9/4/12 - Today, relatives and friends of Mario Romero, who was shot and killed by Vallejo Police and Joseph Johnson who was badly wounded assembled on the steps of Vallejo City Hall.

Here is almost 30 minutes of coverage.

A lot to look at, and some of it is redundant, but I think it is important for those of us who live here to consider...that regardless of who was right or wrong in this...people in any community have a breaking point. And that point seems very near.

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Anonymous   |September.10.2012
@sexy...

if the men were white, I would feel the same way.

I don't believe anyone is laughing at you. I said I respect your position, but I just don't see it your way. You keep bringing up racism, maybe because you have read one too many racist posts, but, the bottom line is that those men could have been any other color and the results would have been the same.
No felony priors?   |September.10.2012
Re: How do you profess to know when or when not an officer will feel threatened?

Use your common sense.
In the case your common sense is the type that get your friends killed then listen to this. These advices will greatly reduce your chance of being killed by police.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

I hate to sound like a broken record and bring the link up again and again but you did not learn, even from the death of your loved ones. Instead of educating and caring for the people you love on how to interact with police and general public, you are arguing with me here due to
your own confusion about law enforcement and the court of law.

Re: why all the lather about the fact that the person killed by VPD was a felon or had drugs?

I guess part of the reason is because people do not like the way the deceased was described as "murder victim". Murder victim is used for the kind like that woman with unborn twin whom got killed; not this case.

I do not support VPD on all issues but I support them on this one.

I understand you have good intention but please also remember "The road to hell is paved with good intention." Do something that save lives
not leading young people and their family to hell.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.10.2012
@ Anonymous

Im laughing at you too. You blame an innocent man for being shot by the police.

I assume that the lack of empathy for the victim is caused by the racist views of our community. Some people have come out and said they "support" the VPD's actions, and I am saying that there is nothing to support except injustice. So admittedly, I assume that since there is nothing REAL to support about the VPD's action in this situation, that these people are actually just finding ways to "justify" shooting two men, killing one, and only having reason to shoot one.

My
argument rests on the fact that the part of the community that "supports" the VPD's actions in this situation actually can't (and have proved it on this thread) come up with a viable reason why they "support" the actions or specifically what actions. Instead you just hear victim blaming. "They had drugs" "They were in their own car at 4:30 a.m." "Black culture is ruined by rap" All of those reasons blame the victim and doesn't actually support any police action.

So yes, I theorize that the police "supporters" that cannot give an actual example
of what action they support in the situation are experiencing cognitive dissonance. On one hand they would never say it is ok for themselves or a loved one to be shot because someone else pointed a pellet gun at the police at 4:30 a.m. but on that pesky other hand you see that it was a black male who was shot so you find ways to justify it by finding ways to break down the character of the two black men (popular in our culture), and look what people say when the family stands up for themselves and protests:

"They are killing them indirectly by sending out the wrong message, to the family
and to
the AA
community." *victim blaming 101

I wont research every racist post but you get my point. I'm happy you that you actually respond to me. It would help if you answered some of the questions I ask. I only think that you don't because it would prove you a racist, just to be honest. I really hope you take my posts seriously because this isn't "race baiting".

Remember that you can't run away from yourself. Everywhere I go there I am.
Anonymous   |September.10.2012
No one is laughing except you Firebug.
Firebug   |September.10.2012
avatar You speak like you have some experience in these matters. How do you profess to know when or when not an officer will feel threatened? You mention that folks are not killed because they are felons, have drugs, ETC. than why all the lather about the fact that the person killed by VPD was a fellon or had drugs?

See you tonight...LOL!

enragement!
No felony priors?   |September.10.2012
re: Having Police serve as the Judge, Jury and Executioner ...

You are so confused, it is sad.

Police is not acting as judge, jury and executioner.

Let me run this on you one more time:

Police will not kill you because you are a felon.

Police will not kill you because you are selling drugs.

Police will not kill you because you have a gun.

But a police will kill you to protect himself if you use gun or any object that is threatening to him during an encounter.

You talk down on advices given in this video and think they are funny. But these advices save lives. Any of the criminals killed
can still be alive today if they just follow those advices.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

Sadly for you and the like of Sharon McGriff-Payne who are stuck in the 60', and can only feel alive today by engaged in a struggle.

I agree VPD is not all saints. But what you, Sharon McGriff-Payneand the like are doing have nothing to do with civil right movement. You hide behind your skin and explain everything happened to you by your skin color. You are the new black racists.

I can understand fighting for a cause will make you feel energized and living a worthy life But fighting a
wrong cause or imaginary cause will promote more crime and unnecessary deaths and will endanger the lives of others.

It is much more productive to educate the people you care about than protesting for them after they are dead.
Firebug   |September.10.2012
avatar There in is your Achilles heel, the Police are charged upholding the law not executing justice..that is for the courts. Having Police serve as the Judge, Jury and Executioner will promote more civil unrest and will endanger the lives of others.
Anonymous   |September.10.2012
A comedians job is to tell the truth in such a way as to be palatable. Only the court jester could tell the king the real truth; others would just get their heads cut off. I didn't know who Chris Rock was before this video. It should be required viewing in all high schools because it is absolutely true. Look at the words over the door to Vallejo's former City hall (now the museum). If I remember correctly, they say "though they are free, they are never truely free. There is a master over them. It is the law". The law applies to everybody despite all the excuses. The police are charged
with making sure it is enforced. They are not your mom, pastor or teacher.
Firebug   |September.10.2012
avatar Someone that uses Chris Rocks (the comedian) advice for real world issues lives in quite a funny little world. enragement!
No felony priors?   |September.09.2012
@SilasBarnabe

re: Tell that to the poor guy....

Yes,, he is a poor guy because he surrounded himself with people like you, telling him it is ok to run when police asking him to stop; the WORST part is he thought you were his friend and you thought the same.

Obvious, you are too slow to learn. Listen to this one more time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

If he followed those simple instructions, he will be still alive today. Instead, he THOUGHT you were his friend...POOR guy!!
SilasBarnabe   |September.09.2012
@no felony Priors,
Tell that to the poor guy that was gunned down for having a metallic wallet.
Anonymous   |September.09.2012
@memories..."who cares what you think? Apparently, no one cares what you think. It is always interesting when the "OJ Sympathizers" speak. You will never get it. Alas, poor OJ did. Good over evil always wins, don't you know that?

btw, I care.
No felony priors?   |September.09.2012
re: a man was killed with no felony priors.

No felony priors? Is this a badge of honor? Do we need to give him a cookie for being not in jail?

In case you have not figured it out. felony priors, drugs, sitting in a car, will not get you killed.

Using a gun or other object threatening to the police will get you killed.

It is thinking like yours, that they have no felony priors, they are using fake guns, they are JUST hanging out with drug dealers or it is on my own driveway that led to more young people get killed.
Led to the Dump   |September.09.2012
Sharon McGriff-Payne does not have to listen if she can figure out herself.

Unfortunately, judging by the outcome, the "leaders" like her and Osby led the group to the dump.

There is no need to identify yourself with a thug just because you happen to have the same skin color as the thugs. ( I do not consider myself to be the same as group as Hitler or G. Bush. ) This has nothing to do with civil rights. I am against thugs.

Take a listen to this. Telling why AA community is against thugs too and have some laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3PJF0YE-x4
Memories   |September.09.2012
Who cares what you think?! Guy Jarreau was MURDERED by the Vallejo police...Plain and simple! What reason is there for not giving the family of Guy Jarreau the police report?! What do they possibly have to hide, huh?! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...
They're Not Listening/Don't   |September.09.2012
Sharon McGriff-Payne howls that she's not listening nor does she care what other citizens think of the "Black Community". Well fine, then. Have your cake and eat it too. Most of us don't care what Mario's sister or friends of Guy Jarreau are thinking either. We're tired of the crime on our streets, and the never-ending denial from the adults;yourself and Mayor Davis too. Enough is enough. Either start caring, or don't expect interest in your demand for an "outside" investigation.
Silasbarnabe   |September.09.2012
So the Police knew there was drugs and guns beofer they shot and killed? I do not beleive they have X-ray vision to have known that. The truth is a few months ago a man was killed with a no felony priors...and the apologists like yourself called it "suicide by cop". So no matter what any facts are uncovered you poeple will continue to back shootings by the VPD...and that is nuts.
Anonymous   |September.09.2012
After all the rhetoric, at the end of the day what we have is this:

A person on felony probation, with guns and drugs, police checked on him at 4:30 am, he did some foolish move, he was killed.

And you want me to be on your side to support the drug dealer?

you are not only laughable, you are out of your mind. your position pushes more young black men into a death trap.

I may not agree with VPD on all issues but I am behind them 100% on this one.
Silasbarnabe   |September.09.2012
LOL! Yes there is no evidence that the community supported these shootings. As for the tragic murders of the woman and her boyfriend, we will just have to wait for VPD to solve the case....maybe if they werent out shooting everyone that made them scared or raising medical marijuana dispensaries this tragic crime could have been averted.
No Race. No Money.   |September.09.2012
Please "do not bring money into this discussion" just like "do not bring race into this discussion".

