Be A Sheep, Encourage The Wolves
By Greg L | 7 August 2007 | Crime | 75 Comments
If you’re interested in a sure-fire way of encouraging gangs to run rampant in Prince William County, here’s a sure-fire way: ignore violence. Don’t call the police. Don’t try to rescue anyone. Just let the gang beat the stuffing out of it’s victims, and sit there like a good little sheep and think to yourself that the wolves didn’t choose you as the main course this time. From the Manassas Journal-Messenger:
The teenage cousin wasn’t with them at McDonald’s that night, but a different cousin was — he ran inside to ask the employees at the restaurant to call 911.
“I was hit with bats, a bottle,” Tate said. They just attacked me, some 20 or 30 people punched me in my right eye, they kept punching me and hitting me knocked me to the ground.”
“We all was scared, but we had to fight for our life right there and nobody was going to help us,” Williams said. “I had to pray my way through it, hoping I’d get to the car.”
The police never showed and it was not clear if anyone inside the restaurant ever called 911.
Surrender is such a great American value.
If I encounter someone who didn’t even have the meager courage to even call the police when someone was being attacked, it would take all of the restraint I could possibly muster not to stuff them into a toilet somewhere. Someone who does absolutely nothing when faced with this sort of outrage is a waste of humanity. I hope every bystander to this incident is having a long discussion with their conscience and learning something really important.
I don’t expect everyone to jump into the fray and defend the victims here. I don’t expect everyone to have a concealed carry permit and decide to draw on these miscreants. Everyone has to make their own decision about what they can do, and what they need to do based on their abilities, what tools they have available, and the circumstances.
But who couldn’t have even whipped out a cell phone and called the police?
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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I wouldn’t be surprised if the police were called and they didn’t show up before the incident was over. The response time of the County police is disgraceful.
They need to pull the tapes from that night and see if the police were called or not. If they were, their response time should be looked at. If they weren’t then shame on those employee’s of McDonalds. It could be someone in their family next. Wouldn’t you want someone to help them?
I sure as hell wouldn’t draw down my gun on some punks in a gang nowadays in this area, especially if they were Hispanic. In this Hispanic boot licking, non-enforcement of laws area they would most assuredly arrest ME for drawing my weapon before they would arrest anyone who was involved in the crime. Dealing with the gangs coming after you for retribution is also a concern these days. Nuts to that. Until I see positive enforcement against these cretins by the police then I am not risking my neck just to have them chop it off for trying to help. I’m sure most people in there either felt like me or were just too scared to do anything.
On this note, another US Border Patrol agent was arrested and charged with murder for shooting and killing an illegal Mexican who tried to attack him with a rock. Where will the madness end?
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55442
I must say in Westgate, the PWCPD, have a pretty good response time, at least in the last week. I’ve called Non-Emergency number twice, they were here in about 7 minutes.
We’ve got squatters, in a foreclosed property, the sqautters used to live there. Last night about 8pm they were back with box truck, 2pickups, and a minivan, they came and took the fridge, washer, and dryer that I saw. They still haven’t taken their Che Guavara poster down though.The squatters drive my this house at least ten times a day, that I see. Sometimes, they’ll get out of the car, go in the house and leave in about five minutes. Oh yeah, they also spent last night there. I see no need to call the police on this house until, the bank can be contacted and told what’s going on there. Until, that time, the county has no victim. I understand they need a victim. Legal citizens on my block are victims in my book. We have to watch this crap almost everyday at this house. It’s not our house, just our COMMUNITY!!!! There are too many houses owned by the banks, and I doubt this is the only house where this sort of stuff is going on. However, I will still call the police. This lawlessness must stop.
I doubt anyone called the police at that McD’s, most of us have cell phones, get them out and call 911. We must let these thugs know we care about are community and restoring the law and order.
corr
squatters drive BY this house…
I would have called, that is just crazy. It could have been anyones mother, father, brother, sister,child, etc. I think people forget that and have the attitude of ‘”it won’t happen to me”
I wonder if the Mcdonalds in question is the one in front of Westgate / Global Food?
