CA - Use of deadly force by police disappears on Richmond streets

[katydid23]

Well that makes sense for a public service - a way for Joe and Josephine Citizen to contact their local LE. Wonder how many other US cities have this open contact format with their local LE.

No mention of personal e-mails and personal phone numbers for the officers.

Magnus also eliminated the seniority system that allowed officers to choose the areas they would patrol. He required officers to take on more responsibilities on their beats beyond responding to calls. Beat officers are required to attend neighborhood meetings and to maintain a high profile at churches, schools and businesses. They’re encouraged to hand out their mobile phone numbers and email addresses to residents.
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/02/01/richmond-police-chief-magnus-revitalizes-tough-city/

Since Magnus took over as Chief in Richmond, he has instituted geographic policing, where officers are assigned to specific beats over an extended period of time, sometimes as long as several years

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-article-richmond-police-chief-joe-lavaglio

I have read opinions on a LE forum about this set up. Many Richmond officers were unhappy about the schedules being on the internet. They said that if they arrest a gangmember, for stolen guns or something, their gang brothers can instantly look on their cells and see immediately what day and times and what beat a specific officer is assigned to. And many locals have their cell numbers or emails, and so they can be contacted and called to specific 'incidents' , without going through dispatchers. In some of the articles linked above, they talk about locals calling cells phones of officers to say there was a problem on a certain corner right then and ask for them to come.

I know many here are saying how great that is. But a street cop might see it in a whole different way. It is a vulnerable position they are in. If the crimes spike, and the gangs feel emboldened, it is not a comfortable position for the cops to have their locations available instantly to all who want to know.

 

[bluesneakers]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-article-richmond-police-chief-joe-lavaglio

rsbm - from the link

But not so in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of Richmond: Not only are relationships between the people and the police strong, but the statistics indicate that the policies instituted by Chief Magnus are significantly reducing crime. Violent crime has been dropping nationally for years – down 14.5% since 2004, according to the FBI. In Richmond, it has dropped even faster. Homicides in this city of just over 100,000 are down from 47 in 2007 to just 11 last year.

Longtime community advocate Kathleen Sullivan has never been afraid to call the command staff when she sees an officer behaving badly. The fact that they listen has changed everything. Now she feels comfortable telling others “Sometimes when you're concerned, you need to call the police. Because they are here to get the bad guy.”

Sounds like he did an excellent job while he was there. I have a feeling the citizens of Richmond were sad to see him leave.

 

[katydid23]

rsbm - from the link





Sounds like he did an excellent job while he was there. I have a feeling the citizens of Richmond were sad to see him leave.

http://lawstreetmedia.com/crime-america-2015-top-10-dangerous-cities-200000/

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000



#10 RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA

Richmond, California is the #10 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000 in the United States. It was ranked #7 last year. Richmond fell three spots because of its overall decrease in violent crime by about 5 percent. In addition, their murder rate fell slightly, from almost 17/100,000 to 15/100,000.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,036/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 15/100,000 people

Population: 107,341 | Officer to Population Ratio: 577:1

Median Household Income: $54,657 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 17.9%

Rank last year: #7

=======================================================================

So it is the number 10 in violent crime? After all that work in community policing?

 

[EllieBee]

http://lawstreetmedia.com/crime-america-2015-top-10-dangerous-cities-200000/

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000



#10 RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA

Richmond, California is the #10 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000 in the United States. It was ranked #7 last year. Richmond fell three spots because of its overall decrease in violent crime by about 5 percent. In addition, their murder rate fell slightly, from almost 17/100,000 to 15/100,000.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,036/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 15/100,000 people

Population: 107,341 | Officer to Population Ratio: 577:1

Median Household Income: $54,657 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 17.9%

Rank last year: #7

=======================================================================

So it is the number 10 in violent crime? After all that work in community policing?

It fell 3 positions in one year, from 7th most dangerous to 10th, because of it's overall DECREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME BY 5%. Sounds like progress to me.

(Info is from the link you just posted, not sure how you missed that?)

 

[katydid23]

It fell 3 positions in one year, from 7th most dangerous to 10th, because of it's overall DECREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME BY 5%. Sounds like progress to me.

