New Havener Of The Week

by Thomas Breen | Apr 26, 2019 12:10 pm

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Posted to: Hometown Heroes, Legal Writes

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posted by: Noteworthy on April 26, 2019 12:34pm So everybody who has encounter with police are innocent until proven guilty but every cop involved in an incident like this is auto-guilty, no need for due process, investigation etc

posted by: Samuel T. Ross-Lee on April 26, 2019 1:05pm I wanted to get here and give congratulatory well-wishes to Ms. Ellington before someone else turned this article into another screed against victims shot unwarranted by Police. Obviously, I am too late. Ms. Ellington is committed to giving a voice to the voiceless and fighting for justice for those for whom justice is not usually afforded. She works hard at bringing these issues to the fore, without hope of filling up church pews, or getting paid, literally, by those who would rather pay off tragedy-pimps than actually change the way they operate within communities of Black and Brown people. Thank You, Kerry, for the work that you do with sincerity and love. You deserved to be honored in the highest possible way. Noteworthy,

Every cop involved in an incident like this and decides to shoot without question or restraint IS guilty of doing what they should not have done. They should be fired and then tried. I don’t plan to debate this fact with you. The Rev. Mr. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

The Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church

New Haven, CT

posted by: Xavier on April 26, 2019 1:20pm Kerry Ellington - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Kudos to the NHI not to let Marks and the Yale Unions hijack this incident

Congratulations to Kerry and Barbara - make that big old dog scratch and scratch, until he change

posted by: ElmCityLover on April 26, 2019 1:39pm Can anyone explain the calls for the Yale officer to be fired? I totally understand the Hamden one, but the Yale officer I don’t get. The dude literally got shot. The Hamden officer was shooting at him and he returned fire in the direction he was being shot at from. Given the info he knew at the moment: he was told that that exact car (color, make, plates), exact driver/passenger description, had a gun in it, combined with the fact that he was being actively shot at. VERY reasonable to return fire. If he was in a crowded shopping mall I’d hope he maybe did some better target identification, but an empty street at 4am, totality of circumstances make it reasonable. Please don’t tell me that not turning on his camera and blue lights are fireable offenses. Especially given that he was taking fire and didn’t even have time to put his SUV in park.

posted by: observer1 on April 26, 2019 1:46pm I would propose the following in the interest of stimulating some thoughts on this subject!! Solution 1. We could try the UK policing model. Regular police are not armed. When necessary armed police are called to react to specific problems. America has a gun culture, and most of the bad guys would have guns. I think after we lose a few cops to armed violence we would have a lot fewer cops on the street due to no recruits willing to take their place. At that point we go back to every person takes care of themselves by whatever means necessary. Sort of like the wild west. Solution 2. Retrain every police officer that gunfire is the absolute last resort. General orders should be promulgated on the use of force from forcible restraint of subjects up to and including the use or lethal force. If you even draw your weapon, a detailed report will have to be written explaining your thought process and what specific act caused you to draw your weapon. I personally feel that the officers in this case panicked and fired. I have been in military firefights, and I can honestly say the thought processes are few and after the danger has passed you are hard pressed to recall what you did in the heat of the moment. You react based on your repetitive training and your desire to survive a situation. You need to make split second decisions on who lives or dies, and decisions are made on instinct. I have had to make these decisions and it is not fun. That said, this was not a dynamic combat situation, it was Dixwell Avenue. There is a distinct difference between Ramadi where death waited behind every door or corner, and Dixwell Avenue. The two officers should have taken cover, and made a by the book felony stop. A patrol vehicle rolling away after the officer dismounts tells me a lot. The situation should have been controlled, and backup requested.

posted by: Paul Wessel on April 26, 2019 1:49pm Respect.

posted by: jokes on April 26, 2019 1:56pm Pssst….... Yo Ellington! Run for mayor.

posted by: Noteworthy on April 26, 2019 2:20pm Ross-Lee: There is nothing to debate. There is due process, the courts, investigations, union processes and a respect for the facts, the law. Immediate condemnation and mob rule based on a couple of videos and a phone call is not due process and certainly no investigation. You can’t believe in due process half the time. Either you’re a believer or you’re not in this case and the biblical case as well. It’s not a debate. It’s clear.

posted by: wendy1 on April 26, 2019 2:40pm I like Kerry and she will part of my city admin. if I get to cityhall.

posted by: Chrisssy on April 26, 2019 3:02pm There’s a March/protest every time this happens and it hasn’t solved a thing yet. Maybe the protesters should March down and fill out an application to become a cop? If the all these people that have all the answers out half as much effort into getting people to respect the laws we would not have so many problems. Not pulling over, driving unregistered,uninsured and without a license has become the new normal in gun wavin’ new haven.

