Guarino

Greensboro Police Officer Comments on Interactions Between Police Department and Coliseum Management

We have had some good discussions here in connection with the Superjam event last weekend which generated so much crime and disorder here in Greensboro, both along the High Point Road corridor and also downtown.

A pseudonymous commenter who represents himself (herself?) as a Greensboro police officer has made some fascinating statements.  One issue is whether the rap performers themselves engage in criminal activity.  The commenter alleges the police department has been obstructed by coliseum management:

(T)he coliseum does not want us there for most other events...we go anyway...they complain to city council that we hurt their business...city council complains to pd...then orders come down to handle it in other ways...They don't even like for us to take action inside when we need to, which we do anyway. They don't want ALE searching artists dressing rooms when probable cause exists. Coliseum personnell take extreme care to protect artists and patrons from us. There is a lot of politics involved you don't know about that we little people have little control over.

Raleigh Mayor's Comments Indicative of Anti-Italian Prejudice?

Doug Clark has a pretty good column in the paper today (unposted) about the comments of Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker against the Wake County school board.  Recall that the school board put a halt to that county's forced busing policy.  Meeker bemoaned the fact that the school board members who voted to change the policy were from out-of-state, even though he himself came to North Carolina from the Washington, D.C. area.

But there is another dimension to this matter that Clark did not discuss.

The two most prominently reported board members who supported the change in policy were John Tedesco and Ron Margiotta.  

These are both Italian surnames.  Another board member is Chris Malone, who apparently tends to vote with Tedesco and Margiotta.  I wonder if Meeker's comments may have been a not-so-subtle shot against Americans of Italian descent who have relocated to North Carolina; and who have possessed the temerity to disrupt the preexisting liberal order.

But clearly Meeker's comments were inappropriate, regardless of whether they may have been motivated by ethnic prejudice.

Ethics Inquiry Regarding Mel Watt Moving Along?

Several weeks ago, we reported here about how the Congressional Black Caucus, which includes our own Congressman Mel Watt, was protesting investigations by the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Within a matter of a week or two, we learned that Mr. Watt himself has been the target of an investigation by that Office.

And today, we learn (HT: Carolina Journal) that the office is moving to the next stage of its investigation:

As part of the probe, the OCE is reviewing an amendment offered by Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), which was withdrawn within two days of fundraiser held in his honor.

Last October, Watt sponsored an amendment that would have included auto dealers under the oversight of a proposed finance industry watchdog, a position supported by several consumer advocacy groups.

The proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency would oversee companies that provide auto financing, and used-car dealers offering “buy here, pay here” financing.

Without Watt’s amendment, franchised auto dealers would be exempted.

Watts withdrew the amendment on Dec. 11, two days after a fundraiser for him at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

This matter is not receiving prominent coverage locally.  I wonder why.

Something Good Happens In Raleigh on Taking of Private Property

It is a rare day when we can report a positive development in North Carolina's state legislature.  But there was some good news last night.

A bill passed its second reading in the House to enable a referendum for a state constitutional amendment.  It would prohibit the use of eminent domain for economic development.

The US Supreme Court Kelo decision made this an issue around the country; and North Carolina is just getting around to amending its own constitution.  Let's hope this bill continues to sail through both houses.

Kagan Plays Her Hand on Abortion

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan further tipped us off as to how she will stand on the abortion issue (as if there was ever any doubt).  Under questioning from Senator Feingold, she affirms that any state regulation of abortion must make allowances for the "health" of the mother.

Of course, this opens the floodgates for abortions to occur at any point during a pregnancy, for any reason.  A mere allegation of psychological distress over being pregnant can be used to justify abortion during the ninth month.  But that appears to be Kagan's position-- to allow that to happen.

But here is another great indicator of where she stands.  When she worked in the Clinton White House, she prevailed upon the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology to insert language into its statement on partial birth abortion that suggested there were circumstances when it was the best method for the mother's life or health.  The statement was being drafted at a politically opportune time.

Notwithstanding any of the platitudes she uttered during the hearings today, everyone has a pretty good idea that she is pro-abortion-- and that will be reflected in her jurisprudence.