I should have read the article first, I see it was in Dale City. Still, PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE SURROUNDINGS for themselves and for the sake of others!
Another factor is contributing to this non-involvement. ‘No policia’ is a big issue in the hispanic community if illegal immigrants are involved. Why call attention to yourself if you are not legal?
As I see it, this ‘no policia’ mentality is creating an underbelly of vigilante crime in our community. There is an entire sub-culture of ‘What happens in Manassas stays in Manassas.’ Well……the OTHER Manassas. The Manassas we only see from the outside.
Kids are not quite as careful what they say as adults are. This situation happens ALL the time. Families handle the issue. If your daughter/sister/wife is violated, it is handled. Not by the ‘policia’ but by los hombres of the community. Sort of makes gang violence a little more understandable when put in this context. Not acceptable…understandable.
redawn
McD’s at the other end. I think this would play at the same way at most McD’s in the county.
Lafayette,
Please explain to us why the cops would not do anything in the case you described. This seems like a good way to live for free. Maybe I should let my house go into foreclosure. I can then just live here for free and save myself some big bucks each month. My neighbors would just say I live there.
Well, last night was round two with PWPD at this house. The police couldn’t do anything last night, because one of the squatters still had a VA Driver’s License with that address, mail in the mailbox with his name on it so it was OK. So, therefore it made it OK for them to remove the chattels from the house. Just, remember there more than likely had not been a mortgage payment made in about 4 months prior to sale, and then 2 months of squatting after the sale. We all need to be aware of these houses(vacant and foreclosed), this is an open invitation for criminal activity of all types. Most of these house are UNSECURED!!!
Also, about five neighbors watched this happen(both times), and did nothing at all. However, once the PWCPD came they all wanted to know what happened?? Yet, they only wanted to sit back and watch this crap happen before their very eyes.Hmmmm
We must have CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT!!!
Layfayette,
I think that you have the right idea and contact the bank.
People are scared when it comes to this. Many of these “squatters” are criminals or gang members and people are afraid that these criminals will take revenge out on them for being what they consider a nuisance. I for one am very leery about honking my horn or generating too much ruckus in my neighborhood for fear of having my property damaged or being attacked. I have a conceal/carry permit and don’t ever want to be put in a position where I have to use my gun to stave off 5 illegal gang members from attacking me, because I know the police will arrest me and not them in this current political environment!
I love what you are doing and respect you for fighting the good fight Lafayette, but you REALLY need to be careful when dealing with these people. It is much safer in numbers so maybe HSM needs to start scheduling mass rallies in some of these troubled areas which will shine the light on these cockroaches and protect individuals like you from retribution. If the local government has to deal with HSM rallying in areas where squatters are destroying things then maybe they will start cracking down. If Mayor Jones and the MP city council look out their windows to 500 HSM members holding signs that say, “do your jobs and enforce the law” then maybe they might get the hint? This is not something that a few people can do working as individuals. HSM needs to get more active and start rallying the folks where the problems are.
This all reminds me of a folk song by Phil Ochs from the 1960s!
It don’t mean anything to anybody outside of a small circle of friends . . .
Park’d
I think you make a very important point about personal safety.
When I was growing up, the story of Kitty Genovese was circulated everywhere to illustrate the sin of non-involvement. For you youngsters, Kitty Genovese was murdered in front of many witnesses. No one stepped in to help her or called the cops because they didn’t want to get involved.
‘Apathy’ was the buzz word. Big slogan: Get off your apathy. Well…..it isn’t without risk. Ifr you take action, you risk your life, your name is taken and becomes a matter of public record, you can be targetted for retribution, and you can end up being tied up in court for days. Conversely, if you do nothing…the bad guys win.
If I saw something going down at McDonalds or anywhere else, nowadays, I would leave and THEN call the police. No guts and glory here with this home girl. If I am old enough to remember Kitty Genovese, I am to old to be fighting the fight.
correction: to = too old
Lafayette,
The driver’s license doesn’t give you the right to occupy a house does it? The logic of Prince William’s finest seems somewhat flawed. I could do an address change…give your address, and move right on in? Would you as the owner have anything to say about this?
