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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

MAYOR HENRY- LIAR CLUELESS, OR BOTH?2014 HOMELESS DEBACLE

THIS IS WHATS KNOWN AS DAMAGE CONTROL..

http://wane.com/2014/11/19/city-responds-to-eviction-of-homeless-from-downtown-riverfront/

http://wane.com/2014/11/14/city-evicts-homeless-people-from-riverfront/


FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – On Thursday, about a dozen homeless people who were living outside on riverfront property received eviction notices that stated they were violating a city ordinance by staying in a tent on city property, near the river. The notice says they have 24 hours to move, or they could be arrested and have their belongings thrown away.
Just a few days later, city and community leaders held a press conference to kick off Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. At the event, NewsChannel 15 asked Mayor Tom Henry what he thought about about Thursday’s evictions. He said it was the first he had heard of it.
“I’m going to have to check with our police department to find out truly what caused them to be in a position like this,” Henry said on Monday. “If it was complaint-driven, obviously there were citizens in our community that were concerned, but I’ll need to check in with it more.”



On Monday NewsChannel 15 handed Mayor Henry a copy of the eviction notices almost a dozen homeless people received.
On Monday, NewsChannel 15 handed Mayor Henry a copy of the eviction notices almost a dozen homeless people received.

Since then, the city has released a statement on the evictions. The following is the entire statement provided by the City of Fort Wayne on Tuesday: 
We are fortunate to be part of a giving and caring community. By working together, we’re experiencing unprecedented momentum. We enjoy strong neighborhoods and an excellent quality of life. We are aware of some concerns that have been expressed about the treatment of homeless individuals in our community. Whenever our Fort Wayne Police Department is requested to intervene in a situation involving the homeless, it’s done in a professional and courteous manner. Our officers provide individuals with information and access to assistance before any action is ever taken. We care about the homeless population and work collaboratively with social service agencies daily to ensure food and shelter are available for those who are seeking help. The City Administration works each day to provide opportunities for all residents in Fort Wayne. Our proactive efforts include participation on the Fort Wayne Area Planning Council on Homelessness, as well as working to secure federal funding to assist with programs that benefit those in need of support. We will continue our commitment to being a City that cares for one another. We encourage all residents of Fort Wayne to do their part to help those struggling with homelessness by volunteering or making a donation to one of our community’s shelters.
The statement opposes how homeless person Tyler Williams told 15 Finds Out he received the eviction notice. Williams said he only received the eviction, no resources, and his tent was broken after being there four months.
“I had already been told by other cops I was allowed to be there,” Williams said.
The next Planning Council on Homelessness meeting is December 15 at 11:30 a.m. in the Citizens Square Omni Room.



Tyler Williams, 18, was one of almost a dozen homeless people who received the eviction notices. He checked into the Rescue Mission Monday night.
Tyler Williams, 18, was one of almost a dozen homeless people who received the eviction notices. He checked into the Rescue Mission Monday night.

Anyone interested in helping out the homeless are invited to participate in some of the following events for Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week:
  •  A Tour of several of the facilities in Fort Wayne where people can seek shelter and be connected to programs to help move them to self-sufficiency is set for Wednesday, November 19 at noon. This van tour takes starts in the parking lot across from the University of Saint Francis Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center (former Scottish Rite), 431 W. Berry St.
  • The “Real Change” Pop-Up Arts Event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 from 5-9 p.m. at Wunderkammer, 3402 Fairfield Ave. The public is encouraged to attend this first-of-its-kind event where people will interact with local artists whose work features the topic of homelessness. Work created by homeless artists will also be exhibited. This event is designed to engage attendees in ongoing conversation about the community and how each individual can do something to address the challenge of homelessness. The event is free, but donations of non-perishable food items are welcome.
  • Skip a Lunch, Feed a Bunch is scheduled for Thursday, November 20. On this day, everyone is invited to donate the money they would typically spend on lunch to the Rescue Mission, which provides more than 217,000 meals a year to anyone who needs them.




City evicts homeless people from downtown riverfront

By WANE Staff ReportsPublished:   Updated: 


letter
A homeless evictee showed NewsChannel 15 this letter that he received.

