This Page is for folks to post what’s going on… literally, the word on the street. Stuff that might be important for others to be aware of. Sounds vague, and no one is claiming that it will all be true, but we’ll see what happens. Please post what you know…
The newest posts are at the bottom of the page.
On Sunday, July 8, 2007, I heard that people in the Valley West (Giuntolli Rd) area of Arcata were having their cars towed, even thought their registration and insurance were up-to-date. One vehicle, I was told, was towed away with a person still inside. Now, I’m confident that I can make the assumption that said cars belong to poor folks, probably people living in their vehicles… Anyone else know about this situation?
COPS KEEP MESSING WITH PEOPLE AND SAYING THEY ARE DRUNK IN PUBLIC…
It seems that the cops are often using “drunk in public” as an excuse to stop and harass or arrest people who are walking or who are just standing somewhere, who may or may not have been drinking, and who are in control of their faculties. One of the problems with the term “drunk in public,” is that lots of times, folks who have been drinking BELIEVE that because they have alcohol in their system and they are in public, they have violated “drunk in public” laws!! NOT TRUE
So, I wanted to share this clarification of the law. Knowing the truth of the “drunk in public” law may not mean the cops don’t wrongly harrass or arrest you, but if you have to go to court later, you will know what the prosecutors are required to prove, and what the cops were supposed to be looking for (i.e. falling over drunk, or aggressive to others), and whether the cops really were just abusing their “power”.
(** see below and Know Your Rights page about what to do when stopped by cops)
The criminal charge being of “drunk in public” actually requires more than a person being drunk and being in public: the legal standard usually requires that a person be so drunk as to be a danger to themselves or others.
California’s drunk in public law is typical of those around the country. California Penal Code Section 647 (f) provides that it is illegal to be in any public place under the influence of intoxicating liquor (or combination of liquor and drugs), in such a condition that he or she is unable to exercise care for his or her own safety or the safety of others, or by reason of his or her being under the influence of intoxicating liquor (or drugs), interferes with or obstructs or prevents the free use of any street, sidewalk, or other public way.
**During an encounter with the police, what will protect you is if you first ask, when the cop approaches, “Am I free to go?” If they don’t give you a straight answer, ask again (politely, but firm) “Am I free to go, or am I being detained?” If you are free to go, say, “I’m going now” and WALK AWAY. If you are told you cannot go, ask why. Then, remember the answer, but don’t argue. Only say, “I chose to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer” Those words invoke and protect two important rights: 1) your right not to incriminate yourself, and 2) your right to have an attorney present when questioned, put in a line up, asked to sign something, etc.
You are not legally required to say a word to a cop. Once you invoke your rights by saying the magic words “I chose to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer.” Then, BE QUIET. If you slip up and say anything after that, say the magic words again- as many times as you need to, and BE QUIET.
IF the cop wants you to submit to a sobriety test, tell him your lawyer (whether you have one or not) told you not to submit to a FIELD SOBRIETY TEST, but you’d be willing to test at the station. Then say the magic words. “I chose to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer.” And say nothing else.
Symbolic of a darker problem?
http://www.times-standard.com/letters/ci_8634942
Times-Standard
03/20/2008
I’m currently a displaced seasonal fire fighter. I’ve moved here from Arizona. And while I’m trying to wait for my job, I find myself homeless in Eureka.
The other day I needed a shower. I appreciate being clean. Living on the streets is dirty, no matter how hard you try.
I was told that the mission provided showers between the hours of 1-3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I made sure that I was on time Wednesday.
When I got there a “client” (resident) sees me coming and shuts the door in my face, laughs and says, “We’re closed.”
Confused, I say, “I have until 3 p.m., don’t I?” “Yeah, but today we close at 2:45 p m.” It was 2:40, so I pointed this out to the ex-con, and that’s when trouble started.
The dude knocks me over the head with a weapon of some sort, tries to throw me through a plate glass window, and beats me unmercifully for at least 10 minutes while the director stands and watches, arms crossed, doing nothing
to stop this crime that’s being committed by his staff.
It’s my opinion that the mission and (Martin) Cotton’s death are symbolic of a darker problem. That problem is bad leadership — an alternative so that humble homeless people can stay clean without being brutally attacked.
Michael Neeley
Eureka
– One never knows if they’ll get “help”– or beaten, or killed… As with every other town in this area (and increasingly all over the U.S.) there is NO PLACE legally available for us, people, to sleep (or do other life-sustaining activities) without: PAYING MONEY, taking psych meds,
going to jail, having someone else’s ‘religious views’ (usually shaming and degrading) inflicted on us, being physically abused, or otherwise being robbed of dignity and/or physical health.
I get real tired of being told that there are places to go (i.e. “there’s the Mission…”) There isn’t.
When are we going to take responsibility for EACH OTHER?
That comment attached to the Times Standard letter was written by Verbena
And for homeless with pets there is NO PLACE you are
welcome without money.