We are against thugs, no matter the colors. We expect the VPD will do their job at a agreed upon compensation.
Anonymous   |September.09.2012
Nobody sees any of you sans Garman in public view supporting the real thugs of Vallejo. I suspect that the majority of Vallejo finds no need to march and parade around like a bunch of fools for their police department, feeling they just did what they are paid to do.

You complain about everything PD because they make a good salary. Capoot and Azuar paid the ultimate price of being one. I guess by reading your nonsense, that you feel they were overpaid and should give it back.

Why don't you creep out from the cloak of YOUR anonymity and ask their families for it back.

Yeah, I didn't think
so.
innocent man?   |September.09.2012
Yea, all the outrage and protest for this innocent man hung out with drug dealer at night.

What about the unborn twin that were killed a few days ago by two black men? If anyone is innocent, they are and where is your outrage for them? Are you organizing a protest in front of city hall for them soon?

Protesting against the lack of leadership from our city; protesting against the lack of leadership from the AA community; protesting against Osby for wasting "the position of the mayor" by not coming out and condemn drug, guns and thugs...

If you do care about your friends, your
families, send this link to them :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8
You may save their lives.

There is no good that you arguing they are innocent after they are dead or injured.
silasbarnabe   |September.09.2012
@Old Crusty,
This is laughable...overwhelming support from the community? I believe Firebug was referrign to the referendum process here in California to create laws.....the two men in the car violated no laws, it was only affer they were shot, killed or incapacitated did folks determine there were drugs in the car.

I have yet to see a group of individuals marching in front of VPD showing their support....I suspect the reason is unlike you they cannot hide behind an alias telling the world that gunning down individuals was a just cause.
Old Crusty   |September.09.2012
An innocent man in the car? You mean the innocent man either buying or selling drugs in the middle of the night? That innocent man? I'm sure he had no idea whatsoever that the man he was with had a gun, had drugs, was a local gang banger.

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Stop making excuses, that is exactly what has gotten the AA community into the problem that they have. Again no personal responsibility, and no leadership. (A mayor that is a joke in this community) It's always someone else fault on why our youth are turning out to be thugs and gang bangers. Sorry for the last 30
years I bought that story....not anymore.

Ask yourself the simple questions:

What % of the prison population is AA. What % do they make up of the general population.

What is the high school drop out rate?

What is the out of Wedlock birth rate?

What are the primary role models that AA children have today?

MLK would roll over in his grave to see the gang banger mentality that has been accepted as "main stream" by the leaders in the AA community.

Stop hiding behind the cover of racism. Start holding the "pillars" of your community responsible. Start teaching your
children the fundamentals of a successful life: God, Respect, Education, Dignity, and personal responsibility.

When your family member wants to go out in the middle of the night to buy/sell drugs, or just "hang" with drug dealers, hopefully there can be someone there to explain to them that this is NOT what "we" do. In this case no one was there and there were tragic results. Fixing that end result has nothing to do with the police department and everything to do with fixing your own broken community.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.09.2012
Old Crusty, care to share with me how both of the black men shot displayed these characteristics?

No Personal Responsibility
No Respect for the rule of law
No Respect for human life
No Respect for their families, education, or god. (Whatever god they worship.)

Wouldn't you say the officer displayed the first three of these characteristics when he/she shot an innocent man in the car?
Old Crusty   |September.09.2012
Sexy...deep down as much as you wish it weren't the case you know that I am right.

I don't have to be concerned about being shot as a passenger with a drug dealer. #1 I wouldn't put myself in the position to "hang" with known felons and drug dealers. #2 - I wouldn't be in out in the middle of the night with said thugs.

Don't try and make this out as the innocent victim caught in the crossfire. Again, no personal responsibility.

Call me racist and I suppose I am. Whites, Blacks, Mexicans, Italians, Greeks, Filipino's...yes I am prejudiced against all of them that display the
following characteristics:

No Personal Responsibility
No Respect for the rule of law
No Respect for human life
No Respect for their families, education, or god. (Whatever god they worship.)

I guess I can be painted with a broad stroke of the brush....I hate all Thugs. Yep, I will never approve of them, respect them, or pitty them.
Fed Up   |September.09.2012
You are correct on one thing only, there is plenty of work to be done. But, the big problem here is that it needs to be done at home with you, and with many black and low income families. Until you are willing to admit to a problem and attempt to fix it, whining about racism isn't going to work. The most racist comments I've ever heard in my life come from a black person. Stop playing victim and fix your "community". As you can tell, we are done staying quiet to avoid being called a racist. You've called wolf WAY too many times.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.09.2012
Hey Old Crusty,

Would you expect to be shot if you were with someone who pointed a pellet gun at the police? Would you be ok with your family members being shot because someone else pointed a pellet gun at the police?

This is what Old Crusty posted

"I'm racist against a whole subset of people's. That racism has nothing to do with their color of skin but 100% based upon their lack of family values, lack of respect for life, lack of personal responsibility, and overall lack of
common decency."

This is what it finally has come to. I thought racism was the reason for some of the
community support of the officers actions that night. Just as you cannot explain supporting the officers actions that night without blaming the victims, neither can anyone else who has come out to "support" the officers actions, but at least you came out and voiced your reason. Like many who "support" the officers actions, Old Crusty is a racist.

Racism is here and alive in the city of Vallejo. There is plenty of work to do.
Old Crusty   |September.09.2012
Firebug, no need to submit to a poll. In case you missed this, the Vallejo PD are doing what they are supposed to be doing with overwhelming support from the community. I am sure this chaps your hide, but it is what it is. How many showed up to protest? Out of a city of how many? Exactly, the rest of us where going about our law abiding business not even giving it a second thought.

If another similar situation with street level drug dealing thugs are sitting in a high crime area in the middle of the night with a firearm and drugs and they refuse the officers instructions and give the
officers reason to justify deadly force...well I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. Again the law abiding citizens don't seem to be having these problems. Why is it that just one subset of thugs seem to be having these encounters?

Quit making excuses. This is a cultural AA epidemic that is brought on by there lack of family, god, respect for authority, etc.

Bottom line....convicted felon, middle of the night, firearm, drugs for sale, not following instructions from LEO.

There is ZERO difference in how this was addressed based upon it being a pellet gun. The reason the thug was
carrying the pellet gun was so that his street credibility would be that he was a bad @$$ carrying a gun. He got treated accordingly.

We have gone down the PC route for the last 30-40 years. Hows that working out for the AA community themselves, and for the rest of the community that is negatively impacted by the AA community. Call me racist that is fine. I'm racist against a whole subset of people's. That racism has nothing to do with their color of skin but 100% based upon their lack of family values, lack of respect for life, lack of personal responsibility, and overall lack of
common decency.
Anonymous   |September.09.2012
You're the funny one. Police are suppose to patrol the streets, especially the ones with high crime rates. That is their job. If you are dumb enough to be on felony probation for having a gun and decide to carry a fake gun, then be ready for the consequences.

You screwballs whine over prostitution and wonder where the police are. Then you high five yourselves when over 20 illegal, unregulated marijuana shops open up in Vallejo all the while chasing away legal, job/revenue providing businesses away.

Sick.
Firebug   |September.09.2012
avatar LOL!
Your rant reminds me of the old Zodiac letter. Maybe we should all wear nice Zodiac buttons so he will stop killing us.

This whole ordeal has become quite psychotic, are you saying in order to stop police killings we should not sit in a car in front of our house at four thirty in the morning or you will get shot, and people like some on this board will approve such a killing? If so why not submit a proposition for a vote?
Old Crusy   |September.09.2012
Members of the AA community.....why don't you fix your problem? Instead of raising generations of dis-respectful chip on their shoulder anti-police, pro rapper, entitled thugs, give them something that they can actually use. Something that will break the cycle that just continues to destroy your community.

It's Sunday morning, there are numerous church services happening today. Take advantage of them.

Tomorrow, Monday, wake early. Feed your children a healthy breakfast, take them to school and encourage them to do their best. That being said, school is NOT daycare. When they get home
sit down and do their homework with them, help them to learn. Give them love. Turn off the hate filled rap that has been filling there ears with a false sense of reality.

Get to work. The government is not going to fix the problems in your community, you are. As evidenced by this thread many do not like the way the government deals with your problems. Don't give them the opportunity to deal with it. YOU deal with it before more of your youth take the same path that these thugs did.

Stop blaming others, we are tired of it. It worked for the last 40 years, know we have become
desensitized to your plight. The death of this young man can directly be attributed to his family, community, and upbringing. Stop the cycle.
Firebug   |September.09.2012
avatar @sexy
Good point "blame the victim". Any one else remember the Cheney incident where the media and some in the public expected an apology from the victim when in fact it was Dick Cheney that shot him in the face? I suppose the deceased family owe an apology to the Police?
Fed Up   |September.09.2012
Hey, Five by police-

Funny that you picked an isolated sentence from my post to respond to, in your quest to blame the police department. The officers are forced to deal with a large number of cognitively impaired, borderline retarded young men, with low IQs, and a very narrow view of the world, running around with guns, or fake guns that look real. You've left out another stat, people who were shot and injured.....happens all of the time. Until you stop deflecting responsibility, and start taking responsibility, the problem is just going to get worse. YOU are to blame, and way you parent
or don't parent your children.
Not the Same   |September.09.2012
You are totally stupid to put police killing thugs number with thug killing other people number together.