Side note: a father of an infant belongs home with his baby or at work at 4am not cruisin around town like a teenager. If this guy was putting his hands on me touching my pockets at gas station at 4am this would have never happened cause he wouldn’t have made it out of the gas station parking lot. Gun or no gun who the hell is he to touch another’s pockets. Hell no!

posted by: Politics 101 on April 26, 2019 3:48pm “When Kerry Ellington first learned that police had shot two unarmed people in Newhallville, she didn’t hold a press conference. She started organizing.” Well that sure reads like a (well-deserved) jab at some other folks around town .....

posted by: matt325c on April 26, 2019 4:03pm So brave of her to protest so called police brutality while being protected by the police. She wants people to be innocent until proven guilty except the cops, she wants them fired and arrested before the investigation is complete. Sounds like the ideal candidate for New Havener of the year

posted by: IloveMYcity203 on April 26, 2019 4:16pm @ElmCityLover I agree with you in regards to the Yale Officer. Based on audio I heard when he called in the signal 99 and 4, and based on the call from dispatch, all you know is this person is armed, just committed a robbery, and driving a honda; therefore, you’re already on guard. Fast forward time, you see the car, the Yale officer is thinking he’s armed, he gets out of his vehicle that’s not even put in park yet. Next thing you know, you hear “pop pop.” He’s only reacting to what the Hamden officer started. If they want to get the Yale officer on anything, it should be for not turning his dash and body cam on. @Chrisssy, After reading the report from the state detective’s, I think the clerk should be charged with falsifying a report. I think the driver intended to rob the man and probably would have if the driver did not make it to his car and drive away. Based on the report that I read, the driver definitely isn’t Innocent. He should not have been going in the guys pockets, but did not deserve to get shot at though. Unfortunately, he saw a soft target and took his chance. [excuse any typos or grammatical errors; I did not proofread]

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on April 26, 2019 5:01pm .Ellington at the center of a protest outside the Hamden PD headquarters. John Lennon-Power To The People-Offical Video-HQ https://youtu.be/RtvlBS4PMF0

posted by: publikskooled on April 26, 2019 5:23pm where has ms ellington been when scores of black residents- many of them unarmed- were shot over the last year?

real leaders muster the courage to tackle the unpopular truths that do much more harm then the more publicized incidents.

posted by: 06511 on April 26, 2019 7:07pm Publikskooled, Always asking the same tired, bad-faith questions. If you aren’t familiar with the many individuals and organizations who work daily to address community violence, then you aren’t trying hard enough. And this may come as a shock to you, but it is actually okay for someone to seek accountability from the responsible parties in this case without having to answer for every single act of violence that has occurred in this city over the past decade.

posted by: Xavier on April 26, 2019 10:13pm Kerry Ellington - a breath of fresh aire When she hits the street, her feet do not get blisters, her shoes do. Kerry “Organizer” Ellington is the most interesting person in New Haven. KO Ellington shows the professional protesters and clumsy clergy crown how to get it done with the community. KO Ellington is RESPECT (Sorry One City Henry, I have given up hope that you would throw your hat in the ring for mayor)

posted by: WhatTheWhat on April 26, 2019 11:47pm You know what would be really awesome? If people would wait for all the facts to come out and investigations to be complete before protesting! Then you actually have something to stand behind without looking like a fool.

posted by: stevehamm on April 27, 2019 7:57am This is an excellent profile of one of the most important leaders in our community. I would like to learn more about Kerry’s view of “systemic state-sanctioned violence in our communities.” This language suggests that she believes the layers of government—New Haven’s, Connecticut’s and the USA’s—want police to use violence against people. Maybe I am misreading. I would also like to learn about her solutions to the problem. How does society keep the people safe? What needs to be done differently, specifically, in New Haven’s police force? The new CRB is a start. What else needs to be done? These are some of the questions we in New Haven need to ask ourselves and each other.

posted by: Samuel T. Ross-Lee on April 27, 2019 9:15am @WhatTheWhat, Do YOU know what would be really awesome? Your understanding that people of color have been abused all too often by completed investigations. It would also be REALLY awesome, if you and others with your perspective would not begin your conversation on situations like this until you read some history books, books that would explain to you just why we often refuse to wait for the investigation to be completed before we protest. The Rev. Mr. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

posted by: elmcitybornandraised on April 27, 2019 12:19pm Kerry Ellington is an extremely intelligent woman, she is passionate about her community, has great communication and is pretty unbiased in how she looks at incidents involving law enforcement. I don’t agree with protests shutting down city streets, disturbing the day of others and most importantly, slowing the response and resources of first responders’. With that being said I tip my hat to her, I can’t agree with everything that she has done but she is a voice that the community needs and shows she is a true leader. I respect her much more than some New Haven religious “community leaders” that seemingly only come forward when the cameras are rolling and press conferences scheduled.

