Crime in Memphis, TN

Friday, July 14, 2006

Do You Know These People?

I am very upset about the current Sheriff's taking money from convicted felons, people who have been indicted, arrested, imprisoned, etc (which is a violation of departmental policy) and the people who do business with the county. I know of several on the contributor list, but I need some help determining if many of the people listed have a business relationship with the county. I am posting Luttrell's disclosure forms and ask you to review them. If you know of someone who owns a business or works in a management position for a company that does business with the county, please post that information. I will be adding to the list as time goes and I've already spoken with some reporters on this matter. They are on the story, so if you can help do the research, I would appreciate it very much and I think the voting public would like to know as well.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Is it Ethical?

While doing some research into other instances around the country where Sheriff's had gotten into trouble because they were befriending convicted felons, I came across many articles that were somewhat similar. Numerous Sheriff's have been indicted for violating the public trust by "consorting" with known vendors. Kickbacks, payoffs and campaign contributions from vendors who do business with the Sheriff's Office are the usual offenses. I decided to look into this and have found some more contributions that I believe are not ethical. They are legal, just not ethical.

People or Businesses who:

1. sell cars to the county or
2. provide medical services to the county or
3. provide food services for the inmates or
4. service the radio systems for the county or
5. do any kind of business with the county should not contribute to the Sheriff.

I am putting a file together on these contributors and will post Luttrell's entire campaign disclosure forms once I obtain the latest installment.

I believe there is a reason these people contribute to the Sheriff's campaign and it is called influence. I also believe that is wrong. I am pretty sure that Mark Luttrell will disagree because he thinks taking money from convicted drug dealers is ok. I have ALWAYS been taught that deputies should avoid "even the appearance of impropriety" and I have adhered to that concept. I call upon both Reginald French and Mark Luttrell to repudiate such practices.

Ignorance is Dangerous

There are new revelations concerning my opponents in the upcoming Sheriff's race. It appears that Reginald French serves on the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and is taking contributions from convicted felons who work in the alcoholic beverage industry. At the same time, Mark Luttrell serves on the "Drug Commission" (so to speak) and is taking money from convicted felons who have sold drugs - with connections to THE BIGGEST COCAINE PRODUCER in the WORLD!

Can you see any similarities? I can. Both of these gentlemen are wrong and they should admit they are wrong and give the money back. They should also repudiate their relationship with these infamous people.

If you were trying to be hired in at the Sheriff's Office and it was learned that you were consorting/hanging/befriending known felons, you would be rejected. You would be rejected because of the POLICY that has been in place for decades at the SCSO. You are not to associate or develop associations with unscrupulous people, not just felons. Attending a party at the home of a man who was a convicted felon is bad enough, but the offense is compounded by the fact that he was under indictment for an additional felony at the time and more money was accepted from William B. Tanner and Joe Cooper and others at that time.

Here are some links to stories of other law enforcement officers who thought it was ok to befriend felons and questionable people:

1. Does this sound familiar - “It’s disgusting,” one high-level officer said of the Rizzolo-Carona relationship. “It’s a slap in the face to law enforcement. What is Sheriff Carona thinking? He’s either incredibly stupid or dirty as hell. Or both.” http://www.ocweekly.com/news/news/dirty-stupid-or-both/25006/

http://www.stevemiller4lasvegas.com/RickRizzolo.html

2. An officer dealt with for consorting:

On Sunday, August 8, Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith reported that Faraci is also engaged in a business transaction with local police officer Dave Radcliffe, something Clark County Sheriff Bill Young frowns on. The last time Young discovered one of his officers involved in a business deal with Rick Rizzolo, the bar's purported owner, Young demoted the officer for ''accepting gifts from suspects and consorting with persons of ill repute." Its yet to be decided what Radcliffe's punishment will be for his business association with Faraci, an ex-felon who is under investigation by the FBI.

http://www.americanmafia.com/inside_vegas/8-9-04_Inside_Vegas.html

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3. An officer who worked for Acosta at the airport said he liked his boss.

"I can't believe he was that stupid. He was good to the officers," the cop said.

Acosta is accused of helping Boyle out at O'Hare. Acosta let a Boyle associate out of paying a $300 parking tab and got excessive baggage fees waived for Boyle.

Acosta also allegedly ran a criminal history check for Boyle on a man who worked for a Boyle associate. Boyle said he needed the information to try to get the employee's criminal record expunged. Boyle was paid $3,500 for the job, but the record was never wiped clean.

Outside O'Hare, Boyle also asked Acosta for police information about a bar that had been closed, so Boyle could try to get a new liquor license.

http://www.suntimes.com/special_sections/clout/followup/hired_020305.html
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4. Sheriff Bowles, a Republican, had been under investgation by a special prosecutor for accepting gifts from a businessman who later won a contract to operate a city jail.
http://www.policetalk.com/sheriff_indicted.html
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5. Ms. Valdez said she would set up committees to review potential new jail contracts, rather than deciding on her own. Her predecessor, Republican Sheriff Jim Bowles, who ran the department for 20 years, came under a cloud earlier this year because of his decision to award a major jail contract to a vendor who had provided him with free meals and trips. . . the investigation cast a pall over the department and affected morale.

http://www.lupevaldez.com/news110304A.htm

More to follow:

Shame on Mark Luttrell

From News3's website:

In their first live televised debate, both incumbent Sheriff Mark Luttrell and Democrat Reginald French answered some tough questions.

Especially on campaign contributions. Both admitted taking money from convicted felons.

"I make no apologies for working with people who are contributing to the betterment of society who have paid their debt to society," says Luttrell.

I see in the debate that French and Luttrell believe it is ok to take money from Cocaine dealers and other criminal types. French gets a pass on this because he is under no policy. Luttrell is violating the SCSO Policy against fraternizing with person's of ill repute. It's not Rusty or Tanner or anyone else, it's Luttrell violating our policy, not the law. Here is the policy:

SOR 110
“An employee will avoid developing associations or dealings with persons, other than immediate family members, who they know, or should have known, are persons under criminal investigation or indictment, who have been imprisoned or convicted of a felony, who are known criminals, or who are involved in criminal activity except as necessary in the performance of official duties.”

The salient part of this policy says, "who they know, or should have known, are persons under criminal investigation or indictment, who have been imprisoned or convicted of a felony, who are known criminals, or who are involved in criminal activity". This means that Luttrell should have known about those three felons, but also Harold Ford, Sr. who gave him $1000 and had been indicted. Bobby Lanier also fits into this group as do several others but Luttrell thinks he is above the policy. All the while, he punished deputies for just visiting a man.

