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Petition Tag - criminal
1. Bullies to Bootcamp (Victims have rights) 
In memory of Amanda Todd & all others. After a 15 year old female, was victimized and made her commited suicide after being bullied by many teenagers.
Help prevent & end Bullying now.
2. Harsher Sentences for Pedophiles
Pedophiles are not getting harsh enough sentences. They are given slaps on the wrist and are often free to re-offend soon after conviction. Here`s just 2 examples of many:
-David James Lebanc. He was one of the 2 men involved in the confinement and sexual assault of a 16 yr old boy for two weeks in Halifax. He was already facing pending charges from 2010 for sexual assault, touching a person under age 16, and making child pornography with a 2yr old and a 5yr old! Leblanc was released in 2010 so long as he didn`t go near children. He failed to comply in 2011, and served only 18 days in prison! This assault on the 16yr old boy was 100% preventable. Our judicial system failed that boy.
-Christopher Paul Neil. He served a mere 5 yrs. in a Thai prison for posting hundreds of pictures of him assaulting more than one child. He was arrested upon his return to Canada for being a threat to all children, yet was released a few days later so long as he promises not to go near children. Sound familiar?
As per recent news articles, Harper's C-10 crime bill gives harsher sentences to pot growers than to pedophiles. Something is wrong with that.
Why are these monsters allowed to get away with this? Our system needs some reform. As long as the penalties remain as slack as they are, this is going to keep happening.
3. Death Penalty for Child Sex Offenders
It is 2011 and Australia is still in the dark ages when it comes to the sentencing of criminals, in particular those who commit sex crimes against children.
In a recent trial a judge in Victoria sentenced a woman who had incestual sex with her son for and allowing her husband to repeatedly molest her daughter for five years and three months and ordered she serve two years and three months before being eligible for parole.
This message shows the Australian public as well as the rest of the world that sex offences against children are not of much concern to our judicial system.
We need to call on the PM to bring back the death penalty and harsher sentencing for sex offenders.
Vicious Mutilation of Family Cat
Our family pet cat was recently found dead and mutilated with many of his body parts missing.
The post-mortem that followed could not determine a cause of death since vital body and organ identifiers had been removed. However, the examination did prove that the mutilation was deliberate and that further, several parts were removed post mortem.
On notifying the authorities of this atrocity; we have been informed that the police cannot pursue any sort of investigation as a criminal offence has apparently not taken place under the jurisdiction Greater Manchester Police force. The explanation given for the lack of police intervention is that interference with our cat’s body occurred after his death.
The purpose of this petition therefore, is to close the gap in the law that relates to the act of purposeful mutilation and theft of body parts from the carcass of family pets regardless as to the original cause of death.
We understand that in certain areas such an act is found to be criminal and is thus covered by the Criminal Damage Act, 1971. Justification of this stance is given to the fact that; within the law a domestic animal is and should be viewed, as the absolute property of its owner.
Why can there not be a consistent course of action for animal cruelty offences, before and after death, pursued throughout every police force in England?
To be considered further is the proven link between the mutilation of animals by individuals and their tendency to progress onto further, more violent crimes. We believe that there has to be a deterrent within the law against this type of behaviour and to protect our communities.
Clearly, at this time, the law is not in our favour and as such, we would petition for action to be taken to enforce criminal damage suits against proven offenders and that moreover, the police are permitted to investigate such barbarous acts of crime against family pets and indeed all animals with a serious intent to prosecute offenders.
5. Pursue Charges for RCMP/Police who Break the Law
RCMP and police officers in Canada who often misuse their granted powers tend to either not have any criminal charges laid, charges dropped, or the minimum possible charge (i.e. misconduct). Officers if charged also face little disciplinary action from the police.
This tends to occur from "self investigations" of the RCMP. If RCMP or police officers in Canada break the law (i.e. Assault, Murder, Manslaughter, DUI, etc.) they should be investigated by civilians and not other police forces, especially their own.
6. Replace the BC RCMP with Provicial Police Force
The BC Government is in negotiations with the RCMP to renew their contract in 2012.