(Info is from the link you just posted, not sure how you missed that?)

But right now, there has been a spike in crime. So it will likely be back up higher on the 'most dangerous cities list.' And the Chief has been there since 2007. And the city has been in the top 10 most dangerous cities all of that time. Doesn't sound all that successful, to me.

 

[EllieBee]

I can only state the facts as they are. I can't make you understand them.

I refuse to argue what is there in black and white, and will continue to applaud those who work hard to make a difference, especially when it is successful. Denying the success does not mean it is not a success.

Have a good day, I am off to start my coffee.

 

[katydid23]

I can only state the facts as they are. I can't make you understand them.

I refuse to argue what is there in black and white, and will continue to applaud those who work hard to make a difference, especially when it is successful. Denying the success does not mean it is not a success.

Have a good day, I am off to start my coffee.

Here it is, in black and white:
July 29, 2015

Robbery spike in Richmond ‘happening all over the city’:

Armed robberies have been particularly alarming, police said, as they are happening day and night with few neighborhoods being spared.
After reporting a public safety notice by the Richmond Police Department on Saturday warning of an alarming increase in armed robberies, several readers asked us to be more specific about where the crimes have been occurring.
Everywhere, unfortunately.

On Monday, the department reported that the city saw 27 more armed robberies from Jan. 1 through the end of June than during the same period last year, a 26-percent increase.

Overall, property and violent crimes increased by 16-percent for the first half-year (In this July 17 post, Police Chief Chris Magnus and Capt. Mark Gagan offered possible reasons for the uptick.).






http://richmondstandard.com/2015/07/robbery-spike-in-richmond-happening-all-over-the-city/

 

[Woodland]

Magnus also eliminated the seniority system that allowed officers to choose the areas they would patrol. He required officers to take on more responsibilities on their beats beyond responding to calls. Beat officers are required to attend neighborhood meetings and to maintain a high profile at churches, schools and businesses. They’re encouraged to hand out their mobile phone numbers and email addresses to residents.
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/02/01/richmond-police-chief-magnus-revitalizes-tough-city/

Since Magnus took over as Chief in Richmond, he has instituted geographic policing, where officers are assigned to specific beats over an extended period of time, sometimes as long as several years

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-article-richmond-police-chief-joe-lavaglio

I have read opinions on a LE forum about this set up. Many Richmond officers were unhappy about the schedules being on the internet. They said that if they arrest a gangmember, for stolen guns or something, their gang brothers can instantly look on their cells and see immediately what day and times and what beat a specific officer is assigned to. And many locals have their cell numbers or emails, and so they can be contacted and called to specific 'incidents' , without going through dispatchers. In some of the articles linked above, they talk about locals calling cells phones of officers to say there was a problem on a certain corner right then and ask for them to come.

I know many here are saying how great that is. But a street cop might see it in a whole different way. It is a vulnerable position they are in. If the crimes spike, and the gangs feel emboldened, it is not a comfortable position for the cops to have their locations available instantly to all who want to know.

UBM

They are encouraged to hand out their work phone numbers and work e-mails - the ones paid for by the citizens of Richmond. A good public servant practice imo.

I see there is no link to opinions by Richmond police on the set up of their stations/precincts. Over all though, the set up is working. Cops are not being ambushed with their beats and contact info posted - I would venture to say that is because they are not ambushing the citizens. They have a relationship with the community - it's working and a model for all other cities. Richmond LE is not treating their city as a war torn area so the rules of engagement are different - and it's working.

Fwiw, I have never and likely will never put the crime rate of any city on the shoulders of LE. No one contacts LE to say they are about to commit a crime, nor do people generally call LE and advise someone else is planning a crime.
I know it's part of LE's mission statement to prevent crime - not possible or realistic imo. By and large, they can only manage crime after the fact.

 

[K_Z]

I strongly disagree that public servants, like LEO's, firefighters, etc, should have to be identified by their real names. They should be able to give out a work email with an alias or numbered account, and the contact information for their precinct, only. Let me explain why.