Was the person with the driver’s license the owner of the house at any time? If you call the property ‘gods’ of Prince William, who is listed as the home owner on that given address? Is this information available ‘after hours?’ If not, it should be.
Are there ordinances now about squatting? Seems like a good idea in light of all the foreclosures.
It sounds like we all might need to be jamming the switch boards of our supervisor. Please advise what we should do.
Many years ago I was a security guard for Vance International working in Crystal City. When a crime was committed, we would call the police and they would show up on the scene and speak to witnesses. Without fail, if the cleaning crew (made up of mostly KNOWN illegal Hispanics) they refused to be a witness because they were afraid that either a) they would be deported for being here illegally, or b) they were intimadated by the police because of what they were used to in the home country.
My guess is that the employees at the McDonald’s are of Hispanic origin and share the same fears as the cleaning crew did in my example based on first-hand experience. Just like Pakistani’s refuse to cooperate with the govt because of what they are used to “at home”, so it seems with the Hispanic community and the police. It is time that we educate these people that they ARE NO LONGER in their home country, they are in AMERICA now, and we have something that they are not used to, freedom.
IF it turns out that THERE WERE NO 911 calls made from the employees at that McDonald’s, then word needs to get out and Tate needs to sue THEM as accessories. Bad things ALWAYS happen when good people do nothing. Now, if it was the fault of the PWCPD, which would not surprise me either, then heads need to roll. Either way, a HORRIBLE thing happend to Tate and justice needs to be served.
JL
Someone must be held accountable for this McD’s incident.
Justice is a tough thing to come by these days all time. This should serve as a wake up call. This incident could’ve have take place at business, where loitering seems to be the norm.
Lafayette,
I agree. To me, you are JUST as guilty if you sit by and do nothing OR receive a call for help and chose not to. My mom (she is in her 70s) called the police (NOT PWC) one night to report that a man was being beaten up in her street. Mind you, she lives in a very safe neighborhood so this was HIGHLY unusual. Well, the 911 operator asked her, “Are they posing a direct threat to YOU???” When mom replied in the negative, they refused to send a police car. Mom’s mistake…they identified the attackers as 2 Hispanic males (I THINK the victim was Hispanic as well, do not recall).
Do you folks REALLY think the PWCPD would not respond to a 9-1-1 call? If the call goes into the system, it is answered. Period. No matter where or when it is, a response is mandated.
If its a 9-1-1 call, they will pull officers from other calls to answer it. Have a little more faith in the people who risk their lives everyday for this community while you sit here blogging.
Laffayette, if the police show up and the person has a VALID State of Virginia OL showing that house as his address as well as mail in the box showing that is his address, what would you have them do? Absent a bank representative standing there - with proper court documentation showing the bank now owns the house - there is nothing the police can do to prevent the person from going into “his” house. They have no legal options unless there is evidence to the contrary.
The loitering is a big big problem around here. Another problem is huge groups converging on stores like 7-11, McDonalds, etc. And before anyone starts in, it is NOT just hispanics.
How many of these establishments have total parking lot surveillance? Do we want to frequent establishments that do not have cameras in the lots?
Perhaps surveillance equipment could become part of the business license.
As I rapidly approach geezerhood, I am mighty careful about where I go and who is out and about when I drive up to an establishment. Some healthy suburban paranoia is not a bad thing when it comes to safety.
I think it is time to put the squeeze on businesses to upgrade equipment. If I were a thug, I sure wouldnt want to go hang out in a parking lot that had full electronic surveillance. As for the expense, well…thats the cost of doing business in Prince William County.
While I am expounding….security guards need to be in all these shopping centers, especially behind them. All sorts of nefarious behavior goes on behind shopping centers in broad daylight.
Recently a house in Point Of Woods was occupied by a group of Latinos after being foreclosed on. Neighbors called MCPD and a raid followed. As far as I know that took care of that problem.
I know that if this was visibly taking place in my neighborhood I would be in constant contact with the MCPD and city council demanding action, and they would respond!