With all the problems with RCMP officers being charged with criminal offenses and being suspended with pay for years while it works it's way through the courts and then through internal RCMP discipline committees the BC Government and the people have no say in in the mandate of the RCMP only Ottawa has jurisdiction, it's time to replace them with a provincial and municipal force.
7. Stop BC RCMP renewal contract without public consultation
The BC Government is in negotiations with the RCMP to renew their contract for policing in 2012.
With past performance of RCMP officers being charged with criminal offenses and rising they are reassigned to desk duty or to sit at home with full pay until all court cases have been dealt with, most cases take years and if convicted they then go through a RCMP internal review (1 year at least)before discipline If any!
There is another petition to oust the RCMP altogether from BC,
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41557.html
8. Review the Glasgow Commonwealth Games LOGO
I surely cannot be the only one who thinks that the new logo for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for 2014 is utter rubbish.
The fact that it cost £95000 to create beggars belief. Scandalous and criminal. Anyone who uses a computer could design a better one in 5 minutes. That can be put to the test.
We are serious about Our Right to Feel Safe in Queensland and we are calling on you to take action.
We feel less safe because criminal behaviour is not sufficiently punished in Queensland.
10. Clear Criminal Record of all "Non-pros" Sentencing
Under the current guidelines a person charged with a crime and the court decides not to prosecute, the person will receive a "NONPROS" verdict. Although not a conviction, the charge will remain on their criminal record forever. This should not be the case.
If the court chooses not to prosecute or trial the case, the charges should be dismissed and have the ability to be expunged. As of now, the "NONPROS" verdict can not be expunged. I would like this law be revised and updated.
11. Rapists Deserve To Have Genitalia Removed
Rape is a filthy and horrific crime. It destroys the lives and the self esteem of the victims, and some people never recover.
It is a disgusting act all about power and control and is in some cases, worse than murder.
12. Demand Those Responsible Pay Back The Missing Education Dollars
ADLER - AUDITOR'S FINDINGS IN WILLINGBORO MERITS CRIMINAL PROBE
Audit: Willingboro school officials faked financial reports in 2005.
TRENTON - Senator John H. Adler today asked State Attorney General Stuart Rabner to launch a criminal probe to punish those responsible for misappropriating millions of taxpayer dollars in the Willingboro Township School District.
"As we tell our children, there have to be consequences for wrongdoing," said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. "Taxpayers need to know we will dig down to the root causes of wrongdoing and punish those responsible."
In a report by State Auditor Richard L. Fair, it was disclosed that Willingboro officials approved a grossly under-funded budget for the 2005 fiscal year and then falsified reports to cover up the shortfall, causing a crisis which was abated only after the Legislature sanctioned a $10 million bailout loan.
"It is unconscionable that New Jersey taxpayers should be asked to tolerate and to subsidize what very well may be criminal behavior," Senator Adler said in a letter today sent to Attorney General Stuart Rabner. "As a taxpayer, I am appalled. As a State Senator, I appeal to you for a corrective remedy."
The Auditor's report noted that the Willingboro School Board said its vote to approve the budget was based on "falsified" information supplied by district staff. In July of 2005, the board suspended School Superintendent Alonzo Kittrels.
In the wake of a school district deficit set at $5.9 million, three Willingboro schools were shuttered in the district of 5,600 students.
The State audit found that the district's 2005 budget set aside $13.6 million for teachers' salaries when the actual cost was $17.7 million and that a monthly report on the district's financial activity consistently understated expenses.
"Children should see that grownups who abuse taxpayers are held accountable," Senator Adler said. "Otherwise, we're all complicit."
Senator Adler served as co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform which recommended tighter fiscal accountability procedures for districts throughout New Jersey.
13. Support the Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009
Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual to file a petition for expungement of a record of conviction for a nonviolent criminal offense if such individual has:
(1) never been convicted of a violent offense and has never been convicted of a nonviolent offense other than the one for which expungement is sought;
(2) fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court in which conviction was obtained;
(3) remained free from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for a minimum of one year and has been rehabilitated, to the court's satisfaction, if so required by the terms of supervised release;
(4) obtained a high school diploma or completed a high school equivalency program; and
(5) completed at least one year of community service.
Authorizes an individual convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor to file an expungement petition. Directs the court, in ruling on such petition, after determining petitioner eligibility, to weigh the petitioner's interests against the best interests of justice and public safety.
Authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to maintain a nonpublic manual or computerized index of expunged records, to be made available only to federal and state law enforcement personnel who have custody of such records for limited disclosure purposes.
Requires the restoration of expunged records of individuals subsequently convicted of any federal or state offense.
14. Stop the abusive powers of the courts of the State of Washington
As with the brochure, "A guide on When and How to challenge, Seal, vacate or expunge" in regards to criminal court records. "There is currently no statute that would allow for destruction of a court record from a proceeding involving a criminal action against an adult." - State of Washington, June 2008
This means that a person who is charged with a crime, yet is found not guilty will have that charge on his record and will negatively affect employment, rental and educational opportunities in the State of Washington and the United States of America.
Judges are not allowing citizens that have been accused of a crime, yet found not guilty, to have their records destroyed or expunged. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope with the tragic loss.
Please petition the Florida Parole Commission and ask in your own words that they not grant a parole to Thomas Edward DeSherlia who murdered my husband Officer Ron Parker.
Victims, Widows & Family Member Will Serve Time For the Rest of their Lives! However, if we extend the parole hearing intervals to 7 years these families will not have to relive these horrific incidents as often.
16. Stop The Vicitimization Of Problem Gamblers
STOP UNCONTROLLED GAMBLING IN NOVA SCOTIA
SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT WE THE PUBLIC ARE GOING TO PROTECT OUR YOUTH OUR FAMILIES AND OUR SENIORS FROM BEING VICTIMIZED.
1. GAMING CONTROL ACT: STATES: AS ITS PURPOSE TO REGULATE, CASINOS, LOTTERY SCHEMES AND TO INCREASE REVENUE FOR THE PROVINCE.
ENSURE THAT ANY MEASURES TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO CASINOS AND OTHER LOTTERY SCHEMES ARE UNDERTAKEN FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC AND WITHOUT LIMITYING THE LIMITING OF THE FOREGOING, TO MINIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT GIVE RISE TO PROBLEM GAMBLING AND OTHER ILLNESSES CRIME AND SOCIAL DISRUPTION, (1994-95,C,4,S.2.)THESE OPERATIONS ARE LICENCED PURSUANT TO THIS AND THE REGULATIONS AND THE CRIMINAL CODE (CANADA) TO CONDUCT AND MANAGE LOTTERY.
2. CONTROLLED BY MINISTER OF FINANCE AND MINISTER OF LABOR FOR THE PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA. PART I AND PART I I .
THE GAMING CONTROL ACT SECTION 20 SUB SECTION C STATES OPERATORS AND RGULATORS MUST HAVE IN PLACE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO IDENTIFY AND REMOVE PROBLEM GAMBLERS NO WHERE IN THE ACT DOES IT SAY SELF-EXCLUSION FOR A PROBLEM GAMBLER.
3. MANAGED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THERE ARE THREE TO FIVE BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED.
4. THE CORPORATION SECTION E STATES REPORT FORTHWITH TO THE MINISTER AND THE COMMISSION ANY DEFECT, ABUSE, ILLEGALITY OR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO CASINOS AND OTHER LOTTERY SCHEMES;
5. NOVA SCOTIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY NO TO GAMBLING IN THE PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA. CASINO OPERATIONS AND VLTS OPERATIONS MUST BE STOPPED. GAMBLING IS A VERY DANGEROUS PAST TIME FOR ALL.
6. THE PAST AND PRESENT GOVERNMENT HAVE SHOWN THE PUBLIC JUST HOW INTEGRITY AND HONESTY REALLY WORKS JUST TAKE A LOOK AT PROBLEM GAMBLERS BANK ACCOUNTS. HOW MUCH MORE ABUSE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY CAN WE TAKE. THIS IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT. THE OMBUDSMANS REPORT WAS FINISHED IN 2007. THE RECOMMENDATIONS MOVE VERY SLOW AND ARE ONLY 50 % COMPLETE AFTER TWO YEARS. WILL WE EVER SEE ALL RECOMMENDATIONS COMPLETED?
