What is wrong with the Mayor of Baltimore?

[TipsyTraveler]

Obviously not the police but what about the mayor? A news station? I'm sure if you were that outraged you could have found someone to listen.

It's a nice sentiment, it truly is, but it's not that simple. There are some places where you're better off minding your own business and not bringing attention to yourself, because you'll just end up making yourself a target.

Maybe this will help people better understand the Baltimore Police culture and the situation the citizens are up against:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics...tality-of-police-culture-in-baltimore/391158/

 

[Dakota731]

• Freddy Gray's Arrest Record: This is who we are burning down Baltimore for??
  
• 
  
• March 20, 2015: Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
• March 13, 2015: Malicious destruction of property, second-degree assault
• January 20, 2015: Fourth-degree burglary, trespassing
• January 14, 2015: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute
• December 31, 2014: Possession of narcotics with intent to distribute
• December 14, 2014: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• August 31, 2014: Illegal gambling, trespassing
• January 25, 2014: Possession of marijuana
• September 28, 2013: Distribution of narcotics, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, second-degree assault, second-degree escape
• April 13, 2012: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, violation of probation
• July 16, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute
• March 28, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• March 14, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to manufacture and distribute
• February 11, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• August 29, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, violation of probation
• August 28, 2007: Possession of marijuana
• August 23, 2007: False statement to a peace officer, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• July 16, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts)

While this does in no way justify any possible wrong-doing on the part of the police involved in his death, let’s keep in mind that the man Baltimore is currently rioting over, and Al Sharpton is marching over, was by no means a saint.


l

 

[pat fan]

It sounds like her statements where taken out of context???

If you are talking about the Mayors "room to destroy" comments, I have listened to it from all different news stations and not just clips, but the whole thing, and I do not see how there is any "out of context" wiggle room. She said what she said. Do I think she meant it to go to the extent that it did? Of course not. But she opened the door and they waltzed right through it.

 

[Thumper1066]

I thought it was pretty clear what she was saying. By giving the protesters space to exercise their constitutionally protected right, it also allowed vandals the space to destroy things. Therefore, it's a balancing act. Of course she and the police are not condoning or encouraging those actions.

My boyfriend's company contracts with a number of locations in this area. He spends about half of his time at Mondawmin Mall which has turned into the epicenter of this mess. For those of us directly affected by this, it's an unnerving situation. The last thing I want to see is for it to escalate with police shooting people in the street. Geez.

What is happening in Baltimore is not protesting. I wish the news outlets wouldn't call it that. These are looters and rioters. Not protesters! This is not about Freddie Grey, Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin and the other similar stories anymore. This is about violence. I am pissed off that people act this way. It is senseless. This is not about race. This is about acting like dumbasses and animals. This is not how you make change. I am so upset and pissed off at the senselessness at what is happening. Not just in Baltimore but everywhere. This has to stop!

And when the business community pulls out and there are no pharmacies or groceries then they can thank these thugs who will make the whole community suffer for their stupidity. And when the trade shows, conventions, tourists, and ball fans refuse to spend their money in Baltimore. Who will be standing there with their hands held out for the "government" to bail them out? Ask Detroit how it feels. Hey Baltimore can you feel the value of your property sinking?

 

[pat fan]

Freddy Gray's Arrest Record: This is who we are burning down Baltimore for??

Regardless of his record, he was not actively engaged in nefarious activity at the time of his arrest (by all accounts). Does it justify all this insanity? No. But just as important, his death should not be minimized in any way. I'm willing to wait for the reports, but I can't see how it ends any way other than the cops are charged and tried.

 

[lauradis]

• Freddy Gray's Arrest Record: This is who we are burning down Baltimore for??
  