In Falls Church (Broyhill Park) a group of Latinos under similar circumstances went into the house and stripped it of all fixtures and copper plumbing pipes.
The house was listed for auction announcing “no fixtures”.
Imagine if it had been your rental property…
What do you think that did for the value of the homes on that block?
If you check the Internet for foreclosure listings you will find many listings that declare “no fixtures”. Why is that?
“Foreclures up in Fairfax five fold”.
Prince William statistics to be updated soon!
Re McD:
Perhaps someone should be filing a lawsuit against the store?????
Has anyone visited the McD’s near the airport on Friday or Saturday night lately? It’s like a little Mexico City.
I was at the BK for the “car show” last summer and there were known MS-13 gang members gathered in the corner of the lot. A PWCPD officer identified them to me and said I should reconsider visiting that function. PD cleared the lot because there was a report this group was armed.
Be very aware of your surroundings!
Justbelegal,
It seems to me that PWCPD needs immediate access to foreclosure information and eviction notices. I don’t care what kind of driver’s license a person has, if you have been evicted, you shouldn’t live there.
Additionally, what is to prevent me from putting in a change of address with DMV to that address and moving right on in? The bank is out of state…way out of state. This is absentee landlordism at its most extreme. Who is the watchdog here? Obviously not the county, judging from what I have seen in this neighborhood. Obviously not the mortgage company, which is in bum-blank wherever.
Instead of acting like we are all alarmists, give us some solutions. How do we prevent squatting and stealing?
Dolph
Have you gone to DMV yet? Make sure you pick a better address than over here.-lol
Foreclosed properties are also in the nice, new, and even gated communities. Make sure you have your friends and family send some mail to that new address too, and you should be left alone. At, least that how it’s going over here.
Many thanks to person who gave me a phone number for the bank that owns the property. Hopefully, they don’t want these squatters there, and are willing to be the VICTIM they are.
JL
I’m sorry to hear that story with your mom. You know as well as I do, these ignorances are happening daily. I know of one lady asked the dispatcher”What should I do, go out there and break the fight up myself”. Her response was “would you mind?”. I’ve heard way too many similar stories.
Here’s one for ya..from the days gone by Baltimore band “Evicted” by Child’s Play.
How do the police or anyone else in the neighborhood KNOW that a house has been foreclosed on? I know Lafayette deals in the business, but the police certainly can’t take HER word for it. Unless the property is posted, how is an outsiders supposed to know?
justbelegalfirst
I think I’ve stated earlier. I understand they don’t have a victim. How would like to see this going on next door to your mom? Or diagonal from you, your spouse, and three teenaged daughters lived?
That is why I’m very pleased to have gotten the phone number for the owner(Bank in San Diego), so now maybe the PWCPD will have a VICTIM.
ANON
Yes, others know, they read the legal notice of the Trustees Sale, in the Washington Post, with a sale date of 6/5/07 at the courthouse. I also had a copy of the recorded Trustee’s Deed, and the print out from the Assesment Office, both clearly listing the bank as the owner. I don’t see this as a fault of the PD, but rather just another way laws can be broken, and very little if anything can be done.
I applaud the quickness and the response to my call. However, this is very difficult to handle when it’s next door to your mom, and diagonal from where you and spouse are raising children.
Copy of Deed was looked at by officers at the first visit, and they now have the above mentioned items. However, last night it was a different story, someone that time had a matching address, although they’ve been squatting the last couple of months.
Banks, need to file unlawful detainers, at the time the foreclosure on these properties, and they would be forced to vacate.
Lafayette - you know, you and I could have a posting of nothing but songs from the “good old days” and without posting any other words, get our point across!! lol
By the way, wasn’t there a group by the name of “Brand X” or something like that which did a song back in the 70s called “Dance of the Illegal Aliens”???
You are exactly right again, 1979. WOW, you’re good. The songs are endless, I’ve about thousand that come to mind.
Anon,
That is sort of my point…the police should be able to access this information. As there are more and more foreclosures, squatters will be an increasingly big problem. Foreclosures are a matter of public record as are evictions.
