The Greensboro Police Department is falling apart. They have no money, no trust and no leadership. Keep in mind, Mitch Johnson made this mess. I seriously doubt he will be the one to clean it up. Several things need to be noted briefly. I will have more coverage as the story unfolds.
Police allegedly confronted the family of 24 year old Paul Thompson today at Moses Cone Hospital. Paul Thompson was pulled by Greensboro Police on April 22, 2008 at approximately 3:00AM. When approaching the vehicle, the officer has reported he discovered alcohol and narcotic violations.
Paul Thompson and the officer allegedly got into a struggle. Thompson was maced and then tased. EMS was notified and came to the scene. Once inside the ambulance, Paul Thompson began experiencing medical difficulties. The driver is in critical condition in Cone Hospital.
His condition is so serious that it is doubtful that he will live. According to people close to this story, the police told the family today at the hospital that if they continued to talk to the media, the police would put restrictions on who visited Paul Thompson.
The Pulpit Forum is having a meeting about this issue tomorrow and one of the subjects will be the need for a new police chief in Greensboro. Tim Bellamy has lost control of his department and now has lost the faith of the African-American Community.
Several of the officers involved in the most recent violent incidences have already obtained attorney's.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Big Trouble for Big Belt: Police under fire!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
38 comments:
Geez but if this isn't the classic case of getting what you wish for and then wishing you hadn't. The Black community lied, cheated, raised hell and paid off to get rid of Wray and get Bellamy and protect all those great Black cops like Hinson, Fulmore, Mortin, Brian and the list goes on and on. Now
they got their wish and the criminals are shooting up their neighborhood at will with no "thin blue line" to guard them because all the"great cops" they were protecting are busy talking to their lawyers about suing the residents of Greensboro and becoming independently well off, or out partying in city vehicles, or working another job when they should be on duty with the GPD.
But if that isn't bad enough the GPD good and bad officers are so demoralized and spooked that now they may be making poor choices when they do meet up with a bad ass. Don't fell any sorrow for the bad asses or the bad cops because bad always gets it's due ion the end. But am concerned for the good cops who are just trying to do their job under almost impossible circumstances.
I sincerely hope one thing: when we do get a new police chief it is a white man and he is given the full support of the city to do his job. Under Wray the homicide rate went down to 15 in 2005 and the last time in was in the teens was in 1983 under a white police chief who wasn't influenced by the Black leaders who have proven themselves again and again to be corrupt. Brenda Bowers
The N&O certainly plays up the Taser and critical condition points. Seems to me that the swallowed drugs might be the cause of the medical difficulties in this case. But even if medical personnel reach that conclusion, The Pulpit Forum will disagree.
BB, good comments, keep at 'em.
They may as well have said, "Suspect in Critical Condition After Eating at McDonald's" because there has been no evidence linking the tasing to his medical condition, and I'm sure he ate at McDonald's as SOME point in his life prior to this date. Maybe, "Suspect in Critical Condition After Riding in Chevrolet" would also be technically accurate.
The media's attempt to link Tasers or guns or anything else is just a bit over the top. Anything to sell a newspaper, right? And the facts be damned.
Can anyone blame the officers for contacting the union attorney, if in fact they have? The report of the Pulpit Forum having a meeting over this or any other issue of perceived racism by GPD is tesitimony of the need for an attorney to cull through misinformation and BS. Why don't we wait for an informed ruling on what caused the medical problems of Mr. Thompson before we commence to hanging the officers from the nearest tree?
More than one person has commented on the lack of leadership within GPD, so maybe there is something to that point. If tend to agree with this point. But, to suggest that the confrontation with police and Thompson, and the shooting Friday, would not have happened if Wray were in office, is reaching.
I have arrested this subject many times! He is a violent REPEAT drug dealer, who likes to swallow drugs.
The media needs to release his criminal record!!
If you rob a store, run from the cops, fight with the cop who stops you, and then try to steal his car with him hanging on to it, you just might get shot and killed.
If you attend a protest and refuse to move when a cop asks you repeatedly, and then you put your hands on the cop, you just might get put on the ground and handcuffed.
If you get involved in a domestic dispute and get stopped by the cops, and you advance toward the officer and refuse to show your hands when he repeatedly asks you to do so, you just might get shot and killed.
If you drive around drinking and smoking dope, and then you fight with the cops who stop you and they have to mace you and tase you, and you swallow narcotics, you just might end up in the hospital in critical condition.
