Law Enforcement Archives - Page 26 of 31

Student Liaison Commission Unanimously Votes to Oppose Minor Alcohol Preclusion Ordinance

By David GreenwaldJanuary 27, 201216 comments

alcohol-preclusion-asucd-liaison

The City of Davis and the police department have a lot of work to do if they want to get student buy-in for the proposed alcohol preclusion act. Following a lengthy discussion, where students consistently expressed concern with the ordinance and distrust for the intentions of the police, the Student Liaison Commission, comprised mainly of students with a few voting members from the public at-large, voted to oppose the ordinance.

The final version of that motion did incorporate language that left issues open and encouraged future discussions.

Students Propose Changes to City’s Noise Ordinance

By David GreenwaldJanuary 18, 201230 comments

Another issue that is permeating this community is a proposal from students to make some changes to the current noise ordinance.

Like the alcohol issue that we covered last week, this issue of the noise ordinance appears be dividing the city’s residents from the student population.

Sunday Commentary: A Community Divided

By David GreenwaldJanuary 15, 201244 comments

When I was growing up in San Luis Obispo and later attended Cal Poly, the city always had a love-hate relationship with the students. The businesses liked the business they got from students, but the residents of the community considered the students an annoyance who made noise, drank and partied.

Moving to Davis, that element seemed less pronounced. There were active efforts here to make students a greater part of the community, whether it was their inclusion in Neighbor’s Night Out Parties or the UC Davis Liaison Commission.

City Proposes Minor Alcohol Preclusion Ordinance

By David GreenwaldJanuary 12, 201262 comments

Ordinance Addresses the Wrong Problem and May Be Unenforceable With Unintended Consequences

It was billed as a routine measure by Police Chief Landy Black, giving the city the ability to charge minors who had consumed alcohol. At the same time it was acknowledged only one other jurisdiction has a similar law on its books, and students expressed concerns about profiling and due process concerns.

The council passed the first reading of the ordinance, under the understanding that the UC Davis Student Liaison commission would weigh in and the matter would come back before the council. This action preserved the ability for the council to get the matter on the books prior to Picnic Day, which appears to be the real target of this measure.

Fatal Accident At Russell and Lake Illustrates Danger of Stretch

By David GreenwaldDecember 22, 201154 comments

Back in late October, the County Board of Supervisors held off on raising the speed limit, on the stretch of Russell from Pedrick Road to Lake Blvd, to 45 mph from the current 35 mph.

At that time, Supervisor Don Saylor recommended for the four roads studied that there be additional study for the next year, to include consideration of traffic-calming measures and to look toward a state law change.

Sunday Commentary: Parents Need to Trust Their Instincts To Avoid Worst Nightmare Scenarios

By David GreenwaldDecember 18, 20118 comments

Few in the community are likely shocked by the news that a young soccer coach and licensed foster parent would be charged with 48 felony child molestation counts with a child under 14. These charges stem from alleged conduct with two children from June 2007 until November 2011.

It is sad that we are not more shocked by these charges, but even in a small community like this one, these charges and stories are not foreign to us. It is only when these stories penetrate into the inner circles of our private lives that they gain more resonance.

Former Councilmember Calls on Council to Re-Think Mutual Aid For UC Davis Police

By uptownstudiosNovember 20, 201117 comments

by Lamar Heystek

The following is an open letter to the Davis City Council:

My heart goes out to each of you. Having borne the burden of your office myself, I know the weight. I can only imagine how much harder it has become in the months since I have left the City Council. Nevertheless, I come to you and suggest an additional burden you must take on, for the sake of our community and before the nation and beyond.

Off-Topic Column: Will We Ever Learn?

By David GreenwaldNovember 19, 201127 comments

Occupy This: Will We Ever Learn?

One of the most riveting moments of the civil rights movement was when Bull Connor turned the firehoses and attack dogs on protesters. It galvanized public sympathy and support for the civil rights movement.

After that, officials, at least those with a semblance of self-control, quickly realized that reacting in such a heavy-handed manner actually bolsters the message of the protesters, creating attention for the issue and sympathy. Smart leaders allow the protesters to say their piece, which is, after all, a First Amendment right, and be done. That is, so long as there is no real danger to public safety.

Fire Incident at Bicycle Hall of Fame – More Excitement than Fire

By David GreenwaldNovember 6, 20116 comments

Just as Stephen Souza was pushing off from his announcement at the steps of the Bicycle Hall of Fame, fire engines and emergency vehicles were rolling in. First, UC Davis’ fire engine and hook and ladder truck, then Station 32 from Davis rolled in.

Suddenly, there seemed to be over a dozen firefighters and it became clear that the target was the museum on the corner of Third Street and B Street in Davis, around 10:30 on Saturday as the park was packed with those shopping and enjoying the Davis Farmer’s Market.

Davis Suffers First Murder Since 2004

By David GreenwaldOctober 3, 20112 comments

According to a report from the Davis Police Department, on Saturday, Davis Police officers were dispatched to 945 J Street, an apartment in the College Square Apartments on J Street, to a report of a dead body.

Upon arrival, officers found that the victim, a 42-year-old male, was deceased on his bedroom floor.

Is Davis’ Police Ombudsman Investigating DHS Incident?