• 
  
• March 20, 2015: Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
• March 13, 2015: Malicious destruction of property, second-degree assault
• January 20, 2015: Fourth-degree burglary, trespassing
• January 14, 2015: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute
• December 31, 2014: Possession of narcotics with intent to distribute
• December 14, 2014: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• August 31, 2014: Illegal gambling, trespassing
• January 25, 2014: Possession of marijuana
• September 28, 2013: Distribution of narcotics, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, second-degree assault, second-degree escape
• April 13, 2012: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, violation of probation
• July 16, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute
• March 28, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• March 14, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to manufacture and distribute
• February 11, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• August 29, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, violation of probation
• August 28, 2007: Possession of marijuana
• August 23, 2007: False statement to a peace officer, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• July 16, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts)

While this does in no way justify any possible wrong-doing on the part of the police involved in his death, let’s keep in mind that the man Baltimore is currently rioting over, and Al Sharpton is marching over, was by no means a saint.


l

• March 13, 2015: Malicious destruction of property, second-degree assault
• January 20, 2015: Fourth-degree burglary, trespassing

Looks like the system did a good job out of making a drug dealer more violent????

Personally the war on drugs needs to stop. Only the two above are actual crimes to me... more then likely all the other Assault charges are from fighting with the cops, over pot.

 

[lauradis]

If you are talking about the Mayors "room to destroy" comments, I have listened to it from all different news stations and not just clips, but the whole thing, and I do not see how there is any "out of context" wiggle room. She said what she said. Do I think she meant it to go to the extent that it did? Of course not. But she opened the door and they waltzed right through it.

I have only seen one facebook clip of the statement and couple of articles... After hearing in on the radio, it was like what was she thinking,,, that has to be out of context.

 

[Dakota731]

Regardless of his record, he was not actively engaged in nefarious activity at the time of his arrest (by all accounts).

Not true -According to Department of Justice sources, Gray was arrested on a weapons charge in a high-crime area of Baltimore known for drugs. And you won't hear about his lengthy felony criminal record on mainstream news media. They paint him out to be another "gentle young kid" doing nothing wrong and just singled out by the cops to beat up for no reason. If this wasn't so sad, it would be almost a joke.

 

[Dakota731]

Looks like the system did a good job out of making a drug dealer more violent????

Personally the war on drugs needs to stop. Only the two above are actual crimes to me... more then likely all the other Assault charges are from fighting with the cops, over pot

Oh no he was just a victim of the legal system, boo hoo, oh give me a break? If he's your idea of a good citizen, take those hundreds of thugs in Baltimore just like him and move him into your neighborhood. Me, I'll take the cops any day!

 

[pat fan]

Not true -According to Department of Justice sources, Gray was arrested on a weapons charge in a high-crime area of Baltimore known for drugs. And you won't hear about his lengthy felony criminal record on mainstream news media. They paint him out to be another "gentle young kid" doing nothing wrong and just singled out by the cops to beat up for no reason. If this wasn't so sad, it would be almost a joke.

The scenario I have heard, was that they saw him, made eye contact, he ran (biked away) and a chase ensued. Eye contact is not a crime to be pursued/arrested for. I do NOT think he was an innocent kid, by any stretch. BUT, you can't be arrested because of your prior bad acts or even what you may do in the future.

 

[nugov2]

"Patently ridiculous" would be to operate under the assumption that the only issues that affect predominantly black communities are racial in nature. The NOI has members living in those neighborhoods. Al Sharpton is an activist for civil rights. Police brutality is a civil rights issue and, in this case, it is affecting the people NOI and Sharpton represent. That is why they've involved themselves. Again, the only place I've seen a racial spin put on it is here.

AL Sharpton is not a civil rights activist. He is a snake oil salesman who makes money off of the backs of the people he is "protecting" and IMO creates a divide because when there isn't one there is no money for him to get.

This situation is horrible. It is sad that this is the way people react when the are emotional. I don't care if is in protest of a truly horrible injustice or because a sports team lost or won. If this man was wrongfully treated and it resulted in his death I hope all involved are prosecuted. Hopefully there will be peace tonight.

 

[lauradis]

It's a nice sentiment, it truly is, but it's not that simple. There are some places where you're better off minding your own business and not bringing attention to yourself, because you'll just end up making yourself a target.

Maybe this will help people better understand the Baltimore Police culture and the situation the citizens are up against:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics...tality-of-police-culture-in-baltimore/391158/

This makes me wonder how many people took their settlements and moved to nicer places?