This data needs to be electronically coordinated so that the police can simply make a phone call. If we need additional, more sophisticated software, then it needs to be budgeted. The foreclosure issue has been on every news shows for months. You do not have to be a stock guru to be aware of this phenomena. If we need additional ordinances to ensure that squatters don’t stay in houses that have foreclosed, then we need to do that also.
Let’s give the PWCPD the tools they need to protect us and our communities.
With a guy like Deane at the helm? Puhleeze.
While we are on the subject of first responders…I would like to give some kudos to Stonewall Jackson Fire Dept. My million year old dog somehow got up under my front porch. He was howling and carrying on. Stuck. Too old, deaf and blind to find his way back out.
I was panic-stricken and home alone. Animal Control hooked me up with SJFD and they came over immediately and got the dog out. A little above and beyond the call of duty, don’t you think?
I went all Dumbledore for a minute and thought of all the pictures of old…of firemen rescuing cats from trees. I am very appreciative to them.
Dolph - there is no method for the police to obtain that information about home foreclosures unless each bank notified the police department and that won’t happen. It would be a lot easier if the bank had the former resident served with “no trespassing” notices along with the foreclosure notices. The bank would then have some representative to be the face of the “victim”.
The Sheriff’s department of any County deal with evictions because it is a civil matter. No police department in Virginia is permitted to enforce that type of civil paperwork, it is outside of their law enforcement or legal scope of duties.
Justbelegalfirst
What about the banks filing an unlawful deatainer when the foreclosure sale happens at the courthouse? Wouldn’t that help with removing the squatters through the Sheriff’s department?
I really do understand the PD’s hands are tied.
Wouldn’t this concern you, if it were happening where three generations of your family was living in two houses? I really concerns me.
corr
IT really concerns me. This is very frustrating to me, and my family. Our (legal citizens) hands are tied too. This week it’s appliances being removed, so what’s next week prostitution? Will that be ok too?
Layfayette,
Something needs to be done. It is bad enough we are dealing with the foreclosures but stipping the applainces, etc. just lowers the values and COMPS in OUR hood/pockets!
It was so nice to get away to the beach, I may need to go back~I enjoyed getting my coffee there every morning @ the
7-11 with no loitering day workers! I even made mention of it in the 7-11 and had people cracking up and AGREEING
Layfayette,
that was me, redawn(above) I can usually comment and it keeps my screen name…hmm, not sure why it is not letting me?
There’s a blue truck in the driveway right now. I guess, I will just sit back, and watch these squatters do their thing. This is really happening now. This is just great!
another thought:
The banks need to protect themselves. They should change thier policy and file a “no tresspasing’ order on the owner being foreclosed on.
Do they have lights on in the house?
No? So they have to start a fire? what happens if they are injured or worse?
What are they going to do if the house burns down?
It seems to me it would again a health issue as well as safety, where are they using the bathroom, what about the trash they are leaving behind?
Is there a lock box on the house yet? If so they are breaking and entering.
* trespassing, I am done for the day, T.I.R.E.D and sorry
No lock box. Sliding door unlocked. One truck got away, and one did not. They have several huge bags of trash on back deck, they’ve been there awhile now. Zoning is now aware of this trash(just today). There aren’t any lights at this property, but the other foreclosed property on the corner has lights on.
Maybe these banks will start to realize that making loans to illegal aliens isn’t a good policy?
Sewage and water not hooked up, electricity not hooked up. That has to be a health dept violation. Are kids in this place? Has social services been called? How about an ordinance that fines the lender a couple of grand daily for every day a house is unsecured and occupied.
I guess I just become amazed when nothing can be done about situations like this. I shouldnt be. Back in the 70’s I owned a townhouse in one of our more illustrious neighborhoods. When that place turned cess pool, you couldn’t sell your house. You were stuck.
We used to call and find out who the owner was and write them rather stern letters, including pictures if necessary. Of course the lenders aren’t looking at these properties as investments, just as white elephants and albatrosses.
correction…sewer, not sewage
Lafayette - thank you again for the compliment. At what point does the electricity get turned off in a foreclosed house?
