community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
citizen's police board
by sara
Monday, Apr. 28, 2003 at 12:21 PM
sstanek@email.com
pittsburgh indymedia- whats the citizen's police board
does anyone know about something called the citizen's police board? i just recently heard about it and was wondering what exactly is the deal..
cprb
by andy
Monday, Apr. 28, 2003 at 8:04 PM
andy at indypgh.org
hi sara
the citizen's police review board is an independent group set up as advocates for citizens who feel they have been mistreated by the police. it was set up after a referendum a few years ago called for it. basically they have a form you fill out if you think you have a claim, then they meet every so often, every month or something? and go through the each claim and decide if it's substantial and substatiated, then take action to reprimand the officers involved if it is. more info can be found here: http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/cprb/
also, if you want, email the woman who is the director: Beth.Pittinger at city.pittsburgh.pa.us. she's super nice and helpful.
hope that helps.
andy
Citizens Review Board
by Carmen
Monday, Apr. 28, 2003 at 9:00 PM
In my opinion, the citizen's review board is a waste of time. It has no power. All it can do is make recommendations to the Mayor.
After the March 20 event, the Citizens Review Board has done absolutely nothing, even though it received at least one complaint.
No investigation. No hearing. No reprimand. Nothing!
Compare with Oakland Police
by Humdinger
Tuesday, Apr. 29, 2003 at 9:15 PM
Compare the Pittsburgh police situation with the Oakland, CA police. In Oakland there are allegations of improper police activity. As a result, the city council ordered an investigation, and the police performed their own investigation,.
Here in Pittsburgh, there is absolutely nothing happening as a result of March 20. No police investigation. No "Citizens Review Board" investigation. Nothing.
Of Course we know why.
Why there is no investigation
by Conservative Guy
Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2003 at 2:30 PM
I know why the Citzens Review Board did not do an investigation. It is because there are no problems with the Pittsburgh Police.
The people who were arrested on March 20 deserved to be arrested. It is outrageous that they would demonstrate while our soldiers are putting themselves in harm's way to protect our liberty.
The Pittsburgh Police acted in a smart way. Maybe now that people know how things work, there won't be as many demonstrations.
CPRB
by Beth Pittinger
Thursday, May. 01, 2003 at 10:33 AM
Beth.Pittinger@city.pittsburgh.pa.us 412-765-8023 816 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh Pa 15219
Sara, if you want more info on the CPRB, please call us at 412-765-8023. Carmen and Humdinger - you don't know what we're doing about the 2 complaints we received (approximately 1% of those arrested????) - and I won't disclose anything about those investigations until such time as they are concluded and possibly subjects of public hearings.
We promote responsible citizenship, and with all due respect, responsibility necessitates an informed opinion formed through knowledge - Carmen and Humdinger you are welcome to come here and learn about the process and all are welcome to attend our public meetings. The next meeting is 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 27 in City Council Chambers.
We have several public hearings scheduled, I will post those dates upon confirmation.
www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/cprb/
March in lockstep
by Tod
Thursday, May. 01, 2003 at 4:03 PM
Yes, Conservative Guy. No more protests. No more disagreement with our government when it's not politically or socially popular - that is, with the conservative, religious right. No, it's time for us to all march in lockstep, to speak with one voice, to show our support for the troops and to keep America free. The time for political discord has come to an end - we have George W. Bush at the helm, and we're at war, so there's no reason to change a thing.
I'm sick of you damn people. I just wonder what reaction we will hear from people of your mindset when and if we can ever get another progressive-minded president in the White House. Say, for instance, Howard Dean lucks in and overcomes the racists and bigots - especially in the South - and gets elected and promotes a national Civil Rights Act for Homosexuals as well as pushes socialized health care? Will you then agree with him without regard to your principles, or will you and others protest implementation and passage of such legislation?
I can answer that one, so save your breath. Political discourse does not belong to any ideology - it's ours to have as a society and as a human race.
You can take your "support the troops" line of BS, your holier-than-thou mentality as well as your propoganda and stick it. I support our citizens - I don't call them "troops" - I never wanted them over there in the first place. I want them all home NOW.
Tod
Listen Beth
by Humdingerer2
Thursday, May. 01, 2003 at 6:25 PM
Listen, Beth. Here is what happened on March 20,. The police blocked off the street. Sargant Kacsuta did not give 8 or 10 announcements to leave prior to blocking the streets. A very large number of people were falsely arrested and detained.
Several people testified to the magistrate, under oath, that they did not hear the announcement to disburse. The magistrate even said that she believed them! The magistrate found people innocent of the charge "failure to disburse".
The audio and video tapes of this incident do not include any audio where you can here a police warning to disburse.
I will also tell you why you only got two formal complaints. Nobody believes that you will do a real investigation. Even if you find out the truth, will any action be taken?
CPRB
by Beth Pittinger
Friday, May. 02, 2003 at 10:49 AM
beth.pittinger@city.pittsburgh.pa.us 412-765-8023 816 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh PA 15219
Humdinger2 - Try Me.
As the only direct voice for the people on the issue of police conduct in this City, what we do is all that can be done for the people at this time.
BTW you and all those you claim question the integrity of our investigations are free to come and learn about the process - and how about giving give me some proof to support your claim that we don't do "real investigation(s)".
Don't blame CPRB -- they're hamstrung
by John Lacny
Monday, May. 05, 2003 at 12:11 PM
Anyone who blames CPRB for its supposed inactivity is objectively aiding the cops and the Murphy administration in their efforts to undercut the CPRB, the creation of which the cops and Murphy opposed in the first place. The CPRB cannot investigate complaints and issue reports unless people MAKE complaints to them. And predictably, the cops have been less than fully cooperative with the CPRB -- having lost a referendum and having had to cede the creation of the CPRB because of the voice of the people, the armed agents of the state have now set about SUBVERTING and SABOTAGING the will of the people.
(Beth Pittinger can't say stuff like this, because she has to be diplomatic, but I can sure say it -- and this is what is happening!)
As it stands right now, CPRB is a tool for anti-police brutality activists to use. It is irresponsible to effectively join with the city administration and the cops in an attempt to discredit it. Rather than carp about its ineffectiveness, DO something about it -- especially if this affects you directly. You have to use all tools at your disposal to mobilize the people. Otherwise, what good are "organizers" and "activists"?
citizen's police board
by Beth Pittinger
Tuesday, May. 06, 2003 at 10:59 AM
Beth.Pittinger@city.pittsburgh.pa.us 412-765-8023 816 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh 15219
John accurately (and quite adequately) describes the dynamics affecting the CPRB.
Want to see the process in action??? Come to the following PUBLIC HEARINGS on specific complaints of police misconduct:
6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers (5th Floor City County Building) on:
Thursday, 5/15/03, #343-02 (Incompetence - failure to properly identify suspect)
(Tuesday, 5/27/03 - Regular Board meeting, same time & place)
Wednesday, 5/28/03, #339-02 (Excessive Force; Conduct Unbecoming toward the Public)
Thursday, 5/29/03, #216-02, (Excessive Force)
www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/cprb/
query
by John Lacny
Wednesday, May. 07, 2003 at 12:14 PM
Can people think of the administrator of ANY other city agency who would take the time to seriously consider the opinions expressed on Indymedia? People need to wake up and take ownership of and responsibility towards those institutions that have been created through popular struggle. Don't join with Murphy and the cops in trashing CPRB.
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