Within the last two months of the Occupy Wall Street movement, we’ve seen people getting shoved around and pepper-sprayed by the police. But those being subjected to force aren’t just the protestors of the 99%, they are the reporters covering the movement. This week in a New York Times editorial, we hear from one such journalist who brings up some interesting points about the occurences and the handling of the “allegations” by the police. Continue reading “NYC Reporters Subject to Mistreatment from Police”
“Stop and Frisk” Protesters Arrested
Last week hundreds of protesters took to the streets in NYC and this time it wasn’t about Occupying Wall Street. Instead, these protesters were there to speak out against the city’s Stop-and-Frisk policies. Over 30 people were arrested, including some pretty notable names. Despite their anger at the program, Mayor Bloomberg stands behind the practice and credits it with driving the crime rate down in the city. Continue reading ““Stop and Frisk” Protesters Arrested”
Former NYPD Detective Admits Fabricated Drug Charges Against Innocent People Were Common
In an agreement with prosecutors, former NYPD narcotics detective Stephen Anderson a testified in court that numerous officers and even supervisors in the division he worked for would set up innocent people in order to make arrest quotas. Charged with planting cocaine on four men in a Queens bar, Anderson admitted he was trying to help our a fellow narcotics detective who’s numbers had been low. Continue reading “Former NYPD Detective Admits Fabricated Drug Charges Against Innocent People Were Common”
Civil Gang Injunction May Be Inevitable in Suffolk County, NY
Wyandanch police and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy are pushing for a judge to allow a civil gang injunction in an effort to reduce violence and criminal activity. The injunction is basically a civil order that says known gang members are not allowed to meet or even speak to one another in a defined area. These “safety zones”, though questionable, have been growing across the country. Continue reading “Civil Gang Injunction May Be Inevitable in Suffolk County, NY”
More than 12 NYPD Cops to Face Charges for Ticket Fixing
The investigation into a ticket fixing scandal among the NYPD is drawing to a close and criminal charges are expected in more than 12 cases. This is fewer than previously expected but the investigation has had far reaching effects, both in the department and across the city. Continue reading “More than 12 NYPD Cops to Face Charges for Ticket Fixing”
NYPD To Release Details on More Than 1,000 Police Shootings
This week the City of New York gave up its fight to keep more than 1,000 records a secret. Fight they did, for several years the city has claimed that their records concerning police shootings were exempt from the Freedom of Information Law and that they didn’t have to disclose them to anyone. This decision means that the NYPD will now hand over more than 1,400 reports on over 1,000 shootings to the New York Liberties Union. Continue reading “NYPD To Release Details on More Than 1,000 Police Shootings”
In NYC, Pot Possession Has Many Potential Repercussions
The NYPD has lightened enforcement of marijuana laws when it comes to personal possession. But not everyone is on the same page. As this article in the New York Times shows, parents are losing their children to the foster care system on allegations of neglect, often when they were found with a trivial amount of marijuana. Continue reading “In NYC, Pot Possession Has Many Potential Repercussions”
New York Judges Acquit More Often than Juries
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal this week, cases brought before judges are more likely to end in a “not guilty” verdict than those heard by juries. The decision to opt for a jury trial is one made by the defendant in a case and is not made hastily. The factors that go into a decision like this, no doubt have an effect on whether or not an acquittal is reached.
Continue reading “New York Judges Acquit More Often than Juries”
DWI Charge Indirectly Causes Injury To Police Officer
There is a strange story in the Buffalo News about a DWI offense where an officer responding to the incident was very seriously injured while en-route. The Niagara County DA is quoted after extensive legal research, he is unable to charge the defendant with additional offenses related to this accident. Continue reading “DWI Charge Indirectly Causes Injury To Police Officer”
Buffalo Officials Defend Their Surveillance Camera Arsenal
The city of Buffalo has 125 surveillance cameras on its street corners and public areas. This is up from 60 just a few years ago. They want more and are consistently talking about how great the cameras are in an effort to gain support, and potential funding. Continue reading “Buffalo Officials Defend Their Surveillance Camera Arsenal”