I received an e-mail this morning from an officer within the Greensboro Police Department who wanted to share with me some thoughts regarding yesterday's events:
I have never doubted from day one that Scott Sanders was innocent and the criminal charges were a travesty of justice.
It is said in homicide cases that for every death five people are affected. I have often wondered in this case how many people were affected by this divide created over politics and the death of the truth. Now that things are over, what happens? I hope that somehow the people of this town will find someway to expect the truth, and not statements of "trust us" or "if you only knew what we know".
The truth means being open and honest, and not secrecy.
What makes this country the greatest in the world is our justice system. It might have some problems here and there, but by far is the best one around. Our justice system allows a man to enter a courtroom and present evidence, testimony and facts. Both sides for the defense and prosecution are given this chance, and in the end twelve strangers decide amongst themselves what the truth is and what is relevant. Twelve people who are made up of the citizens of this community who are representatives of all walks of life all have a vested interest to see that the right thing is done.
Is that not what happened here? Twelve people looked at the facts and decided on an issue that has divided this city over three years. Twelve people did what no city government and no amount of talking heads could do-- and that is make a decision. Twelve people from this community have shown us that if one seeks the truth then it shall be known. Maybe now we take the example these twelve people have shown us, and now reach across the divide and seek the truth, and maybe-- just maybe-- find some way to heal this town and put an end to this sad chapter in the city’s history.
Thanks to the writer for a very thoughtful post. I sincerely hope we can heal and come together. Unfortunately, Our greatest weakness as a country has been racism. I believe that the scream of racism was used here in this whole sordid ordeal. Even tho there was none at all in this case, that was the crux that divided us so badly. So many of our leaders were afraid of being branded " racist " that they believed the lies, as Jerry Bledsoe so ably described in the Rhino Times.
If we can't find a way to deal with this, it will be used against us time and time again. It's called Political Correctness. I believe it is evil.
Posted by: wayne | February 21, 2009 at 01:19 PM
I sincerely wish I could believe it was over, but I don't. The truth is not going to come out. Not from this little trial. It will take a bigger one with more principle players put on the stand and under oath. And even then until the cadre of old discontented hate-filled Blacks (Rev. Johnson, Pulpit Forum, and more), or those who wish to exploit the city/county for their own gains and use the Blacks (Alston, Williams, Hinson and cohorts, Perkins, and more) are dead and gone, this game called Baiting the Races will continue. Abetting these Blacks are of course another group that needs to disappear: the White Southern Guilt crowd.
Truth has no color and both decent Whites and decent Blacks know this. I am putting my faith in the next generation who are now in the 20's and 30's of whom Erik Huey is so wonderfully representative. Hope he finds a way to continue to live in Greensboro. BB
Posted by: Brenda Bowers | February 21, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Wayne, I agree with you. The brand of political correctness you describe is, in fact, evil if it results in the kinds of phenomena we have witnessed with the GPD fiasco.
And Brenda, you are correct that this trial only covered a tiny portion of the entire GPD controversy. But we have to think about it this way. If there were any red-hot prosecutable criminal offense upon which the city, the SBI and/or the SAG's office felt they must take action, they had every opportunity to do so within the statute of limitations.
In fact, I now believe they had nothing of this nature. There was no red-hot criminal offense. I think they selected the computer search case against Scott Sanders because they believed it was the best case they had-- and it turned out not to be a very good case at all.
Maybe all the truth will not come out. But there is an opportunity for healing and restoration if our city's leaders elect to take that path. It is up to them.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | February 21, 2009 at 05:26 PM
I hope I misunderstood this Harvard thing, but my understanding is that Mayor Yvonne Johnson and Police Chief Tim Bellamy allowed this racial lie abut Scott Sanders to be discussed at a forum knowing it was untrue. Am I wrong?
