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Crystal Byrd Farmer| The Gaston Gazette

I had the privilege of attending the city of Gastonia Citizens Police Academy these past few weeks. Over several weeks, we got to see the inner workings of the Police Department and the types of situations our officers encounter on a daily basis.

We learned about traffic, crime scene investigation, SWAT, detective work, and street crimes. Every officer I met was professional, competent, and dedicated.

Im left with a deep respect for the work they do and the care they have for the city and its residents.

As a native Gastonian, I have been skeptical of the polices effectiveness and training. Since they patrol areas based on past calls for service, they frequently drive through my neighborhood in Highland. I also know that, based on 2019 and 2020 data, Gastonia police pull Black people over disproportionately compared to white people.

I believe the more often my neighbors and family members interact with police, the more they are at risk for being harmed.

Last year, during the protests against police brutality, I engaged the city about their use of force policies and the number of incidents involving use of force such as K-9s, tasers, and guns. The city was incredibly transparent, publishing all their policies on the city website and sending me statistical data on the use of force.

The good news is that, despite recent high profile incidents (Shae Jones and Joshua Rohrer), the police departments use of force is rare and rarely deadly. Officers receive training on de-escalation techniques and the use of force continuum so that the least amount of force necessary is applied. However, more can be done.

During my ride along with patrol, the officer was dispatched to two mental health calls and a loud noise complaint. Since none of these calls involved a crime, all the officer could do was talk to the people and leave. Instead of hours of training on weapons, police should have a mental toolbox of conflict resolution skills.

Their training on suspicious behavior should include behavioral differences due to ethnicity, language barriers, and disability, so that when they encounter someone, they correctly identify whether that person is a threat or not. Even if someone is violent toward them, officers are already trained to protect themselves and others without pulling their gun.

The officers who spoke to us had rarely fired or even pointed their guns at people.

Patrol officers use their people skills far more often than they use their weapons.

Police carrying guns are not the ones who should respond to the majority of calls in Gastonia. According to the LexisNexis Community Crime Map, most of the crimes in Gastonia are assault, larceny, and drug offenses. Instead of the police, community care teams should respond to calls involving those who have fallen through the social safety net.

Along with social service organizations, they can work with people to provide long-term solutions. The homeless need secure housing so they can find work and deal with addiction or mental health.

Domestic violence victims need counseling, income, and housing so they can leave those situations. People who use their fists instead of words need support to change behavior patterns.

Employers should ban the box so that felons can find work and rebuild their lives. I encourage communities to set up self-help networks to support our neighbors instead of calling the police on them.

I respect our police department, and I know our leaders are working on solutions that benefit everyone while keeping the city safe. Now that Ive had an inside view, I will continue to advocate for good pay and training for the police department while asking for strategic and long-term changes.

I encourage local residents to apply for the Citizens Police Academy when its held next year, and, if you are further interested in supporting public safety, join the Citizens on Patrol to work alongside the police. Together we can work toward a city that is safe and equitable.

Crystal Byrd Farmer is a resident of Gastonia.

More here:
Gastonia Police have earned respect for job they do - Gaston Gazette

Joe Malinconico, Tariq Zehawi and Nicholas Katzban| Paterson Press and NorthJersey.com

Raw Video: Fatal shooting at a home in Paterson

Raw Video: Fatal shooting at a home on Redwood Avenue in Paterson on Nov. 15, 2021

Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com

PATERSON A man and a woman suffered fatal gunshot wounds in what prosecutors are saying appears to have been ahomicide and suicide on Redwood Avenueon Monday morning, multiple public officials said.

The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office said Paterson police responded to the home on Redwood Avenue at about 7:15 a.m. to find the bodies of33-year-old Chacquese Barnesand her significant other, 34-year-old Julius McCutcheon, both residents of the city.

Investigators determined that McCutcheon appeared to have shot Barnes before taking his own life, prosecutors said.

The incident apparently stemmed from a domestic dispute, according tolaw enforcement sources.

While the investigation remains ongoing, prosecutors assured residents there is no threat to the community.

The killing raises the number of homicides in Paterson this year to 26. In 2020, Paterson endured its highest number of homicides in more than 30 years, with 27 people killed in the city.

Paterson Police Department Crime Scene Investigation was at the scene, and police blocked off the street between Doremus Street and Crosby Avenue. Medical examiners were also there.

Law enforcement sources and people who knew the victims said two children lived in the apartment with the couple a boy who is about 10 years old and a girl about 1.

Authorities said the children were not physically injured in the incident. Officials would not say exactly where the children were when the shootings happened. Authorities would not say who the children's parents were, but people who knew the victims said the deceased woman was their mother.

A man who described himself as a cousin of one of the victims said the woman was pregnant at the time she was killed.

"They were good people," said one neighbor who declined to give her name. "We don't know what happened."

Another woman who lived across the street from the crime scene said she often saw the two victims together in the summer. "This block is really quiet," the neighbor said. "We don't have this kind of commotion here."