Do you agree with the city’s decision to evict?
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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Eighteen-year-old Tyler Williams struggled to carry a couple suitcases, a blue tarp, and a backpack over the old Wells Street Bridge Friday afternoon. He’s preparing to move, after the Fort Wayne police notified him, and several others, that they can’t stay where they’ve been living: outside on riverfront property.
About a dozen homeless people received notices Thursday night (pictured to the right) saying that they are violating a city ordinance by staying in a tent on city property, near the river. The notice says they have 24 hours to move, or they could be arrested and have their belongings thrown away.
Williams, 18, told NewsChannel 15 he’s originally from Indianapolis. But when he turned 18, he said he got in a fight with his parents, who then paid for him to be dropped off in Fort Wayne. Williams said he’s been staying in a tent near the Harrison Street Bridge for four months with no issues, until now.
“It kind of makes sense they don’t want to have the homeless setting up tents and stuff in the downtown area. It deters people from coming and visiting,” Williams said. “But it also makes it harder on the homeless because every access to food and shelter and other things is downtown. So for them to push us towards the outer city, that forces us to have less access to food and things that can keep us alive and working on getting what we need to get off the streets.”

Two homeless people move their belongings after being evicted from downtown riverfront property.
Two homeless people move their belongings after being evicted from downtown riverfront property.

DUDE HAS A FUGITIVE WARRATN OUTSTANDING
 https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCxM-SxGvaJjDXo&w=418&h=418&url=http%3A%2F%2Flintvwane.files.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F11%2Fhomeless-downtown00000000.jpg&cfs=1




Fort Wayne Police Department spokesperson Michael Joyner said the notices are an attempt to not only enforce the ordinance, but also point the homeless toward shelters. “We’re being as compassionate as we can. We’re assisting them in any way we can. We’re providing them information to seek shelter and services that they might need,” he said. “If nothing else, it’s going to get down in the 20′s tonight. I would like to think that the police department is operating in the interest of their safety.”
Joyner said the evictions stemmed from a complaint. Notices were only given to homeless who were staying in park areas near the river. The city doesn’t have jurisdiction under bridges, so the eviction notices were not given there…even though homeless people regularly stay under the Wells Street Bridge.
However, an independent homeless advocate, Taylor Crane, thinks the city is criminalizing the homeless.  “Where are these people going to go? The people who got these notices yesterday, yeah they moved their campsite. But they moved it to another location. They’re just going to get another one. It’s not a resolution,” Crane said. “It’s just sort of a band-aid for the city not to have to look at that.”
CEO of the Rescue Mission Donovan Coley doesn’t think anyone should be living outside, but said eviction notices and threatening arrests is the wrong way to work toward a solution.
“I’m disappointed in that it takes executing or delivering citations for many in our city to respond to the needs. These folks have been living under the bridge and on the streets… I’ve known persons who have been doing that for over 25 years,” Coley said. He thinks city leaders should develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the issue.
“We talk a lot about economic development. But I’m going to be a stuck record and say that human development must be a priority for the Henry administration and for those in our county government as well.”
In August, Coley first told 15 Finds Out about his concerns for the future of the homeless in a revitalizing downtown.
Coley said the Rescue Mission and Charis House are making accommodations to house the evictees and others staying outside, even if they don’t meet zero tolerance drug and alcohol rules at the shelter.
In the meantime, Williams and his friends have moved to a different outdoor location — hoping someone doesn’t complain and get them evicted from city property, again.
“Me and my buddies are moving over to a new spot where, actually, the parks and rec people told us was a good place to go because they won’t bother us,” Williams said.
An evictee shared the notification with NewsChannel 15 which reads:
It is hereby posted that the items contained here are a violation of Fort Wayne City Ordinance.
97.15—Park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. only
97.17—Littering
97.18 Damaging property, Erecting Tents/ Structures
97.20—Fastening items to trees
97.21—Alcohol not permitted
97.28—No fires
97.29 Personal property or equipment brought in to parks are at own risk.
You have 24 hours to comply and remove all items. As of 11/14/14 at 12:00 p.m. you are subject to arrest for any of the above listed ordnance and any remaining items will be removed and discarded.
Fort Wayne Police Department
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Saturday, October 18, 2014