In one case 2 black thugs killed a woman with unborn twin and the other case a police killed a drug dealer on felony probation.

How can you put the two numbers together? Totally misleading.
16 killings - 5 by police   |September.09.2012
"Do you get angry when a young black man is killed by a gangbanger? On a weekly basis here lately? Decimating our
quality of life and turning this city into a ghetto. You are pathetic."

There have been 16 killings in Vallejo in 2012, about 1/3 killed by police.

"The deaths bring the number of homicides in Vallejo this year to 16. Five of those involved officer-involved shootings that are still under investigation."

http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_21497326/vallejos-slain-mom-pregnant-twins
Anonymous   |September.08.2012
@Sexy...I didn't miss your post. I don't agree with you, so let's see what the investigation bears out.

@Silas....you have some issues. Officer Capoot was shot dead doing what you suggested. I rather have the bank robber dead and you rather dance on the dead officer's grave.
Fed Up   |September.08.2012
People who angrily defend the entitled scum that are trashing this city are a very severe form of ignorant. Constantly deflecting responsibility for your own choices and actions is the reason why your children are playing "gangsta" and carrying guns. Real or not. Even when you are too lazy to actively raise your children, they are watching and listening to everything. You are the cause of this problem, the police are forced to react. Then you have the audacity to blame them. Do you get angry when a young black man is killed by a gangbanger? On a weekly basis here lately? Decimating our
quality of life and turning this city into a ghetto. You are pathetic.
Another Protest?   |September.08.2012
Are we going to have another protest in front of city hall for the injustice done to the 4 people killed in S. Vallejo by two black thugs? 2 of the victims are unborn twins. Talk about bad association. They do not even have a choice. This is total injustice.

Protest against the city leaders who are not doing enough to protect the innocent and the unborn. The city leaders who do not take a stand on event like this. The city leaders who do not condemn drug, gun, and violence. The police department that do not make us feel safe in our city..
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.08.2012
@ EVERYONE

Check out what Public Announcement says

"As far as why the second person was injured without a gun. Use some common sense and pick your friend carefully."

Perfect example of victime blaming.

The sad part is that you actually believe it is the innocent black mans fault for getting shot by the police because someone else pointed a gun at the police.

If you believe so much in personal responsibility why don't you hold the officer accountable here? At the very least why not say, "That officer needs target practice"? No, you blame the innocent man. Sick
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.08.2012
Hey Anonymous, maybe you missed my last post to you

Here is the most important part

I assume that the lack of empathy for the victim is caused by the racist views of our community. Some people have come out and said they "support" the VPD's actions, and I am saying that there is nothing to support except injustice. So admittedly, I assume that since there is nothing REAL to support about the VPD's action in this situation, that these people are actually just finding ways to "justify" shooting two men, killing one, and only having reason to shoot one.

My argument rests on
the fact that the part of the community that "supports" the VPD's actions in this situation actually can't (and have proved it on this thread) come up with a viable reason why they "support" the actions or specifically what actions. Instead you just hear victim blaming. "They had drugs" "They were in their own car at 4:30 a.m." "Black culture is ruined by rap" All of those reasons blame the victim and doesn't actually support any police action.

So yes, I theorize that the police "supporters" that cannot give an actual example of what
action
they support in the situation are experiencing cognitive dissonance. On one hand they would never say it is ok for themselves or a loved one to be shot because someone else pointed a pellet gun at the police at 4:30 a.m. but on that pesky other hand you see that it was a black male who was shot so you find ways to justify it by finding ways to break down the character of the two black men (popular in our culture), and look what people say when the family stands up for themselves and protests:

"They are killing them indirectly by sending out the wrong message, to the family and to
the AA
community." *victim blaming 101

I wont research every racist post but you get my point. I'm happy you that you actually respond to me. It would help if you answered some of the questions I ask. I only think that you don't because it would prove you a racist, just to be honest. I really hope you take my posts seriously because this isn't "race baiting".

Remember that you can't run away from yourself. Everywhere I go there I am.
Public Announcement   |September.08.2012
As far as why the second person was injured without a gun. Use some common sense and pick your friend carefully.

If any suggestions by a non-black person are considered racist remark then take a listen to this public announcement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

He is black but he is not a thug.

There is no need to support a thug just because he happens to have the same skin color as you.
silasbarnabe   |September.08.2012
avatar LOL! Your paranoia expands, I am not black, but I do understand our Nations laws and however you want to slice and dice it, it stinks.
Anonymous   |September.08.2012
Don't hide behind your skin color and explain everything happened to you because you are black.

After all the emotion, at the end of the day what we have is this:

A person on felony probation, with guns and drugs, police checked on him at 4:30 am, he did some foolish move, he was killed.

He is NOT a victim.
silasbarnabe   |September.08.2012
avatar LOL! @Anonymous Why would anyone in the U.S. assume someone is innocent? Have you ever heard of "presumed innocent until proven guilty"? You need a basic civics lesson of our countrys rule of law.

Having the Police be Judge, Jury and Executioner should not be looked at so whimsically. Upholding the law is a hard job, and Police work can be dangerous which is acknowledged when they take the oath to serve and protect. Shooting first and asking questions later breeds social unrest, and if you havent noticed look at recent activities in Anaheim.
Brandish?   |September.08.2012
" provoked the police by brandishing a fake gun"

bran·dish - To wave or flourish (a weapon, for example) menacingly.

As far as I know, no official statement has been made about the pellet gun. It may have been in the car, in Mr Romero's waistband, or even in his hand.

Why exactly would someone confronted by a police officer draw a toy gun on that police officer? Suicide? Hard to make sense of it.

The gun may have been in his waistband, but a black object hanging from a mans pants could be any number of tools, wallets, pouches, other accessories. The police officers view would
also have been obscured by the open car door. Past controversial shootings have involved claims that the victim was just reaching for their waste band, no weapon being found after the shooting. So the pellet gun may not be important in this case. The question being should police fire on people without a weapon in their hands based on their perceived reaching for something.
Anonymous   |September.07.2012
Just know this sexymeyersmiliasbrown.

My black brothers, my Latin brothers and my white brothers from Vallejo will not tolerate violence and mayhem that threaten our young children and our old people.

Period.

We don't care how much time you spend here posting your C- writing assignments. We will have peace and security in our town and fight until it is achieved.

God Bless and get behind good men and support them.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.07.2012
@ Anonymous

"if I thought the Vallejo police were out hunting down and killing
black men."

That is a far far far leap from my point. Someone got shot for being in a car with someone who allegedly pointed a pellet gun at the officer(s). How can you pretend that you would be ok with you, your kid, nephew or neighbor being shot because someone else had a gun and now is looked at as collateral damage by the community? Seriously, answer that for me.


"But, you are doing exactly what you are accusing the VPD and anyone that doesn't agree with you of being racist. Now, I ask
you...doesn't that make you a racist too?"

No Anonymous that doesn't make me a racist. I assume that the lack of empathy for the victim is caused by the racist views of our community. Some people have come out and said they "support" the VPD's actions, and I am saying that there is nothing to support except injustice. So admittedly, I assume that since there is nothing REAL to support about the VPD's action in this situation, that these people are actually just finding ways to "justify" shooting two men, killing one, and only having reason to shoot one.

My argument rests
on the fact that the part of the community that "supports" the VPD's actions in this situation actually can't (and have proved it on this thread) come up with a viable reason why they "support" the actions or specifically what actions. Instead you just hear victim blaming. "They had drugs" "They were in their own car at 4:30 a.m." "Black culture is ruined by rap" All of those reasons blame the victim and doesn't actually support any police action.

So yes, I theorize that the police "supporters" that cannot give an actual example of what action
they support in the situation are experiencing cognitive dissonance. On one hand they would never say it is ok for themselves or a loved one to be shot because someone else pointed a pellet gun at the police at 4:30 a.m. but on that pesky other hand you see that it was a black male who was shot so you find ways to justify it by finding ways to break down the character of the two black men (popular in our culture), and look what people say when the family stands up for themselves and protests:

"They are killing them indirectly by sending out the wrong message, to the family and to the AA
community." *victim blaming 101

I wont research every racist post but you get my point. I'm happy you that you actually respond to me. It would help if you answered some of the questions I ask. I only think that you don't because it would prove you a racist, just to be honest. I really hope you take my posts seriously because this isn't "race baiting".

Remember that you can't run away from yourself. Everywhere I go there I am.
Anonymous   |September.07.2012
@ sexy...sorry, I was reading about the murders of the young couple and their unborn twins in South Vallejo.

Why are you assuming the men were innocent? The man that was shot and lived obviously wasn't shot fatally so your theory of rogue police doesn't wash. Why not just kill him and leave no witness? Wasn't he shot in the rear or hip? I am inclined to let the investigation of the shooting speak for itself. I would be the first one to stand with you and I am sure quite a few "closeted racists" would too, if I thought the Vallejo police were out hunting down and killing
black men.

