proposal during a previous meeting on August 16.
The staff identified five specific tasks for proposed group, and went so far as to recommend sixteen people as members. They included representatives of various non-profit organizations and churches and for some reason the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, as well as three individuals, including Ron Thomas, father of Kelly Thomas. OC Human Relations Commission CEO Rusty Kennedy was proposed to lead the group.
About a dozen people from the public spoke to the issue or ranted about unrelated homeless issues. A few of them offered their assistance as prospective members of the task force, including people who described themselves as homeless or formerly homeless. Mayor Dick Jones suggested that the membership of the task force could be determined at the next council meeting. Perhaps he either did not understand that the council was recommended to adopt the supplied list or did not agree with it. Don Bankhead rambled about having known Rusty Kennedy’s father and said he was extremely glad about something or other that can’t quite be heard in the tape because he habitually does not speak into his microphone.
Both Bruce Whitaker and Sharon Quirk-Silva supported making the task force as inclusive as possible. Whitaker suggested that of the five tasks identified, it might be best to hold the fourth one listed in the proposal first, namely to hold a public forum to solicit ideas on the subject. Quirk-Silva, noting that the idea was not to duplicate already existing services, made a motion to move forward with Whitaker’s idea.
But Pat McKinley would have none of it. He offered an alternate motion to approve the task force membership list recommended in the proposal, but curiously left off the three unaffiliated people, Kitty Jaramillo, Janice DeLoof and Ron Thomas. Bruce Whitaker characterized McKinley’s proposal as “the epitome of top down organization,” saying that it would bring no new energy or ideas to the task. Quirk-Silva joined Whitaker in voting against McKinley’s motion, but McKinley was predictably joined by Jones and Bankhead, although Jones did clarify that other members could be added to the group later.
It cannot be stated too often that homelessness and mental illness are real problems for many people, but addressing those issues should not be confused with seeking justice for a man beaten to death by police officers. Even so, it is remarkable to watch the video of the meeting to see Jones, Bankhead, and McKinley treat yet another problem with the wrongheaded approach of excluding people asking to be included in a solution. In the words of a later speaker, they squandered the opportunity to engage the very public who had been criticizing them week after week for their inaction in the face of a crisis. In the end the Three Arrogant Amigos proved once again that institutions trust institutions, and individuals need not apply.
Will the 3 blind mice not learn?
Apparently no. Maybe they just want to be recalled and be done with it.
Why don’t we start our own task force? Host it at a church or local business?
Pat McKinley=GOBC~Good Ol Boys Club.
If you are not a member then you are shit out of luck with the GOBC. It won’t change until we change it for them.
tony and travis im on my way to the cafe if i dont show go to the jail and find me the police are worse than we thought
Sorry to be the party-pooper on this but this strikes me as an attempt by Joe Felz and the Council to help Ron Thomas feel a little less hostile towards the city — a tiny footnote; I thought I heard Ron on John & Ken a couple of days ago talking about the fine Cypress PD, where he lives. I need a little help here. Is Ron Thomas a Fullerton resident or not?
Ron is not a Fullerton resident, but his son was (albeit a homeless one).
You probably heard Ron talking about the intimidation he has faced from the Cypress PD since going public with this issue. Mr. Thomas has complained that, on several occasions, members of the CPD have been staring him down and acting menacingly towards him.
Dear G,esq – Yes that’s was I remember. So they offer these upstanding citizens and representative of concerned organizations a bone. So what! I’m hoping the FBI investigation leads to multiple civil rights cases, that lead to a nasty consent degree that puts the screws to FPD, forces the rogue cops out, keeps the union’s influence checked, and forces adherence to standard procedures and practices with real consequences for breaks with procedure. I’d still like to hear some direct from Hamilton on what his plans are.
I’d hate to be a cop when Ton stares back!
fuck those three bozo’s.
RECALL them dumb fucks!!!
Their ANTI-RECALL WEBSITE IS A FUCKING JOKE!!!
