Daytona Probation Sweep Catches Killer Who Was Looking for a Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous Meeting to Attend that Night

NA Daytona Beach is a place for convicted killers.Terry Frison Freeman a convicted Killer of an 81 year old man he brutally beat to death did 15 years for the killing. He was let out in May 2013. He was looking for a Daytona Narcotics Anonymous Meetings when police were doing a probation sweep and found he was not home. Going to Daytona NA meetings is most likely part of his probation requirements. Daytona NA invites killers and rapists right along with children and minors. Of course as we know this is not exclusive to NA Daytona Beach Florida. This is a global problem. NA Holly Hill meetings are in Centennial Park as well as NA Daytona meetings held in Hollyland Park with violent felons, Deland, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Daytona Beach Shores.

Probation and Parole Sweep Nets Convicted Killer,  police said.

 By  STAFF WRITER

Published: Thursday, July 18, 2013

DAYTONA BEACH — A convicted murderer on parole went back to jail earlier this week because he was late getting home.

Terry Frison Freeman was arrested Wednesday night during a Daytona Beach police probation and parole sweep — the department’s first in more than a year due to budget constraints.

The 41-year-old Freeman, was convicted of second degree murder for beating an 81-year-old grocer to death in 1996. He was also convicted of robbery.

One of the conditions of his parole when he was released from the Tomoka Correctional Institution in May, included that he be home every evening by 7 p.m., said Police Capt. Craig Capri.

A Daytona Beach detective, a uniformed officer and a Probation and Parole officer, knocked on Freeman’s door on Wednesday evening, and he was nowhere to be found, said Police Chief Mike Chitwood and Capri.

“We waited for him until 7:15 p.m. and he didn’t come back,” Capri said Thursday. “We didn’t see him until after 8. He said he was looking for an NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meeting.”  Donnie Moore Commissioner of Holly Hill calls critics nutjobs.

Wednesday’s arrest of Freeman was a significant one for police. Continue reading

DAYTONA BEACH NA MEMBER THREATENS THE LIVES OF CITIZENS IN SUNRISE PARK HOLLY HILL FLORIDA

PHOTO- Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous / Alcoholics Anonymous Member, Sunrise Park Holly Hill Florida    

The day was November 21st 2010 in Volusia County, Sunrise Park in Holly Hill Florida. The local community had rented the pavilion for a Thanksgiving celebration cookout. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and there were ribbons around the pavilion to notify others it had been reserved. Law abiding, local business owners and well respected long time residents were preparing to cook a turkey. Steve who had recently run for the position of Mayor of Holly Hill and had been a long time Boy Scout Master was there to cook the turkey.

At around 11:00 a.m., when The Daytona Beach Area Narcotics Anonymous members were starting to arrive for their Sunday meeting, many NA members were quite upset that the citizens of Holly Hill had actually rented the pavilion. Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous continually refuse to pay rent to secure the pavilion for their scheduled meetings. It was available to rent for those that chose to pay the City of Holly Hill the required fees to reserve it for November 21st 2010.

We were unprepared and shocked for what happened next. A tall biker guy named Terrence, actually walked into the center of the pavilion and started to flex his muscles as if he were Hulk Hogan. He said the words from a beatles song that went,  ” Bang, Bang Maxwell silver hammer came down upon her head, Bang bang Maxwell silver hammer made sure she was dead ” while he continued to flex his muscles. Terrence then did a bow to those of us in the pavilion and said, ” I am feeling generous today and will allow you to live another day!”. Needless to say all of us were pretty shocked.

Pictures were taken of this man as he was leaving. He turned and flipped us the bird in a very menacing manner. He then went to his motorcycle and came BACK into the pavilion a 2nd time and told a local Holly Hill citizen, who was a court employee, that he could squash him like a bug. He took out his cell phone, got in our faces and started to take pictures of us. Then he walked over to the NA meeting that was taking place in another part of the park. The Holly Hill Police were called and 3 officers responded to the call. What a relief (we thought).

Little did we know that we would be revictimized again by the very police officers that were called to protect us. They started questioning us in a very hostile tone. Officer Thornton kept demanding to know why we were there. Puzzled by their hostile and odd behavior we kept explaining to her that we had rented the pavilion for a Thanksgiving cookout. We showed them the big Turkey that we were cooking as well. The police were asked by one of the victim’s “is there a problem with the citizens renting out the pavilion? ” Officer Thornton answered quickly, that she thought it was ” MALICIOUS” to rent the pavilion! This was one of many inappropriate and shocking comments coming from Officer Thornton and the other policeman. ( Formal complaints have been filed against Officer Thornton and The Holly Hill Police Department). Officer Angelo Alexogiannis stated that he used to work at The Stewart Marchman Rehab Center and sympathized with the NA members. They showed no concern or interest whatsoever for our safety, or in what had just happened. They exhibited a strong bias in favor of the NA group. They seemed to be joined at the hip. Later it started to make more sense as we learned of Officer Thornton’s own colorful background.

When we had identified the man who had harassed and threatened us, the police said that they knew who he was. They then went over to the large NA meeting taking place and talked and laughed with them a bit, including the member that threatened and harassed us. The officers came back and said to stay away from one another, and allowed this man to remain at the park! He was not arrested or trespassed from the park. One officer asked if their was anything else he could do. We asked if charges could be pressed for threatening us. They said no, there was nothing we could do. Could we fill out a report? No-we could not fill out a report.Then Officer Angelo Alexogiannis was asked if he would at least fill out a report stating what had happened. He promised he would indeed do that.