Greensboro Police Officer Reveals More About Greensboro Coliseum Superjam Event

A person who represents himself as a Greensboro police officer has left additional comments at another thread here regarding the Superjam event at the Greensboro Coliseum.  While I cannot verify he or she is truly a police officer, because a pseudonym was used, the descriptions seem genuine.

This additional information comes as the News and Record reports the person killed early Saturday morning was driving through a large crowd.  Now that it appears we have a dead body, perhaps the Coliseum management and the city manager will see fit to stop sponsoring this event, and any that are similar.

Here is what the police officer said:

No other group of Greensboro Coliseum Patrons cruise high point rd and go down town to the extent as this group. Do some research, it's there, I promise. What you all don't realize is that many of the artists are gang members themselves. We provide security at the back doors to make sure to keep rival gang rap artists seperated. When you have a concert and one artist is "a blood" which is what is the primary gang in greensboro, another is crip (not many left in greensboro) and another is 360 mafia their the patrons are made up of the same. Not all people who go to the concerts are gang members and some go home afterward. But Most are, and there is no way for me to make you understand that other than to tell you...

Keep in mind...that there are 30-50,000 of them. There was only one magistrate working at the jail that night...

If we had a 1000 officers working it still wouldn't be enough. We (are) outnumbered and OUTGUNNED!

And Brandon B. added the following:

Popo has a point about musicians who are gang members. Roch recently blogged about the rapper Waka Flocka Flame who has came to Greensboro twice and caused near riots in the clubs he performed in (Touch and N Club). From what I can tell from the videos, crips gang members were heckling him and throwing things onto the stage. I understand how quickly such a situation can turn violent.

City staff and the Melderec con Simkins crowd are very eager to see a high level of activity downtown and at the Coliseum.  They want these areas revitalized, and they have pumped in oodles of cash to make it happen.  They also doubtless want to maintain a facade of racial enlightenment.  So when an event such as this shows obvious warning signs-- even to the extent of requiring half the city's police force-- it is permitted to continue.

Once again: now that it appears we have a dead body, perhaps the Coliseum management and the city manager will see fit to stop sponsoring this event, and any that are similar.

Update 06/29, News and Record:

Watts and his friends were in town for Friday night’s SuperJam concert at the Greensboro Coliseum.

After the concert, they visited several nightclubs throughout the city before trying to go to the Players Club.

“Obviously, there were people  who saw what happened, and we are asking them to come forward,” Rogers said.

“We don’t know at this point how the victim and suspect are connected, if they are connected at all. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

The shooter is believed to have fired while standing in the parking lot and is believed to have run toward the Players Club after the shooting.

A description of the shooter was incomplete, and police said they do not have a motive.

Maggie Jeffus' Swift Moves

Americans for Prosperity:

House Bill 1726 would make it a crime to: serve sugar-sweetened beverages to children of any age; serve whole milk to children two years of age or older; serve flavored milk to any child; serve more than six ounces of juice to any child regardless of age or how long the child is cared for.

This is a bill that passed its first reading.  Maggie Jeffus, who represents part of Greensboro and Guilford County, voted in support of this ridiculous bill.

Another one she supported: the incentives for the film industry.  Giving a boost to one industry at the expense of all others makes little sense.

But Ms. Jeffus' legislative career is, for the most part, a one-note affair.  She is an advocate for the education establishment.  Mark Binker described how she helped arrange for $7 million to be used for a tunnel and a railroad underpass for UNCG, which smacks of the same old pork barrel politics.  If the project had merit above others in the UNC system, it should have been funded without her intervention.

Theresa Yon, GPD Officer on Greensboro Coliseum's Superjam: The Effect on High Point Road and Downtown

From a previous thread:

(I)t was not only High Point Rd. Concertgoers then came to cruise downtown after the event. Beginning around 12- 2:30. Come live downtown and observe the difference between an average Friday night or Saturday night, and what I observed on June 25. And YES I DO HAVE EVIDENCE. I took pictures. And trust me, from where I took all of these pictures, you can see everything going on. Large groups of loitering persons. Destruction of property in Center City Park after it closed at midnight. Gangs of people in the middle of the street blocking traffic, hopping in and out of one another's cars, and breaking the City Ordinances of loitering, music being heard from car after car outside of the permitted radius, drinking in cars while cruising (I also have pics of officers pouring out alcohol from downtown cruisers in cars). Turning Friendly Ave and Elm into a parking lot, with cars ignoring traffic signals, lanes, and rules in general. Blocking traffic in the streets - Lord help anyone who might need an ambulance! And probably about 150 persons loitering in the park, and many jumping in the fountains. Small groups climbing around in the trees near the back of the park doing Lord knows what. No sane person would WANT to be downtown on the ground during this type of situation. The outnumbered police, whom I truly pitied, could not keep up. There are incidents here and there on average summer weekend nights downtown, but normally NOTHING like what was witnessed after this Superjam. Unless you pick the Sunday before Memorial Day, when downtown nearly came to a riot, after a Rap artist came to the N Club and a stabbing occurred, people rushed into the streets, fights broke out, hundreds of people came rushing to Center City Park, destroying property and thronging the streets. (Again - for those of you who want evidence - I took pictures) That was an event I never wish to see again, including my very first exposure to 25 minutes of dispersal techniques (at 1 AM) by the GPD, including the non-stop blaring sirens.

I pity the police Center City Unit when these types of Rap concerts take place. The crowds come downtown and do nothing but cause problems. They are not spending money in our downtown. How do I know? Because I have the pictures of them cruising in their cars drinking and loitering in the streets. If you are loitering you are not spending. A few concert promoters may make some $$ off such concerts but our city and our business owners do not.

Theresa Yon, candidate for State House

Not only was there the murder you read about, there were others shot, stabbed, robbed, and other offenses you don't get the luxury of reading about. Just a little food for thought. I will say though that this year went smoother than the past few. Usually we let them cruise High Point Rd until 6am and have to stand back while they ride on top of cars, drinking in parking lots, thousands walking up and down the road. We don't let any other people in the city close down an enire st all night. And we don't allow it for any other event. That's why we all hate to work it. Its just too many people to enforce all the laws so we have to let small stuff go and concentrate on more dangerous and important matters...

(C)ome out to High Point Rd as well as down town when these events let out...

We have to deal with thousands of people concentrated in a small area which makes for a very hazardous situation for all involved. With that many people, if something happens such as shots fired, a fight, or any other problem, who do you think is going to handle it? Patrol officers are tied up on routine calls. Gang members are out in full force and come from miles around just to attend these events. With them they bring weapons, drugs, and everything else involved with gang activity. We respond to more shooting, stabbings, robberies, larcenies, and stolen cars than any other night of the year...

Greensboro Police Officer

Ask the typical business on High Point Rd. what they think of Superjam. Some close early and try to block their lots to avoid the cruising and rowdy crowds.

Commenter Jonas

We have city council members who have been trying to spend huge amounts of money at the Coliseum complex.  The theory is that these investments-- in aquatic centers, amphitheaters and ACC museums-- will somehow spur economic development down the High Point Road corridor.  The same council members have tended to engage in downtown-boosting in various ways.

But if they are going to allow a city-run facility to sponsor a couple of events every year that engender barbarian-like behavior in our public spaces on High Point Road and downtown, then they should disclose that to every business that considers locating in those areas.

And they should acknowledge to the public how much money the city is spending to accommodate all this public disorder.

I think it is time to stop these events that generate so much trouble and violence.  It is amazing that the city has been allowing them with barely a peep of discussion.

Conservatives for Guilford County Picnic

I enjoyed a great deal the picnic sponsored by Conservatives for Guilford County held at Bur-Mil Park last evening.  

It was good to hear from all the candidates.  Rich Brenner was a particularly compelling speaker. 

I especially enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and greet  and speak with so many folks present.  This included some fairly new to the political process, and others who have been involved for quite some time.  Many candidates for the state legislature were present-- including Theresa Yon, Jeff Hyde, Jon Hardister and Trudy Wade.   They are each engaged in important races.  Incumbent John Blust was also present.

I was glad to be able to meet Bill Randall briefly.  He is an impressive gentleman; and would represent a vast improvement over social Democrat Brad Miller.

Thanks to the folks at Conservatives for Guilford County for another great event.

