Columbus Residents Say Police Advise Them To Move
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Just Move?
Columbus residents are complaining that police officers are telling them if they're fed up with crime in their neighborhoods they should move out.Published: October 29, 2009
Updated: October 29, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Residents of one Ohio city are complaining that police officers are telling them if they’re fed up with crime in their neighborhoods they should move out.
At least two Columbus city council members have heard the complaint.
“I’ve actually heard them say it to me verbally, ‘If you don’t like it, why don’t you move out of the neighborhood,‘“ said Ganther’s Place resident Douglas Mitchell. “Why should the prostitutes and the drugs and the criminals take over the area instead of the police running them out of the area.“
An aide to Councilwoman Charleta Tavares says she has received more than 20 calls. Councilman Andrew Ginther says if police are making the comments, they’re neither acceptable nor appropriate, though he says he believes most officers want to be helpful.
“(They) actually told us we should move. ‘If you don’t like what’s going on here you should move.‘ I guess, let the crime people or the people who do the crime take it over,“ said Allen Carrel, Mitchell’s neighbor.
Neither Carrel nor Mitchell have complained about specific officers, but they have complained to the Columbus City Council, which directed the Columbus Division of Police to look into the matter. A police spokesperson said the division will not tolerate such statements and encourages residents to report officers by badge number if they have been offended.
Carrel said he and other Ganther’s Place residents will begin tracking their encounters with police.
“From now on we’re documenting every call that we make. Every badge number is going to be written down,“ Carrel said.
A police union official says he understands if officers are frustrated with crime. Fraternal Order of Police President Jim Gilbert says: “It’s like the OK Corral out there.“
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Reader Reactions
People are so quick to condemn the police for suggesting to the residents to move because of the crime, but maybe they are just tired of having innocent residents put in harms way and for having to live with these animals. These comments can be interpreted different ways, 1. the police just don’t want to do their job so they tell us to just move 2. the police are frustrated by not being able to help these people enough and suggested them moving for their own safety.
Cleaning up this neighborhood and getting the criminals out can only be done by all involved. The residents need to be proactive and get license plate #‘s, document incidents, get good descriptions of the criminals involved, give names if they know them, heck get pictures if you can. All of this stuff should then be handed over to the police to add to their investigation and will ultimately help with arresting and prosecuting these animals. This will help rid these neighborhoods of these criminals. Most illegal activities are not going to be done in plain view of policeman and without probable cause they can’t really do anything about some of the things that go on. Just because a cop knows a house is a drug house doesn’t give him the legal right to walk in and start arresting people. Cleaning up this neighborhood can’t be done by just the residents or the police alone, this has to be a joint effort by both.
Wow jonper, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. “ALOT” is spelled “A LOT”......maybe you should look at yourself before you criticize someone else….:)
Jonper,
I, too, have been following all the comments for a couple of days now. I have read them and agree with some, disagree with others. I disagree with yours.
It is unfair and judgmental for you to say “Criminals are not born, the parents are the ones that instill moral values in their kids if the parents have moral values themselves.“. First of all, criminals ARE born. We’re all born, we just all don’t chose that path. Secondly, not all who end up being criminals come from being raised in that environment. Likewise, not all who are raised in a bad environment become criminals.
The same can be said of any professional adult in their chosen profession. Some like, even love, their jobs and do them very well, and others do not. Those in law enforcement are no exception. Yes, their are, BAD cops. There are lazy cops. And some are just frustrated. There are also some very good cops.
This incident did indeed happen, pretty much just the way it was reported to happen. And in my opinion, the cop(s) involved should be reprimanded.
I have read all the comments here and have read some good ones and some that are worthless. For one thing the cops have a tough enough job without being slammed by people who think they know what they are talking about. It is a fact that alot of times when the cops are asking for witnesses, no one wants to step forward and give them any information so they can get these criminals. And from what I have seen on here alot of you cannot spell for hoot. Criminals are not born, the parents are the ones that instill moral values in their kids if the parents have moral values themselves.
If parents do not have good morals most likely the kids will follow suit.
SO LETS STOP BLAMMING THE POLICE—ALOT HAVE DIED FOR US—WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT.
Policing the police…hmmm. I wonder if the residents in the story are so diligent about policing the criminals. Write down badge numbers? OK, that seems reasonable. But do they write down license plate numbers of criminals? Do they write down detailed desriptions to give to the police? Do they write down dates, times etc of offenses?
PS Cops get lunch breaks too, they are allowed to eat, they are allowed to make calls on their phones, just like everybody else… Try not to judge someone for doing something just because you don’t know details. For all you know the cop just “sitting there eating and talking on the phone,“ just got mandated for a second shift.
First of all some cops are great and do there jobs very well while others are there simply to collect a paycheck or for the power trip. I agree it is everyones responsibility for keeping our neighborhoods safe but it is not acceptable to tell someone to move because they are sick of crime. Obviously the people talking to the police are stepping up and calling otherwise they would not be having a conversation with the police. All you Polly Perfects that live in the land of make believe once you become a crime victim or are harassed by criminals you will know how violated you feel when it is your turn. Remember anyone can be a crime victim depending on the circumstances and/or opportunity even if you own a gun or live in the suburbs. If all the law biding citzens move out of the city to the suburbs there will be no one left to pass the levies/bond issue or pay taxes to keep the police payroll without layoffs Did we just have to watch countless commercials on passing a bond issue to keep staffing levels where they are???. I am finished ranting a raving. I just have one request when you go to work (if you work) and a customer complains simply tell them if you dont like my level of customer service or if you have a complaint please go next store they offer better customer service.
To be fair, I believe I should post that we have been the victims of violence from these people because of our stance. So this is not for the weak of heart. After a night of terror, of which I will not post what was done to us so the guilty won’t know it’s me posting here, we STILL stand up to them. This has totally boggled their brains, what little they have. They are so used to people kowtowing to them when they show their evil, scarey side, like all our other neighbors have, but we refuse. It’s really amusing to see the frustration on their faces when they threaten us and we continue on. But we know the war isn’t over, and we may see more violence, I just know we won’t be caught unaware in the future like we were that terrible night!
I would love to get involved in a Block Watch Group but don’t know who to contact. Well said Hilltop Proud.
If you are going to stay in an area where crime is prevelant, you will either have to be part of the solution or part of the problem if you want to live there. It is a lot of hard work and takes time and committment to turn a neighborhood around. Can it be done, yes! Most of those folks complaining to the police probably do nothing to help their situation and want it magically fixed for them. Listen, you are part of the problem! You whiners and complainers that sit back on your butt being lazy and screaming how dare the police suggest that you move. You want to reap all the rewards without doing all the hard work. Follow NitaKaye’s suggestions and get INVOLVED. Become a community like OmBass said.
I agree with NitaKaye. It’s so easy to complain about how awful things are, but how many people make it their job to protect themselves and their neighbors? Starting up your own blockwatch is a great way to great rid of that feeling of powerlessness. Plus, by working with our police officers and sargeants, they will better understand your needs and you will better understand what they are doing on your behalf. I don’t live in a perfect area, but I feel a lot more secure because of our blockwatch and neighbors looking out for one another.
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