Well this initially put a damper on the festivities, we made the best out of it and enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. It was enjoyed by many from the local community.

The following week the police report was requested from the Holly Hill PD. There was a report # given and the incident call, but no actual report. We were later told by staff that the officer decided not to do a report after all! This was  knowing that a report was requested and it had been promised. This appears to be an attempt to cover up the incident to protect the image of Daytona Narcotics Anonymous and the identity of Terrence, the long time NA member that harassed us.

To our complete surprise there were 2 incidents that day at the park. One had a report and the other did not. Both of them shocked us. Where local citizens were threatened there was no report, only a short statement in the incident log stating that the incident was caused by the victim who was threatened and called the police! Also, even though the police stated they knew who the perpetrator was and spoke to him, they did not put his name in the incident log. It’s a good thing citizens were wise enough to get the licence plate of the man,and were able to identify him, Terrence T. This was another rude awaking as to how the police were protecting the NA members, and what a cozy relationship they had with them. We knew then, that the Holly Hill PD and Chief Mark Barker were not going to protect the citizens and local business owners from the harassment and threats by NA members.

Then there was the 2nd report. A woman named Danielle went to the police station later in the afternoon on the day of the incident and filed a report stating that a woman was following her 8 year old daughter around the park with a video camera! At the time it was was not known, but it became clear in the following months that Danielle was the treasurer for the entire Daytona Area Narcotics Anonymous. No where in the report did she state any connection to the earlier incident or that she was affiliated with NA.This was a false report filed by Danielle. This is a crime. She said in her report that the person who she accused of filming her daughter was the lady who owned the store across the street. The owner of the store across the street just happened to be the same person that called the police on Terrence the NA member, and was part of the Thanksgiving party at the pavilion. The owner of the store did not own a video camera. No pictures were taken of her daughter, and certainly the owner was not following a child around taking pictures! This was an obvious attempt by Danielle to start her initial process of setting up the convenience store owner for retaliation. Diabolical indeed! Mark Barker went along with it hook line and sinker. This was the beginning of Danielle making multiple false accusations when calling police against the owner, along with lying to the the commissioners at a City Hall meeting, stating we were dumping cigarette butts on the ground, and blaming it on NA members was just one of the outlandish claims.

Citizens asked to fill out a report that November 21st day, we were denied this right. Yet Danielle was able to waltz into the police department later and file a false police report, which was very oddly written. Neither the police or Danielle were too worried about it, as no one ever came to talk to the owner of the store who was accused of following a child in the park and videotaping her. You would think that a concerned mother would ask the person themselves why they were taking pictures of their daughter, if it actually happened. Of course that was another lie. Danielle is not the mother of the child she was referring to to but her Aunt. She is the daughter of her brother who has a lengthy criminal background.

We soon realized the depth that Holly Hill PD would go to protect NA / AA members. NA members were fabricating stories and lying about the events of that day. Then Narcotics Anonymous World Services in California said that their policy was to do nothing about criminal matters by their own members. We then knew the extent of what we were up against. NAWS advice was to just call the police and that this was a police matter and has nothing to do with them. Well that was, and still is a joke as time would continue to demonstrate the bias of the Holly Hill PD. We knew then that a grass roots effort had to be initiated to expose this fiasco.

Photo of Daytona NA Member Terrence coming back into the pavilion a second time and threatening to squash a citizen like a bug. 

DAYTONA NA MEMBER SWINGS BASEBALL BAT AT FELLOW NA MEMBER AT HOLLYLAND PARK

On September 10th 2011 Hollyland Park, Holly Hill Florida, The Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous Area Group sponsored a softball tournament that included NA Groups from other Florida counties. There was a fight that broke out between two Daytona NA members, and one of the members responded by swinging an aluminum baseball bat at this person. According to an inside source that was a witness, if the guy would not have ducked when he saw the bat coming at him, it would have killed him. NA members broke up the fight. There were many witnesses, and the victim called the police. Now wouldn’t you know that Holly Hill PD did not get the name of the person who tried to kill this guy? No official report was written on this incident. No charges were filed.

When the Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous Group reserved the field they did not take out a special use permit for this very large event with over 100 people. This happened in Hollyland Park / Centennial Park right across the street from the Holly Hill PD. With an event that size  there should have been a special event form filled out, and police present at the event. Failing to hold this event according to Holly Hill’s special use permit guidelines almost cost someone their life! It could still cost someone their life in the future, because this nut is still on the loose and has already shown he is capable of trying to kill someone.

There were no arrests made. I would bet Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous members talked the victim out of pressing charges, as an attempt to keep bad press down and not to expose members identity. They already know that much has been written about their horrendous behavior in Holly Hill Parks. Some things are hard to keep a secret when you have a ton of witnesses. It’s a good thing this NA member lived to tell about this fight, not all Narcotics Anonymous members do. Hiding this just enables this sort of behavior, letting dangerous perpetrators hide behind anonymity.

Is the City of Holly Hill going to wait until someones’ head is bashed in before they try to make the parks a safer place?

