QUICK FLASHES

PDX Police Brutality Victim gets Big Bucks

You may have seen in the November 10 Oregonian or the November 13 Portland Observer that a young woman was awarded $73,248 by a federal jury in a case of police brutality. Portland Officer Douglas Halpin hit 23 year old Ivory Spann with a baton in 1993 while breaking up a fight between her and an intoxicated neighbor. Spann called 911 to begin with.

As we have noted in these pages before, winning a lawsuit against an officer does not necessarily mean the incident will appear on their record, nor does it mean they will receive discipline or training. However, any public acknowledgment that incidents like these do occur and will not be tolerated sends a general message and, we hope, will help reduce police abuse.

Police Expand Presence in Convenience Marts

In a "Quick Flash" in PPR #10, we reported that a 7-Eleven store in Connecticut had set up a one-person police station. The February Rap Sheet reports that all eighteen 7-Eleven stores in Washington, DC have installed "police community network centers." National Association of Police Officers (NAPO) Executive Director Bob Scully "lauded the Southland Corporation, owner of the 7-Eleven chain for its efforts. 'It is initiatives like this, private industry working hand in hand with local law enforcement that is going to make a difference in our nation's streets.'" Not to mention the huge cutback in 7-Eleven's security budget...or the potential loss of donut revenue.

People's Police Report #11 Table of Contents
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