FWPD POLICE SCANDAL FORT WAYNE

http://www.frostillustrated.com/2014/upfront-rogers30/http://www.frostillustrated.com/2014/upfront-rogers30/



An officer’s betrayal: Decorated black FWPD officer fights for job, reputation
Frost Editor | October 7, 2014
Fredrick Rogers
An officer’s betrayal: Decorated black FWPD officer fights for job, reputation
Son defends father’s service to department, community
Editor’s note: Over the years, Fort Wayne Police Officer Frederick “Fred” Rogers Sr. has earned a reputation as one of the city’s most well-known law enforcement officials. During his tenure in the Detective Bureau, Rogers compiled a stellar record of cases solved—particularly homicides. He’s also a familiar face throughout the black community providing security for various events and visiting dignitaries. He’s also won numerous law enforcement awards and accolades. Despite all his success, Rogers would admit that it hasn’t always been smooth sailing between him and the department’s upper echelon. He’s had to defend his work, record and reputation on a number of occasions, during which he said he’s been targeted unfairly for criticism and disciplinary action. Rogers is currently facing department actions against him for alleged “ghost employment.” His son, Fredrick Rogers Jr., wrote the following in his father’s defense.
By Fredrick Rogers Jr.
Special to Frost Illustrated
What began as a simple allegation of ghost employment now has a veteran police officer fighting for his career.
I have watched my father as I have grown up.  I have watched him undergo stress, and struggle with the job that he has worked for 33 years.  I am the oldest of his three sons and his namesake.
Fredrick Rogers Sr. joined the Fort Wayne Police Department in 1981 to make a better life for his family and to have a prideful, more challenging career.  But what he got instead has been a career filled with strife, backstabbing and a lack of support from his command.  We, his children have seen the community come together to support him.  He has long-standing relationships made from years of coaching Metro football, Village Woods baseball, Unique Track Club, and assistant track coach at Paul Harding High School.  He performed security jobs in Fort Wayne Community Schools and Anthis and various other establishments throughout the city.
It was this rapport that he has built through generations of citizens that has served him well in his contacts and cooperative support, whether it be Community Policing or a homicide investigation in which the citizens have come to rely on him. And they have appreciated his dedication and efforts, appreciation that he has never felt from the Fort Wayne Police Department.
And now I have seen with my very eyes the proof that the upper command of that department does not appreciate him.
My brother and I came from out of town to stand with him in support throughout his appeal before the Board of Safety, along with my sisters and the rest of the family, friends and co-workers of my father.  We have been told that in the past other police officers have been allowed to have open hearings but we were not allowed inside the hearing room.  Although it was of the understanding that there had been a “gag order” put into effect concerning the appeals hearing, (which was later lifted at the conclusion of the hearing), Sergeant James Seay of Internal Affairs (IA) approached me in the hallway before the hearing and asked me “if I knew who he was?” as if he was trying to get some sort of response out of me.  I remained neutral.  I did not know where he was coming from but I did not feel that it was from a good place.
You see, around the first part of May of this year, Sergeant Rogers was notified by Sergeant Seay of Internal Affairs of the Fort Wayne Police Department that he was being investigated for ghost employment, an administrative misdemeanor offense for allegedly overlapping work for city police with a  job at a local food restaurant.
An interview was conducted at which time Sergeant Rogers stated that he had not worked on the original two days in question (April 3, 4); another officer had worked for him.  That officer, when interviewed advised that he had worked for Sergeant Rogers, but was given dates other than April 3 and 4 when questioned and was answering off of memory.  Once he was able to check his phone records, however, the officer verified April 3 and 4 as when he had indeed worked for Sergeant Rogers.  At that point, Sergeant Rogers was notified by IA that he had been cleared of the ghost employment allegation.
The IA Department’s “investigation” consisted of speaking with a general manager of the food establishment over the phone who had never actually worked with Sergeant Rogers during his employment.  The hours that the general manager gave IA were not even the actual hours that Sergeant Rogers worked.  They also spoke with another manager, either on the phone or in person, who verified that Sergeant Rogers had not committed ghost employment.  However, Sergeant Seay decided not to utilize this manager’s statement, as he felt that this witness was lying.
