By Bobby Lopez
This past week, I’ve been a pretty popular guy.
I’m getting a lot of calls about a video we put together for this website.
I was in the city council chambers a few weeks ago when a vocal police critic made some really outrageous comments. The Mayor and most Councilmembers just sat on their hands. As you can imagine, I was a little upset. I wanted others to see what I saw... and thought.
Sure enough, supporters of the critic responded to our video with one of their own. In the interest of fairness, I’m including it here. Watch both, judge for yourself, and comment if you want to.
Attacks like this are nothing new to the men and women of the San Jose Police Officers’ Association. We’re used to handling criticism and difficult people. It’s what we do every day as part of our jobs.
But in the past, we haven’t had a forum to defend ourselves from half-truths and misrepresentations made by people who know very little about police work. The Mercury News won’t print some letters and opinion pieces we submit to them. While I understand it’s their paper and their right, I can’t say I understand their decisions. Our own Vanguard newsletter appears only once a month. It does a good job of serving our members and their union concerns, but we can’t use it to quickly respond to breaking news or fresh criticism.
That’s why we’re launching ProtectSanJose.com to create an open forum for our members, neighborhood leaders, and all residents who care deeply about public safety in our great city.
We’ll use this site to respond quickly and honestly to any and all attacks on our integrity. This site will also be a forum for neighborhood leaders and community members who will blog regularly. Hell, we’ll even give our critics an opportunity to exercise their freedom of speech.
The video that’s received so much attention is just one part of this exciting project. Visitors will also find up-to-date news and information about their neighborhoods, including recent crimes on an easy-to-use map.
Have a look around ProtectSanJose.com, and keep coming back for regular updates from all the voices in our diverse community.
Most importantly, stay safe.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
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Bobby,
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting your side of the story out there. The "controversy" that's erupted over this video only goes to show that you work in the most scrutinized and misrepresented profession in America. This San Jose resident, for one, is glad you finally have a venue to defend yourself.
As for the so-called "rebuttal" video, it serves as a perfect example of the level of dialogue we've come to expect from your critics. How can one try to paint the police as racist bigots, then turn around and make a video that insults the ethnicity of one of our councilmembers?
These are the same folks who talk about freedom of speech but would try to censure you for speaking your mind. Pot... meet kettle.
It is sad that we need a site to tell our side. The cowards on the city council sit back and put their finger into the wind and wait to see where they stand. We just tired of no vacation, missing my kids graduation and many other holidays for what..... So some clown can jump up and down and tell me how to do my job.
ReplyDeleteDear SJPOA,
ReplyDeleteI like the crime map. I have no problem with your video. The rebuttal was a cheap shot. Raj takes makes fun of Ash Kalra's name and Pete Constant's waist line AND he complains about your video. Gimme a f---ing break.
My compliments to POA for getting this site up and info out to the public. I watched both videos. Your criticism was mild compared to Raj's video. You guys have been called racists by him for awhile now. You could have been a lot tougher. I also think its great that the POA has a Bobby Lopez responding to Raj's charges of racism. That's a smackdown for that punk.
ReplyDeleteI think to honestly really protect san jose we need a colaboration between the people and the police who are willing to work with people. People like Raj care about what happens. I mean would you be a police officer without getting paid to do it? Your attacks on Raj and other community members just shows how your unwilling to cooperate or work with people to find a resolution to the disconnect between people and the police. Now the police say racial profiling doesn't happen and your trying to make the city safe. But how can I feel safe when the police are following me waiting for an excuse to pull me over. I have never been arrested nor intend to be but for some odd reason I am treated like a criminal. When I am pulled over I am asked if I am "on probation/parole? Do I have a valid drivers license? Am I sure I never been arrested?" I put in quotations the exact questions I was and am asked. So is it safe for me to drive to school at night? Why do I get this treatment? I am a hardworking taxpayer who supports my family. Yet I am treated like this. Is this ok? How would you feel if it was you on the other end,constantly being pulled over? I think the us vs. them mentality needs to stop before this issue gets even more out of hand. As your actions are showing this issue is already out of hand.