7. WHEN GAMBLING ON MACHINES WAS ILLEGAL GOVERNMENT ACTED SWIFTLY AND WITHIN ONE DAY ALL WERE GATHERED UP AND DESTROYED. WHAT HAS CHANGED NOW? “NOTHING”
PLEASE SIGN WITH NAME ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER:
NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER: VOTE:
PAUL BURRELL 269 CHARLOTTE STREET 902-578-0340 NO CASINOS &VLT’S
17. Requesting Clemency Petition for Donald J. Kowalski
On September 1998, Donald Kowalski a young man of 22yrs of age with a drug problem committed several B&E's. When his friend was arrested on an unrelated crime he admitted to a number of B&E's in the surrounding area. He implicated Don to save his own skin. He served ONLY 2-1/2 years on the same Conducting a Criminal Enterprise (CCE) charge and now he is on the run for several more crimes.
Instead of charging Don with only the crimes they had evidence of, they charged him under the RICO act, of(CCE)and combined all the charges into one. The problem: every B&E in a 14 county radius was thrown in, thus 50 cases were closed, the detectives basically patted each others back and closed their case load. Under the RICO law it says: #1 Proceeds of a crime are being used in some manner to run a business that continues criminal activity. #2 The criminal activity affects either interstate or foreign commerce, thus a federal crime. #3 The proceeds of such activity can be seized to compensate victims. Donald was unemployed owned no business or property and the crimes all occurred in the Eastern part of Michigan. Don's criminal activity did not meet the statutes as set forth by the RICO act.
However, a scared young man accepted a plea not realizing at the time the ramifications and not having competent counsel to make an informed decision. Before taking the plea he had not been informed that because he had 2 priors of UDAA and B&E at he age of 16, which they held it over until he turned 17 and tried him as an adult from 4 years previously that he would be charged as a habitual offender. Thus he was sentenced to a 20yr minimum and 40yr maximum. A single count of B&E carries up to 10 years. Run concurrently, even 14 counts, he would have maxed out over a year ago. Don has served over 11yrs now.
Since Donald's imprisonment he has achieved high honors in all his course studies, obtained his GED, Certificate of Completion for Substance Abuse, Narcotics Anonymous, Degree in Agriculture, Certification for Ordained Ministry, S.L.F Course for Owning and Operating a Business and Perfect Attendance.
I have researched many cases by far are worse than his. Such as: 2nd degree murder, out in ten yrs. 6 counts of embezzlement, served 3-1/2yrs. and 4 counts of criminal sexual conduct, served 8 yrs. 2 counts 1st degree home invasion, 2 counts safecracking, unarmed robbery, served only 5 years.
Heres an example:
www.state.mi.us/mdoc/asp/otis2profile.asp?mdocNumber=450831
In addition, Donald has secured an offer of employment and a place of residence. Donald has been rehabilitated and has come to the point where release is the best alternative. His sentencing was severe, especially for a non-violent offender with only two priors as a juvenile. It is time for Donald to come home, his wishes are to be with his son and family. We are requesting your support.
18. Youth Criminal Justice Act in Canada
Because of an incident that happened to someone very close to me I have been doing research.
Stats Canada shows that Youth Crime is way up over Adult Crime... Why? Because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and our Justice System in General.
The Canadian Justice System is not holding criminals accountable for their crimes and special accomodations are made for young offenders.
Check out the stats for yourself.
http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/legal17a.htm
19. CT Needs an Effective 3 Strikes and You're Out Law
November 2009: If you agree with this petition and want to know how you can help support our cause please do the following:
Support 3 Strikes Now:
1. Please contact your state senator and state representative and urge them to support three strikes legislation.
2. Sign the petition and forward it it to others....we need numbers!
3. Join the 3 Strikes Now Coalition chaired by Sam Caligiuri and Co-Chaired by William Petit, Jr., MD by visiting this website...http://3strikesnow.com/.
----------------------------------------------
Preamble:
OUR STATE OF CT NEEDS AN EFFECTIVE 3 STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT LAW COINCIDING WITH ZERO TOLERANCE POLICING... BURGLARY MUST BE INCLUDED!
A burglary, a crime which could result in the theft of something having little or no value, is perceived as being unjustly included as one of the three "strikes." However, burglary often involves breaking into others' houses, and burglars often resort to violence when they encounter the family members unexpectedly.
