Redwood Curtain CopWatch, based in the north coast of California, is part of a larger movement of self organized CopWatch groups throughout the US. Our local efforts seek to intervene in the drastic rise of the presence, militarization, and violence of the police, and build support networks based on self-determination, caring, and concrete needs.
EUREKA PD excessive force against ANOTHER CHILD
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 5:21pm
"My child was beaten by (a police officer) in front of Eureka High School."
Excessive force against child
Letter to the editor
Article Launched: 06/11/2008 01:15:27 AM PDT
My child was beaten by (a police officer) in front of Eureka High School. Before numerous witnesses, (the officer) slammed my son's head against the pavement and against the door of his patrol car. My son is recovering from retinal reattachment surgery. We don't know whether his vision will recover.
This amount of force was unnecessary,since my son's offense was trespassing, roughly a half-block from the front door of our home, at 3:30 p.m. when school let out). In addition,(the officer) outweighs my son by at least 60 pounds and already had my son in a painful hold.
I have filed a formal complaint with EPD, but is it really possible for the Eureka police to investigate themselves fairly?
We read and hear news reports of excessive force being used by our police officers. The victims are characterized in the news as juvenile delinquents, the mentally ill or the homeless. This somehow allows us to imagine it occurs outside our experience, far away from our tidy lawns and comfortable living rooms. Good, law-abiding citizens need not worry, we think, and it certainly won't happen to our children. But it does. I am appalled, and intend to leave this area as soon as I can arrange it.
How are children supposed to develop respect for the law if they witness police brutality on the sidewalk in front of the high school? I hope the local police department will train its officers in violence prevention.
Karol Wilcox
Eureka
NOTE FROM COPWATCH: We believe the Eureka PD officer is Chris Jenkins.
hello
you have my sympathies. Truly. I'm so sorry you had to go thru that.
We as well are leaving this area as soon as possible.
I'm terrified of the cops here. For good reason. I've seen, heard, and read about police brutality since I came here to go to HSU three years ago. A city should love it's cops. Cops should defend those who can't defend themselves. Instead, these eureka police are not qualified to carry a gun. I imagine if we were in the deep south, these would be the guys holding lynchings at night and pretending to be human during the day. It is horrifying, to say the least.
my prayers and thoughts are with you, your son, and your family.