ReplyDeleteOne more question among the many I have.. Why is SJPD afraid of civilian oversight? What is there to hide if your doing your job right? Why is questioning SJPD a dangerous thing?Obviously there is something you dont want people to see or know. Why?
wow!!!! you guys have made a make shift "DeBug" site and also a rebuttal to your own video..if this comment gets deleted I would say that you guys enjoy speaking to yourselves as well which is a symptom of sociopathology. Community starts with communication....it doesn't go anywhere when you're only communicating by yourself.
ReplyDelete#5 – You really think the POA slammed themselves in the “rebuttal video”? I don’t. The language in the YouTube description is too similar to Raj’s comments on KPIX the other day...
ReplyDeleteRaj on KPIX: “What this video shows is that their(critics) messages may be heard, but they’re gonna be made fun of, they’re gonna be condescended to.”
Rebuttal video: “This video is in response to the condescending video that the San Jose Police Officers Association put up mocking a speaker who voiced his concerns about the profiling actions of the San Jose Police.”
This is not to mention the production quality of the rebuttal falls short of the POA video, which makes me even more certain it was created by De-Bug.
I'm one of those rare folks who feels the jury is still out on this and that there are two sides to every story, both of which are rarely innocent. However, I'm disappointed in the rebuttal video. On the nit-picky level, "conversate" is a slang term that most adults over 25 cringe at. (Yes, I ended a sentence in a preposition.) I also feel the gentleman in the video was vague in making his points. I am a member of Mensa and I still had to watch that clip a few times to figure out his meaning. Either way, one thing was clear: the statements he made that were allegedly threatening came across as just that - threatening. Or, as the rebuttalists denied, "an indication or warning of probably trouble." I hope both sides grow up, get over themselves, and really listen to each other instead of merely trying to be heard.
ReplyDeleteIt figures that they need resort to ad hominem attacks in the rebuttal video. Was it really necessary to insult the councilman's ethnic name? Looks like someone should have proof read the narrative text. The word academy is spelled A C A D E M Y.
ReplyDeleteThe police work for the people. If the people, any of them, want to complain that is their right. Posting a video of a person complaining, and just making fun of him, is immature. For the record "conversate" is a word, look it up. But instead of making fun, work on your public image. If you are mad the city council didn't jump to your defense maybe there is a reason. Maybe they don't feel like defending you guy for some reason.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I want to thank the SJPD from the bottom of my heart for their hard work in finding 5 suspects in the murder of my friend Vahid Hosseini. You guys are just awesome!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I am very pleased to see this blog. The new Metro blog parading as SJI only gives voice to anti Police groups and medias like Raj, Metro articles, and the Murkey News. Balance is very important to issues, otherwise how else could we make informed decisions?
On the news, Raj's response was that your blog is dangerous because it further divides the community. I say that is BS. It does quite the opposite! It allows citizens to speak to Police Officers DIRECTLY, and it helps to SEVER the divide between the Police and citizens. Raj is just angry because he is no longer able to hog the limelight and monopolize what information does and does not get out.
BRAVO to you POA for putting this up! It is about time!
To the POA - Thank you for putting this site up. I am tired of seeing critics like Raj as the only message out there on the Police. I am tired of his constant negativity, and unwillingness to communicate his concerns, and listen to an opposing point of view. That is very dangerous. He has been caught on San Jose Inside by bloggers omitting crucial details and lying about cases he cites as examples of SJPD wrongdoing, the same cases he is citing in Council Meetings to Council Members.
ReplyDeleteWhat needs to happen is true communication, and all I have seen is Raj, Debugged, and other critics continually lying and criticizing the PD instead of sitting down at the proverbial table and doing the work. Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." If Raj wishes to see better communication between himself, his cronies and the PD, maybe he ought to do the work and actually communicate....
To the Men and Women of the San Jose Police Department - I am proud of you all. You all are the best. To Bobby Lopez and the San Jose Police Officer's Association: GREAT WEBSITE. Nice Job. And STAY SAFE!