posted by: elmcitybornandraised on April 27, 2019 12:30pm observer1, Your suggestion is ABSURD, in an American society that is extremely violent. You should “research” what the Brits do a bit more, you might learn a little more about their law enforcement capabilities as it pertains to brandishing weapons and using them. Hopefully you have attended CompStat at the NHPD. There are hundreds of violent “priority 1” incidents officers respond to within this city WEEKLY that could require a firearm. Some of you folks are living in some sort of La La Land I swear. It was only back in the late 90’s when the North Hollywood shootout occurred. I remember the American public yelling for law enforcement to be better armed due to that horrific and terrorizing day. So now, the profession is all of a sudden an occupying force for many apparently. Comedy and short memories at best…... Also on a side note and an honest suggestion, go grab an application and become a police officer. That’s the best way to effect DIRECT CHANGE and have an impact. There are A LOT of New Haven residents that were and are police officers. They are doing tremendous work, you should join them since you have the profession pretty much figured out based off of all of your comments from the past year that I have read. It’s easy to sit on a computer with a biased opinion, much harder to actually sign up and protect and serve the community.

posted by: Urn Pendragon on April 27, 2019 4:23pm Kerry is a woman that has earned my respect over the last year I have been working with her at New Haven Legal Assistance. She speaks with precision, thoughtfulness & passion. Kerry inspired me on so many levels, especially when I first started advocating for inclusive affordable housing late last year. The honorable Justin Farmer is a fellow Political science student from Southern. We typically would seek out Prof Wharton on a weekly basis to talk about policy or campus happenings. I admired him for running for Hamden city council & his involvement in the local community. These are just 2 of the many community advocates that are examples of what can inspire people to get involved in civics. Thank you Justin & Kerry! Urn Pendragon, mayoral candidate

posted by: Bgil81 on April 27, 2019 8:45pm What a beautiful thing to see unity and strength!!! Now let’s get together and clean up our streets and neighborhoods. Maybe starting there many more positive changes will come.

They were attempting to rob a store at 4am and worker thought they were armed. Unfortunate situation all around

posted by: observer1 on April 28, 2019 8:23am elmcitybornandraised, My suggestion (1) was put out to get folks thinking. I think if you reread it you can tell that it was not presented in any way but to get reactions. In the US, there is a gun culture that mandates that officers be armed. There are too many high powered weapons on the street, that are only suitable for use in a war zone. That, something should be done about by our spineless political leaders. Secondly, reread my second paragraph. Based on personal experience, any situation involving a life and death reaction, evokes an automatic response based on your experience and training. I was in a constant combat situation for several weeks. Initially, you react the way you trained. After a couple of weeks of kicking in doors and getting shot at, you modify that training based on personal experience and you associate hesitation to shoot first with death. You evolve and adapt to what you are facing. My own non-cop opinion stands. There was a lack of either proper repetitive training or procedures were not followed. In the cops defense, the first time you are faced with a possibility of armed resistance, real or potential, nobody can tell you how they will respond. The police always have the possibility of getting shot every time they put the uniform on. Very few police officers ever actually get shot at, so their reaction is unknown even to them. I am sure these cops are both replaying this incident, and playing what if mind games with themselves. We all would like a redo sometimes. Something went wrong at this stop, and nobody will probably ever know exactly what happened and in what sequence. A lot of opinions will be reduced to written reports. As to becoming a police officer anywhere, I am certain that would be impossible. It was my turn, and I kicked open the wrong door at a very bad time. Timing and placement in life are everything. A little luck helps also. Be well.

posted by: Babz Rawls Ivy on April 29, 2019 10:44am High-Five Reverend Ross-Lee you are dead on as usual! High-Five to Kerry, holding it down and rallying boots on the streets. It is easy to arm chair (coach, protest, preach, intellectualize, whine about politicians, politics and what ought to be done…) It is a whole other level of civic engagement to go march and be present when its think in these streets. It is good to see young people holding it down for community and country. The realness of police brutality has been a problem in this country since Black folks were snatched and brought here in chains. This kind of terror is not new. What is comforting is that White folks… Specifically Yale folks are standing with this movement for change here in New Haven and Hamden. All power to the people!~ The Black Panther Party.