Tag Archives: AA NA meetings in Sunrise Park and Hollyland Park

Ex-Con Alcoholics Anonymous Member Arrested During Drug Raid That Uncovered Drugs And Handgun

Posted on by
Reply

AA member Leslie Mitchell who was an ex-con had his home raided and he had eight small marijuana plants, cocaine, steroid pills, liquid steroids, drug paraphernalia, $3,590 in cash, a .22 caliber handgun and a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition. He had been on probation for having 16 ounces of heroin! He only served 9 months in jail.

AA Member Busted

VINELAND — An ex-con enrolled in the state’s intensive supervision program (ISP) who was arrested March 7 on drug and weapons charges had been visited just four days earlier by an ISP officer, a state judiciary spokeswoman said.

Leslie H. Mitchell, 43, was charged with multiple counts of drug possession and distribution offenses, as well as violation of parole after police made the discovery March 7. He is accused of growing marijuana, possessing a handgun and selling cocaine and two types of steroids.

“The last visit was March 3,” said Tamara Kendig, spokeswoman for the New Jersey State Judiciary, which runs the intensive supervision program.

“This person had reported to the ISP office on March 5, two days before the arrest. An officer was scheduled to visit the home later in the evening on March 7. He had already observed the arrest though and so did not go through with the visit.” Mitchell was allowed into the ISP on Jan. 27, 2011. He had originally been imprisoned on May 11, 2010, after he was convicted of possession of more than five ounces of heroin. Captain Thomas Ulrich of the Vineland Police Department said he had been caught with 16-ounces of the substance.

He could have received a maximum sentence of eight years, but was released after less than nine months in prison.
ISP is a program in which convicts are released early from prison and are allowed to stay out so long as they follow a set of guidelines.

“Generally speaking, the guidelines are the same,” said Kendig. “You’re required to maintain employment, and he was employed. Curfews are imposed, although the curfew can change. Depending on whether someone’s compliant, as you move along they may change your curfew a little bit. You’re required to pay outstanding fines.”

She added that Mitchell did have one violation during his release for possession of alcohol in April 2011.

“He was required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and had been in attendance,” she said.

He also had paid $4,380 out of $4,630 in fines that he owed.

When police executed a warrant and raided Mitchell’s apartment, he had eight small marijuana plants, cocaine, steroid pills, liquid steroids, drug paraphernalia, $3,590 in cash, a .22 caliber handgun and a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition.

The ATF is tracing the weapon.

Mitchell was lodged in the Cumberland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail as well as a no-bail warrant for violating his parole.

http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2012/03/officer_visited_vineland_ex-co.html

Park Employees Intimidated By Narcotics Anonymous And Alcoholics Anonymous Groups

Posted on by
7

Even though there has been a smoking ban at Newport Beach for over 7 years, park employees were too intimidated to tell the AA/NA Groups to not smoke. Commissioners said that the AA/NA groups were just too confrontational for park employees, and need police to enforce the ban. First citizens asked the 12 steppers not to smoke and obey the law, but was brushed off. Typical behavior of 12 steppers acting like they are unique and special, and that they do not have to follow the law. The citizens of Holly Hill Florida certainly can relate towards this attitude of ‘Recovery Groups’. We have been dealing with The Sunrise Group, which is part of the Volusia County Intergroup Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as the Daytona Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Holly Land Park, Centennial Park and Sunrise Park. We have to deal with parking issues, litter , vulgarity, cigarette butts, assaults, death threats and the list goes on.

Maybe the Holly Hill City Commission will listen to the all the complaints from our locals and take action!

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups can’t smoke at Newport beaches

City Council
By JON CASSIDY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

NEWPORT BEACH – Recovery groups that smoke during meetings on the beach are facing a crackdown, after the City Council rejected a plan to give them smoking permits for their weekly meetings.Smoking on the beach has been banned in Newport Beach for more than seven years, but the City Council took up the issue Tuesday as part of a revision to its rules on parks and beach use.

Those new rules included a ban on smoking in parks, as well as broader language covering permits for park use.
Two groups, one from Alcoholics Anonymous and another from Narcotics Anonymous, have been gathering at the beach near 15th Street for years, City Manager Dave Kiff said.Many of the group members smoke, he said.

“A law is only as good as our ability to enforce it,” Kiff said, adding that parks employees were too intimidated to give tickets to the large recovery groups. His proposal was to allow the groups to apply for smoking permits that cover just their meeting time, but the idea was rejected.”There’s other people that (would) see them smoking there and think now it’s OK to smoke here,” Councilman Steve Rosansky said. Councilman Mike Henn said police would be needed to enforce the law.

“Clearly what we are left with is increased enforcement and we need to figure out a way to make that happen,” he said. “I don’t think it can realistically happen with park patrol people because the people that are smoking, I know, are just too confrontational when they’re asked to stop. So we’re going to have to figure out a way to get the proper police enforcement there.”

Two residents spoke against Kiff’s exception. Resident Denys Oberman said that she had been asking group members not to smoke for years, but that they usually ignored her or told her, “Get off of it” or “Go about your life.”

Two others came to ask that the basketball court at 38th Street Park on Balboa be closed at 7 p.m. rather than sunset; the council agreed. Those were the only two changes to a package of revised regulations approved on a 5-1 vote, with Councilman Ed Selich opposing and Rosansky not voting. The new regulations for parks include a smoking ban, a permit requirement for commercial use by coaches or trainers, and a permit requirement for “any games” played in the city’s 73 parks.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/smoking-340405-beach-smoke.html

Violent Felon Who Led Police On 100-MPH Chase On Christmas Eve Is Sentenced to Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings

Posted on by
Reply

Rickey Lee Lidel broke the nose of a person and threatened to stab him. The victim called police and then there was a high speed chase. Here is another violent felon mandated to the rooms Of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Published March 07, 2012, 12:00 AM
Man who led deputies on high-speed chase on Christmas Eve sentenced
A Bemidji man who led area law enforcement on a 100-mph chase on Christmas Eve was sentenced in Beltrami County District Court on Monday. Pioneer Staff Report, Bemidji Pioneer

A Bemidji man who led area law enforcement on a 100-mph chase on Christmas Eve was sentenced in Beltrami County District Court on Monday.

District Judge Paul T. Benshoof ordered Ricky Lee Lidel, 56, to serve 109 days in jail, stayed for two years, with 73 days credited for time served.

The judge also ordered Lidel to serve two years of supervised probation, attend weekly Alcoholic Anonymous meetings for sixth months and pay $1,300 in fines.

Lidel pleaded guilty Jan. 23 to fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and possessing an assault weapon while having a previous felony conviction.

According to an earlier news release issued by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office:

An assault victim suffered a broken nose in a violent encounter with Lidel, who threatened to stab the person with a knife at the victim’s home.

After receiving the call, deputies spotted a silver Grand Am, described by the victim, and attempted to stop Lidel.

However, Lidel drove east on the U.S. Highway 2 bypass from Division Street, leading authorities on a pursuit reaching speeds higher than 100 mph. Lidel stopped the car on Highway 2 and attempted to flee on foot when deputies arrested him.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100037514/

Daytona Beach NA Member Busted For Meth Lab In Ormond Beach Florida

Posted on by
1

Ormond Beach Florida resident Christopher Greenbaum and Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous member was busted for having a meth lab at his house. Christopher Greenbaum is a convicted felon with previous arrests for drugs and DUI’s.
When he was busted this week they also found a firearm.

Just the kind of dangerous criminal that you want going to NA meetings in our Holly Hill Fl parks and playgrounds. It goes to show that many who attend NA/AA meetings, have not quit drugs or alcohol at all. This one carried firearms and had a meth lab.

Christopher Greenbaum

Ormond man charged with manufacturing, trafficking meth
BY CHRIS GRAHAM, STAFF WRITER
February 22, 2012
Greenbaum
An Ormond Beach man was arrested today on multiple drug-related charges after deputies found a methamphetamine lab in his home, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

Volusia County sheriff’s narcotics investigators along with agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration raided the home at 73 River Beach Drive about 2:30 p.m. after sheriff’s officials received a tip about possible drug activity in the home, sheriff’s spokesman Brandon Haught said.

When deputies entered the residence, Christopher Greenbaum, 35, was quickly taken into custody. He was the only person inside the home.

Haught said agents found a meth lab in the upstairs bathroom of the home, which required a specially trained cleanup team to safely secure the chemicals. Investigators also recovered 95 grams of meth oil as well as a firearm and ammunition, Haught said.

Greenbaum was charged with manufacture of meth, possession of listed chemicals, trafficking in meth, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. He was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail and is being held without bail.

http://www.news-
journalonline.com/breakingnews/2012/02/an-ormond-beach-man-was.html

Next Article

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2012/02/23/ormond-man-charged-with-manufacturing-trafficking-meth.html

Some Blacks Feel Alcoholics Anonymous Is Too White

Posted on by
2

This article describes a black woman who refused to go to AA but did have support from her church. It brings up an interesting point that Blacks view that confessing your sins in AA, and airing your dirty laundry as foreign to them, and goes against their belief system. Actually I think many people of all races probably are not thrilled with this part of AA! It is also I think a very dangerous practice. Scientology practices this too.

AA does have a higher % of whites than blacks according to Alcoholics Anonymous Statistics. I know I have witnessed in Volusia County Drug Courts that the participants were predominately white, and they are mandated to AA/NA/CA. The meetings I have seen over the years in our Holly Hill Parks our also predominately white.So when I came across this article I found it interesting.

Of course the author of the article is of the opinion that the woman would of been better off going to AA, no mention of SMART that does NOT ask you to confess your sins.

Black Church

snip

‘This attitude is fairly common among African-Americans addicts in poor neighborhoods in most large US cities; ironically, while the biggest complaint about AA and NA among skeptical middle-class white addicts is the dependence on a Higher Power, in urban black communities 12-step recovery groups are marginalized because they aren’t explicitly allied with any church. In addition, the confessional mode of “sharing” that defines the AA fellowship is alien to the ethic of African- neighborhoods, where airing your dirty laundry in public is disappoved of rather than viewed as a method of establishing trust and fellowship. For the same reason, professional psychotherapy is frequently dismissed as a “white” treatment; given the church’s influence, mental health issues are widely viewed as caused by a lack of faith remedied by more regular attendance at Bible study.

When I was new to doing social work in the black community, this widespread attitude confused me and frustrated my efforts to help my black clients. An an ex-junkie, I could vow for the benefits to be gained from both recovery groups and therapy. A North Philly church lady coworker set me straight. “A lot of black don’t feel that AA and therapy are alien to everything they know,” she told me. “If you got problems you just go to church on Sunday and scream your head off and then everything’s fine.”

But for Susan, it turned out, everything wasn’t fine. While Jesus and the church were pulling her in one direction, the judicial system had made an unwelcome appearance and was pulling her in another. The entire time Susan was in prison, the state of Pennsylvania was running a tab on all the welfare dollars her mother received in her children’s names. Consequently, per state law, Susan was held responsible for the total amount upon her release, and soon the welfare department came calling to get its money back.’

Entire article-

http://www.thefix.com/content/AME%20black%20church-AA-white-addiction-North%20Philadelphia8811?page=all

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

Posted on by
18

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. 

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

Posted on by
2

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

 

Holly Hill Police Department Has Complaints Of Excessive Force

Posted on by
14
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

Gun Confiscated From Holly Hill Commissioner Liz Towsley

Posted on by
Reply

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/

CAREER CRIMINAL CHARGED IN HOLLY HILL ROBBERY

Posted on by
Reply
” 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.

EMOTIONS RUN HIGH AT HOLLY HILL Fl MEETING DISCUSSING NA AA PARK MEETINGS

Posted on by
25
HOLLY HILL Florida — Holly Hill Police escorted two individuals pointing fingers and raising voices at each other out of a workshop on the issue of regulating public parks on Tuesday. The incident prompted Commissioner John Penny to remind the citizens attending the workshop the commission was “setting park policy irregardless of any individual group,” and that behavior and discussion should remain professional. In a rare move, the commission allowed the public to speak during the workshop, which is not the usual procedure. AA Daytona and NA Daytona Meetings in Daytona and Holly Hill Area.
Among 37 citizens who attended, some spoke their minds about wanting further and stronger regulations to include requiring any larger groups to reserve space and pay a fee for using the park, among other things. Steve Smith suggested having an educated and trained park director would help resolve some of the problems. Mr. Sanderford presented a petition with 88 signatures of citizens wanting stronger regulations. He operates a shop across from Sunrise Park.

A few individuals hinted at the value of self-help groups using the park often, and one person even said the groups using Sunrise Park on weekends had relocated. Not until the commission closed public discussion did the crux of the issue surface clearly. “This has turned into a battle of two worlds, and I don’t think we should be in the middle,” said Commissioner Liz Towsley Patton. “There’s no secret we are here because of the NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings at the park. I don’t think we are here to micromanage public parks.”

But Commissioner Donnie Moore had a different take, and said he had spent two hours speaking with park officials in Daytona Beach. He recommended the city attorney, who was not present, get with the Daytona Beach city attorney and park staff to come up with rules applicable to all who use the park.

The policy being discussed encompassed 13 rules laid out by acting Police Chief Steve Aldridge. The rules included such items as smoking in designated areas, pet rules, no alcoholic beverages except by permit at organized events, no littering, no discharge of firearms, designated parking and no children on the playground before sunrise or after sunset. Penny said he was comfortable with Aldridge’s list and recommended the list be forwarded for action at a future commission meeting.

Commissioners agreed to look at giving designated smoking areas a 90-day trial, and to ask the city attorney to speak with park officials in Daytona Beach to better understand the issues.

Comment- Citizens are demanding stronger regulations for the local parks
because of the increasing problems that have arisen because of the presence
of Large Party Groups and Daytona Beach Area Narcotics Anonymous and Daytona Beach Alcoholics Anonymous- Volusia County Intergroup.  Interesting that the City attorney was not present.Still no action has been taken by the City of Holly Hill regardless of the pleas from numerous local citizens.
Citizens have had their life threatened by Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous members and been confronted by Daytona Beach Alcoholics Anonymous Volusia County Intergroup. Others have been cussed out. Police have been called numerous times- yet Holly Hill only protects the felons that attend the meetings that have been mandated by Drug Court and the Department of Corrections.
Update- Even though Holly Hill has passed NO Smoking in the parks- AA and NA groups continue to smoke in our parks with no repercussions.

DAYTONA BEACH/HOLLY HILL Fl NA MEMBERS COMPLAIN ABOUT SECURITY SIGN!

Posted on by
8

NA Members complain about security sign posted in the park to deter crime! The Next Step & More Will Be Revealed Group that meets in Sunrise Park, does not seem to care about the public interest,only about themselves.

Sunrise Park has had car break-ins and other serious crime recently. The citizens want to have a safe park.

Security cameras help deter crime,why do they prevent crime fighting measures?

Parents Speak Out About Perverts In Park

Posted on by
3
 Harlingen Texas. In Arroyo Park these parents are upset because they feel kids should feel safe in a park and not be exposed to sexual perverts. We feel the same way in Holly Hill Fl where sexual perverts roam the parks along with violent felons mandated by the courts.
Keeping children safe should be our top priority!

http://www.kveo.com/news/parents-speak-out-about-perverts-in-park

Inmates Going To Outside NA and AA Meetings Escapes

Posted on by
Reply

Many inmates are allowed out on day passes to attend AA/NA meetings in your community ! Some escape and commit more crimes.

http://wvgazette.com/News/201103230625

Daytona Beach Police Make Arrests in Prostitution Ring Sting

Posted on by
Reply

Looks like Chief Chitwood is on a roll trying to clean up his streets of crime. Many prostitutes do this for drugs. Many prostitutes are sent to Daytona Beach Narcotics Anonymous and Daytona Area AA Intergroup for help. Women and the men who seek their services do not need to be getting help in our playgrounds at Sunrise Park, Hollyland Park and Centennial Park located in Holly Hill Fl .Chief Chitwood does not have Daytona NA AA meeting in his playgrounds!

CHRIS GRAHAM, STAFF WRITER
 September 2011 
DAYTONA BEACH — Eight women were arrested in a citywide prostitution sting.

The women, whose ages ranged from 29 to 50, were arrested and charged Monday with solicitation to commit prostitution, said Daytona Beach police spokesman Jimmie Flynt. Arrests occurred at locations throughout the city, including several intersections along Ridgewood Avenue.

The arrests are part of an initiative to “increase the quality of life” in the city, Flynt said.

One of the women, who refused to give her name but was later identified by authorities as 23-year-old Ciera Hankins, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of narcotic paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence.

The others arrested in the sting were identified by authorities as Donna Blankenship, 43, Lisa Wawrzyniak, 40, Matilda Brewer, 46, Laurie Markley, 50, Gina Jennings, 43, Jennifer Lahive, 29, and 35-year-old Wendy Keyes.

The sting comes on the heels of a reverse prostitution roundup held Friday involving an undercover female police officer who posed as a prostitute in the area of north and south Ridgewood Avenue. Six men were arrested including 82-year-old John Miller.