“The facts were on my side, the law was on my side and my philosophy was that I needed to protect the city’s investment,” Catlin said. He said he will likely mount a joint election campaign with fellow recall targets Bankhead and McClanahan, who also supported the utility tax.
Thank you for the excellent web site. Thank you for your courage to speak a the City Council meeting tonight (08/02/11). Thank you for leading the Re-call effort. Prayers for the Thomas family.
Cant figure out what the hell you are saying. But, if you are suggesting Tony is the only one who wants these old fools recalled, you sir are a fool as well. The old farts let us all down in one of Fullerton’s most dark and desperate times. They have proven themselves cowards and all the Fullerton residents I know lack confidence in them.
Why the hell wouldn’t he say anything? He looked those morons in the eye and announced a recall movement because of their conduct related to the subject matter being discussed. Look at his passion. He’s pissed. I’m pissed. Thank you Tony! You will have lots of support.
Pat McKinley has to be pissed! He could have enjoyed his double dip retirement but noo those two old guys got him to run and now its all coming back to haunt him!
This is one elected OC GOP Central Committee member that will help Tony and all the fine residents of Fullerton on this worthy goal. Those three have completely embarrassed the city of Fullerton and our great Republican Party. I’m in.
Unfortunately the party did endorse him. McPension barely survived in the endorsement sub committee due to his double dipping ways, but then no one from the 72AD(which covers Fullerton) pulled his name from the consent list at the monthly meeting where we voted on contested endorsements.
We have a chance to get it right now with this recall campaign.
Unfortunately, I don’t have audio on my computor, but something he said between 14 and 17 seconds into his speech got them (the two old guys) squirming can someone please share that?
The OCGOP and Ed Royce both endorsed our retired chief of police. Royce broke party ranks and endorsed a non-GOP sanctioned candidate when he endorsed Bankhead.
Endorsements mean little to those who do their homework.
I’ve never been thrilled with Ed Royce. He seems like the typical Party “player”, more concerned with rubbing shoulders with the well-connected and towing the line than by doing the right thing. More or less an unprincipled political whore. Seriously, the only reason he’s in office is because a Democrat always opposes him. Remember, totalitarianism can strike from the Left or Right. Perhaps this recall can be the snowballing of an invigorating effort to put some constitutional purists in office in this district.
I totally agree with this statement. A murder was being covered up and it wasn’t until Ron Thomas showed that photo that this issue came to the forefront. I too, ask the question/s, “what other crimes have been covered up? What else hasn’t been told?” This thin blue line of silence and the mentality of “we have to protect our own” is straight nonsense. Just like any other profession, you are accountable for your actions. I mean this is a PROFESSION…right? This idea of the “thin blue line” has to go. I’ve seen it first hand. Lies, cover-ups, half-truths, protecting our own. It’s sick. Every department is guilty of it and they know it, unfortunately it just takes a murder to show a department’s true colors.
Am I the only person who thinks the video should only be viewed by a jury and not be released to the public? I don’t see what good can come from it and will most likely create even more tension between the public and the FPD. I also don’t want to see an innocent man get his face smashed in by a murderer. Just my two cents. Flame away!
AA: Why should the video be released? Because evil hides in the darkness but light exposes the truth. I believe we should always choose to live in the light. Burying our heads in the sand accomplishes nothing.
I agree with your sentiment, but there is also the underlying concern that if too many Fullertonians see the video then the FPD thugs won’t be able to get a fair trial in OC. And, personally, I’d love to see a few really pissed off Fullerton residents land on a jury for some of these guys.
When it is released to the jury it will be public. I do agree w/the DA on this though. Don’t release the tape, because you want to maintain a conviction and try this case I. The OC. If they release the tape, itcould be prejudicial and they’ll ship this off to Bakersfield or Sacramento. Look at the BART shooting officer… They sent it to LA because Oakland was pummeled with riots. Keep calm and you have a better chance of this handled locally.
Waite a minute ! They keep saying because their investigation is still underway they are limited in what they can. So how they offered the Thomas familly $900,000 a week or two ago if their still investigating?
Hell yes Tony, when god gives you pain, suffering and a bloody body make political lemonade. Most everyone I talked to thought you were the highlight of the night. Don’t let any one ruin your victory….tonight you were the king and yes it is all about you. You rock man!!!!
I am giddy with glee.
I can’t believe what I see.
Fullerton waking from its interminable slumber
to confront this monstrosity.
Please tell me this is for real,
not just some soundbites.
Together we can be St. George
and slay the corrupt troglodytes!
Prepare the gallow!
Let’s have a good lynchin’.
Boil them in tallow!
Methinks they’re why our council’s been stenchin’.
Those damn new yellow arrow signals
are what killed Adenhart.
Confusing as Hell,
and conceived by brain fart.
In a time when everyone’s talking road expansions,
we’re “blessed” by senior moments
concerned more about double dip pensions
to better keep up those mansions.
So they take a perfectly good double lane Valencia,
and through some stroke of genius,
turn two lanes into one (????)
like some dimwitted penis!
Their pockets are lined;
their criminal graft and cronyism ain’t wholesome.
So let’s do this recall,
and then send them all to Folsom!
Allan Bartlett :
This is one elected OC GOP Central Committee member that will help Tony and all the fine residents of Fullerton on this worthy goal. Those three have completely embarrassed the city of Fullerton and our great Republican Party. I’m in.
I grew up on Victoria Dr. and graduated at Troy high school as did my mother. My grandfather and grandmother moved to Fullerton during the great depression. I still own some property in Fullerton so that makes me a tax payer. I live in Louisville Ky now but I will always consider Fullerton my home and I hope to move back some day. I have to say I have been obsessed with whats been happening because I love Fullerton so much. I left twenty years ago to join the army and life has led me in down another road, but I still consider Fullerton home. You make me proud!!!!! all of you. I watched the city counsel meeting from 2500 miles away and believe me the world is watching. First off me and my family would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Thomas family. I would like to ask the city counsel a question and maybe someone could ask them for me. “I believe that the city council and the police department believe the six officers involved in the Kelly Thomas case conducted themselves in a manner consistent with Fullerton police department guidelines. I believe this, because surely the brass in the department and the members of the city council have reviewed the tape in question and determined there is no crime. After all, why would it take almost a month to put these officers on paid leave if the evidence is so cut and dry. Obviously this tape exonerates everyone. The officers involved had to be taken off duty because off unfounded public outrage and news media bias…………assholes all of you! Kelly Thomas was obviously drugged up monster with the strength of ten men, too bad there was only six to try to quell his rampage of death and destruction! So spare these fine officers, protectors of the public anymore humiliation and release the tapes and set them free!
On a larger scale, what other rights will we lose as the ‘super congress’ is essentially a new unconstitutional branch of the government that will rule over the house and sentate and eliminate filibusters?
You must be right Brent. Otherwise the only explanation for what happened here would have to involve incompetence, laziness, complicity, lack of leadership and fear/loyalty to the police union.
Brent, get your head around this issue, the mans face cant look like that unless he was hit by a fast moving vehicle head on just prior to the incident, jumped from a building of significant height just prior or perhaps was beaten senseless about the face.
In the Army we understand that it is often about killing the enemy and the manner in which it is done is not as important as that it is done. In Fullerton we do not have Al Queda, active jihad or any measure of suicide bombers so we rerquire our highly paid police force to excersize some discretion before killing.
The problem here is there is no restraint technique that involves getting control of one’s face or pushing a suspect’s nose as far back in to the skull as possible. Police restraint is focussed on gaining control of a suspects legs and arms. Extra blows to the head do not result in extra credit or a bonus of any type.
The Fullerton leadership will be held accountable because they, like you, have acted as though the people in their city cant tell the difference between restraining an uncooperatve individual and beating the living shit out of an unarmed man based on the fact he wouldnt stop when the police said to. You see, no matter how you slice it this man’s “crime” was not breaking in to cars (word is the documents in his backpack were junk mail a local attorney had thrown in the trash), rather, it was running away on foot from two officers.
In the army, sometimes a guy running a checkpoint requires a kill shot to save the post and preserve security. In Fullerton we are not ready to tolerate a city council that thinks we are being protected by beating a man to death for not following directions.
you couldn’t be more misinformed. Everything you are saying is based on a logical assumption. How do you describe a renegade police force who for years have acted aggressivley in the community. I have viewed the behaviour of fullerton police for many years and walk the streets of fullerton at night. I never cease to be scared at just the site of a fpd driving by. There is a type of psycosis that runs through this dept. that cannot be explained. I really beleive they believe they are above the law because they have been acting in this way for so long. Visit fullerton and walk the streets. I’ll show you what I am saying.
