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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