CMPD RELEASED 2012 CRIME STATISTICS

CHIEF MONROE’S STORY PROMOTING 24-HOUR SURVEILLANCE

During a 1/23/13 press conference, Charlotte’s Police Chief Rodney Monroe announced a 9.5% increase in violent crime for 2012, but according to WSOCTV, “Monroe hopes technology put in place for the DNC will help bring that number down this year.”

Monroe went on to say the new Command Center had already helped close a murder case this year when “On Jan. 7 officers in the Hickory Grove Division were investigating a homicide on Farm Pond Lane. When police arrived, they found Monte Gay shot, and he was taken to the hospital, where he died.  Witnesses pointed police to a man named Bret Samuels, who was on electronic monitoring, and records showed he had been in the area of the shooting at the time.  Within two hours, police had a suspect in custody.”

Here are a couple of problems with his rationale:  1) The Command Center has been up and running for much of 2012, but crime statistics are up 9.5 % anyway, and 2) Electronic Ankle Bracelets have been in place and monitored for years.  If electronic monitoring is what caught the homicide suspect, it would not have required the DNC-funded Command Center.

2012 CREATIVE CRIME STATISTIC REPORTING

While it’s great that there were three less murders in 2012 than in 2011, much of the credit probably goes to paramedics and hospital staff—and to quick response of police officers responding to get those who were shot or stabbed to medical help.  The statistics on attempted murder are rolled into lesser charges.  Statistics for everyone who lived through 2012 in Charlotte are less encouraging:

Murders decreased 5.5 %

Rape    increased 4 %

Robbery  increased 12 %, with Armed Robbery increasing 14 %

Aggravated Assault  increased 9 %

Burglary is reported as down about 9 %

Larceny Totals are reported as  increasing about 6 %, with

Shoplifting  increasing over 18 % *

Vehicle Theft  Increased 2 %

Arson decreased 0.5 %

Overall:

Violent Crime Reported increased 9.5 %

Property Crime Reported increased 1.8 %

HOW MANY MURDERS WERE THERE IN 2012?

It’s hard to say what numbers are being reported.  If you examine the individual division numbers per CMPD’s site and add up the 2012 murder totals for each of 13 divisions, they total 49, not the 52 total given for the City for the year.  If three murders were committed somewhere outside of Divisions, but included in the totals, then what does that say about the validity of the rest of the crime numbers?  Or is there some other explanation for these two numbers not matching?

Similarly, adding up rapes reported among divisions brings a total of 205, but the City total is reported as 219.  There are 1635 robberies added up, vs. 1798 reported as the total.  Etcetera.  

Since CMPD is basing their reported increases and decreases in crime on these numbers, an explanation is in order.  If the total number of crimes reported as 38,014 for 2012 and 36,980 for 2011 are based on faulty, misleading, or just unclear reports or calculations, that needs to be clarified or corrected.

FREEDOM DIVISION: PINS FOR BEST 2012 CRIME REDUCTION

Chief Monroe applauded the Freedom Division for crime reduction and gave out pins to commemorate accomplishments.  Monroe said the Freedom Division demonstrated the best overall reduction at 3.5%.  However, violent crime was up 22.5% in Freedom, with Robbery up 31%, Rape up 8%, and Aggravated Assault up 22%.  Murders dropped from 4 in 2011 to 1 in 2012, and Burglary and Larceny statistics were way down.

COMPARE TO PROVIDENCE DIVISION, 2011 PIN WINNERS FOR BEST CRIME REDUCTION

Last year, Monroe began his pinning tradition by awarding them to Captain Martha Dozier and the Providence Division for a drop in 2011 reported crime statistics.  Now her 2012 Crime Statistics show:

Murders increased 67 %

Rape increased 30 %

Strong-armed Robbery increased 38 %

Aggravated Assault increased 12 %

Residential Burglary increased 11 %

Shoplifting increased 55 %  

with overall larceny increasing 6 %

Vehicle Theft increased 4 %

Arson increased 233 %

NOTE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES THIS YEAR IN SHOPLIFTING REPORTED

* The marked increase in reported shoplifting must be considered.  Last year, Citynewswatch reported the little-known SHOP (Shoplifting Offender Project) program employed by CMPD that seemed to be a way to keep larceny numbers off the books.  Inquiries to the State, FBI and CMPD to get accurate Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics required by the FBI and other agencies hit dead ends in many cases, but maybe there was an internal response.  Only a full audit will tell for sure, but it would be a big coincidence if suddenly 20% more incidences of shoplifting started occurring after the diversion program was exposed.  Maybe it’s just a sign of the economic times or law enforcement focus.