Here is an article where an AA sponsor was killed when attacked with a baseball bat by his court mandated mentally ill AA sponsee.

http://nadaytona.org/2011/10/02/aa-member-beat-sponsor-with-baseball-bat/

Retired Catholic Priest Charged In Holly Hill Sex Sting At Ross Point Park

 Holly Hill undercover police nabs 6 men in sex sting,including Paige A.Blakely a retired Catholic Priest! He told police that this was not an uncommon event for him as he goes “cruising” to meet up with men. This has been a problem in Holly Hill Parks for many years. Even though local citizens and businesses have complained to Holly Hill PD about activity at Sunrise Park for years,the department has done little to stop the crime there. Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous members even thwarted efforts by the community by removing Security Camera Signs! It seems they felt it might deter their court mandated felons and other criminals from coming to their Park meetings.How incredibly selfish is that? The police and AA/NA know that level 3 sex offenders and violent criminals are mandated to AA Daytona and NA Daytona thoughout Volusia County and the United States. Holly Hill PD has been notified that Sunrise Park is listed online as a “cruising area” for years. They are also aware of sex crimes at Sunrise Park, Holly Land Park and Centennial Park for a very long time.

This gay cruising website below has recieved over 1500 reviews for Sunrise Park! OMG……….

http://www.cruisinggays.com/holly-hill/c/areas/

Holly Hill cops: New Smyrna Beach man, who was a priest, arrested in gay sex sting
Posted Wed, 2011-11-23 01:18

Accused was a former Catholic priest at St. Ann’s R.C. Church in DeBary

 

Paige BlakelyCourtesy photos / Paige A. Blakely, 61, shown in handcuffs in the larger photo by Holly Hill police, and in an earlier photo when he was a Catholic priest at St. Ann’s Church in DeBary, was among half a dozen men charged in a gay sex sting Thursday in a park restroom.

HOLLY HILL — A 61-year-old former pastor and retired Catholic priest who lives in New Smyrna Beach, is among a group of men rounded up in a sting alleging gay sex in a restroom at Ross Point Park in Holly, police said.

Blakely, a former pastor at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in DeBary, exposed himself to an undercover cop and allegedly told him he was “trying to experience what it was like,” and that was trying to get a “thrill” at the same time, police said. He also made a reference to “cruising,” a term men use when looking for gay sex, according to his charging affidavit.

Blakely, a former pastor at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in DeBary, exposed himself to an undercover cop and allegedly told him he was “trying to experience what it was like,” and that was trying to get a “thrill” at the same time, police said. He also made a reference to “cruising,” a term men use when looking for gay sex, according to his charging affidavit.

Blakely was issued a summons charging him with exposure of sexual organs. However, Blakely was subsequently released from police custody without transport to the Volusia County Branch Jail where he would have had to post bail. He and the other five men were issued trespass warnings not to return to the park. NSBNews.net has been unable to reach him for comment.

The Diocese of Orlando released a statement stating Blakely had contacted Bishop John Noonan and informed him that he had “received a summons from the Holly Hill Police Department for a misdemeanor allegation regarding indecent exposure.” The diocese said the bishop barred Blakely from acting o functioning as a priest, pending the legal outcome of the criminal case against him.

The other five men arrested in the Holly Hill sting include:

David Louis Mecco, 80, of Daytona Beach, exposure of sexual organs;

Bernard Henry Cowart, 52, of Holly Hill, exposure of sexual organs and resisting arrest without violence;

Terry Allen Stamps, 50, of Daytona Beach, unnatural and lascivious acts;

Eric Dreisbach, 50, of Ormond Beach, unnatural and lascivious acts;

Don Allen Cupit, 50, listed as homeless, unnatural and lascivious acts.

additional article about sex sting-

http://www.news-journalonline.com/breakingnews/2011/11/former-catholic-debary-pastor-arrested-in-holly-hill-park-sex-sting.html

Pope Benedict XVI speaking of child sex abuse is not exclusive to the Catholic Church. All institutions need to address the problem with’exacting standards’.This would also include Corporate Alcoholics Anonymous and Corporate Narcotics Anonymous that has been known for sexual abuse by their members, yet they cover it up and actually encourage minors to attend meetings alongside sexual offenders.

http://ap.news-journalonline.com/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_SEX_ABUSE?SITE=FLDAY&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

 

CRIME STATS FOR HOLLY HILL UP A WHOPPING 20% FROM LAST YEAR!

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-11-10/news/sfl-sse11fdle-holly-hill-crime-stats-semi-annual-20111110_1_holly-hill-number-of-serious-crimes-fdle

Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous Member taking Security Sign from Sunrise Park entrance that was there to deter the growing crime at the Park. This would include threats of violence,assault,harassment,foul language and littering by Daytona AA/NA members.Many other crimes such as car break-ins,drug dealing,vandalism and sexual assault have occurred in the park since the removal of multiple security signs.  Even with crime going up in Holly Hill, and NA Daytona membership growing by leaps and bounds because of court mandating criminals to AA/NA, Serenity By The Sea NA ,The Next Step and More Will Be Revealed Groups interfered with efforts to keep people safer in Sunrise Park. Consider these recent stats-crime up 20.1% in Holly Hill,yet Daytona was actually down -11.5%,the State of Florida was down -2%,Volusia County was flat compared to last year! Now Serenity by the Sea has spread to other parks/playgrounds! Keep in mind that no one is accountable in these groups.Literally,no one is in charge. Narcotics Anonymous has no control over rogue groups.                                                                                                                        View "Picture_Park_717.jpg"

Here is what used to be at Sunrise Park to protect the families and children.View "741.JPG"

Picture_Park_712.jpg

UPDATE-AA MEMBER WAS COURT ORDERED WHO SHOT WOMAN AT ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETING

This is becoming more and more common at AA meetings.Since Drug Courts started mandating AA/NA meetings over 20 years ago,and these courts have exploded across this country.So has the reporting of violence in relation to these meetings. Men,women and children have been traumatized for decades by 13 steppers,felons, financial and sexual predators that were their fellow members.

