Crime In The Heights

[TGM]

Fake xenon bulbs in getaway car, use of revolvers, poetic, floral hold-up language......must resist...must resist...

In all seriousness, this is a dangerous situation and I hope these douchebags get caught before someone is injured. I'm good for a carton of American Spirits for the cellmate who whispers "delicate flower" into the ear of the tried, convicted, and sentenced robber.

[KinkaidAlum]

Not only stop the donations but investigate that school for cheating standardized tests if this is a representative sampling.  Thankfully the initial post was made right after the incident to alert the rest of us.  I was out with my vehicle and got the alert on my phone, but often we are on foot coming from the local spots.  You'd have her wait so I could get nailed too, just so she doesn't offend your phony sensitivities.  And wtf does Trayvon Martin have to do with racial profiling?  Racism perhaps, but as any HISD grad would know, racial profiling is a systematic law enforcement tool.  And then to quote a neighbor who started a separate thread the next day?  You got hosed on the tuition.

 

Sorry to hear you couldn't get in. 

 

If the initial post was to alert neighbors, then she should have just stuck to what she KNEW, that there were two shortish men in hoodies who robbed them at gunpoint. 

 

And are you really so unaware that minorities feel racially profiled by more than just law enforcement? When Cindy at Banana Republic follows you around the store to make sure you're not shop lifting just because you're black, Cindy is racially profiling. When an air marshall arrests you upon landing just because you're SE Asian and happen to be sitting next to Middle Eastern men who cause "suspicion" because they go to the restroom too many times, then you've been racially profiled. When you're a teenage kid in a hoodie walking home and a neighborhood nutjob kills you simply for being the wrong color in the wrong place, then yeah, you've been racially profiled. If you can't figure out what the Trayvon case and racial profiling have to do with each other, then I am not so sure you should be making fun of others for their lack of education.

 

Now, all let all you white guys and gals go back to lecturing others on racism and racial profiling so that you'll feel better that you're not racist.

[TGM]

Now, all let all you white guys and gals go back to lecturing others on racism and racial profiling so that you'll feel better that you're not racist.

What do you mean by you white guys?

No need to lecture when I just attended one, Prof.

[Marksmu]

When minorities, especially darker ones in hoodies, stop committing the lion share of all violent crimes, profiling will stop on its own.  But the sad reality is that a disproportionately high number of violent crime and murder is committed by minorities with a darker complexion.  If you believe people are racist for being aware of this fact, fine.  Personally, I do not care at all what you, or any other flaming liberal thinks.  Statistics are a valid means of catching more people.  If a person, no matter what color, looks out of place somewhere they get harassed by the HPD.  The HPD may not be polite, but if you are not up to no good, then you will be let go.

 

I was harassed by HPD for being white and out very early back during the Heights arsons.  They suspected it was a white guy setting those fires...I was pulled over by an overly aggressive rude HPD officer doing his job...he harassed me for upwards of 20 minutes.  I was annoyed, but life goes on. 

 

 

[kylejack]

When minorities, especially darker ones in hoodies, stop committing the lion share of all violent crimes, profiling will stop on its own.  But the sad reality is that a disproportionately high number of violent crime and murder is committed by minorities with a darker complexion.  If you believe people are racist for being aware of this fact, fine.  Personally, I do not care at all what you, or any other flaming liberal thinks.  Statistics are a valid means of catching more people.  If a person, no matter what color, looks out of place somewhere they get harassed by the HPD.  The HPD may not be polite, but if you are not up to no good, then you will be let go.

 

I was harassed by HPD for being white and out very early back during the Heights arsons.  They suspected it was a white guy setting those fires...I was pulled over by an overly aggressive rude HPD officer doing his job...he harassed me for upwards of 20 minutes.  I was annoyed, but life goes on. 

 

Sounds like you were detained without probable cause, which is illegal. If someone matches an actual description of a suspected criminal, fine, detain them and determine if they're the person, but there's no need to racial profile just on a general basis.

[Marksmu]

Sounds like you were detained without probable cause, which is illegal. If someone matches an actual description of a suspected criminal, fine, detain them and determine if they're the person, but there's no need to racial profile just on a general basis.

 

I've had plenty of time to cool off since the incident.  I was stopped for about 23-25 minutes...It was an inconvenience, but nothing more.  It sucked b/c I left early for a reason, and that was all negated with the lengthy stop, but I don't believe the stop amounted to detainment.