Health care workers, for example, have only a first name and sometimes a last initial, or they choose an alias or nickname, on their nametags. Their email addresses don't identify first and last names, typically. This is because so many health care workers have been stalked and victims of crimes because of casual identification within their workplace by those who would do them harm. It isn't hard to find out home addresses, etc just by doing some casual internet searches.

Imagine if a gang member is brought into ER, and is unable to be resuscitated. There have been cases where fellow gang members went after the health care professionals in revenge.

There is a formal mechanism to find out health care worker's names if there is a complaint, or a party wants to file lawsuits. I think officers should have the same protections, for their own sake, and that of their families and children. I think officers should have an alias on their nametags, and be identified by badge number and alias. Again, when there are "real" legitimate needs to know their real name, that can be revealed. I'm very bothered that officers names are spread all over social media during times of social unrest. I worry about their safety, their kids, their spouses.

Darren Wilson was a good example of death threats and calls for vigilante "justice".

Until something gets to court, I don't think officer's real names should be released in the media, either. It's simply too dangerous these days. They and their families deserve our protection, IMO. Because EVEN if the officer is found to have done something wrong, their families DID NOT, nor did their kids. And it is often months and months until charges make it to the court system.

With all the recent calls for "mob justice" and death threats against officers, the officer's families and kids are put in serious danger, IMO.

Aliases won't eliminate the risks to officers, but it will slow the bad people down who want to stalk and do harm to them and their families.

 

[KaaBoom]

Health care workers, for example, have only a first name and sometimes a last initial, or they choose an alias or nickname, on their nametags.

Where do you live? Certainly not in the US. Because I have never seen a medical facility anywhere in the US, that doesn't require their employees to use their full legal name. I believe it is probably required by law. So I think that kind of ruins the credibility of your post. You are really grasping at straws to make your point.

 

[Tawny]

This symposium is a good way for LE to begin addressing their relationship with the public - I have a concern though regarding their method.

During this symposium, LE will only be talking to LE. It's what they will do after this as far implementing a plan that I would like to hear about. The press release mentions they have been meeting since 1995 - the relationship has been in serious decline since then.

Not attempting to rain on their parade - just wondering how serious it will be taken this time.

All jmo.

I would like to see leaders in various communities in attendance with scheduled time to speak.

UBM

They are encouraged to hand out their work phone numbers and work e-mails - the ones paid for by the citizens of Richmond. A good public servant practice imo.

I see there is no link to opinions by Richmond police on the set up of their stations/precincts. Over all though, the set up is working. Cops are not being ambushed with their beats and contact info posted - I would venture to say that is because they are not ambushing the citizens. They have a relationship with the community - it's working and a model for all other cities. Richmond LE is not treating their city as a war torn area so the rules of engagement are different - and it's working.

Fwiw, I have never and likely will never put the crime rate of any city on the shoulders of LE. No one contacts LE to say they are about to commit a crime, nor do people generally call LE and advise someone else is planning a crime.
I know it's part of LE's mission statement to prevent crime - not possible or realistic imo. By and large, they can only manage crime after the fact.

I agree.

I strongly disagree that public servants, like LEO's, firefighters, etc, should have to be identified by their real names. They should be able to give out a work email with an alias or numbered account, and the contact information for their precinct, only. Let me explain why.

Health care workers, for example, have only a first name and sometimes a last initial, or they choose an alias or nickname, on their nametags. Their email addresses don't identify first and last names, typically. This is because so many health care workers have been stalked and victims of crimes because of casual identification within their workplace by those who would do them harm. It isn't hard to find out home addresses, etc just by doing some casual internet searches.

Imagine if a gang member is brought into ER, and is unable to be resuscitated. There have been cases where fellow gang members went after the health care professionals in revenge.

There is a formal mechanism to find out health care worker's names if there is a complaint, or a party wants to file lawsuits. I think officers should have the same protections, for their own sake, and that of their families and children. I think officers should have an alias on their nametags, and be identified by badge number and alias. Again, when there are "real" legitimate needs to know their real name, that can be revealed. I'm very bothered that officers names are spread all over social media during times of social unrest. I worry about their safety, their kids, their spouses.

RS&BBM

Where do you get your healthcare that you don't know the name of your provider? I have never been attended to by a doctor who did not provide freely their first and last names.