Is it going to take a tragedy in Holly Hill Florida for the City to protect children and families from court mandated,government sponsored 12 step meetings located in their playgrounds to do something? There has been cries for help from locals to the police and commissioners after threats of violence.Yet NOTHING. Liz Towsley Patton stated about the appearance of city officials looking like they are in bed with someone,she has a point. The City does looks like they are in bed with many folks.Where does it end? When will it end?

Fugitive sought for shooting of pregnant woman in Baldwin Park

Posted: 11/17/2011 10:54:11 AM PST

Omar Martinez

Omar Martinez, 19, of Baldwin Park is being sought on suspicion of shooting a pregnant woman in the head outside of an Alcoholic’s Anonymous meeting in Baldwin Park on Nov. 10, 2011. (Courtesy of the Baldwin Park Police Department)

BALDWIN PARK – Police Thursday sought the public’s help in tracking down a Baldwin Park man who accused of shooting a pregnant woman in the head after getting into a fight with her husband at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

Omar Martinez, 19, is wanted for attempted murder, Baldwin Park police Lt. David Reynoso said. He’s believed to be hiding in the West Covina or Los Angeles areas.

Martinez was attending a court-ordered AA meeting about 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at a church at Los Angeles Street and Stewart Avenue when he got into a fight with another man in his 20s who was attending the meeting, police said.

The fight was broken up and the men separated and left, Reynoso said.

“The intended victim left the meeting and entered a vehicle driven by his pregnant wife,” Baldwin Park police said in a written statement. “Suspect

Martinez followed the intended victim and shot twice at the vehicle as it left.”

The woman driving the car was struck in the back of the head, Reynoso said. She was initially hospitalized in critical condition, however she’s since been updated to stable condition.

Police have learned the woman was several weeks into a pregnancy at the time she was shot, and has since miscarried.

“At this time, we haven’t been able to determine if the miscarriage is related to the crime,” Reynoso said.

Martinez fled after the shooting and hasn’t been seen since, Reynoso said.

He was immediately identified as the shooter by witnesses who knew him

from the AA group, and he left his AA membership card behind when he fled the scene, the lieutenant said.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_19356587

 YOUTUBE VIDEO of AA Meeting Shooting At Baldwin Park-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoQdP0QfH3c&w=420&h=315

 

Rommel Scalf Quits Holly Hill PD After String Of Taser Abuses

Now after one reads this article, one is left with more questions than answers about the internal affairs of Holly Hill PD. Rommel Scalf  had numerous previous complaints over excessive force using a taser gun. Instead of firing him for so many infractions he was instead given a desk job by then Commander Mark Barker, to head the Crime Prevention Community Relations Department. This included the ‘ Explorers’ , a youth group learning about police work. Barker is quoted as saying he ” thrived” in that position. That is until he used excessive force again with a taser gun he was not even allowed to have.

This story is not just a reflection on Rommel Scalf behavior. It draws a bigger picture of of the inner workings and mindset of the top brass in the Holly Hill Police Department. You certainly come away from the article feeling like there were many standards of professionalism not followed at the department for quite some time. I doubt Scalf thought he would even lose his job over it, but it did catch up with him.

This information was suppressed involving Janet Hawkins and Scalf during her trial when he arrested her. Holly Hill was withholding evidence to protect there own as long as they could.

Officer quits after Taser misuse

BY LYDA LONGA, STAFF WRITER

April 29 th 2011

HOLLY HILL — The Holly Hill policeman who scuffled with a Daytona Beach detective he arrested resigned after a string of incidents in which he misused a Taser, according to documents obtained this week.

In the latest incident, former officer Rommel Scalf pressed the trigger of his supervisor’s Taser — while it was still in the corporal’s hand — stunning a domestic violence suspect. But Scalf was not supposed to handle that weapon. Misuse of his Taser in other incidents prompted his supervisors to prohibit him from carrying one, according to Scalf’s internal affairs file.

Scalf, a 13-year Holly Hill officer, shot suspect Troy Foster the first time on a February afternoon. Following that, Scalf yelled for someone to give him a Taser and he shot Foster once in the side and again in the back while the handcuffed man was being led away by another officer, an internal affairs report shows.

Besides shooting a handcuffed suspect three times, Scalf also placed one of his colleagues in danger, the report shows.

Scalf, who resigned from Holly Hill police on March 17, declined comment for this article. But news of his resignation surfaced last week during the one-day trial of former Daytona Beach detective Janet Hawkins. Scalf arrested Hawkins on Sept. 22, 2009, at a traffic stop. Hawkins, 47, is awaiting sentencing on a charge of resisting without violence, a misdemeanor.

Testimony at the Hawkins trial and an internal affairs file at Holly Hill police revealed that the 45-year-old Scalf was not permitted to carry a Taser because of complaints about his use of force in the past.

