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Indybay Feature

Family Member Believes Man who Died in Police Custody was Denied Proper Medical Care

by Santa Cruz Police News
On June 1, 40-year-old Kevin Allen died while in custody of the Santa Cruz Police. A SCPD press release states officers were responding to a report that a man had fallen to the ground near Water Street and River Street in Santa Cruz when they found and took Kevin Allen into custody and transported him to jail, claiming he was intoxicated. Once at the jail, medical staff there determined Allen would need to be taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead after suffering cardiac issues on the ride over. Community members have questioned why Allen was not given medical attention immediately instead of being arrested, and if that delay by Santa Cruz Police contributed to his death. Family member Carey Allen-Patrick posted the following statement on Facebook on June 4: "This man was my brother, Kevin Allen. I believe the police failed to give him proper medical treatment because he was a known homeless alcoholic. Be careful out there people."
sm_santa-cruz-police-department.jpg
Carey Allen-Patrick's concerns about the profiling of her homeless, alcoholic brother Kevin Allen by the authorities seem to have been confirmed by Santa Cruz Parks Ranger Jeremy Mathews, who posted on Santa Mierda, a local hate blog, that Kevin Allen was a "drunk" (see photo). Mathews, who posts on social media semi-anonymously as "Yeremey Cashews", is assigned to the ranger's division that is under the management of the Santa Cruz Police Department. These rangers are armed and tasked with enforcing laws in the urban and parkland area of downtown Santa Cruz.

The author of the Santa Mierda hate blog has posted vitriolic statements about Allen and his alleged criminal past, and has removed at least one comment critical of the police.

"The way I read it he was in distress and should have been taken to the hospital before jail," a Santa Mierda commenter wrote about Allen in a now deleted comment.

The greater community, however, has spoken out on social media in support of justice for Kevin Allen across a variety of outlets.

Here are some of the statements different individuals have made:

"He was found down to begin with he should have been taken to the hospital 1st to be evaluated. Cops are not doctors."

"They took him to jail 1st then to the ER. He was semi conscious at the jail. The medical staff sent him to the ER where he died. He should have gone to the ER 1st."

"Did you read the article. It's pretty clear he was down when they found him and took him straight to jail. It's pretty clear we don't k ow if he would had lived had he went to the hospital 1st."

"He died on his way to the ER because they needed to book and prosecute him first to make that money."

"I met Kevin while he was in custody through my job. He had a great sense of humor. I am so sorry."

"So now the cops are trying to put this murder on someone else, vídeo cámaras and witness are not needed when they made a huge mistake. First take him to be evaluated by the doctors. Mental illness is a big problem for a lot of addicts , I heard they medicate themselves with what ever they can get. The cops need more training. Hope they can find the families so they can file a lawsuit."

"You’d think if they found someone who fell, an ambulance would be called first and foremost before jail..."

"If he was unconscious why wouldn't the call an ambulance?"

"Some times cops should be CAREFULLY if there oh k before making any arrests."

The press release issued by the Santa Cruz Police Department on June 1 concerning Allen's death states:

"On Saturday June 1, 2019, officers responded to a report of a forty (40) year old man who fell to the ground, in the area of River St and Water St. Members of the Santa Cruz Police Department arrived and contacted the subject. During their contact they determined the person was under the influence. Officers placed the male into physical custody and transported to county jail.

"Prior to being processed into the jail, the person became semi-conscious, and examined by jail medical staff. It was determined the subject would need to be seen at the hospital. Paramedics arrived on scene and transported him to the hospital. While being transported to the hospital, the male began to have cardiac difficulties and was pronounced dead at Dominican Hospital.

"The Santa Cruz Police Department is working with the Santa Cruz County District attorney’s Office, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff Forensic Unit, and Coroner’s office. All agencies will be working towards determining what occurred. A review of Body Worn Cameras, interviewing all witnesses, and other forensic evidence is being processed."

The press release raises important questions:

If police were called because Allen had fallen on the ground why was this health issue/crisis treated as a crime?

Why was Allen taken directly to the main jail and not to the hospital?

Is the Santa Cruz County Jail's medical staff, who are employed under private contract with the Monterey-based company California Forensics Medical Group (CFMG), fully prepared to receive individuals who are undergoing medical emergencies as soon as they enter the jail facility?
§Statement on Social Media from Carey Allen-Patrick
by Santa Cruz Police News
sm_kevin-allen-death-santa-cruz-police-carey-allen-patrick-homeless-alcoholic.jpg
§City of Santa Cruz Park Ranger Jeremy Mathews Calls Kevin Allen a "Drunk"
by Santa Cruz Police News
jeremy-mathews-yeremey-cashews-santa-cruz-ranger-scpd-police-downtown-homeless-death.jpg
§SCPD Press Release
by Santa Cruz Police News
6219incustodydeath__1_.pdf_600_.jpg
Add Your Comments

Comments (Hide Comments)
by Robert Norse (rnorse3 [at] hotmail.com)
I interviewed Carey Allen-Patrick for my thursday Free Radio streamcast.

It's archived at http://huffsantacruz.org/lost/FRSC%206-6-19.mp3 (about 50 minutes into the audio file).

I've also filed a Public Records Act with the SCPD seeking police records, witness accounts, and audio/video.

If it's ever released, I'll hope to post it.
by whowatches
A very sad, unfortunate story. Not much faith in getting that blue line to hold themselves accountable should there have been misconduct on their part.

https://reason.com/2018/08/10/bill-would-fix-glaring-conflict-of-inter

by Emily
Kevin was my ex boyfriend over 10 years ago. Yes, he was an alcoholic, but he was also a great person. He was caring, funny and always tried to make you feel better if you were having a hard time. Kevin attended UCSC where he studied computer engineering. Kev tried getting sober many times in programs, unfortunately without a solid re-entry plan it's extremely hard to stay away from relapse in this town. I had seen him quite a few times over the years, and it was apparent that he was getting worse and had developed some alcohol related mental illness. He was in jail many many times, to get sober and be released right back. It's extremely obvious to me what happened, they saw it was Kevin, whom they were very familiar with, didn't assess the situation properly, just assuming "oh Kevin's just drunk again, let's take him to jail". SO WRONG. I don't care how well you know that "transient" who is "just a drunk", you have a duty as an officer to treat every situation as a new one. He was on the GROUND. He obviously needed to be taken to get medical treatment FIRST. Then you go ahead and determine whether he needed to go to the jail. SCPD do not give a shit about people they have labeled as addicts, alcoholics or criminals. They teach their rookies to skip the necessary procedures on these HUMAN BEINGS. Medical in jail is a joke too. When people die while incarcerated, they cover it up, as if it were not their responsibility to keep them safe, and give them proper medical treatment. I hope you officers out there, who have become so jaded, so heartless...I hope you can open your eyes a little, and understand this: NO ADDICT OR ALCOHOLIC LIKES LIVING THAT WAY. THAT "DRUNK" THAT YOU SO HEARTLESSLY LET DIE, WAS SOMEBODY'S CHILD, BROTHER, FAMILY,FRIEND, AND HE WAS A FATHER. He was once a kindergartner, and had dreams and goals and wanted something better in life, but unfortunately he was not able to get the help he needed in this county. Because you were so quick to throw someone in jail, probably making fun of him, treating him like shit... those are his last moments of life. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED AND DISGUSTED. Please please RELEASE THE BODY CAMERAS AND AUDIO!! Show the entire county why you should not be wearing that uniform. Anyone can swear to protect and serve. But only very few of them actually live it. So sad. REST IN PARADISE KEVIN SANFORD ALLEN ♡♡
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