[Peace-discuss] [Discuss] Non-interaction with Champaign police

Sun Jul 18 10:48:28 CDT 2010

I understand what you're saying, of course, about general differential policing. 
But people in Cherry Hills would certainly expect a quick response from such a 
report, even if it was a resident who was the offending party, and would be up 
in arms if they were treated dismissively, especially with license plate 
information. It's just not analogous to a kid in CH being caught with some weed.

________________________________
From: Marti Wilkinson <martiwilki at gmail.com>
To: David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com>
Cc: Peace Discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>; Discuss Courtwatch 
<discuss at lists.communitycourtwatch.org>
Sent: Sat, July 17, 2010 9:02:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Discuss] Non-interaction with Champaign police

I'm saying that "better" neighborhoods are not as policed as aggressively. I 
grew up in Holiday Park (same neighborhood as the mayor) and now live in Garden 
Hills, and there is a real difference between how the areas are policed. You 
brought up the situation with Kiwane Carrington - if this had been a couple of 
white kids in Cherry Hills - I doubt that the cops would have run in with their 
guns out. Look at the difference in how a Cherry Hills doctor, who stabbed her 
two sons killing one, and a black janitor in Garden Hills was handled. In the 
latter case the guy was suicidal and the city sent the SWAT team after him. 

If a white kid attending the University of Illinois is caught with a bag of 
weed, he will probably face a misdemeanor charge. If a black kid north of 
University Avenue gets caught with the same amount, it may well turn into a 
felony. Hence, if you want to be a 'lunatic driver" you are more likely to get 
away with it around Hessel Park than Douglass Park. An officer is more likely 
going to be a witness in areas north of University Ave to lunatic drivers, which 
increases the likelihood of being apprehended. 

As both Laurie and John pointed out there may be some procedural aspects to this 
as well. What I suggest is contacting the members of the city council and 
sharing your story and concerns with them. Then see what they have to say about 
this.  

Marti

On Sat, Jul 17, 2010 at 8:56 AM, David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com> wrote:

Are you saying that people in "better" neighborhoods don't want to be protected 
from lunatic drivers?
>
>
>
________________________________
From: Marti Wilkinson <martiwilki at gmail.com>
>To: David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com>
>Cc: Discuss Courtwatch <discuss at lists.communitycourtwatch.org>; Peace Discuss 
><peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
>Sent: Fri, July 16, 2010 10:40:28 PM
>Subject: Re: [Discuss] Non-interaction with Champaign police
>
>
>"What accounts for this disinterest?"
>
>In the language of real estate - "Location, Location, Location". If this had 
>been north of University Ave the local cops would have been on this in a 
>heartbeat. 
>
>
>I suggest you contact the Champaign City Council and ask them that question. 
>Since they refused to have a civilian review board, and have appointed 
>themselves as overseers on the community, they would be the perfect people to 
>ask. Or write a letter to the News-Gazette and share your concerns over what 
>happened. 
>
>
>This reminds me that I once received an anonymous email from someone a couple of 
>years ago. This person lived in Cherry Hills and wanted to file a noise 
>complaint against a loud party, tried to call the cops and no one responded. 
>It's no secret that both Julia Rietz and her hubby live in that area. Chief 
>Finney lives in another McMansion subdivision close by. 
>
>
>Marti
>
>
>
>
>On Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 6:56 PM, David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>This past Sunday, sometime between 6:00 and 6:30 in the evening, I was walking 
>around the paved track at Hessel Park. As I approached the entrance to the park 
>(north side, Elm St.), I witnessed a white Mustang convertible with a young, 
>white, male driver (along), speeding along Grandview, the street the 
>semi-circles the park from Kirby to Elm to Kirby. He was travelling east towards 
>Elm at at least 60 mph. Again, this was on a nice evening with much activity at 
>the park. His car spun out of control and he careened off of Grandview into a 
>front yard, coming to a halt. He drove back out over the short embankment (there 
>are no sidewalks on Grandview), out back onto Grandview, and turned left, going 
>North up Elm St. towards Hessel Ave. He continued surpassing the speed limit. He 
>did stop at the stop sign at the corner of Hessel and Elm. 
>
>>
>>I caught his license plate, easier because it was personalized: STANGO 1. As I 
>>continued walking around the park, I noticed a gentlemen on his cell phone. I 
>>assumed he was calling the police, which was correct. I told him the license 
>>plate. Shortly after, there was another man calling police, and I also told him 
>>the license plate. 
>>
>>
>>Later in the evening, I called the CPD--the public number, not 911. I informed 
>>the male answering the phone about my experience, assuming he had already heard 
>>from the others. I offered myself as a witness. He wasn't particularly 
>>interested. He told me that there had been no officers in the area at the time 
>>of the incident, and gave me the impression that the case was closed, unless 
>>other officers came across this driver during the evening.
>>
>>I am no making moralistic judgments about this young man driving the car. I have 
>>no idea what circumstances may have prompted this behavior. Nevertheless, a car 
>>travelling at that speed and going out of control is clearly life-threatening. 
>>If there had been someone in that front yard, they could have been killed.
>>
>>I am quite sure that STANGO 1 is a greater threat to public safety than Kiwane, 
>>the young man at Douglas Park, and any number of others.
>>
>>I assume that the CPD can access information on the basis of the license plate, 
>>at least the residence of the owner of the car.
>>
>>What accounts for this disinterest?
>>
>>David Green
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Discuss mailing list
>>Discuss at lists.communitycourtwatch.org
>>http://lists.communitycourtwatch.org/listinfo.cgi/discuss-communitycourtwatch.org
>>
>>
>>
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