I don’t know. NOVEC, is usually pretty quick to cut the power off. However, this property(with lights), is listed with a real estate agent, and there’s not a for sale sign. I’m guessing the realtor is paying NOVEC. The Trustee’s Deed to the bank was recorded 1/5/07. The three families living there vacated property just before Christmas, Trustee’s sale was on 1/2/07.
This house had grass 5-6 feet tall before it mowed this season. Due process, you know.
Now the banks aren’t present to be a victim.
The banks need to file unlawful detainers when the Trustee’s Sale is held. This keeps the squatters away.
Well, I can’t help myself “HELL’S BELLS”(AC/DC)-LOL
Hi Layfayette !!! Normally, most banks have a company go in and secure the premises, turn the electricity off, water off, lock-up and secure the premises, lock-box, notice on the door, etc. I work in the same office with one of the Commissioners of Accounts for PWC and there are at least a hundred of foreclosure accountings coming in per month !!!! The banks and security companies they use probably cannot keep up. The other thing that comes to mind is possibly they might be afraid to deal with the squatters. You have the Trustee’s Deed showing the transfer. However, the unlawful detainer would need to be filed by the new owner whether it be a bank or an individual. Tough situation.
Had to pay a little visit to PWCBOS meeting. I heard Neighborhood Services, give a Quarterly Report. NS, reported, they’d had 267 unfounded complaints. I told them of an incident, where the resident had pictures of the violation, and stated this when call Zoning. She watched PCE inspector, go to 9701 when the complaint was called in against 9700. Also, same inspector claimed, the light post over the gas line had been removed by owner, and it had not. Pictures, to prove this too. Basically, he called the concerned citizen a liar. NS, also indicated residents weren’t willing to testify. I disagree, I always let them know I have pictures, and give permission for PCE to take picture if they need to, and i am very willing to testify. They like to blow that comment off. We need to watch PCE to make sure they are truly inspecting violations, and that they are going to the correct house. I don’t think this is happening in all cases. However, these 2 incidents, involved the same inspector. We the citizens are spending much of our time, following up on violations, calling them in, and making sure PCE goes to the right address.
ddpdrinker
It’s an all out heartbreaking sitution. We’ve got several original owners around here, and we must watch this happen. One couple, 99 & 96, imagine what they must be thinking. I’m hoping some communication with HSBC Bank will take place soon, and they will want their property secured and protected from more missing fixtures, squatting, etc.. I’m exhausted over this house, and the activity surrounding it over the last 24 hours.
We both know there’s plenty of Foreclosure title searches to be done.
How long before owners file Bankruptcy, to keep their house?
MY 10:36 post
to John Light,
shhhh don’t give them any more ideas.
dpdrinker
I don’t think you can file an unlawful detainer as a new owner for the squatters. I think that UD is limited to the time and people previously engaged with the foreclosure. However, once the foreclosure proceedings have commenced, and eviction has been properly posted no UD are needed. The PD should be able to act on the eviction alone. The UD is an instrument that only serves to protect people before that process takes place.
However the new owner can file for trespassing, unlawful entry and what other crimes have been committed. In terms of the PD, they cannot do anything of consequence if the owner does not press charges.
The other thing that could be done is to call the postmaster general and report that squatters have appropriated the address illegally without reisdence after eviction or without any legal proof of residency. residency cannot be established just by obtaining the postal service at that address unless the person is lawfully occupying the premises and not after the eviction has been served by the bank. Many of the people that may have used the mailing address may have never even been a lawful resident or occupier.
Liz
Thanks for mentioning the mail. Our mailman has about ten mail boxes, that have bright yellow cards in the mail boxes, so mail won’t be delivered to those houses. Well, all of the houses with the cards are foreclosed properties. We need any kind of help we can get over here. Any other ideas? I find it very interesting the house was foreclosed on in June and they still are using that address, and who knows how long they will continue that address? How would you like to have this going on next to your mother?
“Do you folks REALLY think the PWCPD would not respond to a 9-1-1 call? If the call goes into the system, it is answered. Period. No matter where or when it is, a response is mandated.