Wm. B. Tanner was under indictment at the time Luttrell attended a fund raiser at his home where Joe Cooper was also in attendance. The policy also says we are to "avoid developing associations or dealings ". I believe attending a party at his home was both developing an association and dealing with Mr Tanner. We don't know what kinds of “deals” were discussed, but Wm B. Tanner had a history of "deals" as I recall.

It appears Mark and Reginald are actually the same person, doesn't it. The distinction is that Mark is the Sheriff. Shame on you Mark Luttrell for associating and dealing while punishing for less than your infractions.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Cops are supporting my efforts

I'm starting to receive numerous emails from cops in the mid-south which are supportive. I'll be posting some of their comments here, minus who they are (for their protection), unless they wish to reveal their identities. Here are the first few:

John,

After reading the article in Sunday's Commercial Appeal, I'm convinced that if either Luttrell or French wins the election, Shelby County loses.

Though French might be just as bad as Luttrell or worse, I know what Luttrell is capable of and it's all bad! I cannot stand to see that (explitive deleted) on TV. Eveytime he opens his mouth nothing but lies come out. He's got the citizens of Shelby County hoodwinked.

Congratultion Sheriff Luttrell, you have help make Memphis the murder capital of the USA!

John, you are the only hope. I'm casting my write-ballot for you when early voting starts July 14th.

John,
Do you have any shirts? Do you need signs put up? Let me know how I can help in these last few weeks.

Maybe you cannot prove it on them as to what they are getting in return but Buddy Chapman a tax payer vehicle to drive while the officers are being asked if they rather take off because there are no cars for them to use to protect the citizens of shelby county.

I will have you the tag number of the car this week. In regards to Harvey Kennedy I was told yesterday the other driver and him just exchanged information and Harvey Kennedy went to the traffic office and they did a department accident form. They claim there was no damage but it was at Dick's to be repaired. I have no way of getting that report without not getting in hot water and being on that whipping post for my last 4 years.

In regards to steve shular I will check with my sources to see what proof I can get on this one.

I really like today's article and thanks for helping and letting the truth be known.

Steve Shular has been involved in several accidents in his department car and from what I have heard there were no reports taken just a memo written. Is this fair that the admin gets to do one thing but the officers get another?

Hope this helps.

You had a civil division that used to make 1.5 million dollars that went into the county general fund. The previous Sheriff and the current one has been running these divisions in the ground and now we no longer make that money and the tax payers of Shelby County has had to pick up the tab for that lost revenue.

The Sheriff could turn things around and this would bring more money back in to the county, The Sheriff has the ability to locate defendants better than private process servers since we can run car tags, drivers license, social security numbers and find these people who don't pay their bills, dodge their divorce papers ect. The Judges would be happier because the quality of the returns being done correctly and having a deputy sheriff doing this job will improve the integrity as well. Private process servers have been know to leave the process with anyone and not the defendant, they have been served on Sundays which you have to have an order from the courts to do that.

this might be some more things you would use in your campaign.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

"Go on Take the Money and Run" and "Tied to the Whipping Post" two of Mark's Favs

Today, Sunday, July 9th, 2006, the Commercial Appeal ran a story on Mark Luttrell taking money from convicted felons while punishing deputies for visiting someone in prison. Mark Luttrell still doesn’t get it. I am going to list some of his quotes and my comments below:

Luttrell
“Luttrell said, however, he can't run a background check on everyone who gives to his campaign. A greater concern, he said, is whether a contributor expects a benefit or advantage.”

Harvey
If you are going to be the “top cop”, you dang well better know who is giving to you. People give you money because of the following reasons:

Relatives

Close personal friends

Someone who is sold on your vision and totally believes in you (Luttrell has never espoused a vision or plan)

Buying Influence.

Given the preceding list, which of the four categories would you think Hyneman, Tanner, Cooper, and the other unnamed people who have been arrested, charged, indicted, etc (including Bobby Lanier, Karl Schledgewick, Harold Ford, Sr, etc) fall into. I’m going to take a wild guess and say er, ah hmmm, oh I’ve got it – number 4.

Luttrell
Yet, in the wake of a series of local scandals that have raised sensitivity about money and its influences on politics, Luttrell says he's giving more thought to who's giving to his campaign.
"In the future I would certainly look at that,'' the sheriff said.

Harvey
Look into that? How about saying, you know I don’t have any experience at this law enforcement thing. Heck I can’t even qualify with the department issued automatic. I think in the future, I’ll screen anyone who gives more than $50.00 and certainly if someone wants to give me $1,000.00 or more, I’ll have them totally checked out. I will also return all the money to these felons, and all those others who have been indicted, imprisoned, etc as well.

Oh yeah, what about giving those officers their time back, since you think you should get a pass? They don’t make near the money you make, and I imagine their families appreciated having their little paycheck made even smaller.

Luttrell
Records show Luttrell accepted a $1,000 donation in March 2005 from Hyneman, who was arrested in 1988 with two kilos of cocaine and charged in federal court with possession with intent to distribute.
In a plea bargain, Hyneman received two years in prison. He helped investigators convict three drug dealers, leading them to Roberto Suarez Gomez, once described by federal authorities as the world's biggest cocaine producer.

Harvey
Hello! Hello! Hello! You are one of us, or one of them. If you take money from THEM, you ain’t one of US! This man was connected to THE BIGGEST COCAINE PRODUCER IN THE WORLD!!!!!!! Doesn’t that alarm you? It does me.

Luttrell
Luttrell said consorting means a continuing, close relationship -- the sort he hasn't had with Tanner, Cooper or Hyneman.
"There's been very limited contact with any one of those people,'' said Luttrell, saying he's met Tanner and Hyneman only a couple times each, and only knows Cooper through politics.
"Rusty's never asked me for anything. Joe Cooper's never asked me for anything but a picture. I had a picture made with him out at his car dealership.''

Harvey
Talk about doublespeak… Luttrell admits that he has had a continuing relationship with these felons. They gave to him in 2002 and again in 2005. He refers to Hyneman as “Rusty” and Luttrell went out to the car lot and made the picture. He attended a party, given in his behalf, by William B. Tanner, at Tanner’s home. How much closer can you get? Would you say a person who gives you several thousand dollars and has their friends, family and associates give you thousands more, is a more distant relationship than visiting someone in jail or a closer relationship? I’m going to have to come down on the side of “CLOSER”. Luttrell simply thinks the rules don’t apply to him because he happens to be the Sheriff.

