Eureka P.D. In Turmoil
I'd heard a few rumblings on the local blogs about things going on in Eureka Police Department but, personally, I had no idea. Looks like even former department spokesbabe, Susie Owsley, seems to think the