The two men were not innocent. This is my opinion and is not motivated by the fact that they were black, but what has been printed in the newspaper so far and some of those pictures that have been posted of the deceased.

As far as the city being sued, I would have to say for what? No doubt a claim will be made. I have to say most people I know don't think like you. Your court room scenario is kind of lame. If the investigation bears out that the police killed the man in cold blood, there won't be a trial, the claim will be paid and the officers will be fired and arrested.
But, if the investigation bears out that the deceased provoked the police by brandishing a fake gun and that there were drugs in the vehicle then the case is closed and the deceased has no one to blame but himself.

I respect your passion, I really do. But, you are doing exactly what you are accusing the VPD and anyone that doesn't agree with you of being racist. Now, I ask you...doesn't that make you a racist too?

I was speaking about my own personal experience in front of my house when I posted about cars sitting outside my house, not this particular case.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.07.2012
@ Anonymous

You are right when you say "two black men were not murdered" because only one of the black men died. Two black men were shot, and im almost sure that the victim who didn't die is going to take the stand when the city of Vallejo gets sued.

"they are more than likely talking loudly and playing loud music."

There you go talking about things you don't actually know. What we do know is that there were two black men shot and only one gun was found. Certain parts of our community arent outraged because they are closet racists. I'm worried about crime too, wherever
it is and me worrying about police misconduct is worrying about crime. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" - MLK the great . . . Take that, and ill stay on my high horse until you all who support the police pull of your white hoods and expose yourselves. No matter what color you are.

If you were with someone who pulled a gun on a cop would you expect to be shot?

Why do you support the police shooting two black men when only one pulled the gun?

There are no sides to take when there is a victim involved, or when injustice occurs. There is only a wrong actor and a
victim. The police acted wrong when they shot two black men. Period.

Imagine being in a court room and being the lawyer defending the police shooting two black men but finding one gun. What would you say to the judge and jury? "But they were out at 4:30 in the morning" or "But one of the black men had a gun" or "rap music has ruined the black culture". All of those arguments sound just as ridiculous to me as they would a judge. I want to know why all of you use those same arguments to justify the police shooting two people for one gun.
know vallejo   |September.07.2012
i would like to address one of the points people are talking about concerning this issue. people keep indicting anyone that is on the street at 4:30 a.m. my husband is a fisherman. quite frequently he is up at that time and is one of those people that is hyperalert about our street and what's going on there. the man across the street is a longshoreman and is often up and about at that time. another neighbor delivers fresh produce to small, local grocery stores. he, too, is awake and moving around his property. there are many legitimate reasons that decent folk are up, looking out their
windows at 4:30 a.m. that, in and of itself, is not suspicious behavior. just sayin'...
Anonymous   |September.07.2012
@ Silas

You should be disgusted that a Vallejo PO lost his life and had not drawn his weapon.

If you are told by the police to do something and you act like you are going for a weapon, then hell yes, VPD shoot first and ask questions later. It is unreal that someone who has been here as long as you would think that it is okay to disobey a police officer. Did the guy with the wallet run from the PO? Was he speeding through the downtown? i.e. did he break the law??

I don't know, perhaps that is what you want, another dead officer. Would that make you feel better? You know, kind of
even the score? You hate. You can't see beyond your own prejudices against the police and their compensation, but I bet you would be the first one to call 911 if you had to.

And what is wrong with talking about race? Does that scare you? Maybe here everybody agrees with you and you can get away with calling people "apologists" or "race baiters", but to anyone looking from the outside in you sound like a fool and a hypocrite.
Anonymous   |September.07.2012
@ sexy...I hate to break it to you, but 2 black men were not murdered by the VPD. You can sit here all day tomorrow too and it is not going to change that fact. BTW, blacks have a HUGE tendency to be highly racist too, you know and while you are sitting on top of your high and mighty chair, you may want to get a reality check to the fact that "we all" don't think that these men were murdered, either. Do you know why there is no outrage? People are tired of Vallejo crime, period.

If someone, anyone, is sitting out or near my house at 4am in the morning, they are more than
likely talking loudly and playing loud music. I work and I need my sleep. I don't give a rat's butt what color you are. You need to get to stepping or the police will be called.
Silasbarnabe   |September.07.2012
From my perspective interim chief kreins is as out of touch as his predecessor. Saying that the his presentation was for the press only and running away from the victims family was embarrassing.
Anonymous   |September.07.2012
A good example of cognitive dissonance is the black community sitting in silence, anguished over the exploding murder rate of black on black crime. We all are anguished over the situation and no one knows what to do about it.

Then, when one of these poor misguided youths who have adopted the failed black street culture finally has a gun confrontation with the police and looses his life, the black community explodes in a fit of rage. That rage, dread, guilt, anger, embarrassment is a result of the cognitive dissonance between the passive acceptance of the black street culture and the ultimate
reality of the consequences that result from the culture.

Black people are smart, they know this rap generation is headed no where but the grave and they do not know how to save their children. Blaming the police or the "white man" is simply and desperate attempt at deflection of responsibility.
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING MONDAY 6   |September.07.2012
The AD HOC Public Safety Committee was rescheduled to MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10 630PM.

IT SHOULD BE A VERY INTERESTING MEETING

PRESENTATION BY INTERIM POLICE CHIEF JOSEPH KREINS REGARDING
EXPERIENCE WITH CITIZENS REVIEW BOARDS
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.07.2012
@ Racial? and ALL OTHER POLICE APOLOGISTS that currently experience cognitive dissonance

Definition of Cognitive Dissonance- the term used in modern psychology to describe the discomfort felt by a person seeking to hold two or more conflicting cognitions (e.g., ideas, beliefs, values, emotional reactions) simultaneously. In a state of dissonance, people may feel surprise, dread, guilt, anger, or embarrassment The theory of cognitive dissonance in social psychology proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance by altering existing cognitions, adding new ones to
create a consistent belief system, or alternatively by reducing the importance of any one of the dissonant elements.[

"people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance by altering existing cognitions, adding new ones to create ... or alternatively by reducing the importance of any one of the dissonant elements"

what elements are you reducing the importance of here? I'm sure you believe that two black men are human beings and deserve justice, whatever their actions be . . . right?
Firebug   |September.07.2012
avatar What kind of paranoid is awake and looking out their window to see who is in front of their house at 4:30 in the morning?
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.07.2012
@ Racial?

You said to Firebug:

Quote 1
"I care about behavior, not the skin color."

Quote 2
"I look at actions, not color."

Quote 3
"If you have a son, who is on felony probation, and he is still dealing drugs and dealing it in front of your house"

BUT you said this to me:

Quote4
"If I saw two men (either white, Asian,
Latino or black) sitting in a car close to my house (or on my driveway)at 4:30 am in the morning, I will be concerned."

Quote 3 is much different from quote 4. What changed your tone? You must have been dangerously close to exposing
yourself and your intentions here because "sitting in a car close to MY house" and "dealing drugs in front of" THEIR own house is two completely different things. Both of which shouldnt lead to two people being shot by police.

So I guess I have the same questions. When are you going to show that you actually live up to quote 1and 2? I'll bet the house on never, because that is the same, lame ol' "i'm colorblind" or "I have black friends" excuse to justify injustices done to black people. Why are you so quick to back the police when we know their actions were
wrong that morning?

Racial?'s next post should look like this

From reading your post, I can see there are two things that bothers you:

1."because that is the same, lame ol' 'i'm colorblind' or 'I have black friends' excuse to justify injustices done to black" There is no proof that I only judge people by actions or behavior, and that alone doesn't make this a non race issue.

2. "Why are you so quick to back the police when we know their actions were wrong that morning?" because, its not that Racial? (and other community members) want to side with police this time. Most
would say that they used excessive force, but what people will do is turn their backs on and even put BLAME on the victims here because they and their families are BLACK.

Ill be here all day folks!
Racial?   |September.07.2012
@sexymeyersmiliasbrown

First of all, I want to say this is a tragedy for anyone to die so young. I am sure it is a pain for his friends and family.

From reading your post,I guess there are two things that bothers you:

1. Why did police check on them at all? It must be because they are black.
2. Why did police shoot TWO instead of one because there was only one gun?

For Q1. Police did not just check on any two black men sitting in a car. The important detail missing in your argument is it was 4:30 in the morning in a neighborhood of high crime.
If I saw two men (either white, Asian,
Latino or black) sitting in a car close to my house (or on my driveway)at 4:30 am in the morning, I will be concerned. I sure will like VPD to check it out to see what they are doing out there. I am concerned because this is out of ordinary so looks suspicious. I assume the police took on it as their duty (it is)to investigate suspicious activities while they were patrolling the street at night, they saw something suspicious so they wanted to see what is going on. I consider the initial investigation is completely reasonable and not just because "2 black men sitting in a car".

For
Q2. From the initial check up to the end of shooting is the period of contention. I do not know the details just like you do not. I can only speculate what might have happened that led to the injury of the second person. I am sure you have heard from your friends before that someone got shot but was not intended target. I assume this could be similar to that.

Ok, I have said all I want about this case and I wish you peace.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.06.2012
@ racial?

You said to Firebug "I care about behavior, not the skin color."