I urge everybody to sign up using a SPAM e-mail address and some clever name and comment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XMr3QO2Sbc
🙂 🙂 🙂
Mayuh Dick Jones singing in church
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlKpSYv9-oI
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#%21/petition/require-all-police-forces-which-receive-federal-aid-mandate-recording-audio-and-video-all-police/Fx5XHpL4
NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). This is an organization that has as it’s members and board members people who have a mental health diagnosis and family members and loved ones of people diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
yes it is rediculous that they would exclude very experts that would know how to help the problems of the know how the streets were in their lives work and what do you need and how to contribute and be good part of the community.
same shit . new committee same problem old problem new problem more cronies making money blah blah blah
,
and , that last post was a little sloppy , posting from my phone
also , how afraid is MCKINLY , to have an outside person or people , on the Task force for homlessness, ( stu8pid , name to boot ) . LETS MAKE A TASK FORCE !!!! ,
Mckinly , voted for the CRONY list , but wanted to exclude people who are not in his , sinister club.
thus , they stoopid , and scared that all their SKELETONS , are falling out of their closest.
boo
its halloweeen ,,
TRICK , or treat
chxn ,
NYC officer gets caught by citizen with a camera.
I hope officers start realizing we are watching THEM and they should quit with their criminal behavior!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/28/anthony-bologna-using-pep_n_985432.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl27|sec1_lnk3|99911
“In the words of a later speaker, they squandered the opportunity to engage the very public who had been criticizing them week after week for their inaction in the face of a crisis.”
EXACTLY. I don’t understand how these people continue, week after week, to prove everyone right and make absolute fools of themselves. Case in point, Don Bankhead and his wife yelling at people gathering signatures outside of Ralphs. If they had nothing to worry about and had a little class, they would walk past the table with their heads held high and treat signature gatherers with respect. But no, they’d rather continue to act like buffoons. Their choice, I guess. I wasn’t sure I was going to sign the recall petition, but after hearing the story about Bankhead at Ralphs…I plan on driving down there to sign.
fullerton is hopeless. Task force? I thought the Pam Keller collaborative had a long history in fullerton helping the homeless and mentally ill? this task fprce would be fullerton’s usual collection of characters whose strings will be pulled by McKinley, Jones and Bankhead. and what will the task force accomplish? No more beating deaths by fullerton PD?
Nice blog article, cogent and well written. I liked this summary:
“…Jones, Bankhead, and McKinley treat(ed) yet another problem with the wrongheaded approach of excluding people asking to be included in a solution. In the words of a later speaker, they squandered the opportunity to engage the very public who had been criticizing them week after week…”
Not too politically astute are they?
I’d go farther and outright suggest that what they really missed was an obvious opportunity to co-opt their critics by making them part of the solution rather than the problem.
Every Tuesday night at the depot there is a church group who feeds the homeless and provide worship. They are ALWAYS in need of donations. I provided the cornbread mix and time for the chili last week. Also our non-profit collect canned food and water for the homeless and would love to be involved with this. Right now all the food we collect is given to Inter faith
Where do the homeless go for the other 20 meals that they need in the week? Why can’t these same churches who are supposedly non-profit open their doors during the rest of the week too?
So you want to completely enable them ; cool.
No, just feed someone if they’re hungry.
First Lutheran – S/W corner of Lemon and Amerige –
FREE MEAL:
Every Tuesday at 6:00 P.M.
Doors open @ 5:00 P.M. Come in and relax before dinner, read a magazine, or just visit with friends.
FREE GROCERIES:
Every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. – Doors open at 9:00 A.M. Join us for coffee, pastries and fellowship. Grocery distribution by lottery begins at 10:00 A.M.
Sorry F/L, that info about First Lutheran was to be a reply to you – my apologies
Every Tuesday night at the depot there is a church group who feeds the homeless and provide worship. They are ALWAYS in need of donations. I provided the cornbread mix and time for the chili last week. Also our non-profit collect canned food and water for the homeless and would love to be involved with this. Right now all the food we collect is given to Interfaith. The national guard in December will be allowing warm meals and are looking for help too.
Any intimidation towards Ron Thomas, should be video taped, and shown to the Chief of the CPD by his attorney, and then taken to the press for extra coverage.
We must recall Fullerton officials, politicans, cops and fire City Manager Joe Felz to clean up city.
They are putting the shows to protect their high paid job, pension, and benefits.
Never trust them, ever.
John and Ken are coming to Fullerton next week to assist in the recall. They’ll officially announce it tomorrow.
SDLOCAL,
Hello my friend. Did you ever come up to any of the protests? I was hoping to meet you some day.
Hi 9c1.
I’ve been to one protest, a few weeks ago. I kept to myself because I was a noob, but I wanted to see it for myself so I would understand the situation.
I also went to the site where Kelly was murdered; I was surprised at how small the area is, and I noted that the security camera is right there, right on top of the scene. That video must be something terrible to view. I wonder if we ever will…
I’ll likely be up there this weekend. I’ll be in the LA area anyway, and I want my girlfriend to see it, so we’ll probably be there.