How To Transition to Socialism

Lawrence R. Huntoon, M.D., Ph.D.:

There are many different ways of accomplishing a socialist agenda.  There is the overt method whereby a country passes a law mandating socialized medicine, such as in Canada.  There is the method, recently used in our country, whereby a law is passed that is designed to destroy the private sector and lead to a socialist takeover of medicine-- "Obamacare."  And, there is the gradual, piecemeal approach that has been used in our country, which puts the socialist infrastructure in place before people recognize what has happened.

Should Greensboro Coliseum Suspend Superjam Concerts?

I heard some interesting barbershop conversation this morning.

There was apparently a cluster of shootings in the High Point Road region last night.  One customer made the observation that this type of thing tends to coincide with the Superjam event at the Greensboro Coliseum.  The Coliseum management apparently has to arrange and pay for extra police protection for this particular event, if the barbershop source is correct.

City taxpayers subsidize the Coliseum.  It makes little sense to stage an event if it is going to lead to violence.  It makes little sense to require city taxpayers to subsidize such an event.

City of Greensboro Giving Pulpit Forum a Place at the Table?

Some evidence in today's paper:

The city is working to address corruption issues raised by the Pulpit Forum over the past several months, he said.

That response includes answering 97 questions submitted by the pastors in January that many of their corruption allegations are based on.

Speedling said Chief Tim Bellamy will make final revisions on those questions next week after consulting with city attorneys. Speedling expects answers soon, pledging that would happen before Bellamy’s retirement July 31.

 

In another article today (unposted), we are reminded that City Manager Rashad Young is including "clergy" among the group of community members providing input on the selection of the new police chief.

 

If we continue to give unwarranted heed to a group that repeatedly launches false accusations, and that seeks to undermine and stir up trouble for the department, then the process for selecting a new chief is foredoomed to failure. 

 

 

Mayor Bill Knight Provides Further Comment on the City Budget

Mayor Knight has a letter in the Rhino today.  In addition, he sent an e-mail last night that provides some further perspective regarding the budget, and his thinking for the next year:

A little less that $ 2 million of the total budget figure results from programs/costs included in the 2009/2010 budget that had not been fully expended (projects incomplete) as of June 30, 2010 (next week).  These items had to be reappropriated and increase the total budget amount for 2010/2011.  Another item that did not receive attention is approximately $ 500,000 for new leaf collection equipment to replace worn out pieces.  There are some other items that took the budget down, and of course the budget increased $100,000 for the Children Museum (one time only).

I spent a good deal of time studying the water rate issue, including reading reports by each of the three bond rating agencies that rate Greensboro.  The city is fortunate to now have on staff a very bright young lady who worked for a bond rating agency before coming here.  She provided very valuable insight on the rating process and what the evaluators do in reaching their conclusions.  In addition to the rating process I also looked at the solvency of the water fund.  For the first time since I came to Greensboro in 1952 we have plenty of water and a financially sound system.  I’m told Jordan Lake rules will compound our costs later on so we need to keep that in mind going forward.  I also looked at Raleigh (it’s having multi-year 17% rate increases), Charlotte 9.6% increase and High Point at 5%.  Greensboro will have a decreasing rate schedule through 2013 when it falls to 1.35%.  I respect the opinion of our manager, water department head, rating agencies and others involved in determining that we have a well managed and financially solvent water system.

My goal was to have an approved budget by June 15 and not have a fight down to the last minute.  The final vote was 7-2, with Trudy (Wade) and Mary (Rakestraw) voting no.   

For next year a big item may turn out to be waste collection and disposal.  My analysis of 13 years operation indicate the cost of waste handling (after deducting fees and taxes collected) has increased over $7 million per year since we changed to the transfer station method. 

On another front I am interested in pursuing an Authority form of organization at the Coliseum since it already seems to operate that way.  I’ve spoken with the Local Government Commission and the city’s outside audit firm and am told every city continues to provide some subsidy to the coliseum authority.  My hope would be to have an independent Authority that reports to the Local Government Commission, and I would like to see it become financially independent over several years.  The new budget will reduce the coliseum by $200-$300 thousand, and hopefully improved operating efficiencies can continue to lower the support every year.  

