posted
I agree with your idea that the residents should arm themselves and aggressively protect themselves. In addition, I think aggressive neighborhood policing is in order, meaning that officers on foot should be assigned to the worst areas during the worst times of day/night and car patrols should also be increased.
I would do everything legal to target the criminals and gang bangers. That would include conducting traffic stops (complete with drug dog) on the identified criminals for every minor infraction. I would also add security lighting; install surveillance cameras in the worst areas; and arrest the criminals for EVERY minor infraction. In addition, aggressive prosecution with no plea deals would be the order of the day. The point is to make the point of least resistance elsewhere for the criminals. That's my plan.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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As of the census of 2000, there were 8,689 people, 3,204 households, and 2,223 families residing in West Helena. The population density was 1,956.6 people per square mile (755.6/km²). There were 3,518 housing units at an average density of 792.2/sq mi (305.9/km²). The racial makeup of West Helena is 32.77% White, 65.69% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,204 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 29.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.32.
In West Helena, the population is spread out with 34.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.
The median income for a household in West Helena is $21,130, and the median income for a family was $25,014. Males had a median income of $22,971 versus $17,225 for females. The per capita income for West Helena is $11,234. About 30.9% of families and 35.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.5% of those under age 18 and 27.2% of those age 65 or over.
wow, Individual factors are often used to account for various circumstances, such as whether one is a parent, elderly, a child, married, etc. The poverty threshold is adjusted each year. In 2007, in the United States of America, the poverty threshold for a single person under 65 was US$10,787; the threshold for a family group of four, including two children, was US$21,027.
poverty is defined as having 400$/month or less for a family of four?
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27932 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Propertymanager: I agree with your idea that the residents should arm themselves and aggressively protect themselves. In addition, I think aggressive neighborhood policing is in order, meaning that officers on foot should be assigned to the worst areas during the worst times of day/night and car patrols should also be increased.
I would do everything legal to target the criminals and gang bangers. That would include conducting traffic stops (complete with drug dog) on the identified criminals for every minor infraction. I would also add security lighting; install surveillance cameras in the worst areas; and arrest the criminals for EVERY minor infraction. In addition, aggressive prosecution with no plea deals would be the order of the day. The point is to make the point of least resistance elsewhere for the criminals. That's my plan.
PM, that is a direct quote from every scum bag lying politician who has ever tried to be elected to any office... The second half of your statement anyways. The whole get tough on crime movement we heard so much of in the 80's and 90's was where your comment originated. That movement had nothing to do with crime.. it had everything to do with installing military police in the stead of civil police officers. I'm sure you think you are original. But the problems in that town are puny compared to the danger if they adopt the plan you offer. The plan offered by government. It is a band aid aimed at creating the illusion of security.. aimed at creating the illusion of government prowess. The only answer is for the citizens to protect themselves. This is a much larger situation than you might know.. it is much more important than you know. You likely think of this as just another town with a gang problem.. just one of many.. damn criminals.. bla bla. That is not at all the issue. The issue is the citizens taking a stand and not sitting idly by while government gets their prize. PM it is time for you to start thinking on a larger scale. Do not tell me you know.. do not tell me you already do. Just say nothing and ponder what I've said. Think for a moment that just maybe the founders were right. Think about why they set up a democratic republic and not a democracy. think about why we revolted against Britain many years ago.. Use wikopedia for that one. Think about what our government gains from an educated and powerful citizenry.... Think about how they would thwart that. I'm no lefty. I'm not leading you astray. Though I am leading.
Posts: 1612 | Registered: Aug 2005
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"I would do everything legal to target the criminals and gang bangers. That would include conducting traffic stops (complete with drug dog) on the identified criminals for every minor infraction. I would also add security lighting; install surveillance cameras in the worst areas; and arrest the criminals for EVERY minor infraction. In addition, aggressive prosecution with no plea deals would be the order of the day. The point is to make the point of least resistance elsewhere for the criminals. That's my plan."
_________________________________________________
Would those be the guy's with their hats turned around or just those in the red and black jackets.
We seem to have a different opinion of what that word legal really means.
Posts: 2619 | From: ca. | Registered: Jul 2005
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Don't you want to know what he thinks is legal and how he would decide who to harass? Having read his post, I suspect the courts might take dim view of his "legal", particularly where it might involve any minority. IWISHIHAD probably has it close.......mostly it would be based on whatever the devil he means by a gang banger and criminal and what color hat they wear and which direction they wear it might be more important than what the law says.
