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At The Crossroads...
Can Community and Dallas Police Find Middle Ground To Stop Police Killing of Unarmed Citizens?
Darwin Campbell
LoneStarPowerPages
Verbena Hawkins Shares Her Story and Concerns With Chief David Brown
Dallas, TX - With mothers, sons and daughters still dealing with the pain and injustices of police killings on Dallas streets, can the community and police find common middle ground?
“We have been fighting for justice for years and still are fighting,” said James Hurd, whose son Tonnell Hurd was killed by a Dallas Police officer. “Nothing has been done. We need help and justice now....but it is not a priority at Dallas City Hall so nothing is being done.”
The meeting with Dallas Police Chief David Brown left more questions than answers about how to end decades of disrespect, beating, brutality and outright killing of African-American and Hispanic males in Dallas.
Strong Voices from the community continue to fight and demand immediate action and changes now.
“The hope was that the lines of communication would be opened and the stage would be set to end the senseless carnage on our streets,” said Drew X, regional chairman for the New Black Panther Party. “We still have deep concerns about whether community's voice and concerns were heard and aired honestly, fairly and properly.”
A tearful Verbena Hawkins reminded Brown and the group about her son, Trinton Hawkins, who was shot and killed by Dallas Police. Her nightmare is a daily struggle.
“I hurt every day and night and still can't sleep after what happen to my son,” she said. “The Dallas Police sentenced me to life by taking his life from me. My son did not deserve to die and no other mother, brother, sister, son or daughter deserves to go through this. I need justice and I need peace.”
The meeting was the first in a two-part attack for Concerned Citizens for Good Law Enforcement (CCGLE), community leaders, African-American community leaders and residents to deal with the increasing violence against African-Americans and Hispanics that has resulted in the deaths of young Black men and Hispanics on the streets of Dallas.
The latest reaction comes amidst the killing of Tobias Mackey in the Cedar Garden apartments in South Dallas.
According to reports, a Dallas police officer shot Mackey after the 25-year old did not respond promptly to Officer Matthew Tate order allegedly causing the officer to open fire seconds after issuing the order. Witnesses said the officer just started shooting. Mackey was not armed and did not attempt to run from officers, according to reports.
Just days later, Dallas police shot and killed Tony Menchaca, an unarmed Hispanic man with a history of mental problems.
During the meeting, Chief Brown called for the community to partner with the police department to identify and report problems and bad officers on city beats, but for community leaders and residents the number one issue is trust.
“I am convinced the perception of the police department is negative,” Brown said. “I am also convinced we can improve it and do better. We work for you and want you to hold us accountable and I hope that this is a good first step in this process.”
He also suggested that community groups hear the other side of the stories of family members whose spouses died protecting the public and hear injured officers who have been shot and survived in the line of duty.
While this was a notable thought during discussions, strong voices from the community still cry out for justice and demand visible changes in police policy, attitude, perceptions on the street while patrolling or answering calls in Black and and we Hispanic communities.
“If the community is not close to the police, who moved,” Drew X said. “It was not the community. We are still here hurting and demanding respect.”
The meeting also failed to address others who have suffered similar fates when dealing with Dallas Police.
For over a decade, police officers have been killing Black males and mistreating citizens in Black and Hispanic communities and the numbers continue to grow.
On March 22, 2007, Brandon Washington, 20, died at the hands of Dallas Police Officer Martin Rivera. Rivera shot Washington after stopping him on a complaint call Washington was accused of allegedly stealing a candy bar from a Pleasant Grove convenience store.
In April 2008, 20-year old Jaques Howard was shot by Dallas Police after a traffic stop at Bonnie View and Highland Hills Roads, because the vehicle had no front license plate.
In that shooting, police claimed the officer was defending his life, but shot 10 times hitting Howard five times. Howard later died from his injuries.
In Sept 2008, Derrick Jones, 31, of Dallas was shot to death after a traffic stop and that shooting was caught on the police dash cam.
The officer was allegedly hit three times in the head by Jones and when the officer feared losing control of the situation and his life, he pulled his weapon and shot the man once in the upper body. Jones died later of his injury. Jones was unarmed.
Other high profile series of killings of Black males by the DPD include the deaths of Tennel Hurd, Alan Simpson, James Wood, and Brandon Washington.
Community leaders echoed concerns about justice and better security and protection standards for the community.
Aaron Michaels, founder of the New Black Panther Party, said communication is a first step and having a police chief that is interested in the community is a change over past practices.
“We have a unique opportunity here because we have a man who understands,” he said. “We will hold the police chief accountable, but we must also do our part to make our communities better.”
“It is sad to have to come together here for discuss another death at the hands of a Dallas police officer,” said the Rev. L. Charles Stovall, leader of Unified Organizations for Justice. “We are deeply concerned about African-American men being targeted by the police. We expect DPD officers to be part of the community not take life from the community. It is time for them to be true protectors of citizens, rights and the community.”
Juanita Wallace, president of the Dallas chapter of the NAACP, said she hopes the historic event marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation.