Thank you again for being one of the very few who make it their civic duty to be in the know about local government, for actively participating in it and crying out when actions are taken that defy its citizens’ best interests.
The firefighter speech was good from the standponit of finally some firefighters are speaking out… his reference to the Brown Act was impeccable.
Also, the ex Army officer’s speech was excellent because everything he said was true… in the military they get court marshalled for this kind of behavior— in the police force they get a slap on the wrist and a pension to boot.
The third speech I liked the most was the one that the gentleman gave about, “the dinner parties and the nice ride” “GAME OVER” This man alludes to a much greater problem with our society in America today: almost all elected officials are out of touch with the realities that presently face this community… state… nation. They go to their fancy dinner parties and collect their per diem pay on top of their high benefit packages/salaries… Ron Paul!
Oh yea, and so long as the beating went down the way in which everyone says it went down… perhaps this whole Kelly Thomas incident will lead to greater transparency in government, greater “attention span” from politicians, and police officers that TRULY care about people… dont just say it on the interview.
best idea, get rid of all the council and start over…..silva and the whitiker only saying what the public wants to hear. silva her sob story about being a mother…blah blah blah……i am certain that they have all viewed the tape or were told what to expect when the tape is released… keep in mind this is their job, so really are they going to want to risk that. keep the public happy=keep ur job….
everyone is so concerned that the officers are not speaking up, well guess what, these people are in the same click…..i am sure mckinley has seen the tape and already advised the other council members on what to expect….its politics…i would not be mad that the officers are not releasing evidence. the bottom level patrol staff is not going to be allowed or granted access to any tapes…every door in the station is secured and each member has a card card type key. management sets the card to only allow access of where THEY want the officers to have access to… but guess what the city has access to all…and they will be the one who makes the payout…..cleaning house must start at the top…….
the quicker they release the tape, the quicker resolution will come…. if the officers did nothing wrong then show the tape and allow them to get back to their life……
if they are at fault, then they need to face the charges…man up and deal with it….sitting home on paid leave….wtf……weather is nice, summer is here…i want a paid vacation!
is it true that the thomas family had a restraining order on kelly? i keep hearing they did……not sure about that thomas dad, he is a cop and knows the ins and outs……kelly was the one who is the real victim…but i have to wonder if the dad is just going after the big bucks……..i hope fpd opens a nice homeless shelter to help those like kelly…. or maybe scholarships in kellys name on things he enjoyed or any hobbies he may have had…… really don’ t want to hear ..thomas family buys a house in bel air or goes on extreme vactions…or we see them on the cover of star magazine sitting courtside at the lakers game……..MAKE THE PD PAY……TO HELP OTHER HOMELESS…. lets face it, we the taxpayers are basically footing the bill thanks to some mentally unstable officers…..and make the council memeber DONATE their time to the shelter since they all are so concerned about the homless…silva!!!!
Our hero, Tony! Thank you, for FFFF. Finally, someone really takes a stand for human decency and dignity. We, the people of Fullerton, have had plenty of losers posturing as social justice warriors, claiming to speak for us. When in fact, these same people, elected or pretending to be community activists, have only fed on our hopes and taxpayer dollars to satisfy the status quo that allowed personal gain at the public expense. Recall decency to our government and Fullerton Police by recalling Jones, McKinley, Bankhead
Great job last night these 3 blind mice have to go…to xcops and the doctor what a total breakdown in leadership, pathedic. How can we get the cheif out also Fullerton and the Kelly family deserve much better Best way to send these clowns off into the sunset is with a recall
I loved how Galloway showed up in her designer clothes, jewelry and fancy pedicure to invoke the name of the Almighty in the name of the homeless. This from a dame who ripped off her own aunt.
Yech.
Oh, and to thank her dear friend Quirk for getting on board – almost a month after the murder.
You have to do a story on that idiot Galloway showing up/showing off at this meeting. She’s only there because she plans to run for Nelson’s Supervisor seat when he gets elected to congress.
Good thing she brought her assistant. She was great. Way more articulate and less robotic than Galloway herself who sounded vapid and to made a fool of herself. “You go girl” – pathetic!
Unlike some of the latest stories on Kelly Thomas this one has been written by Lou Ponsi. Notice that he never mentions the recall anywhere in the article, even though it is obviously a credible announcement.
Almost every speaker last night was VERY powerful. I was moved by nearly all. Great job Tony! I have a question about one of the speakers. The one that was speaking when Ron Thomas walked out. He claimed he was a business owner in Fullerton. I’d like to know which business that is. I tried to speak to him after he spoke, but he got very irate. Frothing at the mouth. I simply asked what business he owned, and he came unglued. Claiming I was going to burn down or vandalize his business. I calmly informed him that I was not a terrorist, and I wanted to know because I would not patronize his business. He blew his top. The cop next to him had to escort him out of the room.
Great job everybody last night.
Quirk took a month because she only cared when she saw she could drive a wedge between the 4 Republicans on the council.
Whitacre is the only one worth anything. He pushed the issue because it was the right thing to do and took on his own party to do it. Good job Councilman Whitacre! Keep the pressure on. Even if you have to put up w camera chasers and cheap political hacks like Quirk and Galloway.
I agree Sharon, go with the flow, Quirk-Silva only concerned herself with this matter when it gained momentum. She was too close to ex-fullerton council person pam, Goofy, keller to be trusted to do the right thing as she and Keller were all for using 6 million of taxdollars to move a mcdonald’s restaurant a few feet from its original place.
I know this sounds a little harsh, but i think Kelly Thomas was sent to us by god so he could be used for good. After the recall I think we should put a statue of Kelly Thomas at the bus stop like Laguna Beach has of their famous hobo.
The thought of a sacrificial lamb crossed my mind, too. If that is the case, then we better make some worthwhile winds of change. If these bastards are given death or life, and a whole lot of other housecleaning goes down in the FPD (like the Chief, supervisors and dispatch people are convicted for being accessories and accomplices), then I can see dramatic change rippling through most of the other departments out of fear. I’d also like to see a councilmember go down for directing the chief to interpret a call from a political donor business complaining of possible “car burglaries” as a code word for “rough up some homeless and get them out of town”, or something to that effect.
I agree that a housecleaning is in order, but there really are a few good ones on the FPD. Perhaps if it’s dismantled, then OCSD would retain some of them.
The hiring and training of the dept. needs review too. Why does Fullerton hire the drug addicts and disabled police let go by other departments?? Is this how the chief does favors to get ahead?
In other words: Let’s all sit on our hands and wait for someone else (like elected officials who only give a shit about their own political future’s) handle the problem. These people are speaking out and showing courage. Maybe “law and order” will result in something positive in this case…NOW…but had it not been for brave people like Tony, I can promise you your “nation of laws” bullshit would have certainly resulted in disappointment and failure.
We are a nation of laws, the police have violated the public trust and need to be removed. I think if it was one incident it could be forgiven however pastors being raided without warrants, iPads stolen, women raped, drug abuse, ect. It’s the culture if the department that needs to go!
Well, there are a lot of Fullerton Police that have shown total disdain for the law. Of course, due process must take its course (though for poor Kelly it didn’t), but we’re all just planning ahead here for what should be inevitable. It’s like the lights over Phoenix; there’s just too many people who saw it.
They wouldn’t have even taken those cops off the street if it hadn’t been for the public pressure. Yes, let due process continue, but keep us safe in the meantime, and keep up the pressure because otherwise those in charge of enforcing the laws will sweep it all under the rug.
Just in case you missed the city council meeting… if you read about it in the OC Register you need to watch it because the OC Register is not longer an accurate, credible source. They downplay the meeting.
It took three weeks for the BART cop who killed the kid two years ago to be arrested. By now the DA should have enough to get some of the cops arraigned for involuntary manslaughter, at least. This would quell a lot of the community down, and you could still file for murder if the evidence shows it. The prime target’s name will be known and he will have to post bail. Right now there’s nothing stopping any of them from not showing up one day and going to Mexico.
Welcome to the most liberal and corrupt state known to man.
As someone in law enforcement, I go to work and do my job, with pride and honor. I don’t lie, mislead and abuse trust. It’s simple; we’re not all bad and corrupt.
If any of you have seen American History X, you might remember a scene where the Dad talks about Affirmative Action and what it’s done to America.
I work with many people who didn’t score the highest, couldn’t PT as hard as everyone else and yet they still hold the same job/title that I do.