Posts: 10357 | From: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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Crime-ridden Arkansas town expands 24-hour curfew
By JON GAMBRELL – 2 days ago
HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. (AP) — Officers armed with military rifles have been stopping and questioning passers-by in a neighborhood plagued by violence that's been under a 24-hour curfew for a week.
On Tuesday, the Helena-West Helena City Council voted 9-0 to allow police to expand that program into any area of the city, despite a warning from a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas that the police stops were unconstitutional.
so they've expanded the program?
in spite of the lawyers warnings?
Among the curfew operation's arrests, 10 came from felony charges, including the arrest of two people carrying both drugs and weapons, Fielder said. The police chief said the officers in the field carry military-style M-16 or M-4 rifles, some equipped with laser sights. Other officers carry short-barrel shotguns. Many dealing crack cocaine and marijuana in the city carry pistols and AK-47 assault rifles, he said.
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27932 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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i always get annoyed when the press starts reporting, and the cops tell them to, that the crooks are strapped with AK-47's...
an AK 47 is a full auto assault rifle.... they are not available except on the black market and while i don't know how much they would cost? used legal full auto's start in the thousands of dollars, not exactly what you expect street dopers to carry... norinco and a couple other co's make "sporter" versions that LOOK like AK-47's but they are not automatic assault rifles...
posted
No, I am not in the business of hunting for and trying to, via rudeness, lies, and hate, intimidate, hoping to dissuade from participation in the election process, anyone that isn't a far right wing republican party first sheep.
You are.
Posts: 10357 | From: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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I'm sure you can offer examples of where I've used " rudeness, lies, and hate" to "dissuade from participation in the election process, anyone that isn't a far right wing republican party first sheep."
Right?
I mean, you wouldn't just make a baseless accusation like that without proof.
Right?
I mean, I must have said something along the lines of this...
I should have known I couldn't expect you to be able to handle such a terribly difficult thing as a second degree implication.
...
(Good thing I didn't open the possibility of considering the effect of voter fraud and racial disenfranchisement too. Hell, that is at least third level.)
.....
ANYBODY THAT ISN'T A REPUBLICAN IS BETTER AND ANYBODY THAT IS A REPUBLICAN IS DANGEROUS.
.....
Understanding what is and isn't wrong is something outside the to limits of comprehension of republicans
I mean, there's no rudeness or hate in anything like those posts. And, I'm sure that they weren't meant to disuade anyone from voting their beliefs if it meant they would vote republican.
Right?
Damn, but you're hilarious, Bdgee. Posts: 681 | From: Utah | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Everything you post is rife with hatred and rudeness. It isn't obvious to you because you are so dedicated to love of the standard republican technique of hatred laced speech you can't or won't see it.
I'm not at all surprised you don't acknowledge (recognize) your bigotry and hate. It is a world you live in. Much as a hog doesn't recognize the stench from the sty, which is the only world he has ever known, you think insulting anyone not of the far right and passing out derogatory labels intended to degrade and stigmatize is an acceptable pastime and and a technique of debate. You can't detect the stench of the republican sty, because you live in it and don't understand that sort of habit is crude and out of place.
Why not keep it among your brethren and stay downwind from polite society?
Posts: 10357 | From: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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Tex...please get better and come back soon. Alot of recent posts are just idiotic attacks on other posters. I pray for your healthy recovery and return.
-------------------- When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross. Sinclair Lewis Posts: 2166 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
The only answer is for the citizens to protect themselves.
quote:This is a much larger situation than you might know.. it is much more important than you know. You likely think of this as just another town with a gang problem.. just one of many.. damn criminals.. bla bla. That is not at all the issue. The issue is the citizens taking a stand and not sitting idly by while government gets their prize. PM it is time for you to start thinking on a larger scale.
This is where we fundamentally disagree. Obviously, we do not want a police state - in fact, I would like the government to be MUCH smaller and much less intrusive! However, if we are to be a nation of law and order, then someone must enforce those laws and that is your local police. In addition, what really matters to the individual citizen is whether THEY are safe. It's nice to think on a large scale, but that is totally irrelevant if you live in the ghetto and your kids are in constant danger of being killed by a drive-by shooter or caught in the cross-fire of a drug deal gone bad. What these people want is a stop to the violence.
This is an issue that I deal with every day. I live in an upper middle-class neighborhood where there is NEVER any crime. I've lived here over 15 years and I am not aware of a single crime that has ever occurred in my neighborhood (not even a small crime such as a stolen bike). It is a safe and quiet place to live.
