Family Member Believes Man who Died in Police Custody was Denied Proper Medical Care

Carey Allen-Patrick's concerns about the profiling of her homeless, alcoholic brother Kevin Allen by the authorities seem to have been confirmed by Santa Cruz Parks Ranger Jeremy Mathews, who posted on Santa Mierda, a local hate blog, that Kevin Allen was a "drunk" (see photo). Mathews, who posts on social media semi-anonymously as "Yeremey Cashews", is assigned to the ranger's division that is under the management of the Santa Cruz Police Department. These rangers are armed and tasked with enforcing laws in the urban and parkland area of downtown Santa Cruz.

The author of the Santa Mierda hate blog has posted vitriolic statements about Allen and his alleged criminal past, and has removed at least one comment critical of the police.

"The way I read it he was in distress and should have been taken to the hospital before jail," a Santa Mierda commenter wrote about Allen in a now deleted comment.

The greater community, however, has spoken out on social media in support of justice for Kevin Allen across a variety of outlets.

Here are some of the statements different individuals have made:

"He was found down to begin with he should have been taken to the hospital 1st to be evaluated. Cops are not doctors."

"They took him to jail 1st then to the ER. He was semi conscious at the jail. The medical staff sent him to the ER where he died. He should have gone to the ER 1st."

"Did you read the article. It's pretty clear he was down when they found him and took him straight to jail. It's pretty clear we don't k ow if he would had lived had he went to the hospital 1st."

"He died on his way to the ER because they needed to book and prosecute him first to make that money."

"I met Kevin while he was in custody through my job. He had a great sense of humor. I am so sorry."

"So now the cops are trying to put this murder on someone else, vídeo cámaras and witness are not needed when they made a huge mistake. First take him to be evaluated by the doctors. Mental illness is a big problem for a lot of addicts , I heard they medicate themselves with what ever they can get. The cops need more training. Hope they can find the families so they can file a lawsuit."

"You’d think if they found someone who fell, an ambulance would be called first and foremost before jail..."

"If he was unconscious why wouldn't the call an ambulance?"

"Some times cops should be CAREFULLY if there oh k before making any arrests."

The press release issued by the Santa Cruz Police Department on June 1 concerning Allen's death states:

"On Saturday June 1, 2019, officers responded to a report of a forty (40) year old man who fell to the ground, in the area of River St and Water St. Members of the Santa Cruz Police Department arrived and contacted the subject. During their contact they determined the person was under the influence. Officers placed the male into physical custody and transported to county jail.

"Prior to being processed into the jail, the person became semi-conscious, and examined by jail medical staff. It was determined the subject would need to be seen at the hospital. Paramedics arrived on scene and transported him to the hospital. While being transported to the hospital, the male began to have cardiac difficulties and was pronounced dead at Dominican Hospital.

"The Santa Cruz Police Department is working with the Santa Cruz County District attorney’s Office, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff Forensic Unit, and Coroner’s office. All agencies will be working towards determining what occurred. A review of Body Worn Cameras, interviewing all witnesses, and other forensic evidence is being processed."

The press release raises important questions:

If police were called because Allen had fallen on the ground why was this health issue/crisis treated as a crime?

Why was Allen taken directly to the main jail and not to the hospital?

Is the Santa Cruz County Jail's medical staff, who are employed under private contract with the Monterey-based company California Forensics Medical Group (CFMG), fully prepared to receive individuals who are undergoing medical emergencies as soon as they enter the jail facility?