Councilwoman Lilisa Mimms said she knew the couple through a mutual acquaintance.

"He was a hard worker and a very nice guy," Mimms said. "I'm shocked."

Law enforcement sources said there had been previous calls for police to come to the apartment because of domestic disputes. Sources said it appeared that the man shot the woman first and then turned the gun on himself.

While police were at the scene, a dispute erupted between people connected to the man and others associated with the woman, authorities said. Several people involved in the altercations were placed in handcuffs, sources said. Details were not available on whether anyone was charged with crimes involving those disputes.

A man was tackled by police andhandcuffed after he was seen pulling off his shirt and screaming that his brother was inside the house and hadjust gotten shot.

North Jersey crime: 'In a hurricane': Bergen killings underscore spike in domestic violence amid pandemic

Officials said an unusually high number of this year's homicides involved domestic disputes, which they attributed to tensions caused by the COVID pandemic.

Domestic violence has been linked to several homicides in North Jersey this fall, including the cases ofan Elmwood Park man allegedly killed by his ax-wielding grandson in mid-Octoberand a Washington Township woman allegedly stabbed to death by her live-in boyfriend later in the month.

The Passaic County Prosecutors Office urges anyone with information about the deaths to contact its tips line at 1 (877) 370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org, or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at (973) 321-1120.

Check back for more on this developing story.

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Two dead in apparent homicide and suicide in Paterson shooting - NorthJersey.com

I had the privilege of attending the city of Gastonia Citizens Police Academy these past few weeks. Over several weeks, we got to see the inner workings of the Police Department and the types of situations our officers encounter on a daily basis.

We learned about traffic, crime scene investigation, SWAT, detective work, and street crimes. Every officer I met was professional, competent, and dedicated.

Im left with a deep respect for the work they do and the care they have for the city and its residents.

As a native Gastonian, I have been skeptical of the polices effectiveness and training. Since they patrol areas based on past calls for service, they frequently drive through my neighborhood in Highland. I also know that, based on 2019 and 2020 data, Gastonia police pull Black people over disproportionately compared to white people.

I believe the more often my neighbors and family members interact with police, the more they are at risk for being harmed.

Last year, during the protests against police brutality, I engaged the city about their use of force policies and the number of incidents involving use of force such as K-9s, tasers, and guns. The city was incredibly transparent, publishing all their policies on the city website and sending me statistical data on the use of force.

The good news is that, despite recent high profile incidents (Shae Jones and Joshua Rohrer), the police departments use of force is rare and rarely deadly. Officers receive training on de-escalation techniques and the use of force continuum so that the least amount of force necessary is applied. However, more can be done.

During my ride along with patrol, the officer was dispatched to two mental health calls and a loud noise complaint. Since none of these calls involved a crime, all the officer could do was talk to the people and leave. Instead of hours of training on weapons, police should have a mental toolbox of conflict resolution skills.

Their training on suspicious behavior should include behavioral differences due to ethnicity, language barriers, and disability, so that when they encounter someone, they correctly identify whether that person is a threat or not. Even if someone is violent toward them, officers are already trained to protect themselves and others without pulling their gun.

Story continues

The officers who spoke to us had rarely fired or even pointed their guns at people.

Patrol officers use their people skills far more often than they use their weapons.

Police carrying guns are not the ones who should respond to the majority of calls in Gastonia. According to the LexisNexis Community Crime Map, most of the crimes in Gastonia are assault, larceny, and drug offenses. Instead of the police, community care teams should respond to calls involving those who have fallen through the social safety net.

Along with social service organizations, they can work with people to provide long-term solutions. The homeless need secure housing so they can find work and deal with addiction or mental health.

Domestic violence victims need counseling, income, and housing so they can leave those situations. People who use their fists instead of words need support to change behavior patterns.

Employers should ban the box so that felons can find work and rebuild their lives. I encourage communities to set up self-help networks to support our neighbors instead of calling the police on them.

I respect our police department, and I know our leaders are working on solutions that benefit everyone while keeping the city safe. Now that Ive had an inside view, I will continue to advocate for good pay and training for the police department while asking for strategic and long-term changes.

I encourage local residents to apply for the Citizens Police Academy when its held next year, and, if you are further interested in supporting public safety, join the Citizens on Patrol to work alongside the police. Together we can work toward a city that is safe and equitable.

Crystal Byrd Farmer is a resident of Gastonia.

Crystal Byrd Farmer receives a certificate for graduating the Gastonia Police Academy from Chief Travis Brittain as Assistant Chiefs Trent Conard and Nancy Brogdon watch on.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia Police have earned respect for job they do

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Gastonia Police have earned respect for job they do - Yahoo News

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Police from Arlington Heights responded about 7:50 p.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021 to a report to an undisclosed call possibly related to a suspicious incident or check for well-being near Arlington Heights Road and Rand Road in Arlington Heights.