On the other hand, I work in lower income areas everyday. These areas are often not safe and are certainly not quiet. Crime is an EVERY DAY event. Drug dealers openly walk the streets and do their drug deals basically in the open, selling primarily crack and heroin. Many of the criminals carry guns and people are often injured as a result. For these people, there is no "large scale" thinking. For them, everyday is an exercise in survival and trying to avoid being a victim of some criminal.
There must be a balance somewhere in this equation. A balance between protecting our citizens, while at the same time avoiding a police state. I believe that the plan I outlined is an appropriate plan. It keeps the honest citizen safe and yet does not voilate the constitution.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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No, you outline a police state. You believe that the constitution should only be listened to when convenient. The constitution is not there to get us through the easy times.. but it is there to get us through the hard times. Martial law.. curfews.. These are NOT options in this country. Anyone who thinks they are... are either morons or in on the scam.
Posts: 1612 | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Martial law.. curfews.. These are NOT options in this country.
I didn't advocate martial law or curfews in my plan.
quote:I live in an upper middle-class neighborhood where there is NEVER any crime.
there is no such place
I probably phrased that badly. I should have said... "where there hasn't been a single crime in more than 15 years". The point was to contrast my neighborhood with that of a lower income neighborhood where crime is rampant. Why should lower income people be forced to accept living in unsafe neighborhoods? I don't think they should.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Pagan: Tex...please get better and come back soon. Alot of recent posts are just idiotic attacks on other posters. I pray for your healthy recovery and return.
lol
-------------------- Money Never Sleeps Pal.
Greed, for the lack of a better word is GOOD. Posts: 3884 | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Why should lower income people be forced to accept living in unsafe neighborhoods? I don't think they should.
i agree.
So, Glass, how do you think that these low income people can be protected and yet the constitution can be preserved? If the police aren't going to be involved, I don't know how this can be accomplished.
Posts: 1187 | From: Ohio | Registered: Oct 2007
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how did they get this way PM? how about jobs and education? they don't have either one over there...
you can't just stop anybody and everybody on the street just because they are wherever they happen to be... even the Mayor admits they have opened themselves up to litigation:
"Now if somebody wants to sue us, they have an option to sue, but I'm fairly certain that a judge will see it the way the way the citizens see it here," Mayor James Valley said. "The citizens deserve peace, that some infringement on constitutional rights is OK and we have not violated anything as far as the Constitution."
now? suppose i (borrow and ) hop into an SL550 and drive on over there and begin taking pictures? do you think they'd be willing to risk stopping and searching me?
they won't, because they'd be worried that i actually could afford to sue 'em... they are counting on violating people's rights that can't afford to pursue this...
and you better darn well hope no Judges "overlook" the constitution in this or any other case because that would be the end of the constitution...
instead of asking me about a hypothetical? you should be insisting that the constitution be followed first... cuz next? they'll be taking guns from law-abiding citizens if this just passes thru the system ..
Helena-West Helena, with 15,000 residents at the edge of Arkansas' eastern rice fields and farmland, is in one of the nation's poorest regions, trailing even parts of Appalachia in its standard of living.
this is just across the bridge from Tunica MS.... Tunica has gambling now, maybe they should have casinoes over on the other side of the river too? that way people will have jobs
i can be there in a few minutes... you talk about poor people living in your low rent areas? we have a few dozen counties down here that are 90% low rent... i drove by literally billions of dollars of crops this week, yet this whole region known as the MS Delta is about the largest poor area in the country... the money is here, but the jobs aren't...
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27932 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:Originally posted by glassman: ... i drove by literally billions of dollars of crops this week, yet this whole region known as the MS Delta is about the largest poor area in the country... the money is here, but the jobs aren't...
Crops?
-------------------- Money Never Sleeps Pal.
Greed, for the lack of a better word is GOOD. Posts: 3884 | Registered: Mar 2004
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crops: cotton, rice, corn, soy beans, and some sorghum... as far as the eye can see in all directions.
it's very difficult to get $$ data on production here.
The Arkansas Delta is one of the natural regions of the state of Arkansas. It runs along the eastern border of the state next to the Mississippi River. It is part of the Mississippi embayment, itself part of the Mississippi River alluvial plain. The flat plain is bisected by Crowley's Ridge, a narrow band of rolling hills rising from 250 to 500 feet above the plain and on which many of the major cities and towns lie, including its largest — Jonesboro. The region shares geographic and cultural similarities with the Mississippi Delta region on the other side of the river in Mississippi.