BBM: Source?

 

[Woodland]

Imo, if healthcare workers in Richmond, CA were being attacked then there would be relevance to this thread. If not, then apples and oranges. Combat zone vs non-combat zone.

The difference has been proven over time.

 

[K_Z]

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010-R-0062.htm

This ^^ is a brief summary. It is hotly debated within healthcare.

Most states require the health professional to display their TITLE (job), and a first name/ alias. Some require photo ID, others do not. (There have been people impersonate professionals by stealing name tags.) I haven't worn a nametag with a first and last name in nearly 20 years, and I've been credentialed in 15 facilities in 3 states as a locum tenens in that time.

I believe it is relevant. Health workers are public servants, as well. LE by it's very nature deals with a lot of crime, criminals, and criminal suspects. We should protect their identity, and their duty location, as much as possible, for "operational security". I am of the opinion that we need to take a more "military" approach to how police conduct operational (duty) security. It IS an urban warzone in many urban areas.

Heck-- "real" warzones are often much safer than some urban cities.

This "kinder, gentler" policing, IMO, is not the way to go, IMO. I don't want to see the time when we take away LEO's weapons. I would not feel safe at all in a city like that, even with a low rate of crime.

 

[EllieBee]

So what about teachers, CPS workers, loan officers, judges, lawyers, etc?

They have all been targets of retaliation, several of them killed and are cases here on WS.

Being a cop is a dangerous job, sure. I am pretty sure they tell candidates this before they begin training. If you choose that career path, you choose it fully aware of its risks.

But thread after thread of "why should cops put themselves in dangerous positions?" ad nauseum....
Well, because it is the nature lf the job.

Its like a lumberjack refusing to climb up trees because it is too dangerous. It is the job as advertised. You use safety gear, have proper training, but it is what it is.

Hiding behind false or partial names? That is ridiculous, IMO.

This is just my opinion and not directed at anyone.

 

[K_Z]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/745204

What Should My Employee Badge Say?

There is no 1 common practice nationwide. In some states, legislatures have enacted statutes requiring individuals who provide direct patient care to wear name tags with first and last name and title or license. Often, an exception is made for personal safety reasons. In other states, a hospital, nursing home, or practice may decide how it wants to identify staff. Here are examples of state laws that require healthcare providers to wear name badges:

Healthcare providers clearly must comply with state legal requirements. In states where there is no law on this matter, however, there are differences of opinion on the appropriate use of full (first and last) name. Online discussion at a Website for nurses leaned toward nurses not wanting to fully identify themselves for safety reasons.[5,6] Discussion on another Website devoted to health issues weighed in favor of using first and last name.

Proponents of full names questioned the actual risk of giving the provider's last name and suggested that professionalism and accountability require first and last name.[7] They point out that physicians, judges, and police officers use their full names, and that these individuals are just as exposed to harassment as nurses.

More at link.

 

[Woodland]

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010-R-0062.htm

This ^^ is a brief summary. It is hotly debated within healthcare.

Most states require the health professional to display their TITLE (job), and a first name/ alias. Some require photo ID, others do not. (There have been people impersonate professionals by stealing name tags.) I haven't worn a nametag with a first and last name in nearly 20 years, and I've been credentialed in 15 facilities in 3 states as a locum tenens in that time.

I believe it is relevant. Health workers are public servants, as well. LE by it's very nature deals with a lot of crime, criminals, and criminal suspects. We should protect their identity, and their duty location, as much as possible, for "operational security". I am of the opinion that we need to take a more "military" approach to how police conduct operational (duty) security. It IS an urban warzone in many urban areas.

Heck-- "real" warzones are often much safer than some urban cities.

This "kinder, gentler" policing, IMO, is not the way to go, IMO. I don't want to see the time when we take away LEO's weapons. I would not feel safe at all in a city like that, even with a low rate of crime.

We are very o/t now.

 

[flourish]

So what about teachers, CPS workers, loan officers, judges, lawyers, etc?

They have all been targets of retaliation, several of them killed and are cases here on WS.