I think I’ll be able to find you guys. Cammys and red white and blue lawn chairs, yes?
You can’t miss my friend 9c1, but if want to make sure its him, just look for that silly Notre Dame shirt his better half wears.
On a serious note, you won’t be diaspointed with exchanging ideas with 9c1 and fedup, they just are vey passionate people who I enjoy talking with. We have all been on the front lines from the beginning………….
I’m down for Notre Dame. I played a concert there back in the 80’s, during my traveling days. What a beautiful campus.
I’ll find you. Or you can find me.
I’m the old ugly guy with long white hair down my back. I’ll be wearing a nasty old black Jack Daniel’s ballcap.
No matter how the Kelly Thomas murder eventually plays itself out, good things are already developing. Friendships are made, laws may be changed, there’s a bad cop locked up tonight; listen, I’ve never been much for silver-liningisms (sp), but good things are coming from one of the worst things I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around.
Beauty for ashes. Hope from hopelessness. It happens. It’s happening now.
I’m an ex-Bible thumper turned libertarian agnostic skeptic, but I’m calling Isaiah 61:3 for Kelly:
a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
Beauty for ashes. I can see it.
No matter what the system decides to do.
Justice for Kelly.
Right on, brother.
SDLocal–Smiling and crying at the same time.
Sign this Kelly Thomas bill online – need 10 thousand signatures
http://www.petition2congress.com/4898/kelly-thomas-law/view/2
Is it posssible to change its purpose from “Banning” to ” Prosecuting”:
Kelly Thomas Law for Prosecute the Use of Excessive Force by Law Enforcement.
Banning will never enforce in Fullerton and Orange County.
Cammys and red, white and blue chairs>
Ummmm..FEDUP has yelled at me for months now to get new pants, so I will have on blue jeans. But the chairs will stand as said. Guess the incognito thing is history in this case.
The Moron,
My friend, FEDUP and I will look forward to meeting you and your brother once again. Always a sincere pleasure, I can assure you.
Oh, I forgot the most important part……..
……………..GO USC!!……………………
Fuggin SC! Goooooo Irish!!!!
I’m with Fedup
9c1 screw it. None of us have done wrong. I mean can you really see
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
Plaintiff
vs.
FFFF BLOGGER 9C1COPCAR
Defendant
lol
Honestly I’m not sure I wanna meet you 9c1 out of a fear it’ll be…anticlimactic. Underwhelming.
Like finding out Superman is just an actor named Christopher Reeves lol
MY USERNAME ROCKS,
Well, I cannot move mountains, but don’t bring kryptonite, I am kind of allergic!
Allen,
No matter what you feel about yourself, you will always be my friend.
Perhaps it is time to protest Cypress Pd?
like I said earlier
USA needs a “The Cleaner” show where the guy goes around and rids humanity of dirty cops
Allen is a troll of the highest order.. all lies and zero intelligence
He, just like McKinley, would both make great urinals
At every protest there should be a space set up to collect food and clothing.
RECALL” DR. DICK THIS IS NOT A BLOODLESS COUE KELLY,S BLOOD CRY,S OUT. CAN YOU HEAR HIM. I CAN MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF THE GOOD PEOPLE IN FULLERTON. AMEN*
Hey guys,
I have some news you might be VERY interested in reading about. I had heard something on the radio about Fullerton cops starting a collection to get Ramos bailed out. Well, apparently there is some truth to that. I just found this through the grapevine. There is a group for cops on Facebook, and they posted a letter from a Fullerton cop named Benjamin Lira. He wrote a sob story about what a “good person” Ramos is, and how his family doesn’t have the money to bail him out, and is asking for donations.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/big-city-cops/request-from-family/10150304448171377
No mention of course about how such a good person could tell someone “my fists are about to fuck you up.” Or how he could beat someone to death.
But the really sad part is that Ramos does have kids. And I really don’t understand how he could come home and look them in the eyes after what he had done. I’m also wondering what kind of home life those poor kids have. Knowing how he threatened Kelly Thomas and how he killed him and had no remorse later…just imagine what could be going on at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was abusing his kids too.
I noticed that the appeal that the officer wrote to the other officers doesn’t mention anything about the reason Manny is divorced from his first wife? I’m sure that there are court records somewhere in Santa Ana from their divorce that would help clear that up though.