At least 11 police units from Arlington Heights responded to the call, which may have originated near McDonalds, 1920 North Arlington Heights. The northbound lanes of Arlington Heights Road were blocked by police between Rand Road and Valley Lane.

No injuries were reported. Several witnesses reported someone may have been in handcuffs temporarily. Police appeared to be sorting out information available at the scene. There was no search for an at large suspect, and there was no crime scene investigation, no perimeter, and no extensive evidence collection at the scene.

During the on-scene investigation, a white, newer model Toyota RAV4 was stopped in the northbound lanes of Arlington Heights Road between the Northpoint Shopping Center driveway and Valley Lane. The driver of the Toyota was permitted to drive off on his own.

The scene was clear by about 8:35 p.m.

The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.

DEVELOPING IF CONTENT IS AVAILABLE

SEND A TIP! CARDINAL NEWS is seeking additional information about this case, please check out NotifyCardinalNews.com | Seeking Information About Police Activity Near Arlington Heights Road and Rand Rd Saturday Night October 23, 2021

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Police Activity at Arlington Heights Rd and Rand Rd Cleared by 8:35 p.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021 - arlingtoncardinal.com

Netflix premiered its first docu-series about one of South Koreas most prolific serial killers. The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea delved deep into the police investigation to apprehend Yoo Young-chul. As the three-episode docu-series used never before seen archival footage to detail Yoos horrific murder spree, it never fully explains his motives for killing.

The Raincoat Killer starts from the very beginning where police realize they have a serial killer on their hands who targeted the wealthy and prostitutes. While watching the series, viewers questioned why Yoos face was never revealed. Many felt the docu-series missed a few key markers into the mind of Yoos killer psyche.

The docu-series begins like any other. In the early 2000s, serial killers were still rare and few in South Koreas. In the countries history, there were not many that plagued fear in the streets. But, when the police catch wind of a break-in and murder case, it starts to unravel the dark and bloody path of what would become the countrys worst killer. The docu series begins with the murder of an elderly woman. At the time, the police force kept information to themselves and rarely cooperated with other precincts.

During the crime scene investigation, footprints were found at the scene. Piecing together the evidence, the police realized the same pattern appeared at other murder sites in other areas of Seoul. A majority of The Raincoat Killer entails the investigation that leads to Yoo Young-chul.

Police were left with no leads as they could not figure out the murder weapon used or if the victims had someone in common. They soon realized the perpetrator had a much bigger kill count than they expected. And by a stroke of luck, stumbled upon Yoo, the killer.

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By 2004, Yoo admitted to killing 20 victims, all of which were wealthy elderly and sex workers. The docu-series explain South Koreas economic problems at the time Yoo started killing. During Koreas financial crisis, the gap between social classes became bigger than ever before. According to The New York Post, one officer said, The rich got richer, and the poor got poorer.

The police attribute the financial crisis as part of the reason why Yoo targeted rich elderly victims. One of his first kills was a retired college professor and his wife in their home in 2003. But, The Raincoat Killer does not delve into Yoos anger toward the rich stemming from his childhood.

According to The Chosunilbo, Yoo grew up in a poor household. Yoo was also bullied by his peers because of his familys lack of money. As a child, he longed to live in an extravagant home like the one on his block. Yoos anger toward the rich only intensified during the crisis. Yoo soon switches to targeting sex workers as his victims.

In The Raincoat Killer, the police explain Yoo picked sex workers because of a failed relationship. Yoo also knew he could get rid of his victims and no one would notice. The Chosunilbo further explains, Yoo murdered women because of his lover betraying him, and he killed women who had similar jobs to his ex-lover out of a retaliatory spirit. The docu-series does not explain Yoos divorce from his wife and his past conviction for sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

RELATED: Inspector Koo: Promises Comedy, Crime Investigation, and Young Serial Killer in Netflix Trailer

Fans on social media were confused why the docu-series never revealed Yoos face. There is a reason for this. Besides keeping the secretive allure of a mass serial killer, authorities never showed Yoos face to the public after his arrest. The detectives took Yoo to the location where he buried his victims. Because of the mass media coverage, the detectives needed to cover his face.

A detective in the docu-series explained he had a mask and hat sitting on his desk and made Yoo wear it before leaving the precinct. Throughout the investigation, the police had no idea about Yoos identity or how he looked. Even Google searches only come up with one image of Yoos face. It was during his younger years with Yoo wearing a suit and tie in a portrait.

The docu-series raised fan reactions when a video of Yoos walk out of the precinct showed an officer kicking one of the victims mothers when she tried to take off his hat. Even today, police have never revealed a photo of Yoo. The reasoning behind never releasing Yoos face to the public is still unknown.

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'The Raincoat Killer': Does Not Explain Yoo Young-Chul's Backstory and Why His Face Was Never Revealed - Showbiz Cheat Sheet