Compare the behavior of VPD to the two men that were shot. Can you even tell me anything about the behavior of the two men that made police initiate contact? Being black in a car?

The fact is you don't know ANYTHING about the two victims behavior, but we do know that the police found one pellet gun but they shot TWO people.

If both of the men were both holding and pointing the same pellet gun at the same time, then there would be reason to shoot them. Far fetched. Or maybe there will be another JFK
style "magic bullet" theory! I cant wait to hear this.

So my question to you Racial? is if you know NOTHING about the behavior of the men up to the point of contact with police, but you do for an actual fact know that the police shot TWO people and killed one and found one pellet gun, what behavior are you backing?

Wait here is a great one, straight from you, "I look at actions, not color."

You are a joke
Racial?   |September.06.2012
@Anonymous

re: Black and brown children are failing at public schools in frightening numbers.

Is this any surprise? Many of the young kids look up to rappers as their role model. And rap music is about drug, sex, fast money and gun; not about being an good student or hard working individuals.

Then look at the families: The mother, the father, the sisters...

This current event and this video can give you many hints as where the problems are.

Let me ask you this:

If you have a son, who is on felony probation, and he is still dealing drugs and dealing it in front of your house; then,
one day, he got shot by police at 4:30 am in the morning with drugs and gun with him. (no matter the details of what happened) What will be your response?

If it was my son. I will be hiding my face in shame. It is a disgrace to the family. I will think to myself that I told him not to deal drug anymore but he did not listen to me and now this get him killed....

Now, look at what this family did! PROTEST!! Is there any sense of wrong doing on their own part? I did not see it.

With this kind of family, who needs enemy? I have no doubt they are loving family members but what they did is
completely destructive to their young. They are killing them indirectly by sending out the wrong message, to the family and to the AA community.

Any doubt their students are failing?
VPD Rules   |September.06.2012
Sure has been quiet in my neighborhood the last few days. Local corner dweller is gone, not as many sirens. Maybe they are sending a message. If so, keep it up.
Silasbarnabe   |September.06.2012
OMG Firebug!
You have enraged some and started a dialogue of race here at VIB. Some of these posts have you as a youthfull African American, I am interested as to what ethnicity you identify yourself as. For now I am disgusted there are seven police homicides most of which involved victims that were not armed with lethal weapons ( unless the terrified posting here consider a wallet a lethal weapon). Sorry to the law and order fellas but the police add their own homicides to the overall city homicides so begging the question if a city is judged by such homicides is it a good thing that VPD
killed 7 people?

I have lived here for nearly fifty years and have never seen this kind of reality from the VPD so I am open to opinions from race batters and racists alike as to why all the killing now.
Anonymous   |September.06.2012
@ Fire Bug What makes you right? I tutor 2 young Hispanic girls twice a week. I live in a diverse neighborhood with black kids, Hispanic and, OMG, white. This incident is not the racial one you are trying to make it. And, I am pretty sure I mingle with a whole lot more people of color that don't feel the need to sell drugs and carry look-alike guns, than you, every day.

I suspect people are tired of you and your ilk, because that is what you are, calling those that disagree with SOME of your mantra, apologists. WTF? Hit a raw nerve? Good grief, you wish you had that much power.
You don't.
Anonymous   |September.06.2012
Black and brown children are failing at public schools in frightening numbers. Is it any wonder they end up on the streets with their pants down around their ankles and a gun tucked in the waist band of their underwear? The black community is its own worst enemy.
Racial?   |September.06.2012
@Firebug

I look at actions, not color.

You look at color not actions.

Unfortunately, being black does not save you from being a racist.

And this is often, whenever AA community is mentioned, the discussion ends up.

As you aptly demonstrated here, highjacked by well meaning black racist to a dead end.
WTF   |September.06.2012
You race baiters are horrible, horrible people. And the people you harm the most, are the very people you claim to represent. While you exploit and provoke them. It's very sad. Most of us are not afraid of the black, ghetto, thug "culture", we are sickened by it. As are MANY decent, educated, hardworking black people. I'm sure they despise it the most. You should not be defending it, you should be trying to save your young men from it. The police are not your enemy. You are your own worst enemy. It's happening weekly in places like Vallejo, Oakland, Chicago.....and 99% of the time
it's black men killing black men. Where is your outrage when those boys are killed?
Firebug   |September.06.2012
avatar LOL!

I have hit a sore nerve about race in this community with some of the Caucasian majority. So many apologists for VPD, Michael Richards, and fear and loathing. You fellows cant see the Forrest from the trees. Are you that terrified of our youth here? Why is it OK to wish death on people with force as described by witnesses, and then characterize your rationale because you were victims of crimes. Hate and Fear are closely related cousins...
Vallejo Fan   |September.06.2012
So many judges! The Officers feared for their lives when the suspect reached for his gun. You all act as if they should have waited for muzzle flash before shooting. Anonymous said "wild west" and my police depart?? How about supporting "your" police department and trusting they are doing what is right despite opposition from haters. I watched the Rev on the front steps of the PD steps. Who does he think he is? He is trying to hard to act as if he is Martin Luther King reincarnated without his true objectives. This guy is just as racist as he claims the VPD is...really
the
"Black woman created life"?? what scripture is that Rev. wanna be?? Last time I checked God created man in his image...great job VPD glad you are safe and I appreciate you...
Racial?   |September.06.2012
@Firebug

I care about behavior, not the skin color.

I was listening to Mchelle Obama DNC Speech 2012 ( no matter if you agree with the party or not) talking about her and Obama's upbringing. I would welcome Michelle's father or Obama's grandma living next door to me. But I do not want a drug dealer (whatever color) selling drug in my neighborhood 4:30 in the morning.

Since you mentioned AA community, What is the general view regarding rapper in AA community? Personally I think it is a bad influence because so many young kids looking up to them.

There is no deny that there are racism
out there but I believe most residents here care more about the behavior.
Anonymous   |September.06.2012
btw, Michael Richards rant was part of a comedy act that was in poor taste. The man is not a racist. And, who, besides you, are calling them role models?

I was carjacked down by City Park a few years back by a black man with a knife. I was born and raised here on the West side which was always racially diverse. I am white. My experience did not make me a racist, it made me aware. This man was a gang banger and a criminal and the police did their job. It's unfortunate that the deceased made the choices that he did, but I am not interested in seeing flags flying at half mast because another
police officer got caught looking instead of shooting. I suspect that most of the city does not either.
Anonymous   |September.06.2012
@Firebug

Why don't you ask Officer Capoot? Azuar? That's right, you can't. This was not a "profiled" shooting nor were the others and it is irresponsible for you to say that it is.

Let there be an independent investigation and still that will not shut your hate up. You're part of an interesting minority of people in Vallejo. Do you feel special?
Firebug   |September.06.2012
avatar @racial,
And you you make the statement that "entertainers" are not your role models, many a nonentertainer has behaved badly. Why make this racial and limit it to black role models?
Racial?   |September.06.2012
@Firebug

Forgot to mention.

Entertainers, even with big money, are not my role models.
WhereIsTheMayor   |September.06.2012
Hey Osby, time to put your bigboy pants on and DO SOMETHING! YOU gave VPD raises in Bankruptcy while PRAYING for Vallejo to get better instead of actually DOING anything. Here we are. Get out of your office with the other fake preachers and get to work. You put yourself in quite a spot. That's what happens when you play with fire, you WILL get burned. Bet you wish you had a gay person to blame. It's ok Mayor, Vallejo doesn't hate you, we just hate how you DON'T do your JOB and I would bet your God isn't too thrilled with it either.
Racial?   |September.06.2012
@Firebug

re: Like it or not this unfortunate situation is racial and and a dialogue between the African American Community and the VPD is long overdue.

I do not have objection of dialogue. I am interested in knowing what AA community like to see VPD do.

The statistics may appear to be racial but I do not think the event is racially motivated.

I am not black, I was traffic stopped by VPD before. VPD was out doing their job. Making sure the safety of law abiding citizens. They checked on some suspicious activities, the suspects made some foolish move and got killed. The suspects happen
to be black and VPD did find drugs and gun in the car afterward.

After you tell us what you like to see VOD do can you also let us know if you have any idea on what AA community should do to improve the situation?
Firebug   |September.06.2012
avatar @Anonymous,
Like it or not this unfortunate situation is racial and a dialogue between the African American Community and the VPD is long overdue. By and large many in the AA community do not trust the Police here in fact many young people across all racial lines do not trust the VPD.

If you want to keep race out of this discussion you might want to lead by example as many role models behave badly. From Mel Gibsons drunken rants to Michael Richards of Seinfeld fames racial attacks.
Memories   |September.06.2012
Yes, something had to give, but not their generous salaries! Smile! Yes, that is LAZY! Now, how accurate you think those police reports are, huh?! Guy Jarreau was MURDERED by the Vallejo police! Why do you think they refuse to give Guy Jarreau's mother the police report?! Cover up!!! Call the Department of Justice!!! And, by all means, send them a California Public Records Act Request!!! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...Smile!
Anonymous   |September.06.2012
@Firebug

Why are you turning this into a race discussion?