If you read this SHOP post, you will see that the 2008 and 2009 CMPD Annual Reports have been removed from the web, and have not been returned.  Those are the first two years of Rodney Monroe’s tenure as Police Chief in Charlotte.  Why have they been removed?  What information is problematic?  2005, 2006, and 2007 are still present. 

PUBLIC STILL IN THE DARK

Watch Commander Logs, Significant Event Logs, and other major public crime information Chief Monroe had removed from the web site still hasn't been restored, and it doesn't look promising it will ever happen.

TOP SECRET STRETCHING

Millions have been spent on the DNC-funded “Command Center” used to install video cameras, microphones and “Shot Spotter” microphone systems, along with extra License Plate Reader's, or LPR’s (cameras that capture and store the locations and actions of tens of thousands of license plates of innocent travelers as they look for a few possible violators).  Monroe still won’t release any Operating Procedures for these devices, who is authorized to use them, who is authorized to access the data, how long it will be stored, whether the data is being uploaded to any outside agencies or companies, or what the total costs are.  There is no data to substantiate the use of this equipment or data, and now Monroe is claiming the old electronic monitoring ankle bracelets are part of the new technology—making any claim necessary to associate catching a murder suspect with his expensive Command Center.

The CMPD and City STILL have not released dollars spent on this “top-secret” technology for security reasons, according to Police Chief Rodney Monroe and recently-retired City Manager Curt Walton.  Tax payers were told they had to wait until after the DNC Convention first week of September, 2012, ended to be told how the security dollars had been spent.  More than four months later, is there still a security threat to the visiting dignitaries last Fall?

No.

The finances for security spending still haven’t been disclosed.

RISE

EVERYDAY HEROES

Many photos and stories will be seen and told today of survivors and heroes out of New York.  Some in each category were first responders.  Others were not.  Those who wear a uniform are trained and know they may be subject to any kind of danger at any time.  They may be heroes on any day.  The magnitude of 9/11 and what individuals overcame to go in was beyond their everyday hero status.  No one could have prepared them to do what they did. They went in anyway.

Others were flying over a field in Pennsylvania and figured out what was going to happen with their plane.  They tried to save themselves and also the ultimate targets of the terrorists who had hijacked their plane. 

They were ordinary Americans who found their inner strength, joined together in a flash, and took unbelievably brave action that likely saved many other lives, had that plane continued all the way to Washington instead of going down in a field.

We lost many heroes at the Pentagon that day as well, and many bravely ran in to save fellow workers and others after a third plane was guided directly into this symbol of our national security.  Often there is little mention of the Pentagon or Pennsylvania losses in the press alongside the New York stories.

We are free.  When united, we can rise.

MILITARY HONORS

Every thought of the 9/11 attacks against our country and those heroes that rose up brings to mind the thousands of men and women serving overseas to protect us.  It brings to mind the need for clarity from both parties for a plan on bringing them out safely.  It recalls thousands who have died in uniform.  Tens of thousands who have returned gravely, irreparably injured for life.  We owe them health care—physical and mental—for life as well.  We also owe them all our gratitude. 

We are free.  We owe our liberty to those before us and those willing to defend it.

POLITICS

Whatever plan may keep our troops abroad and engaged, Americans deserve to hear about it from both parties.  We deserve to hear from not just presidential candidates, but from all lower offices as well.  Congress and the Senate are the ones who vote through plans and funding, from sending ‘em over, to paying for equipment, to funding housing and health care on return. 

They are making decisions about intelligence plans and funding, diplomatic plans and funding, and (one hopes) long-term economic strategy.

We should move on from politicians that want to talk about honoring 9/11 but who don’t talk about the wars we are conducting because they are unpopular topics with most voters.

Watching both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention, it was gravely disappointing to hear almost nothing about national security issues.  Not shocking, just disappointing.  Republicans spent much of their time trying to prove Romney was a more fun, feeling guy than we might think he is.  Democrats spent much of their time trying to prove Obama is popular with the Hollywood crowd.  It’s a tough call which is worse.  Neither thing matters in a president. 

We need a skilled, competent president that can organize the government and its finances to run efficiently, from intelligence agencies to economic development to education to health.  These are issues a responsible press would be covering more of—with less emphasis on what barbeque sauce is favorite or who is better to play golf with.

