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Indybay Feature

Santa Rosa Copwatch Video Footage

by Robert
Santa Rosa PD conducting what appeared to be unwarranted searches on multiple residences and automobiles near Llano Raod and Highway 12.
Santa Rosa PD conducting what appeared to be unwarranted searches on multiple residences and automobiles near Llano Raod and Highway 12. The premise for the searches was a drug raid but no drugs were found after a five hour search. This is the third time the property has been raided under the guise of locating narcotics. Other residents of the property, who also happen to be immigrants and are totally unrelated to the target of the drug search, also had their homes and automobiles raided and searched. Arrests were made on outstanding warrants and on a parole violation because guns were found locked in the propeerty owner's personal storage unit but were not in the arrested parolee's rental space. No warrant was presented when asked for specifically to indicate what areas of the property were to be searched, who the individuals being targeted were or what specific items were being sought. Personal property was confiscated and destroyed during the search.
Officers refused to give up names and badge numbers when asked, would not allow Copwatch to speak to property tenants when asked, and forced Copwatch to observe from the roadway because a "private Road" sign was posted near the property.
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by SJ Copwatcher
I love the cops' RV. Very chic. Obviously they need more money and toys.

The officer who would not give you their name and badge number is in violation of the law.

There's a national copwatch gathering in Berkeley this July 13-15.

http://www.berkeleycopwatch.org/news.htm

Hope to see Santa Rosa folks there.
by derick flannagan
Why are copwatch groups so anti-law enforcement? I'm not a cop, but I have some understanding of the criminal justice system. Peace officers deal with numerous complaints involving drug dealing and other quality of life issues. They respond to citizen complaints involving drugs in neighborhoods and someitmes informant information to resolve these issues. If someone is on Parole, police have a right to search their living area. That's the law people! In lieu of prison time, inmates agree to parole, giving up their fourth ammendment right. It's an extension of their custody status. If you don't like the law write your congressman and try to change case law. Don't blame the peace officer.

Do you honestly believe peace officers go around violating peoples constitutiional rights, conducting illegal searches at every oppurtunity? Police officers follow the law or else they are subject to criminal ramifications themselves. It is abundantly clear copwatch groups go around attempting to antagonized police officers "pushing their buttons", in an attempt to frustrate them. Police officers are human beings, trying to do a job. Why dont you sign up for a citizens academy and see what they deal with and get the other side of the story. When you report information which is biased and injected with erroneous liberal beliefs, it shows your ignorance. Reporting of information which shows both sides has integrity, yours falls short of this mark.
by luci
"Do you honestly believe peace officers go around violating peoples constitutiional rights, conducting illegal searches at every oppurtunity?"

Yes.

And when you say "move to sf," I think you are ignoring the fact that the SFPD kills people on a fairly regular basis, just like any other law enforcement agency.

Cops kill. They harass. They break down the wrong person's door and cause a heart attack. They conduct illegal searches, maybe not all the time, but nearly as often as they want, because PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEIR RIGHTS. And guess what? One of those rights is to observe the cops when they are doing their job.
by DERICK FLANNAGAN
Lucy, where do you get your information? "Cops kill. They harass. They break down the wrong person's door and cause a heart attack". You must of had a really bad experience with law enforcement...or maybe you're just into anarchy.

Anyway, I wonder how you'd feel if someone broke into your house and stole all your belongings. Or, maybe you were violated by someone and you called 911 for help. Unfortunately, during this time an ignorant copwatch member was busy pestering the cop for his name and badge number. In doing so, the cop who was supposed to be going to your house to help you, was busy being berrated by an individual who didn't need the information anyway.

I'm probably not going to change your mind and your intitled to your beliefs. I have seen police brutality like anyone else and I'm not saying law enforcement is a perfect science. Despite this, I think you need to see both sides of the equation. Cops are real people with family like anyone else. There not all monsters committing murders. Thats why I suggested a citizens academy so you can see both sides of the story. Thats all. I wish you well in your endeavors.
by neutral
Curious as to what experiences you have had personally (or any copwatchers) that have driven you to this extreme? Have you had a terrible encounter with SRPD ever?
by Johnny
SF cops: A friend of mine, a woman, was sleeping lawfully in her camper in SF, lawfully armed with a pistol, and SF cops started beating on the truck. Awakened from sleep she instinctively reached for her pistol but never drew it when she saw they were cops. They pulled her out of her truck and beat the shit out of her and arrested her. After thousands of dollars of legal fees the charges were dropped. All cops aren't bad, and all SF cops aren't bad, but I think SF has one of the dirtier police department in the Bay Area.
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