As a police officer we are committed to protecting everyone. When people like Raj continue to instill fear in the immagrant community then they become afraid to report crime, they become the biggest losers in this fight. We have won over each separate community over the years because we show them that we are here to help. These cheap shots by all these activist only help the crooks. The victims are not downtown but all over San Jose. Raj why don't you take your activist and see if the Nortenos or Surenos will listen to you. Maybe you can talk them out of killing each other.
ReplyDeleteGlad tee this blog. For you Facebook fans, be sure to join the We support the San José Police Department! group started by Councilman Pete Constant.
ReplyDeleteHe is a consistent voice for the police officers.
Policeabuse.com has investigated a number of police departments in California and up until now, we always felt that the SJPD was one of the more professional and courteous agencies in the state. But not anymore!! To me, this video appears to be nothing more than an act childish retaliation. I understand that police departments have to respond to accusations of misconduct; but posting up a video that pokes fun at a member of the community, is certainly not the way to do it. If the SJPD felt it was necessary to respond to Mr Jayadev, then it should have been in a professional manner and in the appropriate venue. Trying to degrade Mr. Jayadev for speaking his mind, just proves to me that the SJPD is trying to avoid having to provide a legitimate response to his allegations.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of high school, all over again.
Obviously, this is a complicated issue for many people (and by that, my intention is not to be demeaning). Lately "fear-mongering" has been thrown about to describe everything from Swine Flu to terrorism; the term also describes a naive fear of police by certain people based on media snippets. The issue for these concerned people never seems to be the act (rude conduct to excessive force), but always their perceived notion of racial injustice. If you're so concerned, don't be so blind as to interpret the thoughts of officers based on a lack of corrabative evidence. Numbers may not lie, but their interpretation is always subjective (even in the universal language of math). Do a ride-a-long. Ask police officers on the street questions (when they're not on a call, please). Take the time to make an informed decision, not one based on fear-mongering.
ReplyDeleteGreat website...glad to see you have a forum to voice your side of things since our other area rags refused to do that. Why doesn't our mayor and city council tell Raj and the other thugs to take a hike? They represent a tiny fraction of our citizens yet they waste so much of our city resources because we all want to be politically correct.
ReplyDeletePOA needs to wake up! This website isnt going to solve anything that some of your officers do on the streets. I have seen it first-hand. Thank god I have never been a victim. And quit raggin on Raj. He only came back with that video cause the POA made a stupid one in the first place. If you cant handle the heat then stay out of the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI think, as a POA, we could do better than make these videos. Why lower ourselves to this level of attack. We are stronger, wiser, and usually more sophisticated a group than to have to use such childish propoganda. As for this forum, ehh, no one cares. Get to work on what's really important. Show videos of us saving the lives we do and quelling the disturbances in the professional way we do... then you gain more public support. These type of videos just widen the gap between us and some folks in the community. I don't want that. I never voted for that.
ReplyDeleteI think that the San Jose P.D. does a very good job even though they have only half of the Officers that other cities of our size have. I like this web site. It is a good venue for getting information out to the public and for getting feedback from the public as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it is tragic that people like Raj are paid by newspapers to stir up trouble. The San Jose Police Department is in good company! Ask Nancy Pyle how she liked being accused of racial profiling and racism after she made a truthful comment about the way De Bug was behaving in the Council Meeting, and during their many protests outside City Hall. Raj and a group of his mindless followers stormed City Hall with the press in tow, boom box blaring, with the song “I’m too sexy for my shirt”. They packed into the elevators, went to the 18th floor, boom box still blaring, and demanded to speak to Nancy Pyle.
I don’t blame Council Member Pyle for refusing to meet with these thugs! That’s right, I said THUGS! For some unknown reason, which escapes the hell out of me, the media kept the story alive for weeks just like they are doing to you over this video. Now, if a group of white people pulled a stunt like that, they’d be in jail.
If the public could only see the way Raj and his gang bang on the windows and yell at City Hall, they’d be hard pressed to find much sympathy for him over this humorous video by the POA. I have to wonder why the Media isn’t interested in facts like these.