TONIGHT, July 30, at around 8 PM a homeless man was brutally attacked in Old Town Eureka near the corner of 1st and E streets. The victim’s jaw appeared to be broken and he suffered additional small wounds around the head area.
His belongings – a tent and a bag of clothes – were stolen from him. He was transported to the hospital by paramedics.
The assailants were three white teenagers.
This is the second such brutal attack against houseless people in Eureka in the last two weeks. The last occurred near the Adorni also by three white teenagers.
We call on the city government to DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.
Please forward to anyone who can help.
have a peaceful day
Bill
Iin southern humboldt we have the park rangers pulling people over,stopping the homeless.We just had a guy get a ticket for camping on what we thought was public land and when he asked the ranger where could he sleep he was told there wasn’t a place 260 miles north or south from here.
The sargent of southern humboldt sheriffs dept. has said on video tape for” the homeless to leave the county or go to jail, thats their choices”
The Eureka Rescue Mission (which gets County and State funds, thousands of dollars in donations, grants, and tons of other material gifts) often SELLS its donations (blankets, backpacks, etc) at the Misson Thrift Store- instead of GIVING those donations FOR FREE to people who NEED THEM.
Well as we hurry around to get everyone in doors for the cold weather,the rest of the community is inside, warm and clueless.It is up to US to continue to be their voice in the communities.We don’t want anyone to die, because they didn’t have shelter.
All We Need Is Love…………..
2009 will be the year for Justice For The People Of Humboldt!!
The Human Rights Commission is having a public forum at The Arcata Endeavor on Jan 17 from 1-4pm. I hope to see many homeless people there to tell their stories. I will be present to video tape the proceedings and file a report to the board of supes. I then plan on following the trail this report leaves so to document whether the county listens to what the people are reporting or if they bury it and refuse to make a statement about its contents. What ever comes of the report I will submit to The Times Standard for publication.
I believe that this is one way that a citizen can force attention to the injustices practiced against homeless persons everyday. Anyone want to join me?
If there is an “official” announcement of the forum, it would be good if it was posted on this blog.
Redwood Curtain CopWatch is also hosting a Know Your Rights and CopWatch Workshop on January 17th….
Maybe the Human Rights Commission could also do a forum in Eureka sometime soon after the one in Arcata. It would be unlikely that too many folks living outside in Eureka will go to Arcata on the 17th.
That could be a good suggestion at the forum…necessary, for sure.
Houseless people in Arcata have often been eloquent about self-activity, great ideas- if only the police and snobby businesses would leave them alone!!
I just spoke with two young men who had 5 blankets and a jacket wrapped in a tarp for the daytime- at Cooper Gulch. When they went to check on them as the night came on, all but the jacket was gone. They wonder if it was the police. That is my first thought, too…
From Lenda Beck in Del Norte:
Today we found a young 29 year old man on the side of the road crying. We could not pass this man by.This man was very despondent. My daughter said he was crying and that she had to give a hug. This man proceeded to tell
us how he had been beat up by two men. He had a gash in his head, and cuts and bruising all over..We gave as much encouragement as we could, as that we all we had to give him. Tonight we heard an ambulance call
where a 29year old man was beaten. He had head injuries and injuries to his back.. Full c/spine precaution. Two days,,,,,, two beatings. He will probably go to jail…It is getting worse, Are we going to throw them all to the dogs.. Are we going to help these people .. After all the are human beings..Where is the Love..
Justice
Recently I’ve been getting reports from my neighbors who are forced to live in the bushes because THERE IS NOT ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING to be found in Eureka for those in deep poverty, that the cops are slashing their tents, stealing their belongings and terrorizing people with a machete.
Seriously, in my life I have witnessed many things that show evidence that Freedom is in trouble in this country, but when we can find within our own hometown a police agency that keeps officers on the payroll whom they have had many reports from the public of his abuses astounds me!
If it were wealthy business or property owners complaining Officer Sanchez and his cronies wouldn’t be allowed to continue. But it is the wealthy who are complaining to the cops and city council about the homeless so the terrorizing is “sanctioned” because they are referred to as a nuisance. The mandate from on high is to keep them moving, don’t let them get comfortable, that way they’ll leave and go somewhere else. That somewhere is just another town like this and on and on it goes…..I’m seriously afraid for my friends who are at the mercy of the elements AND those who are supposed to keep us safe but are sold out to the rich and powerful. Cops are capable of taking things too far around here, they choose to kill much too often so I worry that someone will die because of police brutality out there and it gets covered up….God forbid!
Verbena and I have been working with Tammy and James, brother and sister long time residents of Humboldt County who were involved in an attack on James behind the Mall from security guards who were drowning James in a sewer pond. Tammy made a statement concerning officer Sanchez threatening her son with a machete while in the marsh.
Tammy takes showers at my house and she and her brother, James came by just last week to fix dinner for Josh and I as friends do.