In 2007, according to his internal affairs file, Scalf deployed his Taser 16 times. After that then-Police chief Don Shinnamon wanted him monitored closely, the internal affairs file shows.

In early 2008, Scalf met with trouble again, however.

On Jan. 12, Scalf blasted a handcuffed suspect with his Taser while the man sat in a patrol car. Scalf also kicked the man and punched him in the abdomen, his internal affairs file shows.

That incident prompted Police Chief Mark Barker — who was a commander at the time — to strip Scalf of his Taser-carrying privilege.

Shortly thereafter, Scalf was placed in the police department’s Crime Prevention Community Relations division, where Barker said Scalf “thrived.”

Then, on Feb. 28, police received the domestic violence call at the Foster residence on 10th Street.

Scalf responded as a backup officer for Cpl. Jeff Traylor — Scalf’s supervisor on that call — Cpl. Chris Yates and Officer Jason Weiss.

When police arrived at Foster’s home, he had bolted after striking his girlfriend on the chest. The suspect returned to the house then ran back out and Scalf gave chase. As Scalf ran, he tripped on some vegetation and cut his face when he hit the ground. Foster then ran into his home and locked himself in a bathroom.

That’s when Scalf — according to the internal affairs investigation — lost it.

He yelled at Traylor — his supervisor — to “kick in the door,” the report shows. Before the door was opened, Scalf yelled “When you see that mother (expletive deleted) shoot him!”

When the door opened, Foster was not violent; he verbally resisted when Traylor tried to handcuff him. At that Scalf yelled at Traylor: “Shoot that mother (expletive deleted) Jeff!” Traylor pointed his weapon at Foster as he assessed the situation, the report says. But that enraged Scalf even more, the report shows. He then yelled an obscenity at his supervisor.

At that point, Scalf advanced toward Traylor and pulled the trigger on Traylor’s Taser, the internal affairs report shows. A barb penetrated Foster’s torso, the report shows. As the suspect was handcuffed and being led away by Yates, Scalf yelled, “Someone give me a Taser!”

The officer who was leading Foster to the patrol car had to move to avoid getting struck by the Taser’s barb, the report shows.

At the time none of the officers at the scene knew Scalf was not supposed to have a Taser, the report says. It’s not clear whether one of the officers handed him the weapon or Scalf grabbed it, but Scalf was able to shoot Foster in the side as he walked away with Yates.

When Foster suddenly stopped, Scalf shot him again, this time striking him in the back, the report shows.

The officers who witnessed Scalf’s actions were stunned, the report says.

“It appeared to other officers and supervisors present that Officer Scalf was out of control, emotionally unstable and highly agitated during the encounter,” the report says. “His use of the term ‘Shoot that mother (expletive deleted)’ escalated an already tense situation.”

Barker said his officers are supposed to deploy their Tasers only when a person physically resists an officer’s commands.

While he said Scalf was “highly intelligent” and had received several commendations throughout his career with the department, Barker also said he cannot tolerate such behavior.

“His conduct at the scene that day was obviously unacceptable,” Barker said this week.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2011/04/29/officer-quits-after-taser-misuse.html

Holly Hill Police Department Has Complaints Of Excessive Force

Even though Officer Rommel Scalf was not allowed to have a taser because of past abuses with using a taser, it looks like Rommel Scalf was allowed to use a taser indirectly by just ordering other officers to do his dirty work. It is outrageous that Daytona Beach police officer Janet Hawkins was tasered. Janet Hawkens claims excessive force was used again by Officer Rommel Scalf. Why did the Chief of Police Mark Barker allow this behavior from his officers for so long? Is this the blue wall of silence at work in the Holly Hill Fl police department?

‘Blue wall of silence’ crumbles

Written by Fcadmin | 28 April 2011

In Janet Hawkins’ resisting arrest case, former officer treated like just another ‘angry’ Black woman

BY JAMES HARPER

DAYTONA TIMES

Janet Hawkins believes there were several factors going against her during her resisting arrest trial last week at the Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

alt                                                       Janet Hawkins

She is Black, female, and she was facing an all-White jury.

Another factor going against her that seemingly should have been in her favor is that she is a former Daytona Beach Police officer.

Unlike what is seen in the movies, the so-called “Blue wall of silence” came tumbling down as one officer after another testified against Hawkins on April 21.

The “Blue wall of Silence” is an unwritten rule among police officers in the United States not to report on another colleague’s errors, misconducts or crimes.

 Officers testify

In September 2009, Hawkins was arrested on a felony charge of resisting arrest with violence and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest without violence and careless driving.

The jury only found her guilty of resisting arrest without violence.

Two of the officers testifying against her were from the neighboring Holly Hill Police Department – Walter Melton and Rommel Scalf. The other officer was Lt. James Newcome from the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD).

Hawkins also had officers testifying on her behalf, including retired Sgt. Robert Smiley of DBPD. The officers testifying against her were White while those testifying in her favor were Black.

There are more than 270 police officers with the DBPD, but among spectators in the courtroom, a Daytona Times reporter counted only two DBPD officers who came to support Hawkins.

How it started

Hawkins’ concern for her son on Sept. 22, 2009, was the beginning of her fall from grace.

She was fired Dec. 4, 2009, after almost 15 years with the DBPD.