Luttrell
"There wasn't anything with the sheriff's department that (Hyneman, Cooper or Tanner) could gain as far as advantages from it,'' Luttrell said. "They never attempted to gain any advantages.''

Harvey
And how would we know that? History tells us that people don’t peddle influence out in the light of day. They do their dirty deeds in the dark, like in the Tennessee Waltz, or like when building a parking garage (see FedEx Forum for details). I’ve been in this business for many years and I know there are things to be gained by contributing big dollars to the Sheriff. Some like being able to pick up the phone and talk to the Sheriff, so they can get their buddies out of jail, Others like to carry badges, etc. Any fool knows that having the Sheriff for a friend gives you clout, and if you have given him thousands of dollars, you have an advantage over John Q. Citizen – period!

The bottom line is if you are a law enforcement officer, you should trust no one, until you have checked them out. People, who give you big money, do so for the reasons stated above. I have taken this information to the public because there is no other recourse when the Sheriff exceeds his authority. I believe the voters have the right to know, because they are the Sheriff’s boss.

This news story didn't even touch Mark's use of the "whipping post" at the Sheriff's Office so I'll give you a few instances:

Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,
Like I been tied to the whipping post
Tied to the whipping post,
Tied to the whipping post,
Good lord, I feel like Im dyin.
Allman Brothers Band

1. Inspector Judy Hughes was in charge of the Fugitive Bureau when she filed an EEOC complaint against Deputy Chief Dave Wing for hostile work environment. She was transferred to the Report Center to be over a handful of clerks soon thereafter. Now, keep in mind that the report center is not a law enforcement function and you would never think of putting an Inspector (three levels below the Sheriff on the Table of Organization) over clerks. Inspectors usually have a couple of Captains, several Lieutenants, several more Sergeants, and many more patrolmen under their command. Judy had three or four clerks.

2. Until Captain Bobby Simmons ran afoul of Marvelous Mark Luttrell. Now Inspector Hughes has been transferred to the courts, but her office is out near the Correctional Center. But, wait you ask, aren't all the courts downtown? Why yes they are. The closest court to Inspector Hughes is in Bartlett or Germantown, and those courts don't have anything to do with the Sheriff's Office.

3. Enter Captain Simmons - looking for his new assignment. Captain Simmons was in charge of Personal Crimes in the detective division, complete with a take home car and all the perks that come with that job. After incurring Mark's wrath, he supplanted Inspector Judy. The only problem with that is that the report center closed down in early June. Now Captain Simmons reports to the same old office, but he has NO employees to supervise.

4. In May of 2005, one Lt John Harvey was assigned to the Information Systems bureau of the Sheriff's Office where he had developed some pretty outstanding programs. One of them, WASP, was even published by Microsoft on their website in a case study. That was no small feat, since Microsoft doesn't normally do things like that unless the programs are outstanding. Other projects included things too numerous to mention, but some of the bigger ones were conceiving the idea to put warrants on the web and writing the software to make that possible, creating a website that is used by over 5,000 officers and support staff across the country to fight crime, etc. After word got out about Lt Harvey's desire to run for Sheriff, he was transferred to the midnight shift of the Fugitive Bureau as field commander. Once he took control of that unit, his officers doubled the average number of arrests that were usually made on midnights. His reward was to be told he was too aggressive.

5. There are numerous other instances, but I think you get the idea....

As Greg Allman has said many times, "It seems like I've been tied to the whipping post. . . ."

I want the world to know that I am a “disgruntled employee”. I am also a disillusioned employee, a dissatisfied employee, a disappointed employee and an irate employee. I am not happy about having an imposter for a Sheriff, who thinks he can do as he pleases, while disregarding the policies of the Sheriff’s Office. I have taken the only recourse open to me by making this information public. Let the light of truth shine brightly on Mark Luttrell and all that he has done! Informed voters make the best decisions.

Voting for me is not going to be easy, but I am the only one who has a plan of attack, a vision for the job and a track record worthy of the job. You will have to pull a paper ballot in order to write-in vote. I'm afraid I perturbed the Election Commission when I exposed their ineptitude and they have taken their best shot at me by not enabling the new voting machines for write-in capabilities.

I have done my duty to the best of my ability. Now the ball is in your court. Do the right thing!

John Harvey
www.cyber-posse.com
www.johnharveysheriff.com
http://memphiscrime.blogspot.com
www.votinginmemphis.com

Saturday, July 08, 2006

How much longer can Memphis Survive?

A friend called me today to discuss my take on the elections that are coming up this Summer. I have stated that I believe the Republican party is moving North, South, East and some even to the West in droves. My data suggests that there have been somewhere around 40,000 white voters who have fled Shelby County in the last four years, while 11,000 more blacks have registered to vote. His comment was that it looks like every house in cordova is up for sale. He checked the web and ran some numbers for different areas and Cordova has two to three times more homes for sale than Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland or Germantown. He said there were over 1400 for sale in Cordova, while Bartlett only had around 500, Germantown 800 and so on.

That piqued my interest so I called a buddy who is in real estate and asked him. He says Cordova has been hot for listings but until recently, slow for sales. He also said he believes it will increase after the August elections if the Democrats steamroll the county like he thinks they will.

I live in Bolton, TN which is out in God's country (defined as not in Memphis). But, I have to admit, I have been thinking about living in Fayette county because the taxes are a fraction of what they are here, crime is also a fraction of our crime and it appears to be where conservatives are becoming entrenched.

I believe the leadership of this community has had it's head in the sand for too long and now there is little hope for Shelby County. Show me a visionary who holds office today! Mayor AC Wharton's vision is to continue doing what he has done the past four years. (He has increased our debt by 600 million and raised our taxes twice). Mark Luttrell has wasted over 16 million tax dollars in the past four years by outsourcing inmate feeding, and serious crime in the county is up 17% so far this year. He has no plans other than to take his resources and give them to the "real police", you know the ones who came up through the ranks and have a clue. Then there's the county commission. They were a party to our debt, which Jim Rout and crew left us - at 1.5 billion, and now they have taken us to 2 billion in debt. This was a county commission that was controlled by Republicans! My fellow Republicans aren't you proud of them! I am not and I don't mind saying it.

I believe Memphis is destined to become the "Detroit of the South" in a few short years. Most of us will be visiting Memphis only when we have to. They have a pretty decent airport there you know, and there are a few good restaurants too - if you have a concealed weapon permit.