“We care about the community and we care about police officers,” she said. “We want to make sure they are doing things the benefit the community and all of its citizens.”
The next meeting will be in the Hispanic community on Dec. 18.
“We have been fighting for justice for years and still are fighting,” said James Hurd, whose son Tonnell Hurd was killed by a Dallas Police officer. “Nothing has been done. We need help and justice now....but it is not a priority at Dallas City Hall so nothing is being done.”
The meeting with Dallas Police Chief David Brown left more questions than answers about how to end decades of disrespect, beating, brutality and outright killing of African-American and Hispanic males in Dallas.
Strong Voices from the community continue to fight and demand immediate action and changes now.
“The hope was that the lines of communication would be opened and the stage would be set to end the senseless carnage on our streets,” said Drew X, regional chairman for the New Black Panther Party. “We still have deep concerns about whether community's voice and concerns were heard and aired honestly, fairly and properly.”
A tearful Verbena Hawkins reminded Brown and the group about her son, Trinton Hawkins, who was shot and killed by Dallas Police. Her nightmare is a daily struggle.
“I hurt every day and night and still can't sleep after what happen to my son,” she said. “The Dallas Police sentenced me to life by taking his life from me. My son did not deserve to die and no other mother, brother, sister, son or daughter deserves to go through this. I need justice and I need peace.”
The meeting was the first in a two-part attack for Concerned Citizens for Good Law Enforcement (CCGLE), community leaders, African-American community leaders and residents to deal with the increasing violence against African-Americans and Hispanics that has resulted in the deaths of young Black men and Hispanics on the streets of Dallas.
The latest reaction comes amidst the killing of Tobias Mackey in the Cedar Garden apartments in South Dallas.
According to reports, a Dallas police officer shot Mackey after the 25-year old did not respond promptly to Officer Matthew Tate order allegedly causing the officer to open fire seconds after issuing the order. Witnesses said the officer just started shooting. Mackey was not armed and did not attempt to run from officers, according to reports.
Just days later, Dallas police shot and killed Tony Menchaca, an unarmed Hispanic man with a history of mental problems.
During the meeting, Chief Brown called for the community to partner with the police department to identify and report problems and bad officers on city beats, but for community leaders and residents the number one issue is trust.
“I am convinced the perception of the police department is negative,” Brown said. “I am also convinced we can improve it and do better. We work for you and want you to hold us accountable and I hope that this is a good first step in this process.”
He also suggested that community groups hear the other side of the stories of family members whose spouses died protecting the public and hear injured officers who have been shot and survived in the line of duty.
While this was a notable thought during discussions, strong voices from the community still cry out for justice and demand visible changes in police policy, attitude, perceptions on the street while patrolling or answering calls in Black and and we Hispanic communities.
“If the community is not close to the police, who moved,” Drew X said. “It was not the community. We are still here hurting and demanding respect.”
The meeting also failed to address others who have suffered similar fates when dealing with Dallas Police.
For over a decade, police officers have been killing Black males and mistreating citizens in Black and Hispanic communities and the numbers continue to grow.
On March 22, 2007, Brandon Washington, 20, died at the hands of Dallas Police Officer Martin Rivera. Rivera shot Washington after stopping him on a complaint call Washington was accused of allegedly stealing a candy bar from a Pleasant Grove convenience store.
In April 2008, 20-year old Jaques Howard was shot by Dallas Police after a traffic stop at Bonnie View and Highland Hills Roads, because the vehicle had no front license plate.
In that shooting, police claimed the officer was defending his life, but shot 10 times hitting Howard five times. Howard later died from his injuries.
In Sept 2008, Derrick Jones, 31, of Dallas was shot to death after a traffic stop and that shooting was caught on the police dash cam.
The officer was allegedly hit three times in the head by Jones and when the officer feared losing control of the situation and his life, he pulled his weapon and shot the man once in the upper body. Jones died later of his injury. Jones was unarmed.
Other high profile series of killings of Black males by the DPD include the deaths of Tennel Hurd, Alan Simpson, James Wood, and Brandon Washington.
Community leaders echoed concerns about justice and better security and protection standards for the community.
Aaron Michaels, founder of the New Black Panther Party, said communication is a first step and having a police chief that is interested in the community is a change over past practices.
“We have a unique opportunity here because we have a man who understands,” he said. “We will hold the police chief accountable, but we must also do our part to make our communities better.”
“It is sad to have to come together here for discuss another death at the hands of a Dallas police officer,” said the Rev. L. Charles Stovall, leader of Unified Organizations for Justice. “We are deeply concerned about African-American men being targeted by the police. We expect DPD officers to be part of the community not take life from the community. It is time for them to be true protectors of citizens, rights and the community.”
Juanita Wallace, president of the Dallas chapter of the NAACP, said she hopes the historic event marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation.
“We care about the community and we care about police officers,” she said. “We want to make sure they are doing things the benefit the community and all of its citizens.”
The next meeting will be in the Hispanic community on Dec. 18.