 

[luvsJack]

You should watch "The O'Reilly Factor". He tells you the facts with no spin.

What is that supposed to mean?

I can sit here and type a page long post of experiences my son witnessed. But ypu will believe what you want. But it was my child that was thrown to the ground by a cop when he dared to speak in defence of his friend who was being roughed up. And it was me that stood in front of a judge with my son and faced that cop.

The fact is that it happens. And the fact is that the sooner that fact is admitted the sooner there can be some kind of change.

These riots are horrible and help nothing.

The badge and uniform of a police officer deserves respect. But that doesn't mean they aren't human and there aren't those that are racist and that treat one race differently than another.

 

[lauradis]

The scenario I have heard, was that they saw him, made eye contact, he ran (biked away) and a chase ensued. Eye contact is not a crime to be pursued/arrested for. I do NOT think he was an innocent kid, by any stretch. BUT, you can't be arrested because of your prior bad acts or even what you may do in the future.

You meant to say unless you are in a higher crime area, are know to the cops as a scum bag, and then you run away... yep, yep and yeps the cops will arrest you.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

It's a nice sentiment, it truly is, but it's not that simple. There are some places where you're better off minding your own business and not bringing attention to yourself, because you'll just end up making yourself a target.

Maybe this will help people better understand the Baltimore Police culture and the situation the citizens are up against:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics...tality-of-police-culture-in-baltimore/391158/

MYOB

The mantra of the failed community.

 

[lauradis]

What is that supposed to mean?

I can sit here and type a page long post of experiences my son witnessed. But ypu will believe what you want. But it was my child that was thrown to the ground by a cop when he dared to speak in defence of his friend who was being roughed up. And it was me that stood in front of a judge with my son and faced that cop.

The fact is that it happens. And the fact is that the sooner that fact is admitted the sooner there can be some kind of change.

These riots are horrible and help nothing.

The badge and uniform of a police officer deserves respect. But that doesn't mean they aren't human and there aren't those that are racist and that treat one race differently than another.

or on class of $$$$ group differently...

 

[JoeA]

The scenario I have heard, was that they saw him, made eye contact, he ran (biked away) and a chase ensued. Eye contact is not a crime to be pursued/arrested for. I do NOT think he was an innocent kid, by any stretch. BUT, you can't be arrested because of your prior bad acts or even what you may do in the future.

I know you can't distil this down in just a few sentences but if he didn't have a rap sheet as long as my leg AND RAN from the police who were working a very bad part of town then maybe we wouldn't hear about this??

Don't get me wrong, I am not a police apologist by ANY stretch and can't begin to understand what it's like to be black in America, but I do know that if you don't sell drugs, get arrested frequently, and on the flip side - generally lead a life where you contribute more than you take, then the odds are far greater of your face not ending up on a poster or t-shirt.

He didn't deserve to die, there needs to be an investigation, and the city of Baltimore doesn't deserve this.

These people have a mistrust of the police so think the police will treat them better now? The circle just keeps getting drawn.

 

[LBIJim]

Lib jim
Really...cause that's what I meant. Wrong!!!

Give me a break.

If you'd stop spouting gibberish from faux news sources, maybe I'll consider it.



Toodles.

 

[pat fan]

I know you can't distil this down in just a few sentences but if he didn't have a rap sheet as long as my leg AND RAN from the police who were working a very bad part of town then maybe we wouldn't hear about this??

I agree. And maybe I worded my post poorly. Of course if you are known to police, in an area where what you do illegally usually gets done, and you run, sure they will probably pursue you. But nothing justifies whatever happened in the van. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. My dad works in a jail, has since the 70's so he's seen every innocent criminal there is but bad cops are bad cops and there are some. Sure, get rid of them but this insanity does zero to accomplish that.

As a side not, Geraldo should just go home. What an idiot.

 

[lauradis]

8 Mins into curfew... I'm loving the citizens standing in front of the police stopping hot headiness from getting out of control ......

Go them... Go home and come back later again and again.