 

Profiling is not a bad policy.  It catches criminals.  Racial, Religious, Crime Specific, etc.  If the person that is being looked for matches a description and there is any pretext for a stop, then its just going to happen.  The cop that pulled me found 2 different reasons to "stop" me (both trivial), but did not cite me for anything.  He just wanted to be a hero.

 

When crimes stop being committed by people who like alike, there will be no need for profiling - but frisking an 80 year old black granny at the airport, while you search for a 23 year middle eastern male is just stupid....it wastes everyone's time.

[SilverJK]

assuming the other posters on here are white is quite racist.  You are profiling the anonymous posters on the internet...  At least the lady in question saw the assailants.

 

 

 

[Marksmu]

assuming the other posters on here are white is quite racist.  You are profiling the anonymous posters on the internet...  At least the lady in question saw the assailants.

 

says the cracka! 

[SilverJK]

I'm Slavic, Native American, Creole, and various anglo groups.  Or as implied earlier... white devil.

[fwki]

... white devil.

 

You must be from Piney Point Village...

 

According to the 2010 census for Piney Point Village there were 3,125 people, 1,064 households and 945 families. 377 families had children under 18 in their household. Whites compromise 85.1% of the population, 11.0% are Asian, 4.5% Hispanic, and 1.7% African American.

 

And also home of The Kincaid School for the Color Blind.

[TGM]

... white devil.

You must be from Piney Point Village...

Whites compromise 85.1% of the population, 11.0% are Asian, 4.5% Hispanic, and 1.7% African American.

The 11.0% Asians are probably married to white males, the 4.5% Hispanics are actually Spaniards, or Catalans, and the 1.7% African-Americans are actually old white refugee farmers that still talk about the good old days back in Rhodesia.

[cj1]

Sounds like you were detained without probable cause, which is illegal. If someone matches an actual description of a suspected criminal, fine, detain them and determine if they're the person, but there's no need to racial profile just on a general basis.

 

I thought the police could detain you for up to 48 hours without arrest while they are reasonably investigating a crime, if they believe you are involved or have information. He seemed to match the description of a white guy burning down houses in the early morning. IANAL though, so correct me if I am wrong.

[RedScare]

Short answer. You are wrong.

[TGM]

Which is why everyone, even those who ride in the back of chaffeur-driven embassy limos should know their rights, and appropriate demeanor for situations such as these. My guess is the Constitutional scholar or holier than thou taxpayer approaches don't help matters.

I always found this video funny and disturbing at the same time.

http://youtu.be/eDJrQBwJpqk

Edited May 10, 2013 by TGM

[kylejack]

I thought the police could detain you for up to 48 hours without arrest while they are reasonably investigating a crime, if they believe you are involved or have information. He seemed to match the description of a white guy burning down houses in the early morning. IANAL though, so correct me if I am wrong.

 

With probable cause to believe you committed a crime, they can detain you. Matching a description may be enough for probable cause. What he described seemed to be matching a race, not matching a particular description, but it is moot as MarkSMU said the cop had other legitimate reasons to stop him (broken taillight or whatever).

[heights]

With probable cause to believe you committed a crime, they can detain you. Matching a description may be enough for probable cause. What he described seemed to be matching a race, not matching a particular description, but it is moot as MarkSMU said the cop had other legitimate reasons to stop him (broken taillight or whatever).

 

You may be detained by police based on reasonable suspicion, which is a lesser burden of proof than probable cause.  An officer acting on reasonable suspicion does not have to allege that you have have actually committed some crime.   If you are simply being detained, you need not answer any questions or provide any information.  If MarkSMU was driving around in the area at a very early hour and matched the description of the arson suspect, that would probably be sufficient reasonable suspicion to justify a detention (traffic stop).

 

Probable cause is the burden of proof required for an arrest.  If MarkMSU had no front license plate, failed to signal a turn, or committed some other traffic violation, then that is probable cause for the officer to make an arrest.  Most traffic stops are based on probable cause, and they may result in a citation (arrest and release with promise to appear in court) or a trip to jail (custodial arrest).  The Supreme Court has ruled that if an officer feels that a person's actions are suspicious, the officer may follow the person until the person commits some sort of traffic violation thereby giving probable cause for a traffic stop.  This is called a "pretext" stop.

