Violence On Main St.!
I saw this post a couple of days ago over at Joe’s blog- Big City POZ, and it was shocking, as I live about 2 blocks from where this assault happened. But the more I thought about it, the more it made me remember all the violence, towards both men and women, in the peaceful communities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, and where it was generally located- on Pier Ave. with it’s dozens of bars and night clubs.
The attack on Henry Proctor at 1am Thursday morning does not appear to be racially motivated or gang related. It seems alcohol-related, as the 2 thugs had just left a bar on 4th St. and were kicking cars and destroying property with their drunken courage on. It’s sad that they turn their rage on poor Henry who is just trying to do the right thing- I really wish they had picked on the wrong guy, someone that just “cleaned their clocks” and left them bleeding on the street. But then these “tough guys” would probably sue… At least LAPD arrived quickly and caught the suspects- kudos to the real tough guys. EDIT: I forgot about Joe’s run-in with LAPD when 2 guys tried to steal his dog Ruby; if you haven’t read this story before, check it out as it is the kind of thing you just would not think could happen.
What’s my point? It’s that I, when walking my dog late at night, try to avoid the bars and the packs of drunk guys- even at the “upscale” Edison there are fights in the alley below my loft. I hope Henry keeps his strong, positive attitude after such an ugly attack.
I have to admit worrying about how the police would treat Henry because of the way I was treated. it’s turning out fine, though. Henry told me today that a detective called him this morning and told him that felony charges will be pressed against the two guys. Henry thought the bloggers who picked up on the story (Don Garza, Eric Richardson, you and me) might have something to do with it. The detective also told Henry that he does not need to worry about the two jaywalking tickets he picked up in the past when he was homeless. He told Henry to come on in to the station and everything would be taken care of. It’s good to know that there are some good cops (and detectives) out there.
Thanks for understanding what I went through, Eric. It still haunts me sometimes.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:49 amJoe- That’s great news about Henry getting some justice. Your story still freaks me out, as I have always felt that the police in my ‘hood would protect me a little more as they see me walking with a dog and want to keep residents happy and safe, but like in any occupation, it only takes a couple bad people to spoil the reputation of all.
I hope the police don’t anything stupid Thursday at May Day Immigration Rally- no clubbing journalists this time would be a good start- just club the guys in masks throwing rocks and bottles
April 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pmJoe, there are more than a “few” or “some” good cops/detectives out there. The few and far between ones are the minority who happen to make into blogs and anti-police publications.
The cops who work Central Division are some of the hardest-working cops I’ve come across in several years. It takes a special person to be able to work in Skid Row. The amount of abuse, hardship and work environment we navigate within daily is very unique.
For 50K plus a yr you too can wrestle with muscle bound parolees, search disease ridden druggies, negotiate with paranoid/sychophrenic mental patients, confront armed gang members with nothing to lose. Oh, plus you have to do all of this with the compassion and patience of Mother Theresa.
Skidrowdude, I don’t believe any “journalists” got clubbed at last yr’s May Day incident. The only ones acting “stupid” were the mutts with the rocks and bottles and the drunkards who refused to leave the park.
The only stupid thing the police did was putting their faith within the Chief of Police and by actually showing up that day and working.
The smart ones would have called in sick and avoided the day altogether. But hey, if the police didn’t show up and take action, the city would have been on fire and we would be facing another Rodney King type riot.
We took it in the shorts for not acting fast enough to quell that “act of civil disobedience.”
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
On another note, I love the blog. I’m going to hit up The Edison and check out their Thursday night 35 cents martinis.
\m/
April 30th, 2008 at 5:47 pmWow- I am seriously honored to have you post your thoughts, Officer. You make many excellent points- it takes an amazing individual to WANT to become a “peace” officer, and the older I get, the more I respect the guys on the beat.
Mmm.. 35 cent Martinis at Edison- I forgot about that. I hope Thursday is uneventful for you and that you go relax with drinks and some Tesla fries or whatever.
Eric
April 30th, 2008 at 6:17 pmOfficer, as I explained to you in my comments on my blog (in the Henry Proctor post), I firmly believe that most cops are great people. That’s why I did not press ahead with a formal complaint. I took a much higher road than that cowboy cop took with me.
I taught public high school for 30 years. I know something about what you are dealing with. However, if things are really so horrible then you can always find another job, right? I mean, you did choose to be a cop, didn’t you? You surely didn’t walk into your job clueless. I know you have a tough job, but I just don’t feel like playing the violin for you or your fellow (and female) officers.
….and by the way, my fellow blogger Ed Fuentes (View from a Loft) had his camera smashed by a cop at MacArthur Park.
One last thing—some good cops do make it into the blogs. You’re here, for example. Hopefully you’ll stay with the downtown blogging community and continue to be a valuable resource for downtown bloggers.
Joe
April 30th, 2008 at 6:48 pmE,
I don’t know if I’ll be able to hit The Eddie this Thursday, although I’d love to be able to get out of work on time and enjoy a few cocktails.
It’s safe to assume that even if everything goes alright, we will be held overtime against our will by the brass.
Last yr they were critized by Bratton for allowing officers to go home after their 10 or 12 hr shift.
I expect a 16 or 18 hr day at Mac Park with no end in sight. Plus, my squad will have to be back at work the next day at 5 am!! Yikes…..
Hopefully Langer’s will be open and I’ll get a chance to pound down a Egg Cream and a pastrami sandwich in between ducking “airmail”, aka rocks and bottles.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:49 pmOfficer- It sounds like a long day for you tomorrow- but you have to like overtime pay a little. I’m always on “straight-time” and time-and-a-half would make those long days a little better.
Oh, and please don’t come and try and arrest White Dog if a dog toy comes flying out a window above while you are entering the Edison (JOKING).
E
April 30th, 2008 at 7:09 pmJoe,
Yes, it can be a horrible job, but fortunately, the good outweighs the bad. I’m just pointing out some of things we have to do that some people may not be aware of. I just want to add some perspective.
Sure I could walk away from it all for a 9 to 5 job, but that’s not in my DNA makeup. I am choosing to stand my ground and fight the good fight. Giving up is easy, toughing it out is a lot harder. That’s the way I was raised. I’m an optimist and hard headed bastard. Hahaha.
I’m not asking for sympathy, just a little understanding. If we all did that with each other, the world would be a better place, no?
I definitely plan on sticking with the downtown blogs. You guys aren’t scaring me away, LOL.
As for E, I won’t arrest your white dog, instead I’ll sic one of my feral cats on him when he’s outside near our police station (joking). They’ve been plying their trade battling skid row rats. Read about it in the LA Times.
Stay safe all…….
April 30th, 2008 at 7:43 pmthe other day was really good.. The LAPD were fine
and doing a great job, very peaceable for the most part. I didn’t get to MacArthur Park on 1 May but Broadway up through 1st and the rally afterwards seemed a great time.. lots of happy people and very well organized.
congrats should be given on everyone’s parts.. especially the LAPD and the LAFD.. those are some seriously long hours those guys work. Yikes!
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:43 pmHey Meeko- Just 2 min. ago I found your blog- “Meeko’s Crumbs”, added it to my blogroll, and am in the middle of getting caught up on your life- welcome to Main St.!
Your pics of parade were good- just my luck my camera cradle was unplugged by mistake and battery dead, but there wasn’t as much to take pics of this year (thank goodness!).
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll be heading to your site to follow your biking journeys…
Eric
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 pmoh now the pressures on.. must bike more.
May 4th, 2008 at 4:22 am