Posted by: wayne | February 21, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Wayne, I do not know if they mentioned Scott Sanders' name specifically; but yes, they did use the the GPD matter and the issues with Special Intelligence as an example before the folks at Harvard. One problem to be fixed at that venue, if I remember correctly, was racism among police. Anyone with more detailed knowledge regarding the Harvard forum in which they participated can correct me if I am wrong.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | February 21, 2009 at 05:45 PM
From the Human Rights Commissions and Criminal Justice website. It appears that police misconduct in Greensboro, NC is front and center part of this group's study. Note the mention of taping of "between police personnel and predominantly African American civic leaders". So, Johnson and Bellamy spread that lie in a public and nationwide format. Greensboro's mayor is part of this problem, not part of any solution.
Employing the three-part framework, the Session is exploring the viability of an expanded role of human rights commissions, assuring that all three of these responses are in place when communities confront any one of five criminal justice issues:
1. Police misconduct in dealing with racial and ethnic minorities, women, immigrants, and members of other protected groups
Greensboro, North Carolina Police Complaints Review:
Currently in Greensboro, it is the responsibility of the Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau to investigate citizen complaints over police conduct. A committee of the Human Rights Commission serves as an appeals body for citizens who are dissatisfied with the results of an Internal Affairs finding. Despite commitment by commissioners serving on the committee, the model is not viewed as strong. City leaders suspect that many citizens are reluctant to file complaints due to a lack of confidence in the overall system. This project involves members of the Executive Session with city officials, the police department, the Human Relations Department and Commission, and Greensboro citizens to develop a police complaint review model that the public, particularly African American citizens, will view as credible.
Various factors contribute to the current distrust, including sloppy record keeping of complaints filed, limited public awareness of the process and a perception that the Commission, which has no subpoena power, lacks teeth to adequately review Internal Affairs findings. Another factor is persistent racial tension between citizens and police in Greensboro. The most recent example culminated in the resignation of the city's white police chief after it was found he had a secret unit conducting surveillance of African American police officers. It was later discovered he had secretly tape recorded meetings between police personnel and predominantly African American civic leaders.
Despite what appears to be a grim situation, city officials are committed to developing a police review model that responds to the criticisms and is capable of gaining public trust. City officials readily acknowledge that the City's response to the former police chief's activities, including development of a credible police review mechanism, is critical to the future of race relations in Greensboro. This project will begin with a case study providing background on the current situation. The Executive Session will also work to facilitate conversations that lead to the development of a new police complaint review procedure.
Posted by: Stormy | February 21, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Joe,
Healing our city is of utmost importance as both this blog and your comment suggest. One of the most controversial and polarizing players in this debacle has and continues to be Mitch Johnson. There are three members of council that have repeatedly asked for his resignation or dismissal with no success. Is this because the remaining members of council believe he has led the city in a responsible and unbiased manner or is the feedback they are receiving from constituents is in support of Mitch and his efforts? It has been suggested that any and all that are unhappy with councils' support of Mitch should wait until November 3rd and vote Yvonne, Robbie, Diane, Goldie, Sandra and Zack out of office.
I am suggesting an earlier aid to our city. On March 3rd during the Speakers from the floor segment of the next City Council Meeting all who support our City Manager simply say district # and support and all that oppose his leadership simply say district # and oppose. This may or may not influence Council to any action at all, however it will be a sign to Council, bloggers, commenters, news media and most importantly the citizens of the level of interest, importance, frustration and involvement concerning this matter. This may not be convenient for all, it may not be pleasant for all, but let it be done for all!
Let voices be heard, let it be done peacefully, let it be done in an orderly manner and let our city and it's leaders move on to run our city during these challenging times.
Posted by: Tommy | February 22, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Thanks, Tommy. That is not a bad idea. Citizens can state their support of the city manager, or their opposition, during the Speakers from the Floor segment of the council meeting. It would be great if a swell of people showed up to do that.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | February 22, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Is this for real? If so, I will be there. District 2, oppose Johnson the manager, Johnson the Mayor, and Wells.
Posted by: Brandon Burgess | February 23, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Only if you make it so. Tell friends and foes alike. Come one, come all. Make your voice heard. If it is important to you, it should be important to them.
Posted by: Tommy | February 23, 2009 at 05:28 PM