If you want to honor those who fell on 9/11, require discussion and real answers from all of our politicians, from the presidential candidates down to the smallest local office.  Call for local media to cover those stories, in an unbiased way, so you can get the information you need.  Go to meetings and town halls. 

Educate yourself and then vote. 

It is a privilege to live in this country and be free, but duty comes with privilege.

We are free.  We won’t forget.  We will rise.

RESPECT FOR VETERANS ON MEMORIAL DAY

THANK YOU

Many of us do take time for special activities to honor veterans.  For others, the intensity of meaning can get a little lost in a long weekend—but please remember those who fought and served to give us the freedoms we have as you’re kicking back at the grill.  If not you or your family members, remember those who fought so you could enjoy everything around you.

To veterans dating back to World War I, up through more recent wars, and those who kept the peace, THANK YOU ALL.

SENATOR OBAMA…

In May, 2008, then-Senator Barak Obama demanded an investigation (see politico) into “reports that a supervisor at a Texas Veterans' Affairs facility told staff members to refrain from diagnosing returning war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder in order to reduce costs.”  The Washington Post had broken the story of emails that have since been widely quoted from Army Dr. Norma Perez' May 1, 2008 email to staff with the subject line “Suggestion.”   Her idea was to "refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) straight out.  Consider a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder."   Her letter began, “Given that we are having more and more compensation-seeking veterans…” and continues “we really don’t … have the time to do the extensive testing that should be done to determine PTSD.” 

"Simply put, Ms. Perez's email is outrageous," Obama wrote in the letter. "As you well know, PTSD is the most prevalent mental disorder afflicting our returning...veterans."

"Too many veterans see the VA as a bureaucracy with the singular goal of denying services and benefits to veterans," said Obama. "This recent incident merely serves to promote that impression."

So, now-President Obama is well-aware of this issue and certainly has the pull to get things moving three years later.  However, not much has happened to correct the problem.

STATUS UPDATE 2012

The New York Times reported last month (4/15/2012) via their Bay Citizen report Paperwork Buries Veterans’ Disability Claims by Aaron Glantz:

Even after Ian Rodriguez left the Marine Corps in 2006, he still felt like he was in Iraq. The burly veteran, who played defensive end on the College of San Mateo football team before joining the military, would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night at home in San Bruno and grab his girlfriend, putting both hands around her neck.

“I had no ill will toward her,” Mr. Rodriguez, 28, said in an interview, “but while I was asleep I felt like I was still back there, and I acted it out.” He said he slept with a .40-caliber Glock pistol under his pillow and drank a bottle of whiskey every night to help him forget the war and fall asleep.

In December 2006, Mr. Rodriguez filed a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs, arguing that he deserved a monthly disability check and priority mental health care from the agency because of post-traumatic stress disorder. More than five years later, he is still waiting for a final determination on his case.

Mr. Rodriguez is one of 870,000 veterans nationwide who are waiting for a decision on a disability claim from the V.A. The waiting list has more than doubled since President Obama took office, despite the appropriation of more than $300 million for a new computer system and the hiring of thousands of claims professionals nationwide.

.   .   .

While the agency has modestly increased the number of claims processed each year, the number of new claims filed has increased by 48 percent over the last four years as a flood of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans return home and file disability claims seeking compensation for wounds suffered in the line of duty (677,000 as of October 2011).

At the same time, 231,000 Vietnam veterans have filed fresh disability claims related to diseases that the government only recently acknowledged stemmed from the spraying of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange.

VETERANS AFFAIRS TESTIMONY 2010

Investigative Journalist Joshua Kors of The Nation magazine has worked and researched in this area for years, bringing the issue to the front page of the New York Times and other publications.  He provided testimony at the HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS Personality Disorder Discharges: Impact on Veterans’ Benefits, September 15, 2010
U. S. House of Representatives with Hon. Bob Filner [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.

Joshua Kors, investigative journalist with The Nation magazine, testified in part:

In 2008, after several Congressmen expressed outrage at these discharges, President Bush signed a law requiring the Pentagon to study PD discharges. Five months later, the Pentagon delivered its report. Its conclusion: Not a single soldier had been wrongly diagnosed and not a single soldier had been wrongly discharged. During this 5-month review, Pentagon officials interviewed no one, not even the soldiers whose cases they were reviewing.

