Copwatching on Pacific Avenue Halloween Night

Even as the economy plummets, folks are laid off, storefronts remain vacant, presidential candidates bellow "more bucks for more war abroad" and the city council candidates babble about "the budget crisis" locally, the SCPD is fully funded and fully staffed.

Its recent mode of operation on Pacific Avenue is to appear in Overkill Mode, swooping in with extra squad cars and cops. Responding to the HyperSecurity Agenda of Mayor and Merchant Ryan Coonerty, the SCPD's "triple fine" zones are again in place for this Halloween.

Whether it's Sgt. LeMoss breaking the arm of disabled elder Donna Deiss (May 9), Sgt. Harms creating a near-riot at the Farmer's Market Drum Circle (Sept 17), or or Officer Winston's "no singing after sunset" arrest of "Black Rose" Rebecca (Oct 15), there is no visible accountability for police misconduct in Santa Cruz. See updates below.

The Law Enforcement subcommittee of the county-wide dialogue Overcoming Racism & Building a Racially Just County is considering Copwatch trainings. Wanda Knight will be downtown doing Copwatch with us. Other members have been invited.

Last year, the SCPD and City Council cracked down on Council member Tony Madrigal for suggesting possible racial and economic profiling the Halloween before last and opposed the Triple Fine Zones.

Come and document what the police are doing and encourage others to do the same.

Bring warm clothing, umbrellas, cameras, audio recorders, "Anybody but Coonerty" and "Copwatch" signs, fun costumes, and friends.

For a look back at last Halloween's Copwatch, go to
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/30/18457126.php “Copwatch the New Order Downtown Halloween Night”

Report police misconduct to HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) at 423-4833 of Wanda of the Community-Wide Dialogue at 246-0228.

Call in to Free Radio Santa Cruz with PSAs at 427-4523, or call on-air at 427-3772 (especially Thursdays 3-5 PM, 6-8 PM, Sundays 7:30 AM to 1 PM).


UPDATES

The false charges against Donna Deiss and her "trial" have been put ahead to January.

Wes Modes, arrested at the Drum Circle protests in September goes to arraignment today on charges of PC 243(b) battery against a peace officer and PC 148(a) obstruction of a peace officer at 8:30 AM this morning.

"Black Rose" Rebecca has an arraignment date for mid-November for "resisting arrest".