How to be a Shurf

I have decided to publish a "How to be a Sheriff for Dummies" so that Mark Luttrell can stop making bone-head mistakes. Here are the top 10 Dos and Don'ts from my soon to be released blockbuster:

1. You are now a law enforcement officer. This means you are supposed to be a role model. You are to hold your officers to a higher standard than the ordinary citizens, but you are to hold yourself to an even higher standard.

2. Remember rule number one! Now, DO NOT HANG OUT WITH CONVICTED FELONS!

3. Remember both rules 1 and 2 and DO NOT TAKE MONEY FROM CONVICTED FELONS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE CONVICTED OF SELLING COCAINE!

4. Remember all above, then DO NOT PUNISH DEPUTIES FOR DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU DID, BUT MUCH LESS SO.

5. If you do forget all the above, and you do take the money from felons (including drug dealers), give it back and make a public statement saying you didn't know that some of those guys were convicted felons (even though they were in the newspaper for years while their cases where being prosecuted).

6. If you forget all the above and you do give the money back, etc. don't forget to give the officers their time back that you took. Remember, these guys have families and you haven't been overly generous to them anyway, so they need all the money they can get.

7. Don't listen to people who have no ideas about law enforcement and no experience with it when it comes to whether or not it would be a good idea to sell off all those cars that are on the parking lot. They are there so they can be used when you need to add officers to a special operation.

8. Don't get involved in the minute details to the point you are "crossing swords" with officers over personal or political issues. Be bigger than that.

9. Don't put officers, even those that you have decided need to feel your wrath, in positions that don't really exist. Use officer's talents to help provide a safer county.

10. Listen to those who have made arrests for many years, who know what they are doing, especially those who have developed systems that have made thousands of officers more effective in doing their jobs. Pay close attention to those officers who may have developed things so outstanding that THE software company, Microsoft, has published a case study on their work. Listen to those kinds of officers and use them, rather than being jealous. Recognizing talent and using it is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of good leadership!

Oh yeah, don't forget to remember all the above!

Helping out or Groping for Legitimacy?

According to news reports, Mark Luttrell is shoving his 170 reserves at the Memphis Police Department, while making sure the cameras are rolling. Mark and his bean counters sold off the "extra" cars the county had always had in reserve so, now the MPD has to furnish cars for them. Director Godwin was magnamimously offering to take the officers and even provide their cars. You see, the MPD commanders know they need more cars than they have officers for just such an instance as this. This is just another indication of why we don't need someone as Sheriff who doesn't have a basis in law enforcement. Here's Director Godwin's statement about providing cars:

Reserve deputies are fully accredited law enforcement officers. They don't have squad cars. No problem says Godwin. "I think law enforcement officers being highly vi sable deters crime," he says. "I think it makes a difference."

The next question is why is Mark more concerned about serious crime in the city, which only rose by less than 4% during the first six months of this year, compared to 17% in the county?

Thursday, July 06, 2006

County Crime up more than in the City

I received an email today detailing the fact that part I crimes in Shelby County (outside the city and not including the jail) are significantly higher than they were for the first six months of last year. From all the press coverage about crime in Memphis, you would think it was only a problem with Memphis.

For Mark Luttrell and those in Rio Linda, Part I crimes are the more serious crimes like Murder, Rape, Robbery, etc. Shelby County has had an increase in Part I crimes of 17% while the city of Memphis has had less than 4%.

Shelby County 2005 1679
Shelby County 2006 1962
Increase 283 (16.9%)

Why are the numbers so skewed for crime in Shelby County? I believe it is directly related to the current Sheriff's policy of Cut, Downsize and Outsource.

Selling off all the "extra" cars and radios so that you can't fully equip the reserves or other officers, who are more than willing to work, doesn't interdict crime. Cutting the Fugitive Bureau by 20 officers and running units like Narcotics and Gang with fewer than 15 officers is partly responsible for this. More officers are needed and probably since these units have shrunk to such dangerously low numbers (Fugitive once had 100 officers as did Narcotics) they can't be expected to be effective. If the Sheriff really wants to maximize effectiveness, he should request 100 more officers and merge the gang,fugitive and narcotics bureaus. Then he would have enough officers to take the streets back - and unless I miss my guess - the citizens of Shelby County would be more than willing to pay for it.

In the first week of June, I'm told the Sheriff's Office sent officers up to Middleton, TN to work on a traffic grant and wound up having to send regular officers home becuase there weren't any cars for them to drive. That means the citizens (taxpayers) of Shelby County were not being protected because some of the patrol districts were left without a patrol car. Of course, this was relayed to me by a deputy who doesn't have his time in, so he has to remain in stealth mode.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Channel 3 violating FCC rules on Equal Access

Press Release

Memphis, TN
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
For Immediate Release

Candidate files FCC complaint against local television station – citing violation of Equal Access to the public airwaves

Today Shelby County Sheriff’s write-in candidate, John Harvey, announced he has filed a complaint with the FCC against Memphis television station WREG. John said he is a “certified” candidate for Sheriff according to the Shelby County Election Commission and therefore should be invited to participate in the publicly televised debate which will be held on July 11th. He has already participated in the Cordova Leadership Forum with both of the other candidates and is scheduled to appear with them again at the Lakeland Forum on July 13th at 7:00pm.

An inquiry to WREG from John has gone unanswered, yet a reporter with the Memphis Commercial Appeal confirmed that John will not be invited to the debate. The Commercial Appeal is a participant in the debate, along with Channel 3 (WREG) and others.

John believes he has the answer to the crime problems in Memphis and his vision must be aired for public debate, for the good of the community. John says his cyber-posse system can turn the tide on crime – if implemented. Therefore, it is critical that he be allowed to participate.

Here is the content of John’s FCC complaint:

One of our local television stations (WREG), which is a CBS affiliate in Memphis, TN is co-hosting a televised public debate on July 11th, 2006. They have invited the Democratic candidate and the Republican candidate, but will not allow me to participate. I have been certified by the Shelby County Election Commission as a candidate in this race, as a write-in. I am requesting that this station, which broadcasts under FCC license and utilizes the public airways, be ordered to allow me to participate in this public discourse of the crime problems that are facing our community.

I am the only candidate in this race with significant law enforcement experience, including a vision and plan for interdicting crime in Shelby County. I believe my ideas need to be allowed to be aired in the public forum and debated. The other two candidates have either no law enforcement experience or very little.

I would appreciate your support in helping me participate in this forum which, is intended to allow candidates to air our views and opinions in the arena of public debate.