 

Even though a traffic stop is really just a detention, which only requires that an officer have reasonable suspicion, most officers will wait until they observe some sort of violation so that they have met the probable cause burden.  It's a little bit easier to explain probable cause than it is reasonable suspicion. 

 

Another reason they will usually wait to develop probable cause it that if you are stopped for some violation / probable cause, then you are technically "lawfully arrested" and you must provide your name, date of birth, and residence address.

 

Red, does that sound about right?

Edited May 11, 2013 by heights

[RedScare]

That sounds pretty good. The part about MarkSMU driving around at an early hour matching the description of the suspect being eligible for a detention stop is a bit shaky. If he REALLY fit the description, this may be OK. However, a generalized description of a "white male", or even a "white male in a pickup" is not really specific enough to justify a stop. A safer practice, as you noted, is to simply wait for the person to commit a traffic violation before stopping them.

[TGM]

Any updates on our pearl-handled revolver packing, Mercedes driving robbers?

I have a feeling this is going to end up with a duel in the Spaghetti Western parking lot.

Edited May 12, 2013 by TGM

[mkultra25]

Any updates on our pearl-handled revolver packing, Mercedes driving robbers?

I have a feeling this is going to end up with a duel in the Spaghetti Western parking lot.

 

[kylejack]

You may be detained by police based on reasonable suspicion, which is a lesser burden of proof than probable cause.

 

Right, mea culpa.

[august948]

Saw this article in the Chron the other day...

Free gun initiative begins in Houston neighborhood

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Free-gun-initiative-begins-in-Houston-neighborhood-4588825.php

I'm not familiar with Oak Forest and it's crime rate, but this reminded me of an ordinance that Kennesaw, GA, in the Atlanta area, passed back in the eighties. The Kennesaw ordinance required the head of household to own a workable firearm and ammuntion. I don't believe they actually enforce the ordinance, but there was a lot of publicity about it and the city claims it reduced crime rates to below average for the county.

Edited June 11, 2013 by august948

[Texasota]

Treating Oak Forest as a neighborhood with a "high crime rate" says a lot about this initiative. The article mentions "a recent rash of driveway robberies and home burglaries," which, while obviously not good, does not suggest a generally high crime area. 

 

Let's see these guys in Sunnyside or Fifth Ward. Or hell, even Third Ward. 

 

Why do get the feeling that there might be a more ...demographic reason for choosing this neighborhood?

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Garden-Oaks-Houston-TX.html

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Same thought I had. Why aren't they passing out shotguns in the Fifth Ward or Sunnyside? According to that recent poll, aren't those the most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston?

I'd love to be given a free shotgun, bring it!

[RedScare]

Gun nuts believe guns are needed for protection from black people, not in the hands of black people. But, at least they are teaching the moms to handle the shotguns. That is more training than the majority of gun nuts have ever had. Maybe these moms won't end up dead when their 6 year old finds the gun, like I seem to read every week.

[TGM]

It's only a matter of time before these f@|<-heads bleed out from messing with the wrong person.

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2013/09/robbers-in-halloween-masks-strike-2-heights-businesses/?cmpid=hpbn

[Howard Huge]

It's only a matter of time before these f@|<-heads bleed out from messing with the wrong person.

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2013/09/robbers-in-halloween-masks-strike-2-heights-businesses/?cmpid=hpbn

Let them try to jack me, I swear I will be on the news and they will be in the morgue.

[J008]

Pretty amazing considering there is a police substation across the street.

 

Althought I don't think they ever caught the armored car attackers either who has a shoot out across the street at Kroger a couple years ago.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8481285

 

[Marksmu]

Getting bolder and bolder every day.  That is not even a 1/4 mile from the police station.  If HPD does not step it up somebody is going to get murdered in one of these robberies. 

[Subdude]

Note a broader discussion has been split and moved.

Link:

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/28874-crime-and-inequality/#entry435733

[Heightsite]

Posted on NextDoor......

Neighbors,

This weekend, a man walking along the bike path @ Oxford and White Oak was carrying a plastic bag, removing items and periodically tossing them into the grass along the path. Checking the contents of what he was throwing, it was two large patties of large ground beef.

Have no way to confirm, but suspect the meat is laced with poison...especially since there have been reports of poisonings in the area lately. Police and SPCA were alerted.

Man was 50ish, 5'7" to 5'9", Caucasian or Hispanic, jet black hair (dyed?) with balding area on top of his head.