On July 23, 2007, two convicted burglars out on parole (Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes) were accused of killing three family members during a home invasion and arson in Cheshire, Connecticut. They each had more than 20 prior burglaries on their records. If Connecticut had adopted an effective three-strikes law, this kind of brutal crime committed by burglars could have been prevented.
After the violent troubling events that took place in our hometown of Cheshire, Ct, the people of this state need to take a stand and voice their opinions to politicians who can do something about it.
Pass this along and sign below if you agree with our state adopting a 3 strikes law to keep these criminals from harming our families and terrorizing our neighborhoods.
This will be forwarded to those in office and hopefully we will be heard...
20. Stop NY Fed Transfer of North Korean $25 Million
The Six-Party denuclearization talks with North Korea halted earlier this year, because the US froze $25 million of accounts in Banco Delta Asia in Macau. The funds were frozen by the US Treasury Department because the funds in the accounts were believed to be obtained by counterfeiting US currency and other illicit activities.
So far, the Bank of China and Wachovia Bank have declined requests from the US State Department to transfer these funds back to North Korea.
State's newest request is for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to transfer the funds back to North Korea. Lee Bollinger is a Class C director on the board of directors.
Apart from aiding a regime that is one of the world's most egregious human rights violators, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York transfer would also be in violation of: Section 311 of the USA Patriot Act, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, and Sections 1956-1957 of US Criminal Code, Title 18.
21. Lafayette Private Party Ordinance
Lafayette has seen an alarming increase in the number of "home parties" or "lock down" parties. These parties are one of the ways minors gain access to alcohol.
Many of these parties can be particularly problematic because of the large number of drinkers involved and the large quantities of alcohol consumed.
Reports of alcohol poisoning and traffic accidents involving minors who have attended these home parties have become a regular occurence in the Lamorinda area.
The proposed Ordinance does not change any criminal laiblity laws for the possession and/or furnishing of alcoholic beverages to underage persons. Rather, a Private Party Ordinance gives the police an administrative remedy i.e. a fine rather than requiring prosecution through the criminal justice system which is expensive and time consuming for the local police department.
This type of Ordinance is a further tool to be used by law enforcement to reduce the number of private parties in our community where alcohol is consumed by minors.
22. Joshua's Law
My son Joshua was shaken 10 - 15 times on January 1st 2006. He has suffered severe permanent brain injury; everything except his brain stem was permanently damaged. He had two front sub-dural hematomias, and an old bleeding in his cerebellum. He also suffered a skull fracture, and severe bilateral retinal hemorrhaging. The retinal bleeding was so severe that Josh is now only able to see shadows.
A feeding tube had to be surgically placed into his belly, due to the injury leaving him unable to coordinate swallowing with breathing. Joshua also ended up having two Craniotomies, and needed a Ventricular shunt placed into his head. The shunt is a tube with a one way valve that drains all reoccurring extra fluid from his head into his bladder so he can urinate it out. This way he doesn’t need to have doctors continuously going into his head, and giving him opportunities to get infections. Joshua’s overall prognosis is grim, doctors predict that he will keep getting ill due to his weak immune system, and will never live beyond his twentieth birthday. No Mother should have to look at her child and know that her days with him are numbered. Joshua was injured on January first 2006; it’s now over two years later and he is almost three years old. He was recently evaluated to be at a two-three month developmental level.
He cannot hold up his own head, sit, roll over, stand, walk, talk, or see anything more than shadows. Doctor suspect that Joshua will be frozen at this level and may not develop any farther. Even though Joshua didn’t die, he was still robbed of his life. He has lost the chance to enjoy playing with his sister and brother. I don’t get to tuck my baby in at night, because he needs 24 hour nursing care and has to live in a nursing facility. He will never be able to speak, I will never hear him say “I love you mom”. I will never get the chance to see him get married, and he will never have the joy of having children. He has also been robbed time for nurturing; I can not play with my baby.
He can not grow up in a loving home; instead he has to grow up with nurses and doctors. Suffering trying to do the simple things, like picking up his arms, and holding things. No mother should ever have to see her child on a respirator, evaluate her child’s quality of life, make a decision to sign a Do Not Resuscitate document, or have their child be given last rights for an injury that could have been prevented.