Danny Thompson worked very hard on the budget and deserves credit for his efforts.

 

Conservatives for Guilford County Picnic Friday Evening

Conservatives for Guilford County, one of our regional Tea Party-style groups, is hosting a picnic on Friday from 4:30 PM until dusk.  It will be held at Bur-Mil park. 

I plan to be in attendance during the latter half of the event.

There will be games and activities for kids of all ages, food (for purchase), and speeches by local media personalities including Rich Brenner and Pam Furr.  Various conservative organizations will have booths; and attendees will have the opportunity to explore potential routes of involvement.  Conservative candidates will be in attendance.

More information is available through their Facebook page.  Local conservatives are encouraged to check it out, and to try to make the event on Friday evening.

Elena Kagan on the Bork Hearings

This tells you amply what she is all about: (HT:Bench Memos)

Command Level GPD Officer Helping Subordinates File Grievances?

Jordan Green has a post that details how a GPD command level officer-- a captain-- has been found to be assisting other officers in the process of filing grievances.

This is a striking departure from the order that we would ordinarily expect.  Police departments are supposed to be quasi-military in structure.  It seems doubtful that a military commander should ordinarily feel free to assist subordinate troops in the filing of grievances.

The officer involved claims this is not a violation of policy.  But one must ask whether this type of behavior should be considered acceptable.  It merely feeds into the psychology that the police department should be considered a locus of entitlement for officers employed therein.  If they are unhappy about something, encourage them to file a grievance because it is their right, and help them dot their "i's" and cross their "t's".

But how this problem has been managed is also an issue.  Sending the captain for a fitness-for-duty evaluation risks "medicalizing" a pattern of work behavior for which he should instead be held accountable.

I think we may be witnessing yet another indication that matters remain off kilter within the GPD.

TV Commercial

Congratulations, Bill Randall

Bill Randall defeated his opponent in the Republican primary yesterday for a North Carolina congressional seat. 

Mr. Randall doubtless learned through this process that the liberal media will do what it can to undermine the candidacy of conservative candidates.  In fact, he likely already knew this.  Black conservatives represent a particular threat, so they especially must be targeted.

The primary race was not primarily discussed in terms of the differences between the two candidates on substantive matters of policy.  Instead, other issues were reported way beyond their significance or importance.

Randall can expect more of this type of treatment in the fall election.  He is running against a member of Congress, Brad Miller, whose voting record is akin to that of a socialist; and who will therefore receive ample protection from the media.  Unfortunately, many North Carolina voters support elected officials like Miller.  The incumbent enjoys a significant party registration advantage in the district.

Steel yourself, Mr. Randall, for a rough ride; and Godspeed.

Update:  At his victory celebration (HT: Conservative NC)

The Real Story Behind the Passage of the Greensboro Budget

Last week, I had posted regarding the manner in which the Greensboro budget passed.  I expressed the feeling that something seemed to be missing in the previous reporting with respect to how and why the budget passed in the form that it did.  I could not reconcile in my mind how it happened that the tax cut was as small as it was; that Knight and Thompson had voted with the Melderec con Simkins bloc; that the budget increased over last year; and that the water rate increase outweighed the tax cut ultimately delivered.

Local conservatives like John Hammer and George Hartzman have reason to be at least somewhat disappointed with the outcome.  It would have been nice to see more cuts, a larger tax cut or both.

I will attempt to convey my understanding of what happened during the budget process, and how we might interpret certain decisions that were made.

1.  The fact that the budget increased from the previous year by approximately $1 million might seem excessive on the surface.  However, a couple of considerations should place this in perspective.  First, the increase in spending with last year's budget (that was passed around June 2009) was approximately $14 million.  The rate of increase was much lower this year compared with last year.  This was not reported elsewhere.

Second, there was one particular reason for the increase.  It is my understanding that approximately $2 million in pork spending was carried over from the previous year for technical reasons.  Without that $2 million, there would have been a real decrease in spending with this year's budget.