At least with your website, the truth can come out.
I cannot believe the level of immaturity on this site hosted by police. I hope that police officers and the general publice are smater than this.
ReplyDeletePosting a video and patting yourselves on the back does nothing for the public... I and feel that this bickering is counterproductive to the common good and is deeply troubling.
Bravo SJPOA!!!! It is about time police officers and community members have a venue to provide the side of a story those in the media and groups like DeBug don't want you to know.
ReplyDeleteThis video is a perfect example. If you listen to it, you will see the real issue is Raj giving a veiled threat to the mayor and city council. The local news media has been trying to make it seem like a personal attack.
I for one am happy that there is now 2 sides to the story instead of a carefully orchestrated one by the media and activists groups.
Keep it up SJPOA
Anonymous
It's amazing that the city council doesn't realize that the same people that perpetrated the stabbing at Shoreline last week, are the same people that cause problems in our downtown. The SJ cops just intervene and arrest them for drunk in public before it gets out of hand. Would the council prefer that the cops sit on their hands, and not arrest these people until there is a "real crime".
ReplyDeleteThe SJPD is staffed by highly trained professional fallible human beings.Police are employees just like any one else. I say yes recognize the hero's however also recognize the darker side of this group....and they do exsist.I know sjpd... some as friends so if you are tired of being misunderstood and slammed GET OVER IT!!! This blog will only lead to problems for you and hard feelings all around (this is not a threat ...(just an understanding of how pissing contests end up)You have a job to do , you chose this job with your eyes wide open!!You are not children with egos to be stroked ,you are adult men and women being paid to do a job.Like ANY job or duty if you can't handle the pissy ever changing public opinion then get out!!Otherwise take the critisisim like the soldier in boot camp, when he thinks of his drill instructor.Dump this cry baby, cryin towel of a blog and stand tall.What next curtains in patrol cars?!?!?!WOE IS ME...
ReplyDeleteThe police in San Jose, if they were actually doing a good job, would be too busy to make a website in order to fight against some criticism. Do a better job and the people of San Jose will like you more.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous June 5, @6:31 p.m. alleged that "'conversate' is a word, look it up". I did. It is not in Websters. It must be in the ebonics dictionary.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the posts so far. However, I am disappointed that so far only Kathleen has chosen to post under her name. Anonymous posters need to either grow a pair and post under their names, or just shut up.
I am not trying to take sides here, but it seems to me that a lot people are missing the point. Aren't the police supposed "To protect and to serve?" If the community is voicing concerns, the police should be open to those concerns. The person who posted "community starts with communication" hit the nail on the head. We need to work together, as Kathleen says, "to sever the divide between the police and citizens." We are all in this together.
ReplyDeleteOne more comment, I would like to thank all the hardworking, honest police officers with integrity.
ReplyDeleteI think its very unfortunate that we ridicule an articulate young man, who (rightly or wrongly) accuses the SJC Police of racial pofiling.
ReplyDeleteSJC is the most diverse areas of the whole world, but we can all agree that the Police force here has not caught up.
In the corporate world, "retaliation" is not tolerated against people who speak truth to power. So, why are we making fun and belittling a community organizer who feels that his community deserves better treatment from the police force...We need to listen to these concerns, not ridicule them.
To the members of SJPOA,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your hard work. We finally have a forum where we can direct law abiding citizens who support SJPD to voice their opinions, good or bad. God only knows that we've taken enough "bashing" from the Merky News and the minority of so called "activists" in the community.
If these so called "activists" want to make a difference so badly, they can pick up an application at City Hall and become part of the solution, and not the problem. Raj reminds me of another "activist" that disappeared into oblivion...I believe his name was Juan Haro.
Hello Mr. Lopez,
ReplyDeleteI have received calls regarding a "rebuttal video" made and posted on youtube that is described as a response to the SJPOA video that your organization made on on me. I am writing you to let you know that I did not make that video, no one at De-Bug made that video, nor do we know who made that video. No one has approached us either and claimed responsibility for the video. I have also been told there is some belief that the SJPOA actually made the rebuttal video as well. I will let you decide if you wish to respond to that or not.