This is way I'm proposing "Joshua's Law." Joshua's Law would make all convicted child abusers become nationally registered. We have a right to know who is safe around our children and who is not!
23. In suport of Domagoj Margetic
Mr.Domagoj Margetic is a reporter, he is not a war criminal.
It is a shame what a court of injustice is doing.
24. Stop Homeless Facility on Vendome
This proposed Homeless facility is intended to house 40 adults who have
debilitating mental illness.
* This proposed homeless facility is intended to house 40 adults
who have debilitating mental illnesses. Many of them have drug problems
and criminal convictions.
* There are several liquor stores, bars, and nightclubs within two
blocks of this site. This building is on a street corner that already
has criminal activity (gangs, crimes, drug trafficking). This facility
should instead be located in an area where related services are
available, not near drugs and alcohol.
* This site is one block from a park, beneath the historic Music
Box Steps, where children play and where residents can finally enjoy a
patch of green after years of neglect. We do not want people loitering
here.
* Silver Lake already has several other homeless facilities.
Silver Lake including Regency Manor on the corner of Robinson and Descanso
and the new facility on the corner of Hoover and London. We do not need another one.
Why is there another homeless facility being placed in a historically poor neighborhood that is comprised mostly of ethnic minorities?
Brad Will, aka William Bradley Roland, an American citizen and journalist associated with Indymedia New York, was shot and killed in Oaxaca.
26. Stop Credit Checks for Employment
July 22, 2006
More and more when you apply for a job you have both a criminal and credit background check. Employers have the right to deny you of a job because of your personal credit.
I think this should change. I think the a criminal background should be allowed but nothing based on your own personal credit.
There are a number of factors some of which are out of ones control that can damnage a persons credit.
In doing research I found that employers can base you get a job that you have the experiance and skills in on your credit. On a certain website I found "In some cases, you may want to investigate a potential employee's credit history. If the position you are trying to fill involves handling cash or otherwise managing you buisness assets, a credit check is essential. Inablility to managae personal credit and finances doesn't mean that an individial will have similar difficulties in a business setting. However, it is objective evidence of how the prospective employee has managed his or her assets."
There are hundreds of reasons why peoples credit becomes messed up such as a becoming ill, a child or relative becoming ill, divorce, lay off, thats just to name a few.
I want to make this stop America and I need your help. This is why I'm having this petition because people should be able to get any job not based on there credit but based on there skill and ability to preform the job.
28 giu 2006
E' impensabile che per una serie meravigliosa come Law & Order Special Victims Unit non sia MAI stato pubblicato nessun DVD!!!!!
Del resto, addirittura la serie originale Law & Order è ferma alla PRIMA SERIE!!
Per non parlare di Criminal Intent....
28. Faster Law and Order DVD releases
May 15, 2006
I'll keep it simple. For FANS of LAW & ORDER and it's sister shows SVU and CRIMINAL INTENT. I'm sick of having to wait so long for them to release the next seasons of Law & Order on DVD.
This petition is to get Universal Pictures moving and releasing Law & Order, SVU and Criminal Intent faster on DVD!
29. Oust PAPD Officers Michael Kan and Craig Lee
On July 13, 2003, at 10:34 p.m., Palo
Alto Police Department (PAPD) rookie
Craig Lee drove his police car up to
59-year-old Albert Hopkins, who was
sitting in his parked car on Oxford
Avenue near the intersection of the El
Camino Real in Palo Alto. Lee asked
Mr. Hopkins for identification. Mr.
Hopkins did not initially give his
name, but later confirmed his identity
and his Palo Alto address.
When PAPD rookie Michael Kan stopped
his police car nearby, Lee spoke to
Kan. Kan walked over and ordered Mr.
Hopkins out of his car, and tried to
pull him out. Kan and Lee repeatedly
hit Mr. Hopkins with their batons,
while Mr. Hopkins tried to ward off
blows. Kan and Lee also doused him
extensively with pepper spray. Mr.
Hopkins was overcome, temporarily
blinded, handcuffed, and transported
to the hospital where he was treated
for body injuries, and a swelling near
his eye.