What do these incidents have in common? The cops are not the problem.
It's a wonder there's anyone left at GPD who's willing to wear the badge, the way that the media and others in this town celebrate and justify criminal behavior and attack and malign the officers who are sworn to protect and serve us. They deserve better.
He was tased in the back.
so...whats your point???
I think their point was that you cant be advancing on someone with your back to them
he wasn't advancing. he was fighting. you're confusing hello kitty's #3 with #4. when you fight, you don't stand still, you move around. so he got tased in the back, big deal. shouldn't have been fighting cops, should he? shouldn't have been eating drugs either. your lifestyle determines your deathstyle.
First i want to introdUce myself ,im Paul Jr.'s friend and i can not believe the comments im reading. Regardless of if he had drugs in the car or in him and let me might add, if you had watched the news, you will learn that they couldnt find any drugs in his system. Also, you can tell that the police dept. is lying and keeping alot of things out because for 1.) They said when the police officer went to the window he saw 40 oz of beer and marijuana on his lap. NOW, if Paul was so cautious about getting rid of evidence to swallow drugs, why he just let marijuana sit on his lap where people can see? OOOK. 2.)When he got out the car he was immediately handcuffed and a another cop came and he tasered him because he say "he was out of control". NOW, what can someone do to where 4 cops all together, and let me add that all of them was white, had to taser and mase you? Either you got your police certificate or whatever from wal-mart and dont know how to conduct police work or you just a racist pig! 3.) Now, another thing. Why he have bruises on his arms, legs, neck? 4.) If they say they did nothing wrong and wont apologise, why no charges is going to be made? EXACTLY!!!!! NOW USUALLY I DONT BRING UP THE RACE CARD, BUT COME ON. IF IT OONK LIKE A PIG, LOOKS LIKE A PIG, AND IS DISGUSTING LIKE A PIG..WELL ITS A DAMN PIG. INSTEAD OF CRITICIZING THIS STORY, YOU NEED TO GET THE FACTS AND PRAY THAT MY FRIEND PAUL EDWARD THOMPSON LIVES. GOD BLESS.
If he did not have cocaine in his system, then why did his Dad say on the news last night that the family had been informed he was brain dead due to a drug overdose? Hey friend, get your facts straight. Yor comments about "pigs" shows where your coming from. Sorry the dude chewed up some crack and did himself in but that's his choice. Perhaps he did not want to go tp prison on that habitual felon charge.
FIRST OFF, IF HE HAS ALL THESE DRUG OFFENSES, THEN HES PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH THE SYSTEM. THEREFORE, HE KNEW IF HE WAS CAUGHT WITH CRACK, AN AUTOMATIC FELONY, NO MATTER THE AMOUNT, IT WAS AN AUTOMATIC TRIP TO JAIL. BUT THE WEED WOULD PROBABLY JUST BE A CITATION AND HE WOULD BE ON HIS MERRY WAY. WHY WASTE TIME TRYING TO GET RID OF A MISDEMEANOR WHEN YOU HAVE A FELONY HIDDEN SOMEWHERE. END RESULT, HE SPENT HIS TIME WISELY AND GOT RID OF THE CRACK.
First of all thats a lie, i know Paul and he did not say that. Now you get your facts straight and by all the things i said thats the only thing you can bring up!? Even if thats true, look into the whole story dude. Theres alot of holes in this story. Alot of things that dont make sense. And im familiar with the whole crack thing and no i dont do crack, so keep your jokes aside but for my friend have to rely on a breathing machine to live, he had to swallow alot of crack and (WXII CHANNEL 12 NEWS..PLEASE LOOK IT UP AND WATCH THE VIDEO BECAUSE IT ALSO STATES THERE THAT THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO DRUGS IN HIS SYSTEM)he didnt or hardly none at all, we all know that no one could have that crack dont have that major affect on you. Also, since we talking about facts, if you had watched the news they say his head hit the ground and that could have caused head trama. Yes i say there are pigs because regardless if you are one too, everyone knows and including the mayor knows, that something is wrong. Now let me ask you these questions, if he had drugs in him or on him or whatever, dont you think there will be charges made? Why they didnt charge him?Is it out of guilt? Is it because there was nothing to charge in the first place? Regadless of which ever something is not right. Did you also know that this is the second tragedy this past week? YES! Another live was brought to an end because of one of the greensboro police officers. Look that up to while you at it.So the conclusion is this, my friend, Paul E. Thompson is in critical condition, in a coma and if lives may have to be in a nursing home for the rest of his life because of this, over a traffic stop that ended with no charges but him left for almost death!? Please lets stop this beating around the bush and face reality of the situation. Racism lives! This is a example that it does. Lets stop stereotyping people and come to together and do whats right and get these racist people out!!!!MY FACTS ARE EVIDENT:WWW.WXIICHANNEL12NEWS.COM.. ARE YOURS??????????