On a later date, two FOP Representatives, Mitch McKinney and Rod Bradtmueller met with Chief of Police Garry Hamilton on Sergeant Rogers’ behalf, at which time they informed my father that he was to receive 180 days’ suspension and to be demoted from sergeant to patrolman, or he could retire and there would be no charges filed.  Sergeant Rogers informed the reps to notify Chief Hamilton that he would not accept either of the two choices.
Later still, Chief Hamilton asked to meet with the same two reps and Sergeant Rogers.  Also present was Assistant Chief Steve Reed.  At that time, Chief Hamilton presented Sergeant Rogers with documentation ordering him to be suspended for 180 days.  Sergeant Rogers refused to sign this, stating that he would be appealing the disciplinary action.
What a “coincidence” then, that on May 19, the disciplinary action stating that Sergeant Rogers received 180 days suspension and a demotion from sergeant to patrolman was found filed in his personnel file ANYWAY.  The only way it was found was because the FOP Rep had requested a copy of Sergeant Rogers’ personnel file.  The reason that was given by the chief of police as to how it made it’s way into  the file?  It got in there by mistake. ????!!!!!!
On May 30, all witnesses and persons involved in the investigation met with the three members of the Board of Safety.  The following next several paragraphs is what occurred during the Appeal before the Board of Safety:
The two employees of the food establishment gave statements that would indicate that Sergeant Rogers fulfilled his obligation of two hours of employment.  They informed the board that he would lock the doors at closing and if he had arrived late, he would return in the morning and make up the time to complete his two hours.  They further stated that the food establishment had no issues with my father’s  employment.
The City then called Cpt. Paul Smith who gave statements that would indicate that he had watched Sergeant Rogers while he was at this food establishment.  He stated that Sergeant Rogers would call on duty from this location and he had observed him sitting inside the establishment after 9:30 p.m.   Cpt. Smith is in Sergeant Rogers’ direct chain of command.  He was asked by the Board if he felt that Sergeant Rogers was wrong for remaining at the food establishment after 9:30 p.m., the time he was to be working for the City.  Cpt. Smith stated that he didn’t have a problem with Sergeant Rogers being at the food establishment. He stated that officers don’t have set times to eat; they eat when time allows.  He further stated that sergeants work under a different protocol than patrolmen; sergeants have more freedom of movement and are not held to restraints within their quadrants.
The City then spent the next hour explaining the Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) which simply is another name for a GPS. (The showing of how the system works didn’t have anything to do with the two days (April 3 and 4 being the only dates that Sergeant Rogers had been questioned about during his IA interview with Sergeant Seay.)
Chief Hamilton informed the Board that he and Sergeant Rogers were close friends and that he could tell when Sergeant Rogers was lying from the audible recording of the interview he had with Sergeant Seay. The chief also stated that their close friendship was the reason that he had felt compelled to offer Sergeant Rogers a 180 days suspension and demotion for his many years of service. The meeting was ended with the City having presented its entire case. All parties were to convene the following week at which time Sergeant Rogers and his attorney would present their case.
The following week, all parties were present.  Sergeant Rogers was instructed by his attorney to tell the Board who the “real Sergeant Rogers was,” which was totally different than that person that the City had described. Sergeant Rogers explained to the Board that Chief Hamilton had told an untruth himself when he stated that he and Sergeant Rogers were friends and that there were reasons for them not being friends. However, Sergeant Rogers explained to the Board that this was not the forum for that discussion, even though the Safety Director Rusty York, the City Attorney Tim Manges, as well as Chief Hamilton are all well aware of the reasons.  Sergeant Rogers further stated that he and the Chief are not friends; they don’t socialize together; he has never visited his home nor has he visited his. They have never ridden in the same vehicle nor sat down at the same dinner table together.
Chief Hamilton stated that during the previous week, he had reviewed Sergeant Rogers’ disciplinary record and afterwards felt that my father was unfit to be an officer or sergeant of the Fort Wayne Police Department and had nothing to offer the police department.
