Quote:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/26756142/naacp-speaks-out-on-aggressive-police-tactics-in-hammondNAACP speaks out on 'aggressive police tactics' in HammondPosted: Friday, October 10, 2014 12:14 PM EDT Updated: Friday, October 10, 2014 11:36 PM EDT
By Dane Placko, FOX 32 News Investigative Reporter
Connect
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
The NAACP is expressing its concern about what it calls "aggressive tactics" by police in Hammond, Indiana.
Civil rights leaders in Hammond are now turning up the heat on police. They're promising protests and marches unless the department takes action to curb the use of excessive force.
African-American leaders in Hammond said that dramatic video of a traffic stop gone wrong points to a pervasive problem with Hammond police.
About two dozen members of the NAACP and other civil rights organizations converged on the Hammond police department Friday, demanding changes to what they call cops out of control. Their motive was sparked by the video showing a traffic stop of an African-American family that ended with officers breaking a window and tasering a passenger.
That family has since filed an excessive force federal lawsuit against police.
African-American leaders said it's clear their concerns are not being heard by police or Hammond's mayor, who is defending the officer's handling of the situation."I am standing solidly behind the actions of these police officers... (I) believe that when drivers get pulled over, whether they agree with the reason for the stop or they don't, you must comply with lawful requests of the police."
"The NAACP executive board, membership and the community will not tolerate such behavior and will march, protest, file lawsuits and make demands, including resignations, if these acts continue," said NAACP Hammond President Homer Cobb.
Reverend Orville Sanders is part of the Ministers Alliance of Hammond.
"What happened to click it or ticket? This type of behavior should not be tolerated or acceptable to any human being," Sanders said.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr. did not return FOX 32's calls.The man who was tased, Jamal Jones, is now facing an arrest warrant out of LaPorte County, Indiana, stemming from a marijuana bust in 2007. Jone's lawyer calls that warrant an act of retaliation by the law enforcement community, but said Jones will turn himself in soon.
Protesters speaking Friday also demanded Hammond police go through extensive training on the use of force, and they want an open dialogue with the police chief and mayor about relations between police and the minority community.
READ MORE | Traffic stop in Hammond raises new questions about use of force by police
McDermott, Thomas J has been a racist all along, never ever caring about human or civil rights.
And now... Tom can't control the media spin as he has with the Hammond Times. Although as I have stated else were, when the Jamal Jones, reached into a back pack, I believe the officers were prudent in their actions to draw their guns to protect themselves.
Some believe breaking the window was prudent, but had the cops had a bit more patience, well, Tom's true self would not have come out on a National Arena. CNN, NBC, CBS would not have been in town parked in front of the HPD, City Hall doing news bits on this very problematic town.
But the question remains as to Hammond's Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr, is he a racist? Does he lack concern for anyone other than his political family and friends? Some believe all you have to do as a citizen is drive thru some of Hammond's black neighborhoods, and see the neglect from city services... blacks in Hammond have been second class citizens for decades.
This very well may break bad for Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr's national reputation. Remember, Tom was quickly talked out of running for US Senate, his past efforts to run as LT Governor were squashed because of his history. His efforts to be hired on as a lobbyist failed, as once vetted, it was learned Tom is not a statesmen, but a thug using city agencies to keep people in line.
As to the local rep he has, it is commonly known in the region Tom is a thug.
So, as this movement seems to grown, and other incidents surface, others very well may surface.....you have got to thank those police officers for not having the patience. If they had they had more patience, Hammond would not have gotten this attention, attention McDermott can't control, as he had with the Hammond Times. Will this frame Tom in the true light of him being a racist?
During his 10/10 radio show on WJED, he taunted CNN.
Is Tom a Racist? Read any of the following pieces of litigation.2:14-cv-00018-APR Woods v. Hammond Indiana City of et al
Andrew P Rodovich, presiding
Date filed: 01/22/2014
Date of last filing: 03/07/2014
2:13-cv-00450-TLS-PRC Moreno-Avalos v. Hammond Indiana City Hall of et al
Theresa L Springmann, presiding
Paul R Cherry, referral
Date filed: 12/06/2013
Date of last filing: 03/17/2014
2:13-cv-00091-JVB-APR Blake-King v. McDermott et al
Joseph S Van Bokkelen, presiding
Andrew P Rodovich, referral
Date filed: 03/08/2013
Date of last filing: 01/27/2014
2:13-cv-00347-TLS-PRC Moreno-Avalos v. Hammond Indiana City Hall of et al
Theresa L Springmann, presiding
Paul R Cherry, referral
Date filed: 09/26/2013
Date of last filing: 05/20/2014
From failing to provide FOI request:
To the recent urge to shred documents, with out following the State of Indiana statue regarding the destruction of public records. 
To failing to provide city services equally across the city, ignoring housing in the black and hispanic communities:
People living in this residence? Apparently so.
To questions on how the city, under Mayor McDermott's leadership, failed to protect 3 children killed in a fire:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/opinions/25159174-474/rutter-be-honest-about-how-and-why-3-children-died.htmlTo mis spending federal funds:http://www.hudoig.gov/sites/default/files/Audit_Reports/2012-CH-1009.pdf
And even a federal agency confirming McDermott's racism:
Quote:
HUD No. 14-008
Shantae Goodloe
(202) 708-0685 FOR RELEASE
Thursday
January 30, 2014
HAMMOND, INDIANA AND HAMMOND HOUSING AUTHORITY SETTLE DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT
Former HHA Executive Director claimed she was wrongfully terminated for helping minority families
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that the city of Hammond, Indiana, and the Hammond Housing Authority (HHA) agreed to pay Maria Becerra, the former executive director of HHA $200,000 to settle allegations the city and HHA terminated her employment because she administered a HUD-funded rental assistance program that helped minority familiesmove into predominantly white neighborhoods In addition, HHA agreed to reopen its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waiting list and inform the public about the reopening of the list.
In March 2012, Becerra filed a complaint with HUD alleging that in December of 2011 she was wrongfully terminated from her position as Executive Director of the HHA because she assisted persons using HCVs in finding housing in the Hammond neighborhood of their choice. Becerra further alleged that the mayor of Hammond made public statements supporting her ouster, claiming that the HCV program had grown “out of control†and “exploded†during her tenure.
The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status. The Act also makes it illegal to retaliate against a person for supporting the housing rights of others. In addition, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
“HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program is designed to help lower income families find housing in safe neighborhoods and climb the ladder of social and economic opportunity,†said Bryan Greene, HUD's Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "We’re pleased that, under this Agreement, the HHA commits itself to implement this program in a fair manner and provide greater housing choices for families of all backgrounds.â€
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is HUD’s major rental assistance vehicle for assisting low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities to obtain affordable housing in the private rental market. Rental assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, allowing program participants to find their own rental housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.
Under the terms of the Conciliation Agreement and Voluntary Compliance Agreement
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=HammondHA_12-23-13.pdf that settled these allegations,relevant city and HHA staff and board members will receive fair housing training; the Mayor of Hammond will issue a public statement in support of HCVs and the HCV program in Hammond; the cityand HHA will sponsor a public outreach forum to encourage landlord participation in the HCV program; and HHA will expend at least 97 percent of its annual HCV budget each year.
Login
FAQ
Search