HEREES THE LINK TO THE STORY AND PLEASE WTACH THE VIDEO WHERE IT CLEARLY STATES THAT HIS HEAD HIT THE CEMENT AND THE DOCTORS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DRUGS..IT SAYS IT ALL ON VIDEO!!LIKE I SAID I HAVE EVIDENCE!!
http://www.wxii12.com/news/15959682/detail.html
I HOPE YOU WATCHED THE VIDEO BUT I ALSO HAVE THIS TO SAY TO. SOMEONE LEFT A COMMENT EARLIER TALKING ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE AND DEATHSTYLE..WELL THATS A VERY FOOLISH, UNGODLY AND STEREOTYPICAL THING TO SAY BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK INTO HIS CRIMINAL RECORD WHICH I DID, SO IM SPEAKING FACTS AND NOT OUT MY ASS LIKE MOST OF YOU. YOU WILL SEE HE HAVENT BEEN CHARGED FOR ANYTHING SINCE 2005. WE ALL HAVE A PAST PEOPLE SO STOP JUDGING OR YOU WILL BE JUDGED. YOU TALK ALL THIS ABOUT PEOPLE LIFESTYLES AND DEATHSTYLES SO I GUESS YOU GOING TO DIE BY SOMEONE KILLING YOU BECAUSE ALL YOU DOING IS CRITICIZING SOMEONE WHO IS PAID HIS DUES TO SOCIETY AND HE IS HUMAN BEING THAT MADE OR MAKE MISTAKES LIKE WE ALL HAVE. IM DEFINITELY GOING TO PRAY FOR YOU PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU DEFINITELY NEED IT. NO WONDER BUSH IS PRESIDENT, BECAUSE OF STUPID AND IDIOTIC PEOPLE SUCH AS YOURSELVES. AND NOW LOOK AT US, IT IS LIKE WE ARE GOING THROUGH A DEPRESSION, GAS HIGH AND FOOD HIGH.aLL FOR WHAT!? SO WE CAN HAVE A REDNECK PRESIDENT!?LOL.RACIST AND JUDEMENTAL PEOPLE ONLY HURT THEMSELVES IN THE LONG RUN BECUASE THEY GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER TO GOD.WE SHOULDNT JUDGE ANYONE BECAUSE OF THEIR PAST AND WE SHOULDNT LET ASIDE THE FACT THE HE IS DYING BECAUSE OF IT EITHER. INSTEAD OF JUDGING AND BEING YOUR TYPICAL FOOLISH SELF, TRY PRAYING AND DOING YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE SPEAKING PLEASE. BUT IM NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH A FOOL BECAUSE NO ONE CANT TELL WHICH IS WHO. SO GOD BLESS! PEACE
It doesnt matter if the next cheif be black,white or damn yellow. What matters is what he can do for the people.OMG, you people are so stupid. GO OBAMA GO! Not because hes black but because hes the best candidate! TRUTH
ok watched your wxii 12video...reporter stated that family members say that doctors say they found no drugs in his system...cone hospital will not release any info due to hippa...the question is, what tests were performed and what was the hospital screening for... the hospital will not tell you...so lets get back to the family who can release his information...was an opium and htc test done yes or no and what were the results...don't tell me that they didn't find drugs in his system unless you tell me want they are screening for.
you keep saying look at the "facts" the media is putting forth.The media has no interest in any "facts". Their only interst is in selling newspapers and ad time...so if you are only relying on facts presented by the media you're in for a rude awakening.
The video was on Fox 8; not News 1 As to charges, would it make you happy, if they charged a guy in a coma? I understand he is your friend and you obviously feel strongly for him. I am sure we all hope he will recover, but the sad fact is he made a choice to swallow the drugs.
LEARN SOME CORRECT ENGLISH!! GO TO SCHOOL AND LEARN GRAMMER PEOPLE!!!
ebonics is not english
to the last post..."hear,hear"...about time,too.
Ummm- it's grammar not grammer and your sentences are not complete so maybe you should go back to school too.
