In a message dated 09/18/1999 2:09:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< From:    [log in to unmask] (Dr Clyde Shideler)
 Sender:    [log in to unmask] (Disabled Disability and
Psychology Discussion Group)
 Reply-to:  [log in to unmask] (Disabled Disability and
Psychology Discussion Group)
 To:    [log in to unmask]

 Hello all,

 Below I have included a segement from a CNN special report that was done a
few
 months ago about the way that those on police forces have "altered" the crime
 reports and Stats.

 We are all familiar with those cases like Dillery and Tucker, and we know
that
 there are many more case like these two, or worse that do not catch the
"public
 eye".  According to a recent study (See 2 Below), statistically there are 4
- 10
 times more "crimes against PWD" than against nonPWD. Add to this fact that
 police are altering reports or failing to report "crimes", we have a serious
 problem in law enforcement and PWD.  PWD are not being adequately protected
 under the law.  WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.  We must
"End
 the Silence" for ALL PWD.

 Please post to other lists.  Thank you.

 Pete
 ---
 Fron CNN  December 20, 1998
 PATTILLO: In fact, in the last two years, there have been crime statistic
 scandals in at least five cities.

 Beat cops and detectives across the country say manipulating crime figures
is so
 common, they have nicknames for the practice. "Sharpening the pencil." "Going
 down with crime" Or "referring to Detective Can," as 'in the trash can.

 Crimes aren't always erased. Sometimes they're downgraded. A robbery becomes
 "lost property." A burglary, "vandalism to doorknob." Minor incidents that
don't
 count when the FBI ranks America's safest cities.

 In Philadelphia, a police audit found as many as 10,000 crimes a year were
 downgraded or distressed. That's one in 10 serious crimes. Philadelphia had
been
 ranked by the FBI as one of the safest big cities 'in America. So suspect
were
 Philadelphia's crime numbers, the city had to withdraw the last three years
of
 statistics from the FBI's national crime count.

 RICHARD COSTELLO, PRESIDENT, PHILADELPHIA FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE: If we
 allowed every golfer to keep his own scorecard with nobody watching, it'd
all be
 in the - they'd all be Masters champions.

 PATTILLO: Richard Costello is the president of the Philadelphia Fraternal
Order
 of Police, which represents 7,000 Philadelphia police officers. He says the
 FBI's national ranking of cities' crime rates can put too much pressure on
 conunanders to manipulate crime statistics.

 COSTELLO: It was never intended as the Dow Jones average of law enforcement.
But
 yet, it's been used by that. It's been grabbed on to by politicians for
various
 reasons. And it was never designed for that.

 PATTILLO: Philadelphia's police commissioner refused to be interviewed or to
 allow department auditors to discuss their findings. But an investigation by
the
 Philadelphia Inquirer found numerous cases like this one.

 The initial police report calls the crime a "robbery." The re- written
report, a
 "minor disturbance." The officer who took the report wrote that the victim
said
 he was robbed. The re-written report calls it an "altercation." The initial
 report states the robber said he had a gun. The re-written report makes no
 mention of a gun.

 SHAW: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is auditing Atlanta's police
records.
 A report is expected early next year. Philadelphia's police commissioner says
 he'll monitor police reporting by using undercover officers to pose as crime
 victims.

 --

 INSTITUTE ON DISABILITIES PENNSYLVANIA'S UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED PROGRAM

 Crimes against people with developmental and other disabilities is a problem
 similar to violence against women, child abuse, and elder abuse. Studies
 consistently show that the level of major crimes against people with
 developmental disabilities is 4-10 times higher that against people without
 disabilities. Further, these studies indicate that crimes against people with
 developmental and other disabilities are reported and prosecuted at a much
lower
 rate than crimes against people without disabilities. Despite these
disturbing
 trends, this important issue remains largely invisible and unaddressed.

 End the Silence is a three year initiative designed to support men and women
 with developmental disabilities who have been victims of crime. Its purpose
is
 to "end the silence" and the invisibility of victims with developmental
 disabilities, including those with cognitive and significant speech
 disabilities, so that they can be assured equal protection under the law and
 appropriate victim advocacy supports.

   Five key objectives will direct the three year activities of this
initiative:

 1. The development and dissemination of training curricula that focus on the
 issue of victimization and people with developmental disabilities;

 2. the development and dissemination of communication boards that have needed
 vocabulary and symbols to prevent victimization and/or report it when it does
 occur;

 3. the provision of technical assistance to law enforcement officers,
attorneys,
 victims assistance personnel, disability service providers, family members
and
 allies, and people with developmental disabilities;

 4. research and systems change; and

 5. a national public awareness campaign.
 ----
 For more information

 Bev Frantz
 Tel. (215) 204-1356 voice/TTY
 Fax (215) 204-6336
 e-mail: [log in to unmask]

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