Early this morning I received a phone call saying that James had died of an OD in his tent. We tried to get a hold of Tammy and called her mother at 5 pm asking if Tammy was there and they had not yet been told of James death. 15 hrs. later and next of kin hadn’t been notified.!! Josh had to break the terrible news to James mother and is hurting. Tammy stopped by this evening and is wrecked! There is a question of foul play but not according to the coroner, who by the way was very rude to Tammy on the phone. It looks like James is going to be treated like just another drug addict instead of the man he was. According to Tammy, James had a relationship with officer Sanchez in some way…..
Friday, Tammy was walking down to the breakfast and an officer stopped and asked her why she had her hand over her mouth. She said her mother told her to cover her mouth in public when you yawn and that;s what she was doing. Then the cop said, “so you’re not on probation and trying to hide your face?”. So this cop has nothing more to do at 8:30 am than to check yawning street people?! But telling a mother that her son died doesn’t get done!!
James and Maria (another James) have been staying in a tent that they’ve had to move several times since March hooked up with John Shelter and got a clearance for camping in the marsh so that the cops would leave them alone. Thursday Maria and James return to the tent from town to find ropes slashed and a notice saying that Merl Harpham will arrest them if they return because they are trespassing and maintaining a public nuisance! So on Friday they went down to GR to get a tent voucher to take to St. Vinnies for a new tent. But at some point it will get cut up also and round and round they go! I’m ready to make a stand on land for a campground….this is heart breaking! Day after day some gruesome story of abuse and neglect in my neighborhood and it isn’t getting better. It’s a simple solution, camping. We just need to organize…..peace, love and understanding!
I REPOSTED EVERYTHING GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND MAY OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOLD THIS SMALL COUNTY GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS ILLEGAL OPERATIONS AND ACTIONS
Wow Heinrich,
You’re asking the lions and tigers to discipline the pussy cats. That and the faith in a non-existant deity really turn my stomach, the wrong way. You ought to try and get a little more real, with yourself as well as the rest of us too.
All too typical, though; so don’t feel like I’m trying to bash you personally, even though such attitudes collectively taken, bash all of us as you’ve expressed yourself. The dumbing down of society is on both the right and the left.
Peace out, brother!
Hey, and west coast daylight savings time is now one-thirty seven in the afternoon, not after eight in the evening as is expressed via this website. Is that Greenwich mean time or something? Someone needs to set that accurately.
Humboldt County Sheriffs Dept, Eureka Police Dept, Arcata Police Dept, violates Human Rights everyday.John Casali, and John Shelter Steal Houseless survival gear and throw it away everyday. The Humboldt Co. Sheriffs dept, Sgt. Quinell was in charge came to southern humboldt on Nov.4,2011,and took EVERYTHING from 14 camps and took it straight to the landfill…Sheriff Mike Downey said on KMUD that there really wasn’t that much garbage that John Casail had convinced them there was, so they took their EVERYTHING!! Survival gear,Tents, sleeping bags, clothing, id’s, birth certs. family photos straight to the landfill….the sheriffs dept. has now said they have a homeless policy 464, 464.1,464.2,464.3. 464.3,1. 464.4, 464.5,464.6
we need to stand together and find Justice to help these folks!!
Someone a local living on the street who slept just off the sidewalk in the foyer entrance to Woolworth’s on Shattuck Avenue in downtown Berkeley, a seventy-two year old African American military veteran; expressed his opinion “homelessness” is a person’s political outlook, he’d not shared.
Considering the circumstances he endured then; maybe a different sort of politics than apparently available could’ve been more appropriate.
As someone with a Romani ancestry and identity; we are of a people for over a thousand years denied a homeland. A nation of homeless people; developing alternative values and appreciations of life, well integrated into global recognition of the right of anyone to be able to live decently on the earth, yet also often denied those rights.
“Home” too often means a patriarchal paternalistic nation, dominated by the rich and powerful; at battle with other such entities to control resources, markets and the means of acquiring, controlling and maintaining those. Though often people recognize the problematic in this; and in those struggles end up without means, and frequently without adequate shelter, food, clothing, health care or education.
Just my thoughts of the moment as I have to try to get ready for an upcoming HUD inspection for continuing section 8 rent subsidy here seven hundred miles north of Eureka, CA where I’d lived longer than any place else in my life by far from the time I broke down April of ’96 until exiled by reactionary right-wing players in the illegal cannabis economy early in the third week of January in ’08.
Never expecting to live in Washington state again; and still friendless here after nearly four years now. Except for people into music in Seattle like Amy Denio of the Tiptons Sax Quartet. [http://www.tiptonssaxquartet.com] Who I see infrequently there in that and several other of her regular ensembles; Kultur Shock, Hell’s Bellows, etc.
On Saturday, January 28th 2012, Petitioners will be forming in Ashland at the Plaza in efforts to gain 5,000 signatures and end the prohibition of sleeping in public in Ashland. With no current homeless shelters in Ashland, the homeless are being fined and sent to court for something they need but are only being punished for.