Anyone behave foolishly(whatever color) with police will have a higher probability of getting killed.

Unfortunately, many role model of black young men behave badly. Some of these role models got killed themselves but not by police.
Firebug   |September.06.2012
avatar @seeding This is a simple exercise in stereotyping and socialization models we have here in the US. You say you feel safer on the streets without these two, but for those who look and dress similar to the victims of the Police shootings the reality is becoming markedly different.

One cannot ignore that nearly 22 percent of Vallejo per the 2010 census is African American 21 percent Filipino, and 23 percent Latino. I am certain that you must be part of the 33 percent Caucasian population which might explain why you feel safe when the Police Department shoots and kills certain segments of
the population. The question for everyone is, when does anyone really feel safe when we are caught between profiled alleged criminals and a professional armed Police force that has decided to act as Judge Jury and Executioner on so many occasions?
Seeding Doubt Foolishly   |September.06.2012
Memories appears to have a short one. The reports are outsourced because of personnel cuts within the department. Something HAD to give, and instead of using sworn officers to do reports, the task was sent to a more cost efficient source. It's neither laziness as you state, nor any other ulterior motive. Duh. Secondly, Guy Jarreau was a thug. I've seen the video where he brandishes the gun stating that he "don't play", all full or macho bragging and street thuggery. Just like Mario Romero, our streets are safer without them. They both fancy themselves as tough-a$$ bad guys. Well, guess
what? The Vallejo Police "ain't playin" either. I've seen the video put up on youtube by Mario. He, too, has nothing positive to bring to this community. Total thug. While his family will certainly mourn his passing, the rest of the community will not. Enough of the thug and gangster image. We're done with it.
Memories   |September.05.2012
FYI: The Valleo police officers don't write their own police reports?! Why?! According to an article entitled, "Vallejo Police Outsource Report Writing" (published on September 29, 2009), the police department is now using a transcription service based in Tennessee--(Nashville-McLintock Transcription and Consulting Services) to write up its police reports. The reports are dictated into a digital audio file then sent via a secure connection to Nashville-McLintock, where retired law-enforcement officials write them up. (Are they that LAZY?! Who's to say that those reports are
accurate?! Smile...And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...)
Memories   |September.05.2012
To the family: Please, don't RUN anywhere! You STAND and FIGHT for justice for your love one! The Vallejo police officers think they are above the law and can't make any mistakes! They shoot and then hide behind their badges for protection! That's right, call the Department of Justice so they can see the CORRUPTION that's going on within the Vallejo Police Department and with the District Attorney's Office! The family of Guy Jarreau NEVER received the police report! His case is NOT "under investigation/review" so, where is the letter the District Attorney, Don du Bain, says the
citizens can have that gives information on the findings?! They are LIARS!!! They need to be held accountable for their actions! They are NEVER wrong?! They are ALWAYS right?! Please!!! "The suspect pointed a gun," "The suspect motioned to his/her waistband," "The officers feared for their lives," etc...The same old line(s) just to cover their tracks! It's a SCRIPT!!! Smile!!! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues (Call the Department of Justice...ASAP!!!)
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
@ Silas If you hate Vallejo so much and the police, get the hell out. Your rhetoric is old and tired. If the police just let the drug dealers deal (like your sacred MJ stores), pillage and murder, you'd be saying the same old crap. You can not have it both ways. You're sick to think that you can so stick to your whining about the compensation of city employees. At least in that argument you have some semblance of sanity.

The police were right. If you have a weapon or a look-alike weapon you are going to be dead. Let the Justice Department investigate and let the sister go back to
Fairfield.
Enabler   |September.05.2012
@Firebug

Re: Fake gun

"Does it really make sense that these men would be using such a weapon if they were involved in the dangerous business of selling drugs in a dangerous area....something is amiss here."

I watched the news conference from VPD. One possible reason is: for people under probation, if they are found with real firearm, they will be back to jail. But at the same time, they want to appear to have a real gun when dealing with their "peer".

Now that makes sense to me.
Clarke Johnston   |September.05.2012
The CHP officer shot in Alamo on 680 has just passed away at John Muir.
The Truth Hurts Sometimes   |September.05.2012
Comments here exemplify current liberal (Not Conservative) thinking within the "Black Community". Not only here but throughout America. Many refuse to admit there's a problem, and fairly bristle with contempt when it's suggested that the leaders within the community take more pro-active steps to encourage role models who form their lives around values and morals. This denial element just looks the other way, aided and abetting by so doing, when rap music promotes love-less sex, drug use, guns, treating women as toys and property, on and on. I will not, for a minute make apologies for
the largely white scum on Wall Street who have manipulated the market to get paid billions they don't deserve and didn't really earn. They can hang for all I care. That's called honesty, and NOT being an apologist just because we share skin color. By the same measure, I won't molly-coddle Japanese who continue whaling, or Chinese who practice prison and slave labor, or Mexican cartels pushing narcotics, or Thais allowing prostitution of young boys, or ANY other group doing wrong. This knee-jerk "you can't tell us what to do" philosophy is killing this community. There's such a thing in
life as "default" in decision making. If you don't make good, prudent decisions, which this young man failed to in several regards, LIFE will make that decision for you by default. Then, you might not LIKE the consequences. One bit. In fact, you might end up dead.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
there* will only be reason . . . but you get it
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
@ enabler

"My true sentiment is: It is not as simple as saying "VPD is wrong and we are "RIGHT". Both sides MAY be at fault."

I never said "WE" were right. Who is the "WE" you refer to? You made that up all by yourself. I only pointed out what was wrong about the situation and challenged someone to step up to the plate and defend it.

You making up this "WE" is very interesting. You even went as far as to say BOTH sides MAY be at fault? Absurd to think that their are sides. The VPD is wrong because they shot two men and killed one and found
one pellet gun. Unless it turns out both men were holding the pellet gun at the same time, their will only be reason enough to legally shoot one of them.

"WE" are not right, the VPD is just wrong in this issue
Vinny   |September.05.2012
Police claim that Mario was outside his car and pulled what appeared to be a gun that he removed from his waistband. He then "dives" into his car. The police begin shooting. During the next several minutes the police discharge about 30 rounds. The police, or at least one officer, jumps onto the hood of the car to discharge his weapon. Neither officer attempted to avoid shooting an innocent bystander sitting in the passenger seat of the car.

Police re-loaded their guns ... yet never experinced any return fire.

Police continued shooting because Mario didn't follow their instructions
to "show his hands". even though he was obviously already mortaly wounded.

Completely unbelievable response by the police force.

I no longer invite friends to visit me here in Vallejo, I go to their homes.

I feel ashamed and embarrassed to admit that I live in the city known for raiding and destroying an industry (medical marijuana) just weeks after the citizens voted to tax and regulate that industry.
A city with the most officer involved shootings in the state ... one that killed a family dog just because it barked at an officer as he rushed into the dog's yard ...

But,
discharging 30 rounds of ammunition on a subject because they "suspected" that he may have a gun?!
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
There is always an outside investigation when there is an officer in loved shooting.
Enabler   |September.05.2012
@sexymeyersmiliasbrown

re: your true sentiments

My true sentiment is: It is not as simple as saying "VPD is wrong and we are "RIGHT". Both sides MAY be at fault.

I do find 30 bullets are more than necessary for this situation. If anything, this should be the focus.

On the other hand, I am sure they are not the only persons that have been checked/investigated that night (or other nights) and no one else got shot at either.

I think the truth maybe somewhere in the middle and both side need to take some responsibilities.

I do not need to know who is right and who is wrong
to learn from a situation. Learning from a situation is not for other people's benefit. It is no use to be right but dead.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
@ enabler

You say: "I can not speak about this case because I was not there as much as you were not there.

What I can comment is what we can learn from this."

So you cant speak on the case because you weren't there but you can already pull a lesson from the situation?

And just because I asked this blog a tough question doesn't mean that I need to pull a lesson from this situation.

What is it about my posts that suggest I already didn't know that drug dealing is dangerous? Or that guns are dangerous? You are very close to exposing your true sentiments about the situation and
about the people who take a critical look @ the VPD's actions.

Like I already said: They found one fake gun, and shot two people and one of the people are dead.

You cannot support the officers actions without also being in support of actions that are less than moral, unethical, unprofessional, unjust and not fair.

Beat that
Enabler   |September.05.2012
@sexymeyersmiilasbrown

I can not speak about this case because I was not there as much as you were not there.

What I can comment is what we can learn from this.

It is not just "One gun found. Two people shot. VPD is in the wrong." and we are ok..end of story.

I agree we need an investigation and I do not deny there might be wrong doing on the VPD side, I just do not know.

BUT what have YOU learn from this? e.g. dealing drug is dangerous so let us (son, brother, friends...) not do it; Carry a gun (fake or real) is dangerous...

Will you people you care about to not do those
things again? Foe their own benefit?
sexymeyersmiilasbrown   |September.05.2012
@ Enabler

Ok lets pretend it is a gun that shoots 9mm bullets.

Facts: There was one gun, but two people were shot and one of the people died.

Question: How is finding ONE gun a green light to shoot TWO people?