Looks like we can scratch Benjamin Lira off of the dwindling list of potentially good Fullerton cops.
It was just reported on KTLA 5 News….Ramos is out on bail.
$80,000.00 bond. Maybe he’ll have a slip-up.
Check out the “Big City Cops” logo; skull & crossbones. Nice.
I believe we have come to a point of no return with these three bozos. They are not listening, they haven’t been listening. Its like looking and talking to a stone wall. They are old and set in their ways and nothing will change around here until they are gone, nothing! As one poster mentioned, we the people of Fullerton are the only ones who can change it for the better.
Big city cops lil facebook thingy is great. They prove everything we have been saying about cops. They show everything about the darker side of cops. So when you are in doubt about cops being a gang with a badge go there and read some of the posts. I mean they talk about going to Sat protests and messing with the parked cars in hopes to deter the protesting. Read some of the posts there, its, well….. You’ll see.
Seems as though FPD bailed him out. http://actts.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/nph-acapela/save/973a5ac9112da48f287f6c66523400a7.mp3
We are up against the mafia with a badge. Looks as though police unions are into protecting murderers with badges.
“Don Bankhead rambled about having known Rusty Kennedy’s father and said he was extremely glad about something” You mean rusty Kennedy’s departed dad, Ralph Kennedy? Ralph Kennedy promoted himself and allowed others to promote him as a rocket scientist who forwent the lofty world of astrophysics to dedicate himself to local, humanitarian causes. When I lived in Pasadena, my neighbor had a Ph.D. from CalTech and worked at JPL, he truly was a rocket scientist. Ralph Kennedy had a bachelor’s degree in engineering and was unceremoniously laid off from North American or Rockwell in Downey , CA.
Though this task force may have sincere persons, don’t confuse the branches of this goodwill tree with the snakes in it.
My first answer got dumped, so I’ll have to be brief. Ralph did not normally refer to himself as a rocket scientist, so I doubt he would be offended if you don’t either.
The myth of Ralpoh Kennedy is the same as reality. He was a microcosm of liberal dreams from th 1960’s to 1990’s. It quickly became apparent to me that Uncle Ralph was one of the most loved and most hated men in Fullerton. It was often those who most loved him personally that most hated him politically.
That was one of the things that made growing up in Fullerton so much fun.
Steve, I personally knew him and his children. My opinion arises from my observations of Ralph’s own comments and actions and from the propaganda put out by the newspaper he founded, the fullerton observer. It is not a matter of politics, it is a lack of ethics, values on his part.
“Uncle Ralph” Steve, were you a grown man when you sat at the feet of your mentor, Uncle Ralph?
w t f . bailed. bailed out.. murders.. 4 other cops not charged tons of other people not fired or charged with in the fpd for cover up and other crimes this is bs
I thought Ramos’ bail was a million? Should have taken 100K to get him out.
Rusty Kennedy and the other commission memers could easily solve this problem by convening and immeadiately declaring Jaramillo, DeLoof, and Thomas as honorary members, or unafiliated consultants, or some other beaucratic designation.
We will see what they do.
Steve, do you really think Uncle Rusty could easily solve this problem? Why don’t you squeeze your stuffed teddy bear and re-ponder your comments on this blog.
The Task Force is a Joke. A liberal, feel good, do nothing worthless gesture. But they voted for it, because it would be bad form not to. At least they kept some of the worst noodles out of it. Next thing we will hear about is a civilian police review board. Same comment as above, except this is the Council shirking their duty. They are the elected, civilian review board, and report to the voters. We don’t need another layer of politically motivated “review”, the Council simply needs to do their job.
I disagree. We need 4 or 5 FFFF regulars on a civilian police review board.
Chris,
Officers like Ramos are usually abusive at home. Like the public, who does not wear the badge, these types of officers look upon society with an US-vs.-THEM mentality. This belief, in many cases, includes how they feel about, and treat their own spouses. If these officers have any male children, they will directly or indirectly teach these kids that violence is acceptible. The abuse and disrespect their children see towards women, will undoubtedly carry on into adulthood. They will see the abuse their mother went through, and in some instances, they will come to emulate such behavior. They will begin to look upon women as those not worthy of equality or respect.
This is the same problem when this kind of LEO becomes a T.O., (Training Officer). They teach their trainees that it is common practice to slam heads and write dirty paper. They see nothing wrong in using their POWER to take advantage of women in public. They pull them over in the hopes of getting phone nimbers and the such. This is all done Under The Color Of Authority. (FEDUP wrote a blog describing her experience with one of these asshats). The viscious cycle is repeated many times over, until you have many who include excessive force as a regular tool in their arsenal. It is only brought to the surface when it is either videotaped, or like in this case, when someone is beaten so badly, that they have to be taken off of life support.
We need to keep this fight alive, and maybe, just maybe, some of the good citizens of this society, will band together and demand change.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
9c1copcar: Agree completely.
“Where love rules. there is no will to power,and where power predominates,love is lacking.The one is the shadow of the other”
Carl Jung
I agree, they are two different things: Seeking justice and the issues of homeless/mental health task force.
What I would also point out is that while homelessness and mental health are often related, that often times they are not.
In fact, mental health access and awareness is a unique issue unto itself. Homelessness is related, but doesn’t always involve mental health issues and is most often for reasons of economics.
While the two do intersect a lot, each needs to be allowed to look at the range within each set of issues to a wide degree.
So what you really need is a mental health task force; and a homelessness task force.
The two would work together on certain projects and various issues, but it’s not necessarily advantageous to link the two together all the time.
Frankly, it’s a shame that given FF pointed out the growing homeless problem in the city two years ago, that the city didn’t put together a task force then. Or before.
I don’t understand the reasoning behind Rusty Kennedy. But I would recommend that someone from the National Alliance For the Mentally Ill (NAMI), who in the past have run courses here in Fullerton for caregivers (usually family members) of the afflicted. They are 12-week courses, and taught be well trained volunteers who have been in the trenches.
If no one from NAMI is appointed to that task force, it will be a huge disappointment. In addition, for many many years, a group of solid volunteers has been meeting at St. Jude every Saturday morning. One of those ladies deserves her be on it as well.
Other obvious picks would be someone from FIES. I really do think that someone from special services from the Fullerton School District should be on there as well. (No, not Pam Keller). They have some exceptional mental health professionals there, who care very deeply about early onset and signs of mental illness in adolescents, as well as homeless or almost homeless students.
I just hope they get creative and think outside of the normal resources.
Janice DeLoof, who was excluded from the approve list of task force members, is affiliated with NAMI (I am told), though she was not shown as representing them on the agenda.
NAMI is a fantastic organization and good to include.
Actually, what is needed is a Civillian Authority Board. Notice that the key word is AUTHORITY. It’s not another “commision,” and not a “review” board. It’s an AUTHORITY with absolute power of enforcement. A board should be made up of purely civillian members (absolutely no city officials and no police officers even if they’re retired.) The term authority means that the board would have the final say. If a cop is accused of serious misconduct, and especially excessive force, the case would be required to be turned over to the board immediately, by law. The police department itself should then have no say whatsoever. If the board feels that the case should be turned over to the District Attorney for prosecution, then the DA MUST investigate. Again, the police department would have no say in the matter whatsoever.
In other words, the board would be acting almost like a jury. A group made of citizens whose finding would have the power of law.
I think this is the only way we’ll ever start to get rid of police corruption. A state or Federal law should be passed requiring every police department to have a Civillian Authority Board. Internal Affairs should be eliminated. I mean really, why do we trust police departments to investigate themselves?
Once an accusation of serious misconduct (assault and excessive force) has been made against an officer, the case should be immediately turned over to a Civillian Authority Board. At that point, it should be out of the police department’s hands. If the board finds that the accusations have merit, then the case MUST be immediately turned over to the DA, and the DA MUST investigate. Again, this wold be required by law. No matter what the police chief, the police union, or the city council thinks. They would have absolutely no say in it whatsoever.
In fact, that is exactly what I propose and I’m seriouly thinking of writing a proposal and contacting representatives where I live.
So again, here’s what I propose:
– The board would be called the Civillian Authority Board
– Members would consist of ordinary citizens from the public. Citizens could join, and would be members for a certain length of time…maybe 2 years.
– Any current or former law enforcement officers would NOT be elligible.
– Any accusations of excessive force would be required, by law, to be immediately turned over to the board. The police department must answer to the board, and must provide any information the board asks for. (Audio or video recordings, written reports, etc).
– The board would have the final say in whether the case is turned over to the DA for investigation. The DA must then start a formal investigation to see if charges are filed.
– The police department itself would have no say whatsoever.
Of course, the only way this could be done is with a new law. But I think it’s certainly doable. And it’s the only way we’re going to get rid of police corruption. We have to take the power away from the police to “investigate” themselves. The absolute power should be with civillian citizens.