“The reason they cited was because I was untruthful, professional misconduct, I was arrested and I caused department morale to go down. Even the termination paperwork says ‘No Disciplinary History’ ” Hawkins told the Times this week.

The incident that led to Hawkins’ firing involved her son, Brandall, who was visiting friends at the Holly Point Apartments in Holly Hill on Sept. 22, 2009.

When he arrived at the apartment, a number of his friends, according to testimony, were being harassed and arrested by Holly Hill police officers.

Heeded son’s call

Holly Hill’s Melton was on the scene at the apartment and testified during Hawkins’ trial.

Brandall called his mother who told him to leave the apartment scene. Hawkins testified that she overhead Melton talking to her son before the phone went dead. That worried her so she left her Ormond Beach home to go to the Holly Point Apartments.

Melton said in court that he was told by Brandall that his mom was on her way. The Holly Hill officer also said under cross-examination that Brandall told Melton he didn’t have to tell him sh..”

“I told officers to arrest Brandall Hawkins,’’ said Holly Hill Police Officer Rommel Scalf, who testified that he was asked to assist at Holly Point Apartments by a shift supervisor.

“I didn’t have anything to do with the arrest (of her son),” said Scalf, when asked by the prosecutor during the trial.

Son’s arrest

However, on cross examination by Hawkins’ attorney Gail Graziano, a former Volusia County circuit judge, Scalf changed his testimony and said he did direct officers to arrest Brandall.

“He attempted to incite people.  He was talking on the cell phone (to his mother),” Scalf said last week on the witness stand.

But Graziano said to Scalf: “He was exercising his right to free speech.’’

On cross-examination, Scalf admitted he was told that Brandall Hawkins was the son of then officer Janet Hawkins.

Brandall was charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing and obstructing an officer without violence. Last year, a jury found him not guilty on all charges.

Mom followed

After her son’s call, Hawkins went to the Holly Point Apartments to discover that he was not there and that he had been taken to the Holly Hill Police Station.

She drove from 15th Street down Center Street to LPGA Boulevard to get to the Holly Hill station, according to testimony during the trial.

As she was driving, Hawkins said she noticed no lights behind her but she had a hunch a Holly Hill officer was near because as she pulled out of the apartment complex, she noticed a marked police car in the parking lot.

‘Are you serious?’

During cross-examination last week, Scalf said he was following Hawkins with no headlights because she was speeding but said he had no speed detection device in his car. Yet he pulled her over at LPGA and Enterprise Court.

Scalf, who has 17 years experience with Holly Hill, retired on April 1.

He said Hawkins jumped out of a red Ford Explorer and asked: “Are you serious? Are you serious? I can’t believe you are doing this.”

After giving Scalf her license, she headed back to her vehicle and was talking on her cell phone to now retired Sgt. Robert Smiley.

Scalf says he told Hawkins not to walk away from him and asked her to get in her vehicle and follow him to the Holly Hill Police station.

Hawkins said she told him she knew where the station was located and could get their on her own.

“She made the mistake of not obeying Scalf. He throws her down and breaks her cell phone. She is under arrest for not hanging up her cell phone,” Graziano said in court.

Tried to taser

In reference to Hawkins’ identifying herself as a fellow officer, Scalf said: “I gave her the option to follow me to the police station. She wouldn’t listen to me. Just because you say who you are doesn’t mean you are who you say you are.’’

On police radio, Scalf refers to a “hysterical Black female claiming to be Daytona Beach police officer.”

Melton also testified that Hawkins was “angry her son had been arrested.” He was called to the Holly Hill street scene by Scalf and later asked Melton to taser Hawkins.

Hawkins was accused of calling Melton and Scalf “corrupt and rednecks.’’

Graziano told the jury: “Words are not a crime.’’ Graziano also said that when Melton used a taser on Hawkins he did so illegally.

Hawkins’ attorney also got Scalf to admit on the stand that passive or verbal resistance from a suspect doesn’t allow an officer to use a taser.

“The taser was unsuccessful. She had him (Melton) in a wrist lock. I tripped her legs and knocked them both to the ground,” Scalf continued.

Graziano said she learned prior to the trial that Scalf had at least seven complaints for excessive use of force, which the state did not produce as ordered by the judge.

Hawkins will appeal

On the stand, Hawkins denied she resisted arrest.

Hawkins said she knew when Scalf asked her to get back into her vehicle that she had to do so. She stated that when she attempted to do so, she was arrested.

Hawkins said she also recalls Scalf saying, “Your son is a thug and you are a thug.’’

“What good am I to my son if I’m locked up?” Hawkins asked, stating that she has been stopped before by other officers and she knew the routine.

“She had the right to speak loud, cuss, express her opinion to police and not be arrested for it,” Graziano said. “A crime involves conduct, not speech. There is no evidence her speech constituted resistance no matter how offensive speech is to police office.’’

Hawkins said she does plan to fight last week’s misdemeanor resisting arrest verdict.

“I do plan to appeal the verdict I can’t say much more about that. The penalty can be up to a year in jail. As for my job, because it’s a misdemeanor I can fight for the job, but that’s on the back burner,” she added.

http://www.flcourier.com/fldaytona-times/5184-blue-wall-of-silence-crumbles

City Hall Brawl Participants Keep Secrets-Like AA

Richmond is taking a second look at allowing city employees to clam up to police after staffers refused to divulge details this week about a bloody brawl in their City Hall offices.

“Whenever you have your policies tested, that’s a time to evaluate them and see if they’re working,” said City Manager Bill Lindsay.

The issue arose Oct. 14 when paid participants in the city’s anti-violence program, the Office of Neighborhood Safety, fought at the department’s city office.

City policy allows that department’s employees to decline to speak with police in order to maintain the trust of the gang members they work with.

Police called to the fight found enough blood to indicate a felony-level assault might have occurred, but the apparent victim had left.

In the week since, Office of Neighborhood Safety employees have refused to divulge the names of all those present during the fight, police say.

The policy worked out between the office and the Police Department during the program’s formation in 2007 dictates that staff communicate with office Director DeVone Boggan, not police, in order to ensure confidentiality.

Boggan, the liaison between the office and police, has declined to speak with this newspaper for the past week.

Lindsay endorsed the existing policy this week in a letter to the City Council.

Snip

“We are not the police,” said peacekeeper Kevin Williams. “We have to use the same rules as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. If you give up the list of the people we’re trying to serve, then you erode the trust.”

Snip

*Here are government employees and the volunteers working for them keeping felony crimes under wraps to protect the criminals! This might explain why the Holly Hill PD protect the NA/AA members identity. Because they work with these people as well to obtain information. Even if citizens are threatened they protect criminals that attend AA/NA. This article shows to what extent Holly Hill City Hall and police will protect criminals. When will the City of Holly Hill put the local citizens and children first?

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19158519?nclick_check=1

Gun Confiscated From Holly Hill Commissioner Liz Towsley

Liz Towsley Patton voted yes to change 2 year terms that voters voted for last November ! She fails to support citizens asking for relief from harassment from Daytona NA/AA members……..but wants to stay 4 more years!

Gun confiscated from Holly Hill commissioner Liz Towsley

By judge’s order, a Volusia County sheriff’s deputy went to Towsley’s house Saturday evening and confiscated a handgun, magazine and some bullets, sheriff’s spokesman Gary Davidson said.

Circuit Judge William Parsons issued the injunction order on Friday after court documents described stalking and harassment Towsley has exercised over the past two years against Police Chief Don Shinnamon and Cmdr. Mark Barker.

In this case, the stalking and harassment was in the form of repeated complaints Towsley has filed against the chief and the commander, alleging conspiracy, bribery, extortion and misuse of public office, according to the injunction.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/special/hollyhill/

Holly Hill Fl Top Cops At Odds

Many of the same players that wont protect the public from threats of violence from Daytona NA and AA Members. They want to force 4 more years in office!

Holly Hill official, top cops at odds

Holly Hill official, top cops Shinnamon and Barker at odds  By LYDA LONGA   Staff Writer Daytona Beach News-Journal    April 2008

HOLLY HILL — Fearing for their jobs in what they call a city commissioner’s vendetta to discredit them through accusations of criminal actions and unethical sexual conduct, the police chief and his commander are asking the city to pay for a private attorney so they can defend themselves.

The level of Commissioner Liz Towsley’s scrutiny of Chief Don Shinnamon and Cmdr. Mark Barker for the past several months has reached such a fervent pitch — according to city memos and letters — that Towsley even followed Shinnamon to Jacksonville in early 2007 and snapped a photograph of his city car parked outside a hotel.  

CAREER CRIMINAL CHARGED IN HOLLY HILL ROBBERY

” He’s a dangerous, habitual felony offender and career criminal,and we are glad to get him off the streets,” Chief Mark Barker stated of this man.How about getting people like this out of our parks and playgrounds? Mark Barker has no problem letting dangerous,habitual felony offenders, that are career criminals attend Daytona AA/NA meetings in Sunrise Park,Holly Land Park and Centennial Park. All 3 parks have playgrounds where children play during meetings. He has aided in expanding this rehab business( that is against local zoning ordinances) and continues to pose a threat to the public safety.
‘Career criminal’ charged in Holly Hill robbery
By CHRIS GRAHAM, Staff writer
 September 8, 2011 12:05 AM
Daytona Beach News-Journal
A 49-year-old man released from a Virginia prison earlier this year is accused of robbing a Holly Hill bank at gunpoint Wednesday and may be involved in several other area heists, police said.

The man, identified by authorities as Michael Joseph Forsythe, walked into TD Bank, 1852 Ridgewood Ave., armed with a revolver and demanded cash before fleeing the bank and driving west on Calle Grande Avenue, Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker said.

Forsythe’s getaway vehicle — a 2010 Acura MDX — was spotted minutes later in Ormond Beach, Barker said. A short chase ensued and law enforcement officials were able to surround Forsythe in the parking lot of the Nova Road Recreation Center.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident. Barker said the money and firearm were recovered and no one was injured during the robbery.

After authorities apprehended Forsythe, they learned he has a lengthy criminal past.

The suspect previously served a 15-year prison sentence in Virginia on auto theft convictions, Barker said.

After he was released, police believe Forsythe stole the Acura in Vero Beach, drove to North Carolina to steal a license tag and drove back down to Florida, Barker said.

“Obviously, he’s a dangerous, habitual felony offender and career criminal,” Barker said. “And we’re glad to have him off the street.”

Investigators from the FBI are interviewing Forsythe to determine if he is connected to other bank robberies in Central Florida and elsewhere, Barker said.

Forsythe will be charged with armed robbery and grand theft and taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail, Barker said.

Governor Asked For Outside Investigation of Holly Hill Police

Gov. asked for outside investigation of Holly Hill police By LYDA LONGA  Staff Writer      July 02, 2008

An attorney for Holly Hill’s top police brass is asking the governor’s office to appoint an outside state attorney to investigate criminal allegations hurled by a city commissioner at the two highest-ranking officers.

Towsley

Shinnamon

Barker

The three-page letter to Gov. Charlie Crist was sent Tuesday and in it, attorney Mike Lambert details the two-year saga involving City Commissioner Liz Towsley, Public Safety Director Don Shinnamon and Cmdr. Mark Barker.

“. . . the appointment by you of an outside state attorney to conduct this investigation will put an end to the turmoil that has been generated and perpetuated by these complaints,” Lambert wrote to Crist. “Whoever you would choose is acceptable to these two law enforcement officers and not someone Elizabeth Towsley could complain of or claim a special relationship.”

Holly Hill Florida Looks at AA NA Meeting Procedures in the Parks

Holly Hill Looks at Park Meeting Procedures

AUDREY PARENTE – STAFF WRITER
January 10, 2011

HOLLY HILL – Children romping on playground equipment at Sunrise Park giggled and shouted in the dark recently, under the watchful eyes of their aunt, Beth Thomason.

On the same night a woman’s low voice nearby murmured about her drug problem. She sat at a picnic table with a camp lantern glowing on nearly 20 adult faces, many under hoodies and knit caps in the cold. Thomason said she knew it was a self-help group, because she once attended similar meetings in support of a relative. No incidents occurred Friday at Sunrise. But recent conflicts over park use by large groups caused citizens to request commissioners look at stronger regulations for the city’s parks.
Park rules and policies will be discussed at a public workshop 5 p.m. Tuesday in City Commission Chambers.
According to a flier on a City Hall table, anonymous self-help groups meet daily at Sunrise and other Parks in Holly Hill. AA Daytona Beach Meetings in Daytona.
In Holly Hill, park reservations by large groups aren’t required, but an option to assure a spot is available for $25, said Acting City Manager Mark Barker.
An individual at Friday night’s meeting, who didn’t want a name used because the group prefers anonymity, said the number of people at a meeting varies and many who attend are required to be there by drug court.

Commissioner Rick Glass said he’s anticipating help from the city attorney at the workshop. “I have had many, many people call, and I just got off the phone with a citizen who was talking about it,” Glass said. “They want (sign-up) procedures put in place for parties – basic policies like other cities have, where parties of 20 or 25 people have to pull a permit.” Park regulations for municipalities at municode.com show other cities, including Ormond Beach and Edgewater, regulate many issues from conduct and park hours to penalties. Barker said “right now, to control certain behaviors,” other regulations are used – not park specific – such as laws covering alcoholic beverages, firearms and public safety issues.

Commissioner Liz Towsley Patton said the issue has been discussed before – not at length. “We will look at all sides and decide,” she said. “I am open to that, but, do I think we need to shut parks off to groups or go through a certain process? No.” Commissioner Donnie Moore said: “As it stands right now . . . I do see some issues, and we can work on that.” Moore said requiring reservations by large groups might be considered, but he also hopes to designate playgrounds as non-smoking areas. Commissioner Roy Johnson said he aims to find “what is best for everybody,” but not “restrict people from using the park.” A local business operator across from the park believes the city should regulate park use. “I am in a little store where people stop to get their whatnots, and they say what’s on their mind. I have heard grumblings,” said Mr. Sanderford. He spends seven weekdays operating Holly Hill River Mart, and said local residents complain about meeting groups monopolizing the park and the parking. The complaints resulted in a petition asking city lawmakers to look at the issue, he said.

Former mayoral candidate Steve Smith presented the petition. Barker said an unsigned copy of the petition is on record. Smith said his trouble at the park began while running for mayor. He reserved the pavilion once a week for 10 weeks, having cookouts and campaigning, but encountered harassment and disagreeable persons in a group meeting at the park pavilion with no reservation, he said. “The city should limit (the number of) times,” of use by large groups, Smith said, and all groups “should be submitting some remittance to the city for the maintenance of the park.”

Smith also had a solution.

“The thing that is missing is, we don’t have a leisure services or parks director, so there is nothing scheduled.” Organized activities would help, he said.

Dangers Of Teenagers and Children Attending Holly Hill Fl AA NA meetings

Local citizens have witnessed children and teens of all ages attend Daytona Beach AA and NA meetings.These minors are exposed to very detailed horror stories of drug and alcohol abuse. It is not healthy emotionally for children to be exposed to the adult nature of these meetings. Many people who attend are felons who have committed violent crimes, and even sexual predators that are mandated by the court system to go to Daytona Beach AA meetings.This is putting members at risk-but what is even worse is putting children and teens in harms way. Daytona AA and NA need to do what is in the best interest of children and teens, and protect them from emotional and physical harm. It is outrageous this is allowed to go on. These organizations know of the dangers minors are exposed to at meetings. Yet they turn a blind eye to this harmful practice of allowing young children and even encouraging teens to attend adult meetings. Your children or teenagers are NOT healthy or safe at Daytona Alcoholics Anonymous or Holly Hill Narcotics Anonymous meetings.Please do not take them to meetings.