Three years ago, during a hearing on personality disorder discharges, military officials sat in these seats and vowed to this Committee to fix this problem. Three years later, nothing has happened.

Sergeant Charles Luther testified as well.  You will probably be shocked by his experience as well as what military and congressional representatives have to say:

Part of his testimony not in the video was a plea to start taking action at last (this was in 2010):

At the very same time that this Committee was having Specialist John Town testify in front of them in 2007, I was abused, broken, and discharged for the very same thing this he was testifying about. Please do not let us be here in 3 years again with another story of shame. The lack of care and concern, coupled with the stigma of asking for help that we have allowed to be put on us, has to be totally removed. Then and only then will we see the veteran’s homelessness rate drop, the active duty in veterans suicide rate drop, and the skyrocketing of divorce decrease. The senior level of the Armed Forces get it. But they can talk about it, design plans for it, and make PowerPoints about it, but if it is not being enforced at the soldiers' level, it is worthless.

Joshua Kors’ testimony explained more about the military’s use of “Personality Disorder” discharges used to force our soldiers out of the military without paying benefits, without helping with medical and psychological treatment:

And that is something you see with all of these discharges. When you have wounds that clearly don't come from a personality disorder, a cleaner way to fudge it is to give a nonpsychological, nonaccurate diagnosis; NOS. You won't find that in any of the psychological manuals. But it prevents them from stating specifically what the issue is.

And, of course, these discharges are being used for some of the most absurd things. Of course, with him (Sgt. Luther), with blindness. With John Town here 3 years ago after he was wounded by the rocket and won the Purple Heart, they said he wasn't wounded. That his deafness came from personality disorder. I think about Sergeant Jose Rivera. His arms and legs were punctured by grenade shrapnel. They said those shrapnel wounds were caused by personality disorder. Sailor Samantha Spitz, her pelvis and two bones in her ankle were fractured. They said that her fractured pelvis was caused by personality disorder.

In a case that really touched me of Specialist Bonnie Moore, she developed an inflamed uterus during service. They said her profuse vaginal bleeding was caused by personality disorder. Civilian doctors thought it was something a little more severe. She went to a hospital in Germany where they removed her uterus and appendix. But after being given that personality disorder discharge and denied all benefits, she and her teenage daughter became homeless. She called me just because she was concerned that at the homeless shelter her daughter would be raped.

Since 2001—and until 2010 (more probable since), over 25,600 soldiers have been pressed into signing “personality disorder” discharges saving the armed forces $14.2 billion dollars in disability and medical benefits.

Sgt. Chuck Luther probably said it best during his testimony in 2010:

“I hold two things very dear to me this day, and it comes from the noncommissioned officers creed: the accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers.”

This concept shouldn’t be so hard for the ones sending our troops to war on our behalf. 

Please write letters to representatives asking them to end this disgraceful practice forcing them out of deserved and necessary medical treatment with false diagnoses, as well as asking for good treatment for all our veterans.  Sgt. Luther has gone on to assist over 4000 fellow soldiers dealing with aftereffects of military service and wrongful denial of benefits through his organization Disposable Warriors listed below.

Wouldn’t it be great if both Democrats and Republicans put veterans front and center at the Conventions this Fall with an announcement that this problem had been eliminated (and it were true)?  All vets should have all medical and psychological care they need.  All discharges forced due to psychological “pre-existing conditions” should be set aside until complete, independent review is done.  Our vets deserve better.  They gave their best.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

BE AT PEACE TODAY.

This information is quoted from a list compiled at www.JoshuaKors.com to assist vets, for anyone in crisis.  There is more information at his site.

Suicide / Crisis

Veterans Crisis Line

            (800) 273-8255 (TALK), ext. 1
            www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans
            If you're thinking about hurting yourself or others, call this number.  It's a hotline set up by the       Veterans Health Administration, giving you 24/7 access to trained counselors who know what you're going through.

General Assistance
            Disposable Warriors
            Sgt. Chuck Luther, Director

            254-258-3315  

            chuckluther@clear.net

            Many know Sgt. Chuck Luther from news coverage of his brave service             (www.joshuakors.com/part3) and from his powerful Congressional testimony             (http://bit.ly/torturehearings).  Luther's organization, Disposable Warriors, assists soldiers who are being wrongfully discharged and denied benefits.  Currently he works at Fort Hood in Texas, where he has been able to take rapid action on behalf of soldiers facing a wide of issues.