OK. These comments are very intresting and very suprising. Regardless of what test that was put on him for th drug test, dont you think they would have found something in either one? Especially, if most of you are saying that the crack is the caused and not the police officers? Why are we so into people grammar but not to what point is getting across? Whoever this person is that made those comments, i commend you because i know you and his family is dealing with alot and the last thing you want to read and hear is judgement on his behalf.And to the dude talking about "grammer" well it's "grammar" so he/she is correct when they said people are talking out their ass in this blog. I AM GOING TO PRAY FOR YOU FRIEND. KEEP THE FAITH.
^^THANK YOU SOO MUCH^^ IM GLAD TO KNOW THAT THERE STILL PEOPLE WITH A SOUL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS WELL.
the news video said that a family member said that a doctor said that they didn't find any drug in his system...which family member said that...the reporter did not identify the family member or doctor that made that statement...in the video mom did not make that statement...so we're back to the original point show the results of the drug screen...then i'll believe he said...she said
I have mixed emotions about this issue. On one hand, I try to put myself in the Police Officer's position. IF THE FACTS ARE TRUE then, I would've done the same thing--which was to do whatever I could to stop the perpetrator.
On the other hand--my heart bleeds for my African American brothers who continuously place themselves in a lifestyle that may possibly lead up to an unfortunate encounter with the police. Let's keep it real people--we are NOT talking about someone that has NEVER violated the law or possibly had confrontations with the police. I'm not going to place blame but at the same time--there are underlying questions in my mind.
1. Why did he NOT comply with the Officer's instructions/demands.
2. What made the situation escalate to this outcome?
3. Was this a case of mistaken identity? I think not!!!!
Again, it's a tragedy but at the same time, you cannot shout racism if "we" continue to put ourselves in situations by not respecting the law--or complying with an officer's demands!
BTW--Everyone is entitled to their opinion--thus I'm stating mine. Before you rush to respond, please make sure you read AND comprehend.
In referenc to the statement below why don't the pulpit forum worry about praying for the city and let the police department police it. It was'nt bellamy who caused the guy involved in the fatal shooting to advance the officer involved, and it was'nt bellamy who put the cocaine in the guys mouth from the traffic stop, and it want be bellamy that causes the next individual to behave in a manner that causes a police officer to take actions that are not favored by the public. The simple fact is the police department is currently policing itself and the city of greensbor which is something the city should be proud of.
"The Pulpit Forum is having a
meeting about this issue tomorrow and one of the subjects will be the need for a new police chief in Greensboro. Tim Bellamy has lost control of his department and now has lost the faith of the African-American Community."
I am sooo sick and tired of black people pulling the race card!!! Wrong is wrong. Period! In both cases involving the black men,1 was shot while the other is on life support-- why make them out to suddenly be upstanding citizens? There are several things in common with both of these incidences but the one that remains obvious is that the police officers had the law on their side.
If you want to fight for injustices, let it be for a real cause.
Ask yourself--would you want the law on your side if these men were selling drugs to your family or loved ones? Would you want the law on your side if they were beating up a family member or stole their car? What if the races were reversed? Yeah, just what I thought.
Ok.LETS LOOK AT THE SITUATION. THEY STOP A BLACK MALE WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD. THEY SAY THEY SAW A 40OZ OF BEER AND MARIJUANA ON HIS LAP AND 1 OFFICER AT THE TIME GOT HIM OUT THE CAR AND HANDCUFFED HIM. THERE WAS STILL A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. NOW HE IS HANDCUFFED, WHY IS IT, THAT 3 MORE OFFICERS HAD TO COME WHEN THIS IS JUST ONE PERSON WHO IS ALREADY HANDCUFFED SWALLOWED SOME NARCOTICS WHICH THAT IS STILL IN QUESTION IF HE DID, HAD TO COME TASERED HIM, BEAT HIM, AND ALSO MASED HIM? NOW EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT THE VIDEO ABOUT NOT FINDING ANY DRUGS AND YOU DONT BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE IT DIDNT COME OUT THE PARENTS MOUTH NOR DOCTORS BUT IF YOU LISTEN TO THE NEWS YOU WILL HEAR THAT THE MOTHER IS QUESTIONING WHY HE HAVE ALL THESE BRUISES ON HIS BODY. OF COURSE THE POLICE IS GOING TO LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN ASS AND SAY HE WAS OUT OF CONTROL, WHY WOULDNT THEY? IT WOULD BE STUPID NOT TO. EVEN THE MAYOR SAY SOMETHING IS WRONG AND THATS WHY THERE IS INVESTIGATION. I KNOW THIS MAN IS NOT SAINT BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE DIDNT DESERVE THE TREATMENT FROM THEM POLICE OFFICERS. SO ALL MY AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE OUT THERE THATS SAYING HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVE, YOU SIR, HAVE A SLAVE MENTALITY!
be careful...your education or lack thereof is showing through
Oh, so now he's been "beaten" as well. I guess before too long we'll hear he's been slashed with a knife, run over by a truck, or some other silly comment. This is getting to be a fishing tale, growing more every day.