Thank you,

John Harvey
Candidate for Sheriff of Shelby County
cyber-posse
John Harvey for Sheriff
Memphis Crime
Voting in Memphis

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Farewell Preston Moore

Deputy Sheriff's, police officers and to a certain extent, even firemen, are like brothers and sisters - regardless of race, color or creed. We go through so much together that we build strong bonds. I have worked with officers from all across the country and there isn't a nickels worth of difference in any of them. I once ran into a group of LAPD officers while elk hunting in Colorado and you would have thought they worked for the Sheriff's Office. They took us in and we really enjoyed each other's company...

I got a call around 2300 last night from one of my fellow officers informing me of Preston's death and it shocked me. A few minutes later, I got another call, then an email from a reserve asking if I knew any of his family.

Preston Moore worked with me in Fugitive on the midnight shift. I didn't really know him that well when I took over as Field Commander, but I soon came to learn that he was a man who was reliable and conscientious.

What I came to learn was that he could be counted on to make sure the paperwork was correct every night and things were done according to policy. I never worried about things being fowled up when he was on the desk. He knew his job and he took care of business. He was always in a good mood - ready to crack a joke on one of the other officers at a moments notice, or take his turn as the brunt of the joke from one of his fellow officers. You could tell he enjoyed being one of our "family."

Also, when someone would call a hot tip in, he knew how to talk to them to get as much information as possible, like the time he got a tip on a rapist in the nutbush area. He collected all the information that was needed and kept the tipster on the line until we had the man in custody.

Preston was as steady as a rock and a person who was proud of the fact that he was a deputy sheriff. I thought the world of him, as did all the other guys on our shift. Once again, the good died too young. Preston, the deputy, and Jaye Michael Davis, the disk jockey, will both be missed.

Lt John Harvey
SCSO

Friday, June 30, 2006

The Future of Policing Chapterette I

It's one year into the future . . .

I awakened to my usual morning cup of coffee and decided to check my email. Yep, there it is - the daily email from Cyber-Posse alerting me to any criminal activity within a certain distance of my home. I selected 4 blocks because I know I can go to the website and look at the bigger picture if I want. It appears there have been a few car break-ins involving cars parked on the street. It looks like we need to be on the lookout for a late model, green, Z-71, Chevy pickup, occupied by a male white and a male black. Since this Cyber-Posse system was started by newly elected Sheriff John Harvey, things have gotten much safer and I've actually met my neighbors. Before, I didn't want to know who they were, now we exchange information and help watch out for the neighborhood together. Things are getting much better already.

It was less than a month ago that we were having those breakins and were alerted by the Cyber-Posse system. Several of us had purchased webcams and pointed them out toward the street like Sheriff Harvey suggested. When we got the news about the breakins we were able to pull up the video and the Sheriff's office arrested a man who had just gotten out of prison a week earlier. They found all the stuff he had stolen in his apartment, plus some drugs and a gun. I understand he is now residing in one of Sheriff Harvey's tent compounds while awaiting trial. I feel a lot safer now that crime is starting to abate!

I really like the emails I'm getting from Cyber-Posse about the warrants in my area too. I never would have known that the kid across the street was involved in drugs, but there it is big and bold, a warrant for possession with intent to sell. I'm firing off an email right now to the Cyber-Posse system to let them know what kind of car he drives and where he hangs out. I've already got a webcam snapshot of his car that I'll send along. I know he shoots pool at that bar down the street every afternoon and he also works doing yard work for that lawn company that started up last year - "Luttrell's Cutting and Edging". Now that's a company that knows how to cut!

Read additional chapterettes at Cyber-Posse

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Isn't it Embarrassing?

What if you were suddenly elected Sheriff and you had no experience in law enforcement? What would you do when you were being interviewed about law enforcement questions? Would you fake it, or defer those questions to commanders who had been in the field and risen through the ranks? How about letting your public information officer teach classes to the public on how to prevent crime? Wouldn't you leave that to people who were qualified?

Well the above scenario has been played out right before our eyes over the last four years. Mark Luttrell won the race and promptly started fielding interviews as though he had ever made an arrest. After three years of "faking it", he rose to speak in a Compstats meeting and asked the room full of commanders "what authority do we have to make arrests in Bartlett?" When I called him on this one (on the Mike Fleming show), he lied and said he never said that. While I don't expect any of the commanders at the SCSO to lay their head on a chopping block by telling the truth about what was said, I did happen to ask a retired lieutenant, who was pointman for the Fugitive Bureau in the aforementioned meeting, if he remembered the event. Former Green Bay Packer, professional football player and retired SCSO Lt., Francis "Bubba" Winkler, was that man. He said he was there and he thought it was the "dumbest" thing he had ever heard. I recorded our interview and it is available for your listening pleasure here

Captain without a ship

Captain Bobby Simmons is in charge of nothing at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office today. He has been in this status since running afoul of Sheriff Mark Luttrell last month. It seems Captain Simmons didn't say "yessuh boss" when he should have and now, instead of having a department vehicle and being assigned to the detective bureau, he has been assigned to oversee nothing. Initially, he was told to turn his car in and drive to the substation where he would be assigned to the (commander's whipping post) report center. This position was phased out last week and was previously commanded by Inspector Judy Hughes, another whipping post denizen. Captain Simmons bumped Inspector Hughes out of the slot because he is the current employee in the Sheriff's sights. Captain Simmons says he has been told verbally that he is to be over the garage, but even though he has asked for his assignment in writing, nothing has arrived in the mail. Until then, he is in limbo, because if it isn't in writing, it doesn't exist. Apparently, the chiefs are reluctant to document their error. Until, they wake up and quit playing politics, Captain Simmons' considerable law enforcement experience will have to be wasted on pushing paper at the garage.

Meanwhile back to Inspector Hughes. . . She was transferred to the courts, but somehow she is still being punished, because she reports to an office out near the Corrections Center. The closest court to her would be one in either Bartlett or Germantown, neither of which has anything to do with the Sheriff's Office.

It is my understanding that Captain Simmons and Inspector Hughes have been in contact with an attorney, especially after Burlington RR V. White was handed down last month!

Luttrell ran on a platform of "time for change", but as you can see, he fits in very well with the good old boy network. This is the same pathetic treatment deputies have been subjected to since at least 1975, when I hired in. When will a Sheriff learn that they don't own the SCSO? When will Mark let the officers who know what it means to be a cop do their jobs without his pettiness getting in the way of fighting crime?