I watched the rebuttal video yesterday and I can say that that type of video just is not our style.
I have much more to say regarding the original video you hired a firm to produce, as well as some writings you have posted regarding my community -- San Jose residents -- but can address those at another time.
This letter also serves as an open invitation for a dialogue between the SJPOA and the community group I am with, De-Bug. We can conversate.
Sincerely,
Raj Jayadev
The following is San Jose POA President Bobby Lopez's response to the above message from Raj Jayadev...
ReplyDeleteRaj,
You can call me anytime or meet with me. I’ll even provide the coffee. I have an open door policy. I meet with everyone whether I agree with them or not.
As for your suggestion that we made the rebuttal video, it’s not true and a really silly accusation or a clever tactic to deflect blame.
As for the original video, we made it and stand by it. It reflects how we, officers and neighborhood leaders, feel about your testimony that day in the council chambers and the tactics you’ve been using to demean our officers. We did not hire a PR firm to do it. We have no problem expressing ourselves when we are under attack, or even engaging in a collaborative effort with community leaders.
However, we do have a firm working a blog that will debut tomorrow. It’s called ProtectSanJose.com. Check it out. You’ll read and see more about public safety and neighborhood concerns than you are probably aware of. We think this site will provide a view that’s way more accurate than the narrow, biased, anti-police opinions we see and hear too much of these days. Of course, if you disagree you’re always welcome to comment. Or should I say conversate? Or maybe blogosate?
Bobby
(Note: This email exchange took place late last week.)
Bobby,
ReplyDeleteGlad you posted this. Raj sent a post to SJI saying you didn't post his comment on this blog. I can see for myself that isn't true.
Well, it looks like the ball is in Raj's court now. I'm not sure if he knows how to have a conversation without a camera crew from De Bug, Cop Watch, the Metro, TV reporters, or the Merc so you might want to set some ground rules with him if he takes you up on a meeting. Either that or make sure you brush your hair, shine your shoes, and smile big for the camera! ;-)
Juan Haro...now here's a name I bet Raj Jayadev has not heard of, well, check it out. He was the 80's version of you! Wow, you're not unique, the SJPD has been thru this before. Keep bringing up the issues and we'll keep pulling the reports, creating the analysis and showing up for council meetings, because Baby, it's overtime, overtime, overtime! What a waste of tax payer dollars...anyone listening???
ReplyDeleteCITIZENS OF SAN JOSE!
ReplyDeleteExplain how people could sit in front of our city council and complain like children over self-fabricated issues alleging “SJPD racial abuse.” DO YOU NOT REALIZE THAT YOU LIVE IN THE 2ND SAFEST CITY IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! (Refer to link at the bottom) If you think our police are doing a bad and unethical job, move to Oakland or Richmond and enjoy life over there. Here in San Jose, you don’t have to worry about being assaulted or robbed at every street corner. Do you think the level of peacefulness our city enjoys derived from radical pot stirrers who have nothing else important to focus on in life; No! It come from San Jose Police officers working hard and getting paid almost nothing in overtime. My friends, San Jose Police officers are regular people too…they have families, friends, and stresses in life. Their diligence and hard work has made this city beautiful and a safe place for our kids to flourish in their adolescent years. For you at De-Bug, IM SORRY WERE NOT THE 1ST SAFEST CITY... but like I said… MOVE…. Please leave our city and go stir the pot in a city where their police don’t produce outstanding results.
Respectfully,
A Citizen of San Jose
(As of 6/8/09)
http://www.bet.com/News/News_National_Americas_Safest_City.htm?Referrer=%7B0471DDF0-D0D8-48A8-9E30-ADD40CBE0269
KEEP IT UP!! PLEASE!! I'm more than a bit tired of these "community activists" and their thinly veiled threats if they don't get their way. Reminds me of a child's temper tantrum...........And as for the whole profiling nonsense and the drunks in downtown SJ, why don't they do a little informal ethnic census and count how many people of each ethnicity are in the downtown area during the times the arrests are made. A little math will tell you if one group is "over-represented." Oh, wait, sorry I injected a little math and common sense into a political debate.