If its a 9-1-1 call, they will pull officers from other calls to answer it. Have a little more faith in the people who risk their lives everyday for this community while you sit here blogging.”
I am a Realtor that deals with foreclosures in PWC A LOT. Here is what I can tell you:
Some banks are quicker than others in securing a property once it is foreclosed on. For instance, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae contact the agent within 24 hours of the foreclosure and they have another 24 to secure the property and post signs on the windows of the house.
Unfortuantely most of the banks are SO OVERWHELMED with foreclosures right now that they sometimes take weeks to contact the agent about the house.
The homeowner is usually not showing up for the foreclosure and does not respond to the banks certified letters so serving them with unlawful detainers is next to impossible.
I cannot fault the PWCD for this.
HOWEVER I can fault the current Chief for his lack of proper training to officers and his handling of the illegals in PWC.
I know a cop or two and I can tell you that they say they are so backed up with calls that unless someone is bleeding or holding someone hostage they are just a number in line for a call for service.
It starts at the top people…
Anon
I’ve only called the Non-Emergency number. I do NOT think this is 911 call by any means. I must ask why has PWCPD been to this house, and never bothered to lock the place up? In fact, the other day the front door was NOT even shut. I’ve never been told my call was insignificant. I would think ole Chief Charlie, would want the ranks to secure vacant properties. Oh, there are sqautters staying there it’s occupied, leave those nice squatters alone. I must ask you too, would you want this happening next your mother, and diagonal from you, spouse, and three teenaged daughters? Only men stay at this house, an occassional suspected prostitute stops by too. She’s know through out this part of town. What would you do? You seem to think I’m wrong. Did you see the ages of one couple? This must scary to them.
Remember Charlie wants the citizens to keep calling. He doesn’t want crimes going unreported. Oh, my mistake, that’s his stance on the “immigrant” community. I wonder does he realize that there are legal citizens that might not want to report crimes, simply because of his attitude. Note, his attitude, and not his officers. The officers have to follow HIS orders.
BTW, I’ve yet to find one officer that wouldn’t like to have the ability to ask suspected illegals of their status. Thirty years as cop by that’s a long time.
Anon
I also understand these illegal invaders are also EVADERS. You, know I’m very aware the banks are OVERWHELMED. However, how about the citizens that have to sit back an watch the quality of life diminish in yet another way. Thanks the banks porblem for making all the crazy loans they did. So, now it’s our problem. These properties are left with trash, pick ups overflowing with trash, furniture, and sometimes even their pets. Help me out here. What would YOU do?
corr
Thank the banks for the problem, for making all the crazy loans they did.
Another way of getting around this would be to start filing against the property owner, be it a bank or otherwise for violating any ordinances or holding them responsible for any crime that occurs in your neighborhood that could victimize you or your loved ones. As far as getting the banks to worry about what fixtures are being stolen, they could care less right now. Not to mention that some of the companies who are foreclosing are going under themselves.
We just need to help each other, be vigilant and report, report, report.
Liz,
Thanks, Zoning should be taking a look at the trash heap on the deck. This was reported to them yesterday. I think they may have already been by to check out the property. However, they can’t go in the backyard. I know my mother would let them on her deck to get documentaion. I have pictures myself, as always. Otherwise, who knows if a certain inspector will even go to the right house.
My sympathy for the banks and mortgage companies is zero. Their greed is destroying the economy. Many of the stock market woes have been set off by the financial sector’s past sins. Money has been lent to people without regard for their long term ability to repay their financial obligations.
My sympathy for the real estate industry is about at the same level. Same reason. Greed and chasing the almighty dollar has been the business standard with all too many people.
Meanwhile, those of us who have lived in our communities for years, for several generations, are stuck. We are the ones who are surrounded by squatters, hotels in residential neighborhoods, overcrowded classrooms populated by a majority of non-English speaking students, run down properties, farm animals, rodents, 10 vehicles per household, trash overflow…oh the list just goes on.
The county needs to start fining the financial institutions who allow their foreclosed properties to remain unsecured and in ill-repair. This problem needs the immediate attention of the entire BOCS.