One gun found. Two people shot. VPD is in the wrong
Enabler   |September.05.2012
@Firebug

As I said in my post "This is not a comment to this case but to @sexymeyersmiliasbrown"

As far as if certain thing make sense or not. I can not comment.

People do a lot of things that do not make sense to me but they still do it.
Misinformed?   |September.05.2012
@Still Some Questions

I agree with you as I said before "this is not a 100% - 0% issue". Every groups has to own up to their share of the problem.

My comment may be from my frustration (e.g. fake gun argument). My experience in the past is, when black community was called upon, racism will be set up as a shield and I consider that not helpful.
Watchingeye   |September.05.2012
Pitch dark. You and your friend are parked in front of your house. A car pulls up flashes a blinding light in your face. You get out of the car. The people behind the blinding light start shooting at you. As you dive into your car (for protection?) you hear orders to put your hands up. More shots are fired. Someone, maybe a cop, jumps onto the hood of your car and starts firing into your windshield at you and your passenger. Somewhere in this picture you are fatally wounded. Story dies with you. I want to hear from the passenger with the bullet in his behind. Better an attorney get to
him first. Suggestion: John Burris, Oakland, CA.
Mousy   |September.05.2012
So far the news that I've seen regarding this case is contradictory - they thought he was pulling a gun while out of the vehicle, yet they found a pellet gun in the car. Nothing indicating it was the same gun or if he had it on his person when he was shot. For all we know it could have been in the trunk and they simply thought he had a gun on him. But you add in the seat belt thing and I'm really wondering what actually happened.

The glee people take over a guy's killing is disgusting. I don't care what kind of hardened criminal you are no one deserves to die outside of a legal sentence. The
cops have a right to defend themselves if the guy acted like an idiot but it doesn't make joy in the face of a death appropriate. We're Americans, not Nazis. Death in any situation is not something to celebrate.
Still Some Questions   |September.05.2012
@Misinformed, what are you wanting Ms. McGriff-Payne to own up to? Are you saying she's somehow responsible? She said nothing about any gun. She simply said that people seemed to be putting the entire black community into a box and making assumptions about that community. I agree, we do need some outside intervention at this point.
Sharon McGriff-Payne   |September.05.2012
I don't speak for all black people anymore than you speak for whatever you are. As I said before, this is not a debate and what you think of black people means NOTHING to me.
Misinformed?   |September.05.2012
@Sharon McGriff-Payne

re: misinformed folks who want to point fingers at black folks.

Problem like this is not black and white (100% and 0%). If black community/leader like you can not own up to the portion of the problem that belongs to the black community (e.g. arguing fake gun is ok) then you are doing a dis-service to your own community.
Where is Osby?   |September.05.2012
During event like this, you do not hear anything from our city leader.

Where is Osby?

It is not a problem he can solve by himself but not saying anything to set the tone and direction is just wasting the position of the mayor and plain unacceptable!

Osby not only failed as the city leader, he also failed as the leader for the black community.
What About The Passenger   |September.05.2012
Did he deserve to be shot too? He never got the chance to even exit the car. He was shot while holding his hands in the air, trapped in the car while thirty bullets were being fired at him. There is not enough information on this case to draw conclusions. First the police stated that they saw the gun in his waist band. Then they said he turned around and pointed it. They saw all this with the man standing behind the car door? And if they started shooting while he was supposedly out of the car, why were there no bullet holes in the car door? I just can't imagine why someone would jump out of
the car with a toy gun and point it at police that already had their guns drawn and a blinding light shining in his eyes. It makes no sense.
Firebug   |September.05.2012
avatar @Enabler,
Does it really make sense that these men would be using such a weapon if they were involved in the dangerous business of selling drugs in a dangerous area....something is amiss here.
Enabler   |September.05.2012
This is not a comment to this case but to @sexymeyersmiliasbrown

Fake gun?

So it is ok to show/use a fake gun with police or anyone (like a holdup) because it is fake?

People like you, arguing a fake gun is OK, are responsible, in some part, to those young men getting killed.

If you really care about them, tell them at home or at church the proper way to behave; not making a fool of yourself after they are dead.
Lets Talk Videos   |September.05.2012
To the person who posted the link to the video, I also checked out the young lady's FB page that made the posts to the TH and her music selection which has a video for a group called Five Finger Death Punch who's music is filled with profanity and anti-establishment lyrics. They have an album cover where they are holding assault rifles. So let's keep things in prospective. The multi billion dollar rap music industry is not being kept alive solely by black consumers. The majority of sales are from white kids and other minorities.
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
Another person shot at and killed by VPD--look at the image of the car, riddled with bullets.
And the paramedics cut the dead man out of his seat-belt?
Is this excessive force?...

There desperately needs to be an open dialogue, an honest discussion in this community on how to stop this (a discussion with facts; enough with the conjecture and racist remarks).
Still Some Question   |September.05.2012
I have been on both sides of the issue of trust with the police. I've had good interaction with them and bad. But let's not forget that they are human and yes there are bad apples in many cities. Remember Oakland and how they were under supervision because of all of the fake evidence they used to convict people. And the same for SFPD. Just recently the cops and sheriff in CCC were found to be involved with drug dealing. So yes, there is precedent to events that cause distrust with the police and community. Let's stop passing this off as a "black community" issue because it's not. It's
a Vallejo issue. No church or chamber of commerce alone can solve the complex problems. It's going to take the entire community sitting down and dealing with this. And by the way, the two times my house was broken into and trashed, it wasn't by black people. The two times my son's bike was stolen, it wasn't by black people. So let's tone down the rhetoric and hype because it doesn't solve anything.
Im puzzled too   |September.05.2012
I don't think that this young man was a saint, but people are making assumptions based on what they have read in the media. How do you know that the young man who died was a drug dealer? Have the police established who the drugs belonged to? One of the witnesses stated that the paramedics had to cut the dead man out of his seat belt. How did the seat belt get "tied" back on after he had supposedly stepped out of the car?

I think that there is just too much hype going on that is inflaming the community. Let's stick to facts and not add to the anger and frustration. Save the derogatory
and racist remarks for that other site where anything goes.
Sharon McGriff-Payne   |September.05.2012
There is no debating this: We need an outside source to come in and investigate these shootings.This going back and forth between some of you misinformed folks who want to point fingers at black folks means absolutely nothing! There is something wrong in our city and we need it fixed or it won't be safe for any of us.
Stay out of trouble, don't ca   |September.05.2012
If you're carrying a stash of drugs, acting suspicious at 4 in the morning, AND you're carrying an exact replica of a gun, you are just asking for trouble.
It doesn't matter if the gun was merely a replica -- the whole point is to *look* like the real deal, and it sounds like the replica worked all too well.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
@ Anonymous

P.S. The black community is your community too . . . . "own community" pffft
Still Some Questions   |September.05.2012
@anonymous"I was pointing out". please link the site where you found that statistics your quoting. Especially the "Black people are seven more time
likely to commit murder than any other race." And what "entitlements" are these families requesting for the death of their son? And when you say the people with money moved away, which "people" are you talking about?
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
@ Anonymous

There was one fake gun and two people were shot. Explain how that is acceptable conduct out of your department (assuming you are a Vallejoan)
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
The unfortunate truth is that 95% of all crime committed in VAllejo is committed by African Americans, usually against other AFrican Americans. Sad but true. I agree that the VPD has a few bad apples as exhibited at several city council meetings, but most are trying to do their job. Osby and Danny Jefferson need to speak truth to their own communities and stop demonizing the VPD.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
Why were both men shot? Were both passengers in the car holding the pellet gun? Make any excuse to defend the police jumping on the hood of a car and shooting TWO BLACK MEN, but your argument is going to come up short of anything that is thought as logical, moral, professional, just or fair. It may be explained lawfully, and that is the problem. Institutional injustices and dare I say Institutionalized RACISM. How else can you explain the VPD's cognitive dissonance
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
Short and Sweet: One pellet gun but two people shot. One person died. Go ahead police apologists, defend that one
Lack of 100% Trust   |September.05.2012
I have personal experience that can relate to both sides of the arguments.

I was traffic stopped last week around 11:30 pm on Sonoma Bld near Lemon St., I pulled over when flashed upon, stayed in the car and have my hands on the steering wheel. The polices came up to the passenger side window and shine a flash light inside the car, I only moved when told to and followed the instructions. Everything went fine. I did not feel endangered at any point in the whole process. I can not imagine why police will shoot me in any case. I felt safer and appreciated VPD was out and doing their job. I have
100% trust from this experience.

On the other hand, VPOA's intimidation showing at the city council meeting late last year(which many people have seen personally and in public), ripping out the monitoring cameras in MMD raids (which I have seen in video here) left a bad taste in my mouth. Because of these events, I do not have 100% trust. There are some bad apples in the group.

Also, what do you expect when you interview the family members? In some sense, they are the enablers for the kind of behavior that get the person to be killed at the first place. I am not passing judgement on this
family but it is true for many cases.

And why Vallejo has more police shootings? Other than police problem, maybe we have more gun problem than before? I heard gun shots at night a few times recently which I never heard before in the neighborhood.

What you see today is the result nourished for a long time by Nichelini and it will take a while to reapair.