ReplyDeleteGreat site and I hope the blog keeps posting new articles. I think the POA needs to respond to the the criticism is is forced to deal with -- after all who is the voice for SJPD? Not the city council it would seem. Not the Mercury News. You may not always like what is written, but it is high-time that SJPD is given a voice and allowed to share things from their perspective.
ReplyDeleteAll I see here is no respect on either side. Civility was lost a long time ago in my lifetime. Keep it up. Your attitudes of persecution and righteousness will backfire.
ReplyDeleteMembers of the POA,
ReplyDeleteI just read the Murky News article and editorial about Liccardo and Kalra. I find it ridiculous that they are trying to play Father Knows Best, after the way they have allowed De Bug and other groups like Cop Watch to ride herd over the rights of citizens and city staff. I’ve sat in Council Meetings listening to them yell, scream, and make comments to speakers who don’t agree with them.
I’ve seen citizens leave out of fear, and decide not to speak because of them. I guess the safety and wellbeing of the rest of us isn’t important to Liccardo, or Kalra, or they would speak up and ask these “activists” to have respect for people around them. I for one am going to remember their actions come election time, and hope the POA does too, especially when they come brown nosing you for endorsements, and donations.
"Anonymous said... I think, as a POA, we could do better than make these videos. Why lower ourselves to this level of attack. We are stronger, wiser, and usually more sophisticated a group than to have to use such childish propoganda. "
ReplyDeleteThe quoted comments seems to be the most rational i've read. i hope that you realize as cops posting the video and manipulating it to make fun of the guy at the city council, you've lowered yourself to first class bullies with guns. yes, you have tough jobs, but you choose that profession. step up and put out the facts to defend yourself. with that you might gain some credibility. instead you look like legalized thugs with guns acting no better than those you allege to be protecting civilians from.
Pretty disgusting that 2 councilmen are trying to censure a police officer's right to free speech as though the constitution does not apply to officers. Who does these councilmen think gave them the right to tell the police officers they don't have the right to defend themselves? These councilmen are offended the officers labled some of the malcontents as thugs. Wake up councilmen, many of them are just that, thugs.
ReplyDeleteAll SJPD officers it is clear that the Merkey News or Raj are the problem with the bashing that SJPD is taking. It is clear that this council and Mayor must move on.. Except for the supporters like Pyle, Nguyen,,, they will eventually leave city government as they time out and the SJPD officers will still be here. All officers should go to the side of this website and write Liccardo and Karla and voice your complaint,,,, the next thing these two will ask is for you SJPD officers to give up a pay raise or something stupid Like that...Liccardo has no common sense, and Karla to new to make sense of all of it...
ReplyDeleteWS
Anonymous at 9:30 said:
ReplyDelete"step up and put out the facts to defend yourself."
You mean like these videos of a Council Member and city staff being harrassed and intimidated by these aso called activists?
http://www.siliconvalleydebug.com/story/060107/stories/pyleaction.html http://www.metroactive.com/metro/07.18.07/nancy-pyle-0729.html
go to this link then scroll down to June 21, 2007 you can view the video.
http://sanjose.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=22
Christian,
ReplyDeleteLast I heard there were laws governing the right to protest and where. Funny these "activists" weren't arrested for violating them. Even in SF activists got arrested for doing the same thing!
“Speech in public forums is subject to time, place, and manner regulations, which take into account such matters as control of traffic in the streets, the scheduling of two meetings or demonstrations at the same time and place, the preventing of blockages of building entrances, and the like. “
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment01/20.html#1
Just a word of welcome to protectsanjose.com.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading the POA's viewpoint on local issues and thank you for taking the time and effort to publish this site.
The Merc and certain city councilmen may not like it, but police officers have the same rights to free speech as anyone else.
As you put on that uniform each day, please know that the vast majority of San Joseans fully support our police.