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Illegal aliens in the MidSouth

Press Release
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Memphis, TN
Contact John Harvey

For Immediate Release:

Today, Sheriff’s candidate John Harvey said if elected he would move to identify and arrest any illegal aliens within the jurisdiction of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Mark Luttrell has said there is nothing the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office can do about illegal aliens. John Harvey disputed this saying, “there is legal precedent for a local Sheriff to enlist the support of the Federal government for training of selected officers utilizing a new program being offered by ICE. This past February, a Sheriff in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina began working with I.C.E. officials to federalize some of his officers so they actually become an extension of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. Illegal immigrants are costing the citizens of Shelby County millions of dollars and Hispanic gangs (filled with illegal aliens) are becoming more dangerous. We must do what we have sworn to do, and that is to protect our citizens and enforce the laws of the United States.”

Related Information sources:
Link Information: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nc09_myrick/immigrationprogramfeddep020606.html

From U.S. Representative Sue Myrick’s website:
http://www.myrick.house.gov/hot_topics_immigration_issues.shtml

New Immigration Program will allow Mecklenburg County Sheriff Deputies to Detain and Remove Illegal Aliens
On February 6, 2006, Representative Sue Myrick, Mecklenburg County (NC) Sheriff Jim Pendergraph, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey S. Jordan announced at a press conference a new program that will federalize ten Mecklenburg County Deputies so that they can help ICE detain and remove illegal aliens. This groundbreaking program is the first of its kind to be implemented by a Sheriff’s office east of the Mississippi. “This new program changes how North Carolina responds to illegal aliens,” said Rep. Myrick. “We have a shortage of federal agents to deal with illegal aliens in our state, and this program provides us with some much needed back up. My hope is that every county in North Carolina sees what we are doing here and applies to set up a similar program with ICE.”

Friday, June 23, 2006

Luttrell harassing Employees

In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on "hostile work environment", it appears maybe the Sheriff's Office may get a "review" for some of it's, nah let's call it like it is. Mark Luttrell may get a review for some of his shenanigans.

Touting himself as an excellent manager, he has issued the proclamation that all square pegs will be plugged into square holes. No law enforcement personnel are supposed to be assigned to non enforcement duties.

Well, the Report Center was closed down last week, and Capt Bobby Simmons was left with no assignment. It seems he has run afoul of Sheriff Luttrell and is being given the "treatment". I spoke with him a few days ago and asked where he had been assigned. He says the latest he has been told was that he would be reviewing work orders at the garage. Yep, I'd say he needs to look at the latest Supreme Court ruling in Burlington RR V. White. Here's an excerpt:

"Applying the standard to the facts of this case, there was a sufficient evidentiary basis to support the jury's verdict on White's retaliation claim. Contrary to Burlington's claim, a reassignment of duties can constitute retaliatory discrimination where both the former and present duties fall within the same job description. Almost every job category involves some duties that are less desirable than others. That is presumably why the EEOC has consistently recognized retaliatory work assignments as forbidden retaliation. Here, the jury had considerable evidence that the track laborer duties were more arduous and dirtier than the forklift operator position, and that the latter position was considered a better job by male employees who resented White for occupying it. Based on this record, a jury could reasonably conclude that the reassignment would have been materially adverse to a reasonable employee. Burlington also argues that the 37-day suspension without pay lacked statutory significance because White was reinstated with backpay. The significance of the congressional judgment that victims of intentional discrimination can recover compensatory and punitive damages to make them whole would be undermined if employers could avoid liability in these circumstances. Any insufficient evidence claim is unconvincing. White received backpay, but many reasonable employees would find a month without pay a serious hardship. White described her physical and emotional hardship to the jury, noting that she obtained medical treatment for emotional distress. An indefinite suspension without pay could well act as a deterrent to the filing of a discrimination complaint, even if the suspended employee eventually receives backpay. Thus, the jury's conclusion that the suspension was materially adverse was reasonable."

This also would apply to a certain female inspector at the Sheriff's Office who was moved after she filed an EEOC complaint. I believe she may have a couple of attorneys salivating at the opportunity to file the suit for her!

You know, come to think of it, I was moved from the Computer Section to the midnight shift of the Fugitive Bureau after it was common knowledge that I intended to run for Sheriff. There were three lieutenants assigned to the Bureau at the same time and I was put on the midnight shift and given the oldest equipment and worst office. (Non perks are a subliminal way of establishing the pecking order at the SCSO). I think I'll have to speak with an attorney on this one myself.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Help a Cop's Kid

I received an email from a fellow gang member tonight (mpd cop) about trying to raise some money to help his daughter. I have been blessed by having had three healthy kids and they never really had any significant injuries; other than the time Zach swallowed a key and $1,000.00 later, he was ok. I can only imagine how he must feel, wondering about his child's future. She has been a diabetic since childhood and just this past year, the family learned she has lymphoma (cancer).

Officer Mann, by all accounts, is a very good officer (officer of the year - 2005) and he loves his family. I think any help would be most appreciated by the Mann family. They have a website where you can donate.

Here is Tom's email:

My 9 year old daughter has had diabetes since she was 17 months old and ever since she was 2 1/2 yrs. old we have had a walk team wlaking for juvenile diabetes "sarah's bad boys". you know every year we have numerous fundraisers. sometimes good and sometimes bad. this year is very important to me for her sake because in january sarah was diagnosed with hodgkin's lymphoma a form of cancer.
so i want to have the best year ever for her october 7, 2006 our annual walk to cure diabetes. we have a web site that people can go to and click on a link that will take them to our official juvenile diabetes research foundation walk team page where people can make a donation - www.sarahsbadboys.com

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Cyber-Posse - A new concept in Crime Fighting

I have been working on this concept for the past four years, but I could never get anyone at the Sheriff's Office to listen. So, I have basically started a website for the purpose of making the public aware of what could be done to effectively and inexpensively fight crime. I have just registered the domain www.cyber-posse.com but that won't be available for a few days. Until then you can access it via - http://www.shelbynet.com/cyber-posse or just click on the Cyber-Posse Logo.

Feel free to give me feedback on the concepts. I sincerely believe crime could be impacted significantly if my concept were put into action. It's a white paper in the works, and it's time has come.

John

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Webcam Army

I've been thinking about a way the average citizen could help fight crime beyond being a nosy neighbor. One thought is for web savvy citizens to purchase webcams and point them toward the street. I can see a registry where anyone could hit the webcam on a street and view what's there. If a citizen is having problems with drug dealers and gang bangers doing their deeds in the middle of the street, they could point the webcam that way and send me an email. I'll see to it that the police get the link to the webcam. I would also be amenable to hosting the camera registry until I could get someone at the MPD to take it over.