PAPD launched an immediate
investigation, which culminated in Kan
and Lee being charged with felony
assault and misdemeanor battery by a
Peace Officer. During the criminal
trial, all of the senior officers
that arrived on the scene that night
testified that they were concerned
that Kan and Lee could not provide a
reason for arresting Mr. Hopkins, and
so there seemed to be no justification
for use of force.
Presented with a strong case against
the two rookies, 8 jurors were certain
Kan and Lee were guilty: a 2-1 margin
favoring conviction. Despite all this,
Kan and Lee are being returned to
their jobs (after a plea deal let them
off with a mere $250 fine), and we are
told: "it's time to put it to rest and
move on".
We say there can be no rest until our
leaders realize it's time for Kan and
Lee to move on.
This petition arises not from malice
but the desire to safeguard the
community, as we strongly believe:
1. They are not fit for the job. As a
result of their beating of Albert
Hopkins on July 13 2003, and despite
the shocking deal that drastically
reduced the charges, the fact remains
that Officers Kan and Lee each pleaded
'no contest' to a criminal charge of
an act of illegal public violence
while on duty.
Yet, we have not seen Officers Kan and
Lee publicly take responsibility for
their misconduct. Instead, their court
testimony blamed the victim of their
criminal violence - who was not
arrested for any crime - while
belittling the response of their
supervisors that night. Does this
behavior reflect the discipline and
respect for the law that is
fundamentally required of law
enforcement officers? Or does it
indicate a profound employment
mismatch - that cannot be overcome
with any amount of retraining?
2. They cannot serve the interests of
the Palo Alto community. As reflected
in our budget, the safety of the
community is Palo Alto's highest
priority. As the locus of Silicon
Valley and home of Stanford
University, Palo Alto's community
includes guests welcomed from around
the world, that expect and are
entitled to the universal human right
and Constitutional protection) of
freedom from arbitrary arrest or
detention and unreasonable use of
force.
Given its profound authority, our
police force must not include those
who trample the rights of those they
serve, while rejecting the good
judgment of those they serve under.
3. Continuing their employment poses
unacceptable risks. Studies on police
misconduct, such as the Christopher
Commission report (an examination of
LAPD four months after the King
beating), have found that the heart of
the problem is failure to act upon the
few officers using excessive force.
Those officers frequently then go on
to become repeat offenders, who are
responsible for many of the cases that
cost the city in civil suits.
Palo Alto has already paid a $250,000
settlement for Kan and Lee's use of
force. How much would a jury penalize
the city in the next claim that may
result from their use of force, given
that the city was aware of the risk
and chose to ignore it? With budget
revenue rapidly shrinking, how are
such expenses justified?
Therefore, we call on the City Manager
to immediately take this step toward
freeing Palo Alto from the risks and
stigma of brutal injustice that we
believe Officers Kan and Lee's tenure
here has brought us, and begin
restoring Palo Alto as a community
united in its concern for public
safety and human rights.
June 2, 2005
Enforce the Death Penalty
To Strongly Support means you believe: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life. The death penalty is appropriate punishment for murder, as a form of justice regardless of the deterrence effect.
Support means you believe: The death penalty and other strict forms of law enforcement will reduce the crime rate by removing criminals from the streets and by deterring others from criminal acts. Capital punishment laws should be enforced.
Capital punishment is effective. No one has proven a "wrongful death" in any modern state executions. Stricter penalties reduce violent crime.
We keep building new prisons. Why don't we get rid of the criminals that don't value a persons life? Get rid of the ones that rape and kill our innocent children. Get rid of the criminal that can rape and kill an elderly woman. Get rid of the criminal that can kill an innocent store clerk. Let's teach the new generation, killing is a definite death penalty.
Why do they live better than some of our other hard working Americans? I am tired of supporting these convicted child and adult killers. Are we supporting them for the pain they have caused those that have lost loved ones?
Now we have kids killing kids. Is our society letting them think it is okay? If we start the Death Penalty now, we can keep some kids from going into crime.
I say enforce the death penalty. Put the criminals where they have put the innocent victims. It is time to take a stand. Wake our system up.
AN EYE FOR AN EYE.