The plain and simple fact is this, the officers have a duty to protect themselves and the "general" public. The initial reason for the stop is irrelevant! The actions of the driver or passengers is what generates the officer's response.
There is a simple remedy to prevent ALL uses of force by law enforcement. Comply with directions from the officer and do not resist arrest! If this simple rule is followed, the need for force would NEVER be required. Unfortunately, this is not reality.
Think of each of these situations currently in the spotlight. Both suspects knew they were in the wrong. Man-up and take your "punishment" of arrest and a visit to the Magistrates office/jail. If they had followed directions and complied without resistance, these incidents would have never made the newscast.
Secondly, don't eat crack to avoid a temporary jail sentence...otherwise YOU have selected a permanent sentence; DEATH!
the press release stated that he was conscious and alert after the tasing incident and while being transported to the hospital he experienced medical problems...now you think he's been beaten cause he has bruising to the head and face...wow what a stretch you don't think that happened when he fell as a result of being tased...the next time we tase someone we'll let you grab them before they fall...maybe if you grab them just right you can act as a cushion...when you are tased you have no muscle control you go down hard because you cannot extend your arms to break your fall...thus if tased in the back as one anon said, fall forward, fall on face, bruise on face...again, all he had to do was follow commands from the first officer and spit out the dope...
People! PEOPLE!!! PEOPLE!!!!!
Can we at least, ACT like we have spell check? Or in the very least--can we "preview" before "publishing?" I'm really trying to understand some of the posts but my gosh, reading comprehension must not have been a course in education for some folks!
Some of you must not have been in class the day the teacher explained a "run-on" sentence. Also--I thought all PC's were equipped with spell check! You were probably too busy skipping school, robbing someone, selling drugs, getting high or, running around citing injustices handed down to the "brothas" to stop and learn basic comprehension!!!!!!!!!!!
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
maybe the gpd should put 1 black and 1 white officer in every car so if they pull over a black the black officer takes over, and if they pull over a white person, the white officer takes over...isn't it all videotaped from the dash of the car...this town has the worst race problem,,,,what an emabarrasment to live here....black mayor, black police chief, let's get a black school superintendent and black fire chief so the blacks will be happy...or co chair all the posititions with 1 black, 1 white, 1 mexican and 1 true african...leadership by color...then no more discrimination....what if it was black cops that killed this guy....then what would the pulpit say....i bet they were glad it was a whitey...
To the post above, I am gonna pray for you for it is obvious that you have some serious racial issues. You talk about the town having race problems, what efforts are you making to help improve them. It should not be about black or white it should be about respect. Treat the next person black or white the way that you would like to be treated. Two people lost their life to incidents involving the police this past week. Now you have 5 officers who lives will be changed forever. Not only do I feel sorry for the families who lost their loved ones, but for the officers and their families also. For those officers will never be the same again. Instead of throwing jabs, at the city try getting on your knees and prayering for a positive outcome to all of the problems that the city is going through. When we as a community realize that we are not making the situation any better by pointing fingers. Like the old saying goes when you point fingers there are three pointing back at you.
You're either part of the solution or part of the problem!
Fuck This ass good riddance, If you can't enjoy your buzz at home fuck you! Do not steal and get in a car and drive that stolen car. Stay home and enjoy your high! What a fucking dumb ass. Don't deal mass amounts of deadly drugs, Ya know his parents deserve to be locked up because it is their fault for raising and idiot! Just cause you dick works doesn't mead you should have kids. If some one had stepped in and given his mother an abortion like they should have we would not have to kill his dumb ass today! People succeed when their parents stay together and encourage intelligence, but most of Greensboro's citizens white and black are so stupid that they deserve what they get that includes cops! Peace to all watch out for the dumb assess they either don't pull up their pants or have handcuffs attached to them.
Big Moe
Post a Comment