Trust takes a lot of effort and a long time to build but just a few bad incidences to destroy.
know vallejo   |September.05.2012
will people please educate themselves concerning bullet voting. you CANNOT bullet vote for more than ONE person. if you do, IT'S NOT BULLET VOTING. as for osby, he can't run for mayor again. he's termed out for that position. he could run for one four year term for counil, but i'll bet that he would consider that a demotion and not an option. jefferson and esiomeme? please. i suggest that you keep your day job. political strategy is obviously not your strong suit.
Salty Dog   |September.05.2012
Why, I have never seen so many "victims" gathered in one spot.
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
@sickening - There's supposed to be a Vallejo Black Chamber of Commerce. Where are they? Nobody hears from them on anything. Why aren't they providing leadership and employment opportunities to young black students? Are they that weak of an organization? Black CoC could easily be the vehicle to help change the perception of the black community in Vallejo, but nothing happens.
Part of the problem   |September.05.2012
"chillin with their friends?" At 4:30 in the morning with drugs for sale in their car and a "pellet" gun that looks exactly like a real semi-automatic gun? He didn't have that "pellet" gun to shoot small animals to feed his family. He didn't have the drugs to treat his medical issues. He wasn't out at 4:30 a.m. just to chill with friends. He was out to do no good.

You call that making a living? I call it crime. He was a criminal. He has kids? He should have thought twice before having a child he had no way to support other then preying off of other people. He could
have found a way out other than crime and drugs, many black people do and become good, upstanding citizens. Don't be an apologist for crime/gangs/drugs. Instead, be an advocate for more programs/education/training to help black youth in the area. Give them a hand up, don't help keep them down by accepting and apologizing for that criminal behavior.

Let him rest on peace? It looks like his sister is the one who is not letting that happen. I have no doubt that he was loved by his friends and family and they will miss and grieve for him. But for people who didn't know him, he was part of the
drug/violence problem in Vallejo.
Firebug   |September.05.2012
avatar @Dialogue Monitor,Orange ooze cleanup on aisle five
sickening   |September.05.2012
Look at CC Sabathia, with all of his success he remembers where he came from and gives back to the community. Not just once but often.

I look at some of the VERY successfull rappers from Vallejo, millioniars many times over and what do they do for their own people? Nothing. They glorify a lifestye that ends in death or prison. Thats what they do. They degrade their women and tell tales of fast living.

If E 40 could get the people together and maybe build a community center with mentor programs it would be embraced. Teach the young people. Maybe they will listen to those they admire.


This
is as much hope I have for these folks. They are going to have to own up to the problems and fix it themselves. No one else has been able to. Its the sad truth.

In the mean time Buck better dig some more holes.

UTS
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
re: "And Jefferson and Esiomeme for council?"
Black community really don't have anyone else with name recognition they can put up for Vallejo 2013 Council run. Jonathan Logan, perhaps, but not likely to run again. Pamela Pitts' sister, maybe but unlikely. They need to start now to figure out a long-term strategy.
sexymeyersmiliasbrown   |September.05.2012
Short and sweet: One pellet gun and two people shot. One of them died. Go ahead police apologists, defend that one.
HISFRIEND   |September.05.2012
most ofyou guys sound dumb you dont have to live ib the ghetto or be black to be killed yes he has a history and so what that doesnt define him! so what he had a gun its for protection and the drugs? you have to make aliving some how he did have a family to take care of and its people like you that dont give people like him a chance! BUT EITHER WAY YA;LL DIDNT GROW UP WITH HIMOR NO HIM PERSONALY I DID AND HE WAS A GREAT AND LOVING PERSON YOU GUYS ARE SO ONE MINDED what if your child was chilling with there friends and the cops rolled up and started shooting for something that APPARED to
be a gun but wasnt? YOU NEED NEED PRAYER! LET MARIO REST IN PEACE!
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
On the Times Herald article yesterday, a woman posted a comment with a link to a YouTube video of the guy who was killed doing a rap song with friends, showing guns and drugs and gang signs. This guy was no innocent by any means. I'm sure his sister will miss him, but he shouldn't have been doing what he was doing. But this isn't really about him and whether he was or was not a good guy.

The question for me is why there are so many officer involved shootings in such a short period of time. As one poster said, what is the gang activity now? How many guns are police seeing on people routinely?
Does the VPD have those cameras either in the car dash or on the officers? If not, then they obviously need them. That would help dispel a lot of the mistrust issues regarding who is telling the right story when incidents like this happen. We do know that cops have been found to write their police reports to achieve their own ends.

And Jefferson and Esiomeme for council? Please. Esiomeme is a complete idiot who can't speak or write in a manner that conveys what the hell he's even thinking. Jefferson? He's too busy looking under the blankets of people's beds to run for and be a council member.
And if he did run, it would be fun to out the homophobic hotshot who drives fancy cars and wears expensive clothes paid for by his faithful parishioners.
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
@Still Some Questions - Nobody hears about Filipinos or Asians or Hispanics with this kind of problem. Why? They police themselves, and keep their young people out of trouble, and off the streets at 40 in the morning. The fact is, the Black community has a major problem of NOT keeping their young people in line with upstanding behavior.
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
Here is your nice upstanding citizen that was shot at 4 oclock in the morning, with a gun in his hand, drugs in the car and on felony probation by an out of control revengeful racist police department.

Marc can you upload this please if you dare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP9bcR8f2Sw
Firebug   |September.05.2012
avatar If this was a black on black crime was the shooting officer black?
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
When does the racism charge come in. It must be soon because you do not like the facts.
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
I was pointing out the facts. Black people are shot by black people and in exchange they want entitlements. The people that have any money have moved away a long time ago and the ones that are left just don't care. The 85% percent of the country that is not black are tired of the excuses.
Still Some Questions   |September.05.2012
@Anonymous-"you know it's really funny", you must have missed the several families that have been before the media asking for help to solve the murders of their family members. They talk about the need to get kids off of the streets and keeping them out of harms way. No doubt you missed their message because it dealt with black on black crime. But that isn't what happened here so let's talk about the fact that our city has a record breaking number of police shootings in a record breaking period of time. I don't know who was right or wrong but I am concerned about why our police
department has shot and killed so many people. Why is this happening? Could it be that the police are more likely to shoot because of the Capoot incident? Are they trigger happy because they want to prove a point or because they are afraid? Has this so called gang activity risen to the level that the police feel more threatened and so more likely to shoot faster in those circumstances?

I don't think this issue should be simply dismissed by pointing to statistics and saying it's someone else's problem. What's going on in Vallejo is a community problem that affects all of us. It requires
community wide involvement not just "black leadership".
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
@Firebug - Then now is the time to put the black community and black churches on the spot. Since Davis, Jefferson and Esiomeme, are the acknowledged (morality) black leaders for the black community, everyone needs to swamp all three with questions about their response to this event, especially when a "bullet" vote in Vallejo 2013 Council election is very conceivable. There comes a moment when it's time for the black community to put up or shut up, and this is the moment.
Firebug   |September.05.2012
avatar @Anonymous,
There in lies the rub for Mayor Davis and a black bullet vote. Mr. Davis has done nothing for any of the black victims of Police shootings, in fact he rewarded the Police with handsome raises and even more lavish compensation.
What is the Lofas Street gang?   |September.05.2012
News reports refer to something called the "Lofas Street Gang" which Mr Romero is said to be a confirmed member of.

Is there a list of Vallejo gangs?

How does one confirm an individual is a member of a gang?

What crimes or activities have been associated with the Lofas street gang in the past? Any links to articles?

Obviously I am wondering if the Lofas street gang really exists, or if it was made up impromptu to diminish the reputation of the victim. I personally do not know either way.
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
You know it's really funny how when a black person is shot and killed by a white person or by a cop.

1. We really do not want to talk about the actions of the black person the put him in a situation to get shot. This is the case well over 75% of the time.

2. 93% of murders when the victim was black he was murdered by another black person.

It sounds like to me Black folks out in a car with a look alike pellet gun and a bag of drugs at 4 oclock in the morning still have a better chance of being shot and killed by another black person than the police.

Black people are seven more time
likely to commit murder than any other race.

Any you think the Vallejo PD has a "lack of trust" issue. Give me a break.

They did there job above and beyond the call. And we are in debt to them.

Where is the black leadership
Any dash cams on Vallejo polic   |September.05.2012
Do Vallejo PD police vehicles have cameras? If not why not?
oldguy   |September.05.2012
It is time to start monitoring all public/ law enforcement interactions. All police should have helmet cameras for their protection and ours.
Anonymous   |September.05.2012
You know what's going to happen. Black community will feel they're being disrespected. Vallejo 2013 Council election will be the key to emphasize the black vote. The community and churches will support the "bullet" vote of Danny Jefferson and Matthias Esiomeme, plus Mayor Osby Davis, make three on the Council.
Lack of Trust   |September.05.2012
It is a sad, sad event.

I do not know who is telling the truth and who is telling the half truth.

Unfortunately, VPD does not have the 100% trust it needs from the citizen to move this forward smoothly due to some of the past events under VPOA and the old management.

I sincerely hope the new chief will put "establishing trust" as one of the top priorities.
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