Being a cop is a dangerous job, sure. I am pretty sure they tell candidates this before they begin training. If you choose that career path, you choose it fully aware of its risks.

But thread after thread of "why should cops put themselves in dangerous positions?" ad nauseum....
Well, because it is the nature lf the job.

Its like a lumberjack refusing to climb up trees because it is too dangerous. It is the job as advertised. You use safety gear, have proper training, but it is what it is.

Hiding behind false or partial names? That is ridiculous, IMO.

This is just my opinion and not directed at anyone.

As a teacher this subject actually has come up. My original work name badge used to have my first name on the front and last on the back, so my last wasn't as visible. Teachers usually put a sticker over their last names. Then over time, someone started putting last names on them, then we started using the ones given to us free from the school photo company and those had last names but not first names. Very confusing as the children called us first names only. Also they made a big deal at first about us only using first names but then they added email and lo and behold our assigned emails had our last names. Then they put the staff directory online so random anybody could see which school we were assigned.

Anyway, personally I find it refreshing to see positive stories about LE, and am disappointed to see that some who are constant defenders of LE, whatever the situation, who are choosing to see this as negative. It seems to me the crux of that was stated early in the thread--something to the effect of cops won't want to do their jobs if they don't think lethal force is a choice... That's pretty pathetic. Can you imagine if I was like, "yeah I don't feel comfortable teaching these preschoolers unless I know I'm allowed to hit them" because goodness knows they hit me!

 

[Tawny]

This "kinder, gentler" policing, IMO, is not the way to go, IMO. I don't want to see the time when we take away LEO's weapons. I would not feel safe at all in a city like that, even with a low rate of crime.

RSBM

1 - What. Kinder gentler... what...???
2 - What rabbit hole are you jumping down that says anybody thinks LE should not have weapons I can't even with this what is happening help

Anyway, personally I find it refreshing to see positive stories about LE, and am disappointed to see that some who are constant defenders of LE, whatever the situation, who are choosing to see this as negative. It seems to me the crux of that was stated early in the thread--something to the effect of cops won't want to do their jobs if they don't think lethal force is a choice... That's pretty pathetic.

RSBM

Agreed.

 

[i.b.nora]

http://lawstreetmedia.com/crime-america-2015-top-10-dangerous-cities-200000/

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000



#10 RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA

Richmond, California is the #10 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000 in the United States. It was ranked #7 last year. Richmond fell three spots because of its overall decrease in violent crime by about 5 percent. In addition, their murder rate fell slightly, from almost 17/100,000 to 15/100,000.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,036/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 15/100,000 people

Population: 107,341 | Officer to Population Ratio: 577:1

Median Household Income: $54,657 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 17.9%

Rank last year: #7

=======================================================================

So it is the number 10 in violent crime? After all that work in community policing?

LawStreetMedia is pretty much a one person (Kevin Rizzo) blog. Why should we trust or believe any if his so-called statistics about anything? Just pathetic.

Edit to add: I see now that he is using FBI Crime Report statistics to fashion a result that has been picked up by other sites.

 

[i.b.nora]

Here is a another source for those who enjoy interpretations of crime statistics:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/10/22/violent-crime-statistics-for-every-city-in-america/

FBI’s Violent Crime Statistics For Every City In America
October 22, 2015 5:00 PM By Mason Johnson
CBS Chicago

“Every year, the FBI releases the Uniform Crime Report, their statistical interpretation of crime in America. Depending on data given to them by local law enforcement agencies, it’s not a ranking of America’s cities — there are no winners, no losers — but a way for America as a whole and individual cities to track their crime over long periods of time.

With this in mind, I took the FBI’s information and looked at the cities with the most violent crime — murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. I did not do this so we could come together and crown a “murder capital” or determine who truly is the “worst.” My intention is to share what is essentially a sliver of information about our cities, a handful of numbers that contribute to a much bigger picture.

Ultimately, these rates should be taken with a grain of salt. Alone, they do not represent our cities.

Below, you’ll find the cities with the highest violent crime rates. You can see the information for all 9,346 American cities the FBI reported on here.”

Violent Crime In America​

Lots of words, numbers, and charts. I found nothing regarding Richmond, California but, I very well might have missed it.