Thoughts anyone?

John

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Some of Luttrell's Thoughts

Here are some things Mark Luttrell has had to say over the past four years as Sheriff:

1. "Gangs and drugs aren't a huge problem in county schools, Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell said during a board work session." CA Jan 21, 2005

Don't you think ANY gang activity is a HUGE problem?

2. What authority do we have to make arrests in Bartlett? Compstats meeting in 2005

Give me a break, a rookie knows that one!

3. "We can't arrest our way out of this crime problem." News Story 2005

So I guess you have another idea?

4. "John Harvey is probably the smartest man in the Sheriff's Office"

In some areas, I may be. However, we've got a lot of smart officers!

Sunday, May 07, 2006

What Have They Done?

I didn't attend, but I was told that Bill Morris and Jim Rout were at Mark Luttrell's campaing kickoff. Isn't that reassuring! A good old Democrat and a good old er ah, wasn't Jim Rout a Republican once upon a time? That must have been before he won the Mayors race! (I hate to admit it, but I helped him win that first time.) You may remember him, he is the guy who forgot to tell us how terrible we were financially in Shelby County, then he decided to retire. We were about 1.2 billion in debt when he left and it looks like A.C. Wharton picked up right where Jimbo left off. We are now over 2 billion in debt.

Now, people are wanting you to support AC's running mate, Mark Luttrell. Let's see, no law enforcement experience, taking advice from the guys who got us where we are today. I don't think so.

How can anyone defend this crew?

Why Me?

I received an email early this morning which contained the following excerpt:

Please consider the following:

1. This is NOT going to make you very popular in the Republican party but very appreciated in the Democratic community.

My reply was that I am running because I have been a cop a lot longer than I've been calling myself a Republican. Cop defines who I am. The current Sheriff has got to go and I plan to undertake what others say cannot be done! Luttrell has got to go.

2. We need to consolidate and encourage the Republicans to get out and vote in August,.

I am encouraging everyone to vote the entire Republican ticket, except one position - Luttrell has got to go.

3. We need to give them all the encouragement we can muster to turn out the vote.

I plan to do just that, but not for Luttrell. Luttrell has got to go.

4. I am afraid that the Republican voters are discouraged enough ... is the reason the Democrats out voted us a few days ago.

I will be trying to get Republicans to the polls, but yep Luttrell has got to go.

5. Our Republican White House and Republican Congress's massive failures for the last 6 years will hurt us in state and local elections,

What has that got to do with me? Luttrell has got to go.

6. The Republican voter does not need more reasons not to vote.

I agree. Luttrell has got to go.

7. I feel that this write-in campaign will not help Terry Roland's race or any of the other county-wide races.

You probably didn't feel Terry Roland had a chance either. Just like you don't think I've got a chance, but Luttrell has got to go.

8. We are walking a very high tightrope this year. A lot is at stake.

I agree, but this is the good old USofA and I am exercising my right to run for office because I believe Luttrell has got to go.

9. You must know that a write-in cannot win so when the Sheriff loses, you will be blamed.

I know that if I don't do something drastic, Luttrell or French might win and take this community further down the tubes. Luttrell has got to go.

Please consider the overall cause and effect of your action.

I almost always do that. I rarely make rash decisions and I have come to one conclusion - Luttrell has got to go and I need to replace him.

I concluded my response with the following:

I don’t care about winning any popularity contests in the Republican or any other party. I am a career cop. For me, being a good cop has always been the “highest good.” I believe that this has been and is my calling. I believe I am as good at what I do as anyone has ever been. I believe I have tangible evidence of this in the systems I have created – both operationally and software-wise. However, I have had a belly full of selfish, greedy, crooked politicians. Mark Luttrell is just another one of those. He exemplifies what I detest about politics. He is unqualified to be Sheriff and was only put in the race because Jim Rout and Bill Morris wanted someone in they could control. I’m also sick of the Belz, Turley, Hyde, Hyneman etc crew running things from behind closed doors. He has charged deputy sheriff’s with violation of rules that he violates every day. Not only that, he has taken contributions from a major drug dealer who was arrested by the very department he is supposed to be leading. He has also taken money from several other felons. In my opinion, he is worse than Reginald French.

I am out to try to win this race and make a difference. Mark Luttrell has had four years to make a difference and he has only made things worse by cutting deputy sheriff positions so he could look good.

I'm IN

Some are saying I am entering the race for Sheriff to try to help Reginald French. Others say to get rid of Mark Luttrell. I am here to say, I am running because I am the best person for the job! Neither of the other candidates has any law enforcement accomplishments to hang their hats on. Reginald French only worked for a year or so as a patrolman. Mark Luttrell has never made an arrest and I doubt he could fill out the paperwork. As for Luttrell's four year term in office - two years ago in a Compstats meeting he asked about 30 commanders "what authority do we have to make arrests in Bartlett?" It was all I could do to keep from busting out loud. My teenage son knew what authority we have to make arrests in Bartlett, Memphis, Millington, etc.

Mark Luttrell has accomplished a task that could have been done by a blind man. It takes no vision to cut, downsize and outsource. It takes vision to come up with plans that are effective like my idea of putting our warrants on the web. I didn't just conceptualize that, I wrote the webpage and developed the WASP system for area law enforcement officers to use. The end result was a reduction of over 5,000 warrants - even though Luttrell cut 15 officers from the Fugitive Bureau!

Now that I have my time in and can retire, they cannot hurt me. I can speak freely and I am doing just that. THE KING IS NAKED!

I hope to shock this city even more than I have already with the election commission reports. There is more to follow on that front too, by the way. Please join with me in an attempt to save not just this city and county, but the entire region. Crime impacts the entire metropolitan area, not just Memphis and Shelby county! I am asking for your support, your money and mostly your prayers. God help us all!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Ideas on Fixing the Election Process

Here are some early thoughts on things that can be done to fix the problems with the election process in Shelby County. I encourage others to make suggestions and offer constructive criticism.

These are my thoughts after having been involved in reviewing data and pouring over ballot and sign-in sheets.

1. We should implement an address verification program that works. Currently, the workers tell me they take whatever you give them. (I created a website for law enforcement that has many different data sources such as the MLGW customer database, Motor Vehicle database, TN Driver's License data, 911 phone calls, tax data, etc.) This information could be used to glean where a person lives.

2. We should provide a photo id for those who can't afford it.

3. We should capture every voter's picture at the poll. This would require a digital web camera on the computer. Cost would be under $50.00 per precinct.