Oh, and here's somethng you will never read in the Merc: "Thank you, San Jose Police, for keeping us safe."
As a constituent of Pete Constant's district I have been very supportive of the police in the past and will continue to support the police and the incredibly tough (and often thankless) job they do on a daily basis. I also do not understand all the issues that Mr. Jayadev has with the police department. That said, I am completely disgusted by Mr. Lopez's attempt to undermine the rights of our citizens to use the city council as an open forum to address issues. Had he made a tape of this kid with a bull-horn out on the street that would have been one thing. But he violated the sanctuary afforded all citizens and that is to come to city hall and not be intimidated when they raise a concern with any of the city's departments (especially the police). Did he forget that he represents the "Police Department"? He does not represent local 790 down at the work site, he represents "THE San Jose Police Department" As citizens, we give you both the power to enforce the laws and legal protection from tort liability under the doctrine of "governmental immunity". We do not have a choice (that I am aware of) as citizens as to whether or not we choose to be videotaped when we come into that forum. When you altered the video tape of that kid's comments you sent a message that anyone else who goes down to city hall may be held up to scorn and ridicule when they take issue with your department. We trust you guys and then you pull a stunt like this? And don't hide behind the first ammendment and say, "this is your side of the story". You made fun of the way the kid talked and served notice that you felt that his conduct was implicitly criminal (making threats). Which threats? Terrorist Threats-a felony?, Inciting a riot-another felony? I don't know... maybe the kid is right and we all should take a long hard look at the San Jose Police Department? Is that what you hoped to accomplish with your video? If Mr. Lopez's response is a fair representation of the department as a whole then that's sad. My only hope is that he doesn't speak for all the of the great officers on the force.
ReplyDeleteKevin,
ReplyDeleteHave you ever gone to a City Council Meeting when Raj and his group are there? They make threats all the time. They tell the Mayor and Council if they don't do something about the Police then they will. Or they yell and scream when people are at the podium giving a comment they don't like. How do you think that makes citizens feel about giving their side of things? Pretty threatened and intimidated I can tell you that. When they protest they bang on the windows, and they harass you on the way into City Hall. And you expect me to have sympathy for them? Not going to happen Bud. They are trampling on my right to feel safe to express my views and to enter City Hall without being yelled at.
Try reading the links posted above. These are Raj’s videos and articles not the POAs. Raj and his thugs terrorized Council Member Pyle, citizens in the building, and employees at the city when they broke the law and stormed the 18th floor. But we wouldn’t want to upset Poor Lil Raj by holding him to the same standard of accountability and law we all have to follow now would we?
CS,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like they were guilty of disturbing the peace. Do you know if any arrests were made? Also do you agree with the statement that we hold the police to a higher standard of conduct than we do street demonstrators?
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteOf course no arrests were made. These thugs have complete run of City Hall. The Mayor and Council are afraid to enforce the rules or they'll be called racist, and be harassed just like Council Member Pyle.
The Police are held to a higher standard and they meet that standard of excellence every time they walk out their front door and put their lives on the line for us every day.
People like Raj run around claiming they are community leaders. Well, I don't know about you but I have yet to see real community leaders acting like he and his thugs do. They need to be held accountable for the slanderous remarks they make and for their actions. Do you know any Cop who is guilty of being a terrorist? Well neither do I, but that is what Raj and his thugs call em.
It might be helpful if Raj and Bobby were to come together and have a "town hall" type of meeting where supporters of SJPD can ask questions of Raj and vice versa. I'm pretty sure I can get one of the big lower level conference rooms for such an event. Do you think Mr. Lopez or the SJPOA would be interested?
ReplyDeleteHelpful? Raj can't go anywhere without his camera crew, the media, and his thugs. What makes you think members of the public want to give Raj another forum to bash the Cops and intimidate them like at City Hall? If it acts like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it is a duck Kevin.