Here is the data:

2008/2009 Actual budget (monies spent): $408 million

2009/2010 Actual budget (monies spent): $422.7 million

2010/2011 Budget: $423 million (including the $2 million carried over from the previous year)

2. The water rate increase was not made on the basis of some abstract, theoretical fear that the city's bond ratings would be at risk if there was no increase.  The city receives assessments from a few different bond rating agencies that discuss the city's standing and outlook.  These assessments are based in large part upon the ratio of debt to capital in the city's water accounts. 

Apparently, the amount of debt we have in our municipal water department was beginning to get out of synch with the amount of capital on a proportional basis.  Mike Baron might tell us the debt is due to the increase in capacity we have previously agreed to incur in the context of flat or declining demand for water. 

If our bond ratings deteriorate, we pay higher interest rates on our bonds, and incur additional interest expense over the long haul.  Residents would have to pay for that if they did not pay higher water rates.

3. The small tax cut has attracted some comment.  It was initially hoped it could be larger.  A 2% across the board cut in spending was being discussed perhaps to enable a 1/2 cent tax cut; but the numbers could not be made to work because debt service could not be reduced.  Zack Matheny reportedly did not want the higher tax cut.  Matheny and Nancy Vaughan each wanted certain spending items at levels to which Trudy Wade and Mary Rakestraw would not agree. 

Bill Knight and Danny Thompson were attempting to assemble five votes to pass a budget and secure a 1/2 cent tax cut, but the fifth vote was elusive in part because of the differing perspectives of the four council members I mentioned in the previous paragraph.  (Hammer reported that Wade and Rakestraw were also disenchanted with the relative absence of cuts in spending, and perhaps certain other spending items).

In addition, Robbie Perkins and T. Diane Bellamy-Small pushed to get $300,000 transferred from the general fund to the Greensboro DOT, which created additional pressure on the ability to deliver a larger tax cut.  Perkins was successful in assembling five votes that would limit the tax cut to 1/4 cent when the aforementioned members were in disagreement.  There was doubtless some pleasure at the spectre of interfering with conservatives' hopes for a larger tax cut, at least to some extent. 

In summary, Knight and Thompson could not work out passage of the budget with a greater tax cut because they could not assemble five votes to do so.  Reconciling the positions of Wade and Rakestraw with a theoretical fifth vote would prove to be difficult to pull off.  This unfortunate reality is a reflection, in part, of the fact that we do not have a conservative council, and that the two council members in the center-- Vaughan and Matheny-- each had their own perspectives.

I am not sure I agree with Hammer's assessment that Knight and Thompson are moderates.  Instead, I would characterize them as moderate conservatives.  The ultimate shape the budget took was a reflection of the overall ideological composition and predilections of individual council members-- including those on the left, in the center, and on the right. 

The Downtown Greensboro Assault: Ed's Response

Ed had a column Sunday that commented on the Greensboro downtown assault on conservatives; and also a follow-up post.  He conceded that the assailant was wrong to punch Nathan Tabor.  Yes Weekly also discussed the event in its issue last week.

There are  a couple of big lessons to be learned from these writings and the online discussions that followed.  First, the response to the incident among conservatives--including those present during the incident-- was somehow explained by the race of the assailant as much as by the way his behavior was associated with his ideology.  They were not just responding to a far-left partisan trying to beat up conservatives-- they were also responding to the fact that he was a black guy doing this.

Second, we also learned that the significance and newsworthiness of the incident was not, by any means, the fact that it represented the polar opposite of what the MSM will typically highlight and magnify.  There are good reasons why any respectable journalistic entity would refrain from highlighting this event to the same degree that it would highlight an incident representing its converse.  Instead, it is considered more appropriate to analyze the incident, justify downplaying it, and regard the conservative response almost from a sociological/psychoanalytical point of view. 

These perspectives, of course, tend to diminish the overall impact and significance of what happened.

The News and Record published a clarification of Ed's column on one particular aspect.  But the fact remains that the story was never really covered in a prominent way in our daily paper, even though it received some discussion on the editorial pages.

In any case, my perspective has been greatly broadened by these contributions.  I don't know what I could have been thinking when I posted on these items previously.  I don't know what many of the commenters here could have been thinking, either.

Update: I have deleted a series of comments because of verbal sparring between commenters that escalated; and have closed the comment thread.