4. We should have a computer at every precinct which has the entire voter database and allows the poll worker to look up the voters by name, address, etc.

5. We should require a thumbprint when voting. Banks require it, surely it would help cut down on voter fraud at the polls and is minimally invasive.

6. The election commission should have an audit program whereby they send workers out to spot check voter's addresses based on a random selection of at least 5 voters per precinct - within 6 months of any election.

7. The voter database needs to be cleaned up.
A. There are over 1300 people with two registration numbers
B. There are over 10,000 deceased voters still on the rolls.
C. Missing Demographic data for sex,race,dob, etc
D. Incorrect ages for voters which show them to be over 110 years old.

8. The voting process at the polls needs to be stratified and a checksheet implemented for opening and closing the polls.

9. The verification and authorization of the voter needs to be done in a "checksheet" format. As the voter moves from one station to another, they should be accompanied with a checksheet which each worker signs off on. This could be done electronically or manually.

10. There needs to be a better way of getting information on felony convictions from the clerk's office to the election commission. Apparently there has been a breakdown in this process.

11. Interface with the register, assessor, county clerk, Sheriff, etc for the purposes of determining who the voter is and where they live.

12. Check the available information on vacant lots from sources in item 11.

13. Interface with the local and state health departments to retrieve death data so that deceased voters can be purged in a timely manner.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Help us fix the Election Commission

The local election commission has failed the citizens of Shelby County. Greg Duckett, Chairman of this body, is responsibile for making sure things are being done in a proper manner. Duckett, James Johnson, the "executive director", and all the election commissioners - Republican and Democrat - are also responsible for this mess . They either knew or should have known that there were problems. If they knew they should have been shouting from the roof tops until the problems got fixed. If they didn't know, they should have.

Every time I have raised the issue of a systematic problem, Greg Duckett has stepped to the microphone to say I don't know what I'm talking about. Then after a few days, he has to come back to say there may be some problems. Yes, there are problems and the problems have to do with the failure of the commission to do things in a "businesslike manner." We need an election commission and an executive director who are committed to ensuring an equitable system is operating in Shelby County.

Here are some of the problems I have found:

1. People voting from vacant lots.
2. Felons voting.
3. Over 10,000 deceased voters still on the rolls.
4. Over 1300 voters with two registration numbers.
5. People voting in districts where they don't live.

The Commercial Appeal found the dead voters and more after I sent my information to them. It wasn't until I sent pictures of the vacant lots that they really got interested, but once they got on the story, it mushroomed. It isn't over either. There will be more to follow, as they say. . . .

I have asked to be appointed to Mayor Wharton's citizen's review committee, but I'm starting to believe this is all smoke and mirrors, because that was a couple of months ago and nothing has happened. It is for that reason that I'm asking every concerned citizen of Shelby County to join me in trying to fix the election commission. I believe we may have to file a lawsuit to force the election commission to purge the dead people from it's rolls and to revamp the process so that many of these problems can't exist. If you are interested in helping fix this problem, send me an email with your contact information. Feel free to post your comments for others to see also.

Thanks,

John

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Maps showing deceased voters locations

Click here to see a pinmap showing that the problem of dead voters is all over the city. It also includes Republicans, Democrats, blacks, whites, others, males and females. Either dead people have voted, or the election commission has bad data.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Dead voter update

Well, I finally completed processing the 150,000 oldest voters and the new total is 8,803 possibly deceased voters! There are probably that many more in that group that can be purged if can get access to the social security numbers.

I wonder how difficult it would be to absentee vote people if you owned . . . say, maybe, hmmmmm . . . a funeral home? That's one reason I find it very disturbing that having deceased voters in the database doesn't alarm the election commission. I would like to see the public contact the county commission and ask them to withhold any funding for the election commission until they fix the problems with their data.

Your thoughts . . . .

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Election Commission - Fat, Dumb and Happy?

What is the job of the election commission if not to maintain the voter database and ensure a fair process? Recently I pointed out that there were felonious voters and many people who had partial information in the database. Many showed to be over 100 years old and some who weren't even born yet - based on the listed dob. Greg Duckett says those were just minor "typographical errors." I maintain there is no place for typos in this system and a properly written system would check for data errors. Having said that, I decided to look into the age question and wrote a program that checked 11,000 of the oldest voters. Yep, over 2,000 of those appear to be deceased. You can view the entire list at www.johnharveysheriff.com . People in the community need to bring pressure on the election commission and force them to do their job!

Sunday, October 09, 2005

Shall we follow the law?

Recently, I helped my friend, Terry Roland, in his campaign for senate district 29. I built Terry's website, generated phone call lists, wrote programs that pulled voter phone numbers from the internet, and even ran an autodialer to call potential voters. I also helped by looking at the voter data as it came in during both early and regular voting. This was the first time I've actually seen the voters names after they voted in a particular election. The data I received during and after early voting was the voter's name, address and registration number. I wrote a program that took the election data and retrieved additional information from the master voter database like, the address where they registered, their sex, race, dob and senate district. That program allowed us to look at where votes were coming from and to make some judgements about how we were doing. It also allowed me to check the voters against the general sessions and criminal court clerks websites by name and dob. I initially found about 16 felons, but 11 of those have apparently had their rights restored. That leaves five people who should not have voted.

It has now been almost a month since the election and no one has said anything about investigating this problem or any pending indictments. Since none of the "law enforcement" leaders have taken steps to ensure this doesn't happen in the future, I have prepared a document that I will deliver to the foreman of the Grand Jury this week seeking an indictment of the five felonious voters and an investigation of the election commissions database. The five felons I found came from the pool of about 8,000 voters. The entire database contains over 608,000 potential voters. If that percentage holds true for the rest of the data, there could be as many as 375 additional felons.

A cursory examination of the voter's database shows there are all kinds of problems with the data. There needs to be a detailed analysis of the data and an inquiry as to whether there are any deceased people included and whether or not there are any non-existant addresses, etc. I have been told the commission knows the data is corrupt, but they don't think it is a problem. Keep in mind there is a Democrat majority on the commission and therefore, th Republicans have virtually no say. Party affiliation aside, the process should not be skewed to favor one side or the other. For voters who don't subscribe to either party, I feel for them because they are truly disenfranchised.

Why doesn't the election commission want a clean database? Can it be in the interest of certain Democrats to have corrupt data? I think we already know that is the case, but hopefully the grand jury will look into this matter and force a fair election.

www.johnharveysheriff.com