By David GreenwaldSeptember 16, 201124 comments

The Vanguard is receiving conflicting reports about the extent to which Davis’ Police Ombudsman, Robert Aaronson, is investigating an incident that occurred on May 12, 2011. At that time, a Davis High student, Alana de Hinojosa, was, according to attorneys at the ACLU, “pulled out of her class at Davis High in front of her teacher and all her classmates, and escorted by a school staff member to the office of the head campus supervisor.”

The ACLU continues, “There, Ms. de Hinojosa was questioned by a sworn officer of the Davis Police Department, Officer Ellsworth, the High School’s vice-principal, and another school staff member about her newspaper article.”

DHS Student Describes Being Threatened By Police, Betrayed by School Staff

By David GreenwaldAugust 22, 201126 comments

Last week, the ACLU sent a letter to Superintendent Winfred Roberson alleging that on the morning of May 12, 2011, a Davis High Student, Alana de Hinojosa “was pulled out of her class at Davis High in front of her teacher and all her classmates, and escorted by a school staff member to the office of the head campus supervisor. There, Ms. de Hinojosa was questioned by a sworn officer of the Davis Police Department, Officer Ellsworth, the High School’s vice-principal, and another school staff member about her newspaper article.”

The ACLU claims that at no point was she informed of her right not to answer questions or advised that she was free to leave the room.

Free Speech and Journalistic Shield or Hindering a Police Investigation?

By David GreenwaldAugust 17, 201164 comments

ACLU Challenges Coercive Police Interrogation of Students at Davis High School –

It all began with an article in the Davis High HUB entitled “Art or Vandalism,” printed in the April 27, 2011 edition under the byline of Alana de Hinojosa, Editor-in-Chief.

The article depicted graffiti and taggers, protecting their names.

Are Red Light Cameras A Problem?

By David GreenwaldJuly 22, 201112 comments

Traffic intersections have proven to be one of the most dangerous locations for drivers. One of the chief problems are vehicles running red lights, trying to race to get through in time.

In trying to make these intersections, many cities utilized new technology and have installed red light cameras, much as Davis has done so at the intersection of Russell and Sycamore.

DA Declines to File Charges for Picnic Day Death of Scott Heinig

By David GreenwaldJuly 14, 201110 comments

Many in Davis were devastated by the news on an otherwise uneventful Picnic Day that a former Davis High and UC Davis star baseball player had died from a tragic accident.

The Yolo County coroner ruled the cause of death was blunt force neck and head injury. After extensive examination and testing the Yolo County Coroner concluded that the manner of death was homicide, as it was by definition, “a death caused by human hands.”

Davis Resident Still Searching For Answers in Wake of ICE Raid on Davis Property

By David GreenwaldJune 10, 201119 comments

Davis resident Linda Clark still has gotten no official explanation, apology or even communication from federal officials following a raid of her property in late April, as officials served a warrant apparently looking for child pornography.

“I have had no contact with them since [the incident],” Linda Clark told the Vanguard in a Thursday interview at her Davis home. “Apparently they are aware of my complaint… and [according to News 10] it’s being investigated. But nobody has contacted me.”

Davis ICE Incident Brings Issue Home For Davis Residents

By David GreenwaldJune 3, 201115 comments

On Sunday, Davis resident Linda Clark described in bold terms in a Davis Enterprise op-ed what many people face on a consistent basis from ICE and other agencies. Public officials have expressed shock that it could happen here in Davis, but unfortunately it is welcome to the real world.

Writes Linda Clark, “The incident described above occurred in a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood right here in Davis. Most residents of the house are either visiting international scholars or students, or American citizens who are students. No drug dealers. No ‘illegal immigrants.’ “

Violent Crime Declined in 2010 and Overall Crime Held Steady in Davis

By David GreenwaldMay 25, 20115 comments

Crimes Reaches 40 Year Lows Nationally and Statewide –

Nationally, crime fell again as the FBI reported that that the levels of both violent crime and property crime in the U.S. declined in 2010 from the previous year’s data.

The 2010 Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report, released on Monday, shows a 5.5 percent decrease in the number of reported violent crimes when compared with data from 2009. It also shows a 2.8 percent decline in reported property crimes.

Commentary: Do Not Attempt To Steal ATMs, It Will Not Work

By David GreenwaldMay 23, 20113 comments

We always were concerned that the new Target would bring crime into Davis, but this is a bit extreme.

It is probably not the best idea to make light of crime, particularly since the would-be robbers/burglars did $100,000 in damage to the store, however no one was hurt and this scheme is so ridiculous that it begs for at least some light humor.

Commentary: The Continued Need For Police Oversight

By David GreenwaldMay 21, 20110 comments

Cutting the Ombudsman’s Salary Would Be Penny Wise But Pound Foolish –

Earlier this week, Vanguard went to San Francisco to attend the public defender’s “Justice Summit,” an event that the Vanguard attended last year as well. This year’s summit had three panels, including one of police misconduct.

To his credit, new San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr participated as a member of the panel, along with some defense attorneys, a representative from the DA’s office, a representative from the Public Defender’s office and renowned civil rights attorney John Burris.

ACLU Challenges Coercive Police Interrogation of Students at Davis High School –

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