I wonder if the community feels the same way?  I think that they would wholeheartedly say otherwise.  There is no way to quantitatively or qualitatively measure just what Sergeant Rogers has meant to the City of Fort Wayne.  For the chief of police to form his mouth to glibly state in so much of a wanton manner that my father has nothing more to offer the department is the lowest form of disrespect that one can receive and I and the rest of the family take it as a personal affront upon our father because that summation was delivered with such egregiousness.
Sergeant Rogers asked the chief if it was fair to look only at an officer’s disciplinary record without looking at that officer’s accomplishments and awards.  He received no response.
Sergeant Rogers then attempted to give a presentation on the projector screen of the many accolades and awards he has received during his thirty three years as a Fort Wayne Police Officer.   (The Board cut my father off prior to his presentation being completed and he was not allowed to finish.) Sergeant Rogers has been a Hostage Negotiator, Voice Stress Examiner, Computerized Face Recognition Composite Drawer, SWAT Team Member, Financial Investigator, Bicycle Certified, and Lead Homicide Investigator from 1980-1988.   As a homicide detective, Sergeant Rogers had a solvability rating in the high 90 percentile range, a number that would rival ANY police department across the country as well as a MONUMENTAL difference when compared with the homicide solve rate of the last several years.
Sergeant Rogers made reference to the Ex-Chief Rusty York, who was present at both today’s and last week’s Appeal.  He gave examples of how Chief York had failed the City by not taking advantage of Sergeant Rogers’ knowledge and success as a Homicide Investigator to ask for his further assistance in more recent years as the homicides spiraled out of control.  Instead, his expertise was squandered as a sergeant.  Those talents could have been BEST utilized as a deputy chief in charge of Homicide, but Rusty York made the mistake not to place him as a resource that could have been a win for the Department, the community, and most importantly, the families of the homicide victims.
Sergeant Rogers’ attorney then called other employees of the food establishment to testify who gave statements that Sergeant Rogers was paid for services rendered and that the food establishment had no qualms with Sergeant Rogers about the hours he worked from October 2013 to April 2014.
Sergeant Rogers’ attorney closed out the Appeal before the Board of Public Safety stating that his client was an exemplary officer whose career is “being thrown away over charges that have not been proven”.
As stated earlier in this article, the gag order that was originally set at the Appeal hearing before the Board of Public Safety was lifted and that is why the information from that hearing is being referenced in this article.
One can only ask, then, from looking at all of the facts: is it personal, or is it professional past, bad blood that has been keeping the former and current Police Chiefs from doing right by my father?  Sergeant Rogers has been continuously overlooked in getting what is owed to him, by way of recognition, promotions, etc., but also for the overall good that HE has done or COULD have done for the police department and the community as well.
Sergeant Rogers continues to fight for his career as of the writing of this article.  He awaits the Board of Safety’s ruling, which will be rendered next month.  He is being supported by both the FOP and PBA. Councilman Glynn A. Hines has pledged his support, and the Reverend Michael Latham and other clergymen of Fort Wayne, as well as fellow black police officers called The Guardians of Police.
Could you keep Sergeant Rogers in your prayers?  He has given the City of Fort Wayne his own pound of flesh with blood, sweat and tears for the past 33 years.
You can show your support, either by contacting the mayor directly at (260) 427-1111 or on Facebook (city of fort wayne-municipal government) or visit http:www.cityoffortwayne.org/.
We need to hear from YOU!!!!!    THE COMMUNITY!!!!!
Thank you for your attention to this most urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Fredrick Rogers Jr.
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Friday, October 3, 2014

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE ALLEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY



this is interesting- i was googling deputy gladieux- opposition research, mining for out of context quotes- and i happened across this: oldie but goodie- the GOP CHAIRMAN STEVE SHINE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT- BUT READ comments link: SEEMS THE NEWS SENTINEL LINK TO THE ORIGINAL INTERNET ARTICLE HAS VANISHED INTO THE ETHER. POOF. GONE like a fartin the wind.. http://indiana.typepad.com/fwob/2006/11/newssentinel_no.html

Fort Wayne Observed: News-Sentinel notes Shine incident
Today's News-Sentinel notes the release of an Indiana State Police report concerning an investigation of an incident on the evening of November 9th at the home of Allen County Republican Chairman Steven R. Shine on Liberty Mills Road. Mr. Shine...
INDIANA.TYPEPAD.COM

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