ReplyDeleteRaj writes for the Metro. Have you seen the "special" ads the Metro runs in it? Here’s an example: “The biggest selection in town! 3 Adult DVD’s $19.95. Hot Sex Action, Raging Stallion Superstar Scott Tanner, Cheetah’s Gentlemen Club Totally Nude!” I think you get the picture. If not pick one up and ask yourself what kind of magazine sells ad space like this and expects to be seen as credible? And what kind of stories do you think they run? Raj's anti Cop stories.
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI have attended Council meetings when Raj, De Bug, Cop Watch, and the Taser Twins have been there. There is no way you'd ever get me to attend another meeting with them involved.
They don't want change, or a better relationship with SJPD; they want pay back for losing Barbra Attard the former IPA. They also want a Citizen Review Board so that THEY can sit in judgment of Police actions. God forbid they ever achieve that because if they do we are really up the river without a paddle!
Bobby has the brain capacity of sloth. Raj seems a bit more intellectual on camera. It's funny how Mr. Lopez filters out all the criticizing comments that don't support his POA.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:13 PM, yeah Sgt. Lopez must be filtering out all the criticizing comments that don't support his POA. That is why your idiotic comment is on here.
ReplyDeleteRaj and his group ran crying to the media because that is all the guy cares about, getting media attention. So now that De Bug sees that the majority supports the SJPD and the POA, and that the ACLU even supports their right to say their side of things, they send misfits like Anonymous 4:13 PM to comment on this blog accusing the POA of not posting their comments. Geech! Will you guys grow up already and move on? Don’t you have a Police Officer to harass, or a protest to stage?
ReplyDeleteAnd Kevin wants us to sit in a room with these people.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYour stupidity is showing. If Mr. Lopez filters out all the criticizing comments that don't support his POA then your comments never would have made it on this site. Go back and read the comments if you can of course. There are plenty of negative comments toward the sjpd which shows what a boob you are for saying these comments do not get posted.
Actually, I posted several.....he only posted one, the one where I said he was filtering out the negative comments, just to make it look like he wasn't.....now who's the boob? Looks like the old rebutal video is down, but the same people put up another one......a funnier one.
ReplyDeleteSJPOA, thank you for this site. I know that I can write the truth without it being deleted like it regularly does on the San Jose Inside website. I posted several comments on that site only to have them deleted by that moron Dan Pulcrano (editor of the Metro). I equate Raj and DeBug to domestic terrorists. They will do whatever they can to stir unnecessary controvery and threaten and intimidate anyone that doesn't agree with their view points. Then they have the help of people like Dan Pulcrano and the Metro. If anyone believes that Pulcrano is attempting to raise awarness of anything, they're fools. Pulcrano cares for one thing and one thing only, money!! He like driving around in his 80K BMW and live in his 2 million dollar home and then curse the police for doing their job. He hires and invites people like Raj to post comments in his newspaper and website and calls it the truth. I'm sorry, but all the crap that Pulcrano and Raj write and speak of is just that..Crap!! They only do it to make money. By the way, for people that didn't know, "the Fly" post on the san jose inside website is Dan Pulcrano.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad that there is now a website that will post people's real opinions without deleting them just because it doesn't serve their own purpose.
The Truth Hurts,
ReplyDeletePulcrano is the king of scum. He sells ad space to prostitutes, writes Cop bashing articles or hires people like Raj to do it. I know he won't post much of anything that we write to SJI about it. SJR has been writing about his porn filled paper for years but no one cares.
Bobby, why aren't the Police looking into what he is doing? Kids read that stuff in the Metro everyday. Pegram and his pals should picket him with the same vengeance they went after porn filters. Do you think they businesses who run ads in there know what is in this rag?
Anonymous,
So where's the link to the video? Or is that another paranoid delusion you are having?
Here is the link to the newer video....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSRDxnMF9ns
Hey, thanks for the link! That was hilarious! I especially like the reference of Pete Constant having an uncanny resemblance to the Stay Puft marshmallow guy! lol
ReplyDeleteLets come together to stop racial profiling in the great City of San Jose.
ReplyDeleteLet us check the facts before we falsely accuse our Police Officers of racial profiling.
ReplyDelete