The Arkansas Delta Byways Tourism Promotion Association includes the 15 counties of Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Lee, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, and St. Francis counties.[1] A larger definition of the region includes portions of surrounding counties, particularly Jackson, Prairie, eastern Randolph, eastern White, and Woodruff counties.
The Mississippi Delta is the distinct northwest section of the state of Mississippi that lies between the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. Technically not a delta but part of an alluvial plain, it has been said that The Delta "begins in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel (in Memphis) and ends on Catfish Row in Vicksburg" (various writers have been attributed with composing this memorable line, but often David Cohn is credited with the saying. (David Cohn,"Where I was Born and Raised", 1948) This region, created by regular flooding over thousands of years, is remarkably flat and contains some of the most fertile soil in the world. It includes the following counties: Washington, DeSoto, Humphreys, Carroll, Issaquena, Panola, Quitman, Bolivar, Coahoma, Leflore, Sunflower, Sharkey, Tunica, Tallahatchie, Holmes, Yazoo, and Warren.
The river delta around the mouth of the Mississippi lies some 300 miles south of this area, and is referred to as the Mississippi River Delta.
the Ag production in this Delta region is in the Billions of dollars, yet the area remains one of the most poverty stricken regions in the US.
DELTA AND PINE LAND ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF ACQUISITION BY MONSANTO COMPANY
SCOTT, MISSISSIPPI -- June 1, 2007 – Delta and Pine Land Company (NYSE: DLP) (“D&PL”), a leading commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed, announced today that Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) has completed its acquisition of D&PL for approximately $1.5 billion in cash.
-------------------- Of the People, by the People and For the People. Posts: 27932 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
By T.J. Pignataro NEWS STAFF REPORTER Updated: 08/16/08 8:50 AM
Armed with a battering ram and shotguns, Buffalo police looking for heroin broke down the door and stormed the lower apartment of a West Side family of eight.
The problem is that the Wednesday evening raid should have occurred at an apartment upstairs.
And, that’s only the tip of the iceberg, according to Schavon Pennyamon, who lives at the mistakenly raided apartment on Sherwood Street with her husband, Terrell, and six children.
Pennyamon alleges that after wrongly breaking into her apartment, police proceeded to strike her epileptic husband in the head with the butt end of a shotgun and point shotguns at her young children before admitting their mistake and then raiding the right apartment.
She says she’s left with a broken door, an injured husband, jittery children and — what bothers her most — still no apology from police.
“They know they did something wrong and they were still ignorant,” said the 29-year-old Pennyamon. “At first, I just wanted an apology. Now, because they want[ed] to be ignorant and rude, I have to take it to the next level.”
She filed a report with the department’s Professional Standards Division and also contacted Mayor Byron W.
Brown about the incident. Pennyamon said Friday evening she also has retained a lawyer and intends to pursue legal action.
Police brass acknowledge that officers with the Mobile Response and Narcotics units entered the wrong apartment.
“As the officers were in the lower apartment, one of the detectives reviewed the search warrant application and realized it was for the upper [apartment],” said Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives.
“It appears to be an honest mistake and we certainly apologize to all involved,” added Michael J. DeGeorge, Buffalo police spokesman.
Police declined to comment, however, on Pennyamon’s allegations of assault and other police impropriety. The internal investigation with the Professional Standards Division is now under way to determine exactly what happened.
“We wouldn’t be comfortable discussing the internal investigation,” Richards said. “We can say comfortably that over 1,100 search warrants were executed last year and 580 to date this year and that, with such a high volume and such a fast-paced environment, it is understandable that mistakes could happen.”
Pennyamon remains unconvinced it was a mistake. She says officers told her they had “raided the house before” and she believes they felt entitled to do it again — warrant or not.
“The way they make it seem is ‘we can do whatever we want,’ ” she said.
Pennyamon’s troubled by what she says is an arrogance by police officers and an unwillingness to “serve and protect” those who need it.
“It’s a sad situation. I’ve always looked up to the police. I’ve always expected them to be on my side.”
Pennyamon was called home from her job as a certified nursing assistant at a local health care facility at about 6:30 p. m. Wednesday to find police at her house, her children partially dressed on the porch and her husband — a U.S. Air Force veteran — injured. She said police were rude and unapologetic.
It was a harsh welcome to the neighborhood for the family. They’ve only lived at the apartment on Sherwood Street, on the far West Side just south of West Ferry Street, for two weeks after she says they moved from the East Side to escape crime. Now, Pennyamon said, the family already is looking to relocate again.
“I don’t know what was going on upstairs, but it gives police no right to bust in my doors,” she said. “That’s just ridiculous.”
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