When I addressed the BOCS last night, I brought them up to date on the lawlessness at this foreclosure property. I told them this is one case, and don’t think it’s the ONLY case of this in the county. There are just too many of these types of properties through out the county. I’ve already gotten response from my Supervisor’s office. Thank you!!!
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2007/08/paul-williams-i.html
This is occurring in VA!!!
Lafayette,
Excellent. I am glad our local government is responsive to these issues.
What do they propose to do about this and similar cases or have you gotten that far?
I am concerned that our local police has not been empowered to be able to remove squatters. I can only image the kinds of documentation you provided them.
corr
local police dept.
Lafayette: WHEN IS AC/DC going on tour!!! Hey, I hear Van Halen will be in October with Wolfgang as a member!!! Well, let’s just say that a few Krokus tunes are coming to mind right now, say, “Eat the Rich”
JL
We saw Van Hagar, with young Wolfie, a couple of years ago.
Thanks for the laughs. I sure need a laugh. Lord, knows there’s NOTHING to laugh about on ole Lafayette. Will we see you in the front row in October?
Lafayette Ave=”Highway To Hell”.-lol
I do find it somewhat funny, that no one will answer the question of “would you like this next to your mother….”
I guess they must agree they sure haven’t said they DISAGREE.
Dolph
I haven’t got that far yet. I will keep all posted.
The Patriot
Great link as always. I read an article in the Wash Post, earlier this year, where a man from Pakistan, bought a whole town in South-western VA. I hope to find that article to post. Do you remember seeing anything about that?
Justbelegalfirst said on 7 Aug 2007 at 10:38 am:
Do you folks REALLY think the PWCPD would not respond to a 9-1-1 call? If the call goes into the system, it is answered. Period. No matter where or when it is, a response is mandated.
I was involved in a road rage incident last year, one mile from the Garfield sub station. I called 911 when this woman blocked me in a parking space and was beating on my window! I had my two children in the car with me at the time. It took them 25 minutes to respond to my 911 call. The staff at the restaurant also put in 911 calls.
I would say that the police were damn lucky no one was hurt here.
So that is what is being said here. If they responded they took toooooooo long to get there. If they didn’t respond, well I would say that the staff at McDonalds didn’t call.
I had an incident in my neighborhood a few months ago when two women were outside fighting. I called the non emergency number and was told a police officer would be there. 40 minutes went by and they were still fighting outside. I called the dispatcher. I was told that they were real busy. I asked the dispatcher: “What do you want me to do go out there and break it up?” and the dispather said “If you don’t mind”.
I could tell you about a couple of other incidents that would curl your hair.
I believe there are dispatcher problems. Several years ago I dropped a friend off in Ravenscrest Apt complex. It was nighttime and as I was heading out, I saw a apartment unit ablaze. I immediately pulled over and called 9-1-1. I simply could not communicate to the dispatcher where I was. I pulled over under the street sign and read it off to her, told her it was in Ravenscrest Apartment complex. I never did get her to understand. I was speaking unaccented Virginian by the way. Fortunately a PWC cop came by and was somehow able to get through and report the fire. SJFD responded immediately, as did fire trucks from other units.
I have never been so frustrated in my entire life. This was a life-threatening situation, or had the potential of being so. I don’t know what the problem was on the other end but I felt as though I was speaking to someone on another planet.
I’ve been telling you people that Charlie Deane has purposely kept his numbers lean (sometimes forced to fill additional positions given to him by the BOCS…..using the funding instead to push other projects). You guys must think I have no idea what I’m talking about when I tell you that your P.D. is grossly understaffed, and it could be prevented by the C.O.P. himself.
YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS UNDERSTAFFED ON PURPOSE.
Compare your population divided by sworn member number to surrounding jurisdictions. I frequently drive across Manassas and Woodbridge and NEVER witness an officer on routine patrol.
Why citizens continue to let Charlie Deane keep his numbers lean puzzles me. But thank God you have a citizens police academy to protect you.
Good Time Charlie
I’ve never doubted any of your postings. You’ve confrimed my long time suspicions. Thank you, and keep it up.