Welcome to America, when does it end? It’s no surprised that people are wanting answers… I do to.
Having a cop receiving a 70% tax free salary and yet go into the same profession that LAPD said he couldn’t do anymore and double dip. Hell, his 70% medical salary is more than what a lot of people make today, and that was from 1996.
Law enforcement should be about wanting to do the right thing, it’s not just a job, any one can be a cop if you study and have a little bit of common sense.
The problem; favors and corruption.
When this Officer got picked up by FPD, I’m sure there were a ton of other just as qualified applicants who could have had the same spot but instead, they gave it to someone who is even now, more wealthier, off the system.
Not all cops are bad, but Fullerton needs to clean house.
Hey peeps, it’s excellent that Tony (the proxy of this blog) used this opportunity to establish the very good possibility of a recall, but I’d really like someone involved with this blog to post something about the meeting other than his proclamation. How many people were there last night? What was the general mood? How did the suits react? Or at least a link to a news organization that covered it. But wait: this is a blog, so I’m just as qualified to write something as anyone else, right? OK: I was proud to be a fullertonian last night. 400 or so people showed up, and while many had very insightful things to say, others should have observed, because not only did they say anything insightful, they were lame at it. BUT, they still took the initiative to get up and say SOMETHING. I was proud to be a resident of Fullerton last night. And I wasn’t proud because of the three stuffed shirts on the council, or the stoic police chief, but because people came out and said their piece (except for that guy who runs the taxpayers group, who was very coherent but came off as a tiny bit opportunistic). Nobody won last night, nobody lost. And nobody will. But this much is sure: this hair-brained, antagonistic, vituperative, anti-most-anybody-i in power BLOG, should get a medal,. certificate, order of official canonization or simple thank your from everyone in fullerton. You have driven the coverage of this horrible situation, and opened the gates to a very possible reality of a LOT of skeletons languishing in the vaults of this city’s police department. And I think you’re the best f’n thing since sliced bread. And that was really cool.
mr. boo, I’d love for you to write for the blog. Not because your comment just brought tears to my eyes, but because I know you love Fullerton as much or more than I do. Let’s have a meet up?
“I don’t recall any complaints coming in, as to officer conduct,” said Councilman Don Bankhead, who was a police lieutenant under Bornhoft at the time of the uprising. “He demanded that officers treat people with courtesy.”
Bornhoft retired as chief in 1977 and ran for City Council the next year, serving on the council for four years, twice as mayor.
ONE BAD APPLE RUINS THE REST!! THEY ALL HAVE TO GO!! TIME TO EXTERMINATE , BOYS!! WE’RE TAKING OUR CITY BACK!! FULL FORCE LIKE IT OR NOT, HERE WE COME!!!
Click the following link. Scroll down under “City Council” and click on “2011” Then click the meeting from last night… you can see it all for yourself. People are pissed and want action. Upwards of fifty people chimed in at this meeting alone.
“An alcohol-related driving conviction is not an automatic disqualifier for being hired as a Fullerton police officer, but it is at other law enforcement agencies.”
This is a direct quote taken from an OC Register article published July 5, 2011. Headline was “Drugs, thefts cost Fullerton officer his badge”
I don’t know of any other police department that would consider hiring an individual with a dui conviction. I think this sheds some light on the low the standards are at Fullerton PD. I’d say they need to do some serious house cleaning.
How about this scenario. Ron Thomas settles quickly with the City of Fullerton for say, $5,000,000 to establish his nonprofit to fund and work with organizations that aid the homeless. He can be a director and take a salary if he needs to.
Thomas allows the Orange County District Attorney and the FBI to handle the criminal matters.
Meanwihile, the the conflicts of interest resolved, Thomas can establish residency in Fullerton and run for the City Council on a platform of cleaning up the police department.
Thomas is going to end up owning the City of Fullerton anyway. Fullerton would be better off dealing with Thomas’ mercy than dealing with Thomas’ wrath in front of a jury.
Tony,
Your website, fullertonsfuture.org, has been a terrific source for information pertaining to the tragic death of Kelly Thomas. Thank you for all you have done to inform your readers and others.
As a long-time resident of Fullerton, I am saddened and shocked that such a brutal attack could occur in our city. I support of your initiative to recall not only the Mayor of our city, but also Don Bankhead and Pat McKinley. I have come to the conclusion that those that are responsible for oversight of our city’s police (and other agencies), should not have a close affiliation to the departments over which they govern. Council oversight should be independent from the agencies that the city council governs.
Currently, 2 of the 5 city council members have direct ties to the Fullerton Police Department. Prior to becoming a member of Fullerton’s City Council, Pat McKinley is was the Fullerton Chief of Police for 15 years and appears to have promoted a SWAT like culture in the Fullerton Police Department. Don Bankhead was with the Fullerton Police Department for 31 years before becoming a member of the Fullerton City Council.
Police departments can be corrupted. Because police safety is such an import service to the community, we as citizens must ensure that our city council is free from conflicts of interest and that our city council will demand the highest levels of service and integrity from the agencies over which the city council is empowered by its constituents to govern for the benefit of our community. I feel city council should be from conflicts of interest and thus, support the recall of Mayor Richard Jones, Pat McKinley and Don Bankhead.
Again, thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your sincere interest in our community!
Dear fullerton,
Not only do we need to clean house but we need to have them scrub the floors and walls of all their very own dirt! FULLERTON is a very well respected city and for this to take place in our very own city is just a slap in our OUR face. My parents, for many years have donated to the POLICE ASSOC. THEY CAN All stick their fingers up their ying yang! THANK YOU ST. JUDES FOR STANDING UP AND TAKING YOUR SPONSORSHIP AWAY from “NATIONAL night out “! HOW DARE THEY BEG FOR MONEY FROM THE VERY SAME COMMUNITY THAT THEY ABUSE! SPEAKING AS A HISPANIC AND A YOUNG WOMEN, I WOULD RATHER WALK HOME ALONE IN A DARK ALLEY THEN TO PLACE MY LIFE IN THE HANDS OF THE FULLERTON POLICE DEPT. IT MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH TO THINK THAT IT TOOK A MAN TO BE BEAT AND KILLED FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO START GETTING INVOLVED. THEY’VE KNOWN FOR YEARS OF ALL THE INSIDE CORRUPTION AND LIES AMONGST THE F.P.D AND NOW THEY WANNA HELP BECAUSE OF THE PUBLICITY THE CITY HAS RECEIVED! RECALL EVERY ONE!! START FRESH!! ONE BAD APPLE RUINS THE REST!! SHAME OF FULLERTON P.D AND THE POLICE CHIEF! CHIEF MIGHT NOT OF BEEN THERE WHEN THOMAS GOT BEAT BUT HE BRUSHED IT OFF AND IGNORED IT AS IF IT WAS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND HE’S ” NO REACTION TO EVERYONE” FACE HE HAD MADE ME WANT TO SPIT IN HIS FILTHY PIG FACE! SO CHIEF, COUNCILMEN.. enough is enough.. WE ARE TAKING BACK OUR CITY, WE LIVE HERE, WE PAY OUR TAXES AND WE SUPPORT YOUR INCOME.. WE ARE NOT STAYING QUITE NOR ARE WE SITTING DOWN ANYMORE, YOU HAVE AWAKEN THE BEAST!! ITS TIME WE ARE CALLING THE SHOTS! TIMES UP BANKHEAD! YOUR ALL DONE!!
Fullerton police chief should be charged in delaying and covering up criminal activities by his department. If this was you or I, we will be in the dungeons of this police chief.
Finishing my post from #43, the Fullerton City Counsel were talking out of both sides of their mouths last night because they kept saying because their investigation isn’t done yet they couldn’t say very much, but they knew enough a week or two ago to offer the Thomas family $900,000 and tell them what the FPD did isn’t so bad because Kelly was “No rocket scientist”. It’s ironic Richard Nixon is buried not to far from here because if Watergate taught us anything it’s the cover up that really gets you in trouble. But what people are calling the “Fullerton Six” may be very unfair because some of those officers may have little or no blame for what happened.
Other than facilitation, crowd control, and most important, NOTstopping it. If you have a group of criminals, and only one kills someone, all of them are guilty of murder. At least that’s the rule with us, perhaps if you have a badge, maybe not…
At the least, they’re guilty as accessories before and after the fact, if their reports are sworn to under the penaty of perjury, then perjury for making sure the lies are consistent with the video.
NO CAUSE THEIR DUNGEON IS A MILLION DOLLAR SHOOTING RANGE THAT IS UNDERGROUND!! YET WE DRIVE ON THESE HORRIBLE ROADS EVERYDAY AND BROKEN STREET LIGHTS!! HMM.. SO THATS WHERE ARE DONATIONS WENT HUH?
The problem with the Fullerton police can be traced to an evil communistic policing model which they have embraced called COPS (Community Oriented Policing)–the goals of which are NOT to enforce law, but to subvert law in an effort to transform traditional society. COPS isn’t traditional law enforcement, it’s anarchistic and treasonous. Fullerton has adopted this model and you can read more about it here: http://www.newswithviews.com/community_policing/community_policing.htm
That’s very interesting…guess that’s why they ask citizens to inform on their neighbors, like when they water at the wrong time of day. It’s for the “community”! It’s for our own good!
That’s more or less what the Nazi’s did, had neighbor watching and reporting neighbor. We’re headed in a great direction huh?? It was bound to happen, too many don’t care or vote, and nobody worth voting for, just those chosen by the same people/corporations in our country that want total control to protect their investment
As a former long time California citizen I’m deeply saddened by this heinous beating of Kelly Thomas. My husband and I cried watching the video.
I’m so proud of the Fullerton citizens for doing something and fighting back.
Every single city council member who is dirty and is in bed with the cops needs to be fired and never ever allowed to run for public office again. They should have a scarlet tattoo on their forehead that says I condone beating mentally ill homeless men.
All 6 cops should be tried for murder and put on death row.
Steve Brow :
How about this scenario. Ron Thomas settles quickly with the City of Fullerton for say, $5,000,000 to establish his nonprofit to fund and work with organizations that aid the homeless. He can be a director and take a salary if he needs to.
Thomas allows the Orange County District Attorney and the FBI to handle the criminal matters.
Meanwihile, the the conflicts of interest resolved, Thomas can establish residency in Fullerton and run for the City Council on a platform of cleaning up the police department.
Thomas is going to end up owning the City of Fullerton anyway. Fullerton would be better off dealing with Thomas’ mercy than dealing with Thomas’ wrath in front of a jury.
HOW ABOUT THIS ONE;
THOSE SCUM ROT IN JAIL TILL THEY DIE OF ANAL RAPE
The city counsel meeting was streamed live last night. Don’t know if its on Youtube. I remember after everyone spoke about Thomas they moved on to other matters during which the Mayor made a glib ‘Freadian’ slip likening the Thomas speakers to “torture”.
John :The city counsel meeting was streamed live last night. Don’t know if its on Youtube. I remember after everyone spoke about Thomas they moved on to other matters during which the Mayor made a glib ‘Freadian’ slip likening the Thomas speakers to “torture”.
I did not hear that John. When Hee Haw started his jibberish, I left.
After all the emotions, frustration and tears shed by concerned citizens about Kelly…… What does the Mayor think about peoples concerns? He calls it a ‘TORTURE’ to his ears. Look up the entire video of city meeting on city website and fast forward to the part after general public leaves. He says it openly to two ladies, (those ladies had their own grievances and said it was “Educational” to see what the city residents had to say. Mayor replies “Educational…!!!!…it was Torture” .
Nobody has mentioned why Jones is pledging his allegiance to the police. There’s an easy answer. Remember his sexual misconduct toward the female police officer a couple years ago? The police department is holding this incident over his head. He HAS to back them to protect his own ass.
Jones (78) and Bankhead (79) are done. They’re not going to fight the recall at their age. McKinley (70) is a different story. I see him fighting this and of the three, he would be most likely to win a recall.
I’ve been following this blog for about a year. There is no other way to learn whats going on. You guys are the real public servants. I want to know where I can sign up to help the community recall those three status quo defenders. That skin head McKinley is especially irritating to me. As the former Police Chief, McKinley was the one who hired all those thug cops. He and most of his underlings allowed the bar owners to create the dangerous night life in downtown just so they could get free beers and grub from Slidebar and Heroes. McQueball instituted and fostered their culture of descrimination. All that has backfired on the citizens. Recall, Recall, Recall. Power to the People
Fullerton resident since 58 applaud Whitaker and Quirk-Silva for having more guts than the three stooges but if you are poor or a person og color in the city of Fullerton God help you. Recall the three stooges
I work in the Inland Empire and am curious as to why I see FPD Officers on city owned police motorcycles commuting back and forth to work in uniform on the taxpayers dime Chief Thug care to answer ?
We are working on it and should have it ready today or tomorrow at the latest. Check out the new tab at the top of the blog window or click here: http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/recall/
Very sorry the rules do not allow me to collect signatures, as I am registered to vote in Anaheim, but can I come feed people who are gathering signatures?
Kelly was just sitting on a park bench. No one saw him breaking into cars. He ran beacuse the police were scary and threatening, and he had schizophrenia. Six police savagely and incessantly hogtied him, slammed his head on the concrete curb, beat him, stomped him, drop kneed his nose and throat, tased him 6 times, and when the taser stopped firing, used the butt end of the taser pistol grip to repeatedly hammer Kelly’s head until blood spurted out all over. Kelly cried for mercy, for God, for his Dad, until he was finally silenced, but the pummelling of his limp carcass continued even after he fell into a coma. The police bragged about their conquest of this defenseless soul the next day and continued to work on patrol up until one month after the killing, only until they were placed on paid leave after Kelly’s dad stood up for his dead son and demanded an investigation. The police chief and DA investigator are good friends and are trying to cover this up and hoping it will all blow over. They should all be fired and put in jail and be made an example that this type of brutal police killing of helpless, defenseless persons should never ever happen again in our civilized society.
If there are any good, decent cops in the Fullerton PD, why aren’t they condemning this horrific killing? Why is the police chief, who condones this gang killing, still in office?
The recall falls short. All councilmembers and the city attorney need to be removed. the FPD needs a top to bottom audit and investigation. The citizens of Fullerton need to be more enlightened at election time. We’ve elected too many unqualified councilmembers over the past years.
Bravo Tony! Love McKinley’s face at the end. Got any footage of the chief guys? Couldn’t see him on tv. Hope he was squirming and sweating.
“The facts were on my side, the law was on my side and my philosophy was that I needed to protect the city’s investment,” Catlin said. He said he will likely mount a joint election campaign with fellow recall targets Bankhead and McClanahan, who also supported the utility tax.
It is 1994 all over again and then some.
I want to help!
Recall the x-cops for starters. They didn’t have a real job before. They sure are not doing theirs now. They represent cops, not all of us.
Thank you for the excellent web site. Thank you for your courage to speak a the City Council meeting tonight (08/02/11). Thank you for leading the Re-call effort. Prayers for the Thomas family.
Go Tony!!! Let me know how I can help:)
Tony, this is notcabout you this is about Tony. I know that you mean well.
Cant figure out what the hell you are saying. But, if you are suggesting Tony is the only one who wants these old fools recalled, you sir are a fool as well. The old farts let us all down in one of Fullerton’s most dark and desperate times. They have proven themselves cowards and all the Fullerton residents I know lack confidence in them.
I am not questioning Tony, he did not have to say anything tonight. he is respected in this community.
Why the hell wouldn’t he say anything? He looked those morons in the eye and announced a recall movement because of their conduct related to the subject matter being discussed. Look at his passion. He’s pissed. I’m pissed. Thank you Tony! You will have lots of support.
recall
Time for them to go. Remake the city council with those who understand what leadership is.
Tony, youre badass! who is that Fossil that looks like he just ate a monkey’s ass sandwich?
Chief McPension. Or is it Chief of Corruption. So hard to tell…
Pat McKinley has to be pissed! He could have enjoyed his double dip retirement but noo those two old guys got him to run and now its all coming back to haunt him!
This is one elected OC GOP Central Committee member that will help Tony and all the fine residents of Fullerton on this worthy goal. Those three have completely embarrassed the city of Fullerton and our great Republican Party. I’m in.
Didn’t the OCGOP endorsed McKinley last September of 2010 without hesitation or objection?
Very bad black eye for the OCGOP.
Will the OCGOP think TWICE before endorsing anyone in the near future?
Unfortunately the party did endorse him. McPension barely survived in the endorsement sub committee due to his double dipping ways, but then no one from the 72AD(which covers Fullerton) pulled his name from the consent list at the monthly meeting where we voted on contested endorsements.
We have a chance to get it right now with this recall campaign.
Good job Tony!
I thought McKinley was dead. Thank goodness I watched all the way to the end.
Can we start calling the 6 cops by their righteous name? “The McKinley 6” named for their ringleader.
Unfortunately, I don’t have audio on my computor, but something he said between 14 and 17 seconds into his speech got them (the two old guys) squirming can someone please share that?
I’m ignorant on why the other two council members will not get recalled. Can somebody give me the story behind this? Thanks in advance.
Whitaker went to the funeral and Quirk Silva has moved for an investigation. Better than total silence.
Both called for the video to be released to the public, Whitaker first.
Thanks for the quick reply.
The OCGOP and Ed Royce both endorsed our retired chief of police. Royce broke party ranks and endorsed a non-GOP sanctioned candidate when he endorsed Bankhead.
Endorsements mean little to those who do their homework.
Do you have any signs left over from the last race?
@Barry what about you? Running to get rid of Bankhead?
No, the signs just don’t hold up well enough once they are exposed. Much like our city council and PD.
I suppose more signs are just a phone call (and a $2500 check to COGS South Signs) away.
That’s a union shop… Shame…
What does Ed Royce see in these three losers? C’mon Ed, pull your head out.
I’ve never been thrilled with Ed Royce. He seems like the typical Party “player”, more concerned with rubbing shoulders with the well-connected and towing the line than by doing the right thing. More or less an unprincipled political whore. Seriously, the only reason he’s in office is because a Democrat always opposes him. Remember, totalitarianism can strike from the Left or Right. Perhaps this recall can be the snowballing of an invigorating effort to put some constitutional purists in office in this district.
More importantly what does Gary Miller sees in all of this if he wants to represent Fullerton.
What about Bob Huff who wants to represent Fullerton in the State Senate?
These guys cant stay silent or else they will find their way in the unemployment line with a replacement in 2012!
Allan,
It looks like they dropped the “R” from the website next door. Its now: EdCounty.
Or it looks that way since he seems to be the only guy writing any more!
let’s recall all three of them and get them out of here…..I wonder what else Pat has covered up while he happened to serve as chief.
I totally agree with this statement. A murder was being covered up and it wasn’t until Ron Thomas showed that photo that this issue came to the forefront. I too, ask the question/s, “what other crimes have been covered up? What else hasn’t been told?” This thin blue line of silence and the mentality of “we have to protect our own” is straight nonsense. Just like any other profession, you are accountable for your actions. I mean this is a PROFESSION…right? This idea of the “thin blue line” has to go. I’ve seen it first hand. Lies, cover-ups, half-truths, protecting our own. It’s sick. Every department is guilty of it and they know it, unfortunately it just takes a murder to show a department’s true colors.
Am I the only person who thinks the video should only be viewed by a jury and not be released to the public? I don’t see what good can come from it and will most likely create even more tension between the public and the FPD. I also don’t want to see an innocent man get his face smashed in by a murderer. Just my two cents. Flame away!
You may not be alone. I’m sure there’s others that need to be told how to think and what you are allowed to look at.
I’m not sure I follow.
My point exactly.
Great reply and follow-through, MCR!
haha classic.
AA: Why should the video be released? Because evil hides in the darkness but light exposes the truth. I believe we should always choose to live in the light. Burying our heads in the sand accomplishes nothing.
I agree with your sentiment, but there is also the underlying concern that if too many Fullertonians see the video then the FPD thugs won’t be able to get a fair trial in OC. And, personally, I’d love to see a few really pissed off Fullerton residents land on a jury for some of these guys.
When it is released to the jury it will be public. I do agree w/the DA on this though. Don’t release the tape, because you want to maintain a conviction and try this case I. The OC. If they release the tape, itcould be prejudicial and they’ll ship this off to Bakersfield or Sacramento. Look at the BART shooting officer… They sent it to LA because Oakland was pummeled with riots. Keep calm and you have a better chance of this handled locally.
Waite a minute ! They keep saying because their investigation is still underway they are limited in what they can. So how they offered the Thomas familly $900,000 a week or two ago if their still investigating?
good point.
Hell yes Tony, when god gives you pain, suffering and a bloody body make political lemonade. Most everyone I talked to thought you were the highlight of the night. Don’t let any one ruin your victory….tonight you were the king and yes it is all about you. You rock man!!!!
I am giddy with glee.
I can’t believe what I see.
Fullerton waking from its interminable slumber
to confront this monstrosity.
Please tell me this is for real,
not just some soundbites.
Together we can be St. George
and slay the corrupt troglodytes!
Prepare the gallow!
Let’s have a good lynchin’.
Boil them in tallow!
Methinks they’re why our council’s been stenchin’.
Those damn new yellow arrow signals
are what killed Adenhart.
Confusing as Hell,
and conceived by brain fart.
In a time when everyone’s talking road expansions,
we’re “blessed” by senior moments
concerned more about double dip pensions
to better keep up those mansions.
So they take a perfectly good double lane Valencia,
and through some stroke of genius,
turn two lanes into one (????)
like some dimwitted penis!
Their pockets are lined;
their criminal graft and cronyism ain’t wholesome.
So let’s do this recall,
and then send them all to Folsom!
WORD.
what ever happened to C.U.F.F.S (community unitied for fullerton safety) head of the program was pat mckinley..hmmmmm!
I grew up on Victoria Dr. and graduated at Troy high school as did my mother. My grandfather and grandmother moved to Fullerton during the great depression. I still own some property in Fullerton so that makes me a tax payer. I live in Louisville Ky now but I will always consider Fullerton my home and I hope to move back some day. I have to say I have been obsessed with whats been happening because I love Fullerton so much. I left twenty years ago to join the army and life has led me in down another road, but I still consider Fullerton home. You make me proud!!!!! all of you. I watched the city counsel meeting from 2500 miles away and believe me the world is watching. First off me and my family would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Thomas family. I would like to ask the city counsel a question and maybe someone could ask them for me. “I believe that the city council and the police department believe the six officers involved in the Kelly Thomas case conducted themselves in a manner consistent with Fullerton police department guidelines. I believe this, because surely the brass in the department and the members of the city council have reviewed the tape in question and determined there is no crime. After all, why would it take almost a month to put these officers on paid leave if the evidence is so cut and dry. Obviously this tape exonerates everyone. The officers involved had to be taken off duty because off unfounded public outrage and news media bias…………assholes all of you! Kelly Thomas was obviously drugged up monster with the strength of ten men, too bad there was only six to try to quell his rampage of death and destruction! So spare these fine officers, protectors of the public anymore humiliation and release the tapes and set them free!
On a larger scale, what other rights will we lose as the ‘super congress’ is essentially a new unconstitutional branch of the government that will rule over the house and sentate and eliminate filibusters?
Times are here where it is US versus them.
God bless, Kelly.
You must be right Brent. Otherwise the only explanation for what happened here would have to involve incompetence, laziness, complicity, lack of leadership and fear/loyalty to the police union.
Brent, get your head around this issue, the mans face cant look like that unless he was hit by a fast moving vehicle head on just prior to the incident, jumped from a building of significant height just prior or perhaps was beaten senseless about the face.
In the Army we understand that it is often about killing the enemy and the manner in which it is done is not as important as that it is done. In Fullerton we do not have Al Queda, active jihad or any measure of suicide bombers so we rerquire our highly paid police force to excersize some discretion before killing.
The problem here is there is no restraint technique that involves getting control of one’s face or pushing a suspect’s nose as far back in to the skull as possible. Police restraint is focussed on gaining control of a suspects legs and arms. Extra blows to the head do not result in extra credit or a bonus of any type.
The Fullerton leadership will be held accountable because they, like you, have acted as though the people in their city cant tell the difference between restraining an uncooperatve individual and beating the living shit out of an unarmed man based on the fact he wouldnt stop when the police said to. You see, no matter how you slice it this man’s “crime” was not breaking in to cars (word is the documents in his backpack were junk mail a local attorney had thrown in the trash), rather, it was running away on foot from two officers.
In the army, sometimes a guy running a checkpoint requires a kill shot to save the post and preserve security. In Fullerton we are not ready to tolerate a city council that thinks we are being protected by beating a man to death for not following directions.
Hollis, Brent was being sarcastic at the end of his comment.
you couldn’t be more misinformed. Everything you are saying is based on a logical assumption. How do you describe a renegade police force who for years have acted aggressivley in the community. I have viewed the behaviour of fullerton police for many years and walk the streets of fullerton at night. I never cease to be scared at just the site of a fpd driving by. There is a type of psycosis that runs through this dept. that cannot be explained. I really beleive they believe they are above the law because they have been acting in this way for so long. Visit fullerton and walk the streets. I’ll show you what I am saying.
You go Tony! The city of Fullerton and especially the FPD need a good house cleaning.
Oh, they are free………so give em hell Tony!
Tony,
Thank you again for being one of the very few who make it their civic duty to be in the know about local government, for actively participating in it and crying out when actions are taken that defy its citizens’ best interests.
Continue to be a man among men Tony.
Thank you very much!
I concurr with the prior comment, just not the name. Go Hornets!
Fullerton’s August 2 City Council meeting. Five hours long, but worth a watch. I had no idea there were so many like-minded people in this community.
TO SEE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING CLICK HERE:
http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/about/meetings_live.asp#bodyTop
The firefighter speech was good from the standponit of finally some firefighters are speaking out… his reference to the Brown Act was impeccable.
Also, the ex Army officer’s speech was excellent because everything he said was true… in the military they get court marshalled for this kind of behavior— in the police force they get a slap on the wrist and a pension to boot.
The third speech I liked the most was the one that the gentleman gave about, “the dinner parties and the nice ride” “GAME OVER” This man alludes to a much greater problem with our society in America today: almost all elected officials are out of touch with the realities that presently face this community… state… nation. They go to their fancy dinner parties and collect their per diem pay on top of their high benefit packages/salaries… Ron Paul!
Oh yea, and so long as the beating went down the way in which everyone says it went down… perhaps this whole Kelly Thomas incident will lead to greater transparency in government, greater “attention span” from politicians, and police officers that TRULY care about people… dont just say it on the interview.
best idea, get rid of all the council and start over…..silva and the whitiker only saying what the public wants to hear. silva her sob story about being a mother…blah blah blah……i am certain that they have all viewed the tape or were told what to expect when the tape is released… keep in mind this is their job, so really are they going to want to risk that. keep the public happy=keep ur job….
everyone is so concerned that the officers are not speaking up, well guess what, these people are in the same click…..i am sure mckinley has seen the tape and already advised the other council members on what to expect….its politics…i would not be mad that the officers are not releasing evidence. the bottom level patrol staff is not going to be allowed or granted access to any tapes…every door in the station is secured and each member has a card card type key. management sets the card to only allow access of where THEY want the officers to have access to… but guess what the city has access to all…and they will be the one who makes the payout…..cleaning house must start at the top…….
the quicker they release the tape, the quicker resolution will come…. if the officers did nothing wrong then show the tape and allow them to get back to their life……
if they are at fault, then they need to face the charges…man up and deal with it….sitting home on paid leave….wtf……weather is nice, summer is here…i want a paid vacation!
is it true that the thomas family had a restraining order on kelly? i keep hearing they did……not sure about that thomas dad, he is a cop and knows the ins and outs……kelly was the one who is the real victim…but i have to wonder if the dad is just going after the big bucks……..i hope fpd opens a nice homeless shelter to help those like kelly…. or maybe scholarships in kellys name on things he enjoyed or any hobbies he may have had…… really don’ t want to hear ..thomas family buys a house in bel air or goes on extreme vactions…or we see them on the cover of star magazine sitting courtside at the lakers game……..MAKE THE PD PAY……TO HELP OTHER HOMELESS…. lets face it, we the taxpayers are basically footing the bill thanks to some mentally unstable officers…..and make the council memeber DONATE their time to the shelter since they all are so concerned about the homless…silva!!!!
Both veterans left an impression upon me. Well done, men.
I was unable to attend the meeting, will there be another march this Saturday?
Our hero, Tony! Thank you, for FFFF. Finally, someone really takes a stand for human decency and dignity. We, the people of Fullerton, have had plenty of losers posturing as social justice warriors, claiming to speak for us. When in fact, these same people, elected or pretending to be community activists, have only fed on our hopes and taxpayer dollars to satisfy the status quo that allowed personal gain at the public expense. Recall decency to our government and Fullerton Police by recalling Jones, McKinley, Bankhead
Great job last night these 3 blind mice have to go…to xcops and the doctor what a total breakdown in leadership, pathedic. How can we get the cheif out also Fullerton and the Kelly family deserve much better Best way to send these clowns off into the sunset is with a recall
Tony for Mayor!!!! When Tony’s elected he will end this DTF homeless problem once and for all!!! Sent them all to Anaheim with Galloway…carpetbagger.
I loved how Galloway showed up in her designer clothes, jewelry and fancy pedicure to invoke the name of the Almighty in the name of the homeless. This from a dame who ripped off her own aunt.
Yech.
Oh, and to thank her dear friend Quirk for getting on board – almost a month after the murder.
Get lost Lorraine.
You have to do a story on that idiot Galloway showing up/showing off at this meeting. She’s only there because she plans to run for Nelson’s Supervisor seat when he gets elected to congress.
Then’s she’s gonna have a long wait.
Lorrie can be alot like Todd Spitzer, can’t resist a microphone and TV cameras.
Good thing she brought her assistant. She was great. Way more articulate and less robotic than Galloway herself who sounded vapid and to made a fool of herself. “You go girl” – pathetic!
Where do I sign this recall petition? ;D
The Register has a story about the meeting
http://www.ocregister.com/news/council-310571-officers-chief.html
Unlike some of the latest stories on Kelly Thomas this one has been written by Lou Ponsi. Notice that he never mentions the recall anywhere in the article, even though it is obviously a credible announcement.
Not surprising. He and Goodrich appear to be joined at the hip.
Almost every speaker last night was VERY powerful. I was moved by nearly all. Great job Tony! I have a question about one of the speakers. The one that was speaking when Ron Thomas walked out. He claimed he was a business owner in Fullerton. I’d like to know which business that is. I tried to speak to him after he spoke, but he got very irate. Frothing at the mouth. I simply asked what business he owned, and he came unglued. Claiming I was going to burn down or vandalize his business. I calmly informed him that I was not a terrorist, and I wanted to know because I would not patronize his business. He blew his top. The cop next to him had to escort him out of the room.
Great job everybody last night.
PS….GAME OVER
Yes, please make me the only person to ever be recalled twice by Fullerton voters.
??
Quirk took a month because she only cared when she saw she could drive a wedge between the 4 Republicans on the council.
Whitacre is the only one worth anything. He pushed the issue because it was the right thing to do and took on his own party to do it. Good job Councilman Whitacre! Keep the pressure on. Even if you have to put up w camera chasers and cheap political hacks like Quirk and Galloway.
I agree Sharon, go with the flow, Quirk-Silva only concerned herself with this matter when it gained momentum. She was too close to ex-fullerton council person pam, Goofy, keller to be trusted to do the right thing as she and Keller were all for using 6 million of taxdollars to move a mcdonald’s restaurant a few feet from its original place.
I disagree. She just called for the Chief to resign. She’s being accountable to the Fullerton residents and NOT the police union.
Go get’m Briuce & Sharon!
I know this sounds a little harsh, but i think Kelly Thomas was sent to us by god so he could be used for good. After the recall I think we should put a statue of Kelly Thomas at the bus stop like Laguna Beach has of their famous hobo.
The thought of a sacrificial lamb crossed my mind, too. If that is the case, then we better make some worthwhile winds of change. If these bastards are given death or life, and a whole lot of other housecleaning goes down in the FPD (like the Chief, supervisors and dispatch people are convicted for being accessories and accomplices), then I can see dramatic change rippling through most of the other departments out of fear. I’d also like to see a councilmember go down for directing the chief to interpret a call from a political donor business complaining of possible “car burglaries” as a code word for “rough up some homeless and get them out of town”, or something to that effect.
That’s a great idea
house cleaning is in order for the fullerton pd. can’t we petition to get rid of the whole fullerton pd and start from zero.
where do i sign the petition?
I agree that a housecleaning is in order, but there really are a few good ones on the FPD. Perhaps if it’s dismantled, then OCSD would retain some of them.
The hiring and training of the dept. needs review too. Why does Fullerton hire the drug addicts and disabled police let go by other departments?? Is this how the chief does favors to get ahead?
Welcome to Salem. The witch hunt is on!
I could have sworn that we were a nation of laws. Let due process take place.
In other words: Let’s all sit on our hands and wait for someone else (like elected officials who only give a shit about their own political future’s) handle the problem. These people are speaking out and showing courage. Maybe “law and order” will result in something positive in this case…NOW…but had it not been for brave people like Tony, I can promise you your “nation of laws” bullshit would have certainly resulted in disappointment and failure.
We are a nation of laws, the police have violated the public trust and need to be removed. I think if it was one incident it could be forgiven however pastors being raided without warrants, iPads stolen, women raped, drug abuse, ect. It’s the culture if the department that needs to go!
Kirk SR, “we were a nation of laws”, too many laws!
Well, there are a lot of Fullerton Police that have shown total disdain for the law. Of course, due process must take its course (though for poor Kelly it didn’t), but we’re all just planning ahead here for what should be inevitable. It’s like the lights over Phoenix; there’s just too many people who saw it.
The parents of Kelley Thomas thought we were a nation of laws too.
They wouldn’t have even taken those cops off the street if it hadn’t been for the public pressure. Yes, let due process continue, but keep us safe in the meantime, and keep up the pressure because otherwise those in charge of enforcing the laws will sweep it all under the rug.
Just in case you missed the city council meeting… if you read about it in the OC Register you need to watch it because the OC Register is not longer an accurate, credible source. They downplay the meeting.
CITY COUNCIL VIDEO:
http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/about/meetings_live.asp#bodyTop
Isnt due process removing the cops from the street and placing them on paid leave ? Does it take over 30 days to start due process?
It took three weeks for the BART cop who killed the kid two years ago to be arrested. By now the DA should have enough to get some of the cops arraigned for involuntary manslaughter, at least. This would quell a lot of the community down, and you could still file for murder if the evidence shows it. The prime target’s name will be known and he will have to post bail. Right now there’s nothing stopping any of them from not showing up one day and going to Mexico.
Is there any other better place to set up a recall petition than in front of each and every grocery store here in Fullerton?
fullerton lover, I can’t think of a better place.
@ PJ.
Welcome to the most liberal and corrupt state known to man.
As someone in law enforcement, I go to work and do my job, with pride and honor. I don’t lie, mislead and abuse trust. It’s simple; we’re not all bad and corrupt.
If any of you have seen American History X, you might remember a scene where the Dad talks about Affirmative Action and what it’s done to America.
I work with many people who didn’t score the highest, couldn’t PT as hard as everyone else and yet they still hold the same job/title that I do.
Welcome to America, when does it end? It’s no surprised that people are wanting answers… I do to.
Having a cop receiving a 70% tax free salary and yet go into the same profession that LAPD said he couldn’t do anymore and double dip. Hell, his 70% medical salary is more than what a lot of people make today, and that was from 1996.
Law enforcement should be about wanting to do the right thing, it’s not just a job, any one can be a cop if you study and have a little bit of common sense.
The problem; favors and corruption.
When this Officer got picked up by FPD, I’m sure there were a ton of other just as qualified applicants who could have had the same spot but instead, they gave it to someone who is even now, more wealthier, off the system.
Not all cops are bad, but Fullerton needs to clean house.
You’re right
Hey peeps, it’s excellent that Tony (the proxy of this blog) used this opportunity to establish the very good possibility of a recall, but I’d really like someone involved with this blog to post something about the meeting other than his proclamation. How many people were there last night? What was the general mood? How did the suits react? Or at least a link to a news organization that covered it. But wait: this is a blog, so I’m just as qualified to write something as anyone else, right? OK: I was proud to be a fullertonian last night. 400 or so people showed up, and while many had very insightful things to say, others should have observed, because not only did they say anything insightful, they were lame at it. BUT, they still took the initiative to get up and say SOMETHING. I was proud to be a resident of Fullerton last night. And I wasn’t proud because of the three stuffed shirts on the council, or the stoic police chief, but because people came out and said their piece (except for that guy who runs the taxpayers group, who was very coherent but came off as a tiny bit opportunistic). Nobody won last night, nobody lost. And nobody will. But this much is sure: this hair-brained, antagonistic, vituperative, anti-most-anybody-i in power BLOG, should get a medal,. certificate, order of official canonization or simple thank your from everyone in fullerton. You have driven the coverage of this horrible situation, and opened the gates to a very possible reality of a LOT of skeletons languishing in the vaults of this city’s police department. And I think you’re the best f’n thing since sliced bread. And that was really cool.
mr. boo, I’d love for you to write for the blog. Not because your comment just brought tears to my eyes, but because I know you love Fullerton as much or more than I do. Let’s have a meet up?
WHAT WOULD WAYNE DO?
“I don’t recall any complaints coming in, as to officer conduct,” said Councilman Don Bankhead, who was a police lieutenant under Bornhoft at the time of the uprising. “He demanded that officers treat people with courtesy.”
Bornhoft retired as chief in 1977 and ran for City Council the next year, serving on the council for four years, twice as mayor.
ONE BAD APPLE RUINS THE REST!! THEY ALL HAVE TO GO!! TIME TO EXTERMINATE , BOYS!! WE’RE TAKING OUR CITY BACK!! FULL FORCE LIKE IT OR NOT, HERE WE COME!!!
Mr Boo…
Click the following link. Scroll down under “City Council” and click on “2011” Then click the meeting from last night… you can see it all for yourself. People are pissed and want action. Upwards of fifty people chimed in at this meeting alone.
http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/about/meetings_live.asp#bodyTop
“An alcohol-related driving conviction is not an automatic disqualifier for being hired as a Fullerton police officer, but it is at other law enforcement agencies.”
This is a direct quote taken from an OC Register article published July 5, 2011. Headline was “Drugs, thefts cost Fullerton officer his badge”
I don’t know of any other police department that would consider hiring an individual with a dui conviction. I think this sheds some light on the low the standards are at Fullerton PD. I’d say they need to do some serious house cleaning.
America at work,there is hope.
Thanks, Tony!
Now where do I sign?
My pen is ready.
How about this scenario. Ron Thomas settles quickly with the City of Fullerton for say, $5,000,000 to establish his nonprofit to fund and work with organizations that aid the homeless. He can be a director and take a salary if he needs to.
Thomas allows the Orange County District Attorney and the FBI to handle the criminal matters.
Meanwihile, the the conflicts of interest resolved, Thomas can establish residency in Fullerton and run for the City Council on a platform of cleaning up the police department.
Thomas is going to end up owning the City of Fullerton anyway. Fullerton would be better off dealing with Thomas’ mercy than dealing with Thomas’ wrath in front of a jury.
Tony,
Your website, fullertonsfuture.org, has been a terrific source for information pertaining to the tragic death of Kelly Thomas. Thank you for all you have done to inform your readers and others.
As a long-time resident of Fullerton, I am saddened and shocked that such a brutal attack could occur in our city. I support of your initiative to recall not only the Mayor of our city, but also Don Bankhead and Pat McKinley. I have come to the conclusion that those that are responsible for oversight of our city’s police (and other agencies), should not have a close affiliation to the departments over which they govern. Council oversight should be independent from the agencies that the city council governs.
Currently, 2 of the 5 city council members have direct ties to the Fullerton Police Department. Prior to becoming a member of Fullerton’s City Council, Pat McKinley is was the Fullerton Chief of Police for 15 years and appears to have promoted a SWAT like culture in the Fullerton Police Department. Don Bankhead was with the Fullerton Police Department for 31 years before becoming a member of the Fullerton City Council.
Police departments can be corrupted. Because police safety is such an import service to the community, we as citizens must ensure that our city council is free from conflicts of interest and that our city council will demand the highest levels of service and integrity from the agencies over which the city council is empowered by its constituents to govern for the benefit of our community. I feel city council should be from conflicts of interest and thus, support the recall of Mayor Richard Jones, Pat McKinley and Don Bankhead.
Again, thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your sincere interest in our community!
Sincerely,
Paul Haider
Paul, thank you for your comment, stay tuned for more…
Dear fullerton,
Not only do we need to clean house but we need to have them scrub the floors and walls of all their very own dirt! FULLERTON is a very well respected city and for this to take place in our very own city is just a slap in our OUR face. My parents, for many years have donated to the POLICE ASSOC. THEY CAN All stick their fingers up their ying yang! THANK YOU ST. JUDES FOR STANDING UP AND TAKING YOUR SPONSORSHIP AWAY from “NATIONAL night out “! HOW DARE THEY BEG FOR MONEY FROM THE VERY SAME COMMUNITY THAT THEY ABUSE! SPEAKING AS A HISPANIC AND A YOUNG WOMEN, I WOULD RATHER WALK HOME ALONE IN A DARK ALLEY THEN TO PLACE MY LIFE IN THE HANDS OF THE FULLERTON POLICE DEPT. IT MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH TO THINK THAT IT TOOK A MAN TO BE BEAT AND KILLED FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO START GETTING INVOLVED. THEY’VE KNOWN FOR YEARS OF ALL THE INSIDE CORRUPTION AND LIES AMONGST THE F.P.D AND NOW THEY WANNA HELP BECAUSE OF THE PUBLICITY THE CITY HAS RECEIVED! RECALL EVERY ONE!! START FRESH!! ONE BAD APPLE RUINS THE REST!! SHAME OF FULLERTON P.D AND THE POLICE CHIEF! CHIEF MIGHT NOT OF BEEN THERE WHEN THOMAS GOT BEAT BUT HE BRUSHED IT OFF AND IGNORED IT AS IF IT WAS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND HE’S ” NO REACTION TO EVERYONE” FACE HE HAD MADE ME WANT TO SPIT IN HIS FILTHY PIG FACE! SO CHIEF, COUNCILMEN.. enough is enough.. WE ARE TAKING BACK OUR CITY, WE LIVE HERE, WE PAY OUR TAXES AND WE SUPPORT YOUR INCOME.. WE ARE NOT STAYING QUITE NOR ARE WE SITTING DOWN ANYMORE, YOU HAVE AWAKEN THE BEAST!! ITS TIME WE ARE CALLING THE SHOTS! TIMES UP BANKHEAD! YOUR ALL DONE!!
Fullerton police chief should be charged in delaying and covering up criminal activities by his department. If this was you or I, we will be in the dungeons of this police chief.
Finishing my post from #43, the Fullerton City Counsel were talking out of both sides of their mouths last night because they kept saying because their investigation isn’t done yet they couldn’t say very much, but they knew enough a week or two ago to offer the Thomas family $900,000 and tell them what the FPD did isn’t so bad because Kelly was “No rocket scientist”. It’s ironic Richard Nixon is buried not to far from here because if Watergate taught us anything it’s the cover up that really gets you in trouble. But what people are calling the “Fullerton Six” may be very unfair because some of those officers may have little or no blame for what happened.
Other than facilitation, crowd control, and most important, NOTstopping it. If you have a group of criminals, and only one kills someone, all of them are guilty of murder. At least that’s the rule with us, perhaps if you have a badge, maybe not…
At the least, they’re guilty as accessories before and after the fact, if their reports are sworn to under the penaty of perjury, then perjury for making sure the lies are consistent with the video.
NO CAUSE THEIR DUNGEON IS A MILLION DOLLAR SHOOTING RANGE THAT IS UNDERGROUND!! YET WE DRIVE ON THESE HORRIBLE ROADS EVERYDAY AND BROKEN STREET LIGHTS!! HMM.. SO THATS WHERE ARE DONATIONS WENT HUH?
I support the recall; Throw the bums out, Stop corruption. Yes siding with corrupt police makes you corrupt.
The problem with the Fullerton police can be traced to an evil communistic policing model which they have embraced called COPS (Community Oriented Policing)–the goals of which are NOT to enforce law, but to subvert law in an effort to transform traditional society. COPS isn’t traditional law enforcement, it’s anarchistic and treasonous. Fullerton has adopted this model and you can read more about it here:
http://www.newswithviews.com/community_policing/community_policing.htm
That’s very interesting…guess that’s why they ask citizens to inform on their neighbors, like when they water at the wrong time of day. It’s for the “community”! It’s for our own good!
That’s more or less what the Nazi’s did, had neighbor watching and reporting neighbor. We’re headed in a great direction huh?? It was bound to happen, too many don’t care or vote, and nobody worth voting for, just those chosen by the same people/corporations in our country that want total control to protect their investment
As a former long time California citizen I’m deeply saddened by this heinous beating of Kelly Thomas. My husband and I cried watching the video.
I’m so proud of the Fullerton citizens for doing something and fighting back.
Every single city council member who is dirty and is in bed with the cops needs to be fired and never ever allowed to run for public office again. They should have a scarlet tattoo on their forehead that says I condone beating mentally ill homeless men.
All 6 cops should be tried for murder and put on death row.
Glad somebody had the nerve to stand up.
Tony, if the incumbents go, who are you going to support to replace them?
DONALD DUCK COULD DO A BETTER JOB
HOW ABOUT THIS ONE;
THOSE SCUM ROT IN JAIL TILL THEY DIE OF ANAL RAPE
Is there a full video of the city coucil meeting yesterday evening? If so, where do I find it?
http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/about/meetings_live.asp#bodyTop
The city counsel meeting was streamed live last night. Don’t know if its on Youtube. I remember after everyone spoke about Thomas they moved on to other matters during which the Mayor made a glib ‘Freadian’ slip likening the Thomas speakers to “torture”.
I did not hear that John. When Hee Haw started his jibberish, I left.
After all the emotions, frustration and tears shed by concerned citizens about Kelly…… What does the Mayor think about peoples concerns? He calls it a ‘TORTURE’ to his ears. Look up the entire video of city meeting on city website and fast forward to the part after general public leaves. He says it openly to two ladies, (those ladies had their own grievances and said it was “Educational” to see what the city residents had to say. Mayor replies “Educational…!!!!…it was Torture” .
yeah I heard that too
what a cock jones
Friendly Neighbor, it’s there. I remember thinking the Mayor made a “Freudian” slip.
Nobody has mentioned why Jones is pledging his allegiance to the police. There’s an easy answer. Remember his sexual misconduct toward the female police officer a couple years ago? The police department is holding this incident over his head. He HAS to back them to protect his own ass.
Jones (78) and Bankhead (79) are done. They’re not going to fight the recall at their age. McKinley (70) is a different story. I see him fighting this and of the three, he would be most likely to win a recall.
I’ve been following this blog for about a year. There is no other way to learn whats going on. You guys are the real public servants. I want to know where I can sign up to help the community recall those three status quo defenders. That skin head McKinley is especially irritating to me. As the former Police Chief, McKinley was the one who hired all those thug cops. He and most of his underlings allowed the bar owners to create the dangerous night life in downtown just so they could get free beers and grub from Slidebar and Heroes. McQueball instituted and fostered their culture of descrimination. All that has backfired on the citizens. Recall, Recall, Recall. Power to the People
EDUCATION OR TORTURE?
Can anyone tell me more about the protest Saturday? I thought I saw on facebook 2am at FPD?
Is that right?
Fullerton resident since 58 applaud Whitaker and Quirk-Silva for having more guts than the three stooges but if you are poor or a person og color in the city of Fullerton God help you. Recall the three stooges
I work in the Inland Empire and am curious as to why I see FPD Officers on city owned police motorcycles commuting back and forth to work in uniform on the taxpayers dime Chief Thug care to answer ?
Totally embarrassing. They are too dumb to realize how stupid they look. I guess it’s not surprising since they hired the cops.
So Tony, have you established a PAC number yet and if so where and to whom do we send checks for the recall?
We are working on it and should have it ready today or tomorrow at the latest. Check out the new tab at the top of the blog window or click here: http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/recall/
Very sorry the rules do not allow me to collect signatures, as I am registered to vote in Anaheim, but can I come feed people who are gathering signatures?
Is there a protest this weekend? If so, what day and time?
Tomorrow from 9:00-3:00 in front of the police station.
comment #55 is in responce to # 51
Kelly was just sitting on a park bench. No one saw him breaking into cars. He ran beacuse the police were scary and threatening, and he had schizophrenia. Six police savagely and incessantly hogtied him, slammed his head on the concrete curb, beat him, stomped him, drop kneed his nose and throat, tased him 6 times, and when the taser stopped firing, used the butt end of the taser pistol grip to repeatedly hammer Kelly’s head until blood spurted out all over. Kelly cried for mercy, for God, for his Dad, until he was finally silenced, but the pummelling of his limp carcass continued even after he fell into a coma. The police bragged about their conquest of this defenseless soul the next day and continued to work on patrol up until one month after the killing, only until they were placed on paid leave after Kelly’s dad stood up for his dead son and demanded an investigation. The police chief and DA investigator are good friends and are trying to cover this up and hoping it will all blow over. They should all be fired and put in jail and be made an example that this type of brutal police killing of helpless, defenseless persons should never ever happen again in our civilized society.
Good summation.
If there are any good, decent cops in the Fullerton PD, why aren’t they condemning this horrific killing? Why is the police chief, who condones this gang killing, still in office?
Mayor Inbred Hillbilly needs waterboarding in the worst way…with warm goat piss
Anyone coming from near upland tomorrow to carpool??
The recall falls short. All councilmembers and the city attorney need to be removed. the FPD needs a top to bottom audit and investigation. The citizens of Fullerton need to be more enlightened at election time. We’ve elected too many unqualified councilmembers over the past years.
Where do we sign up for the recall petition.
Nice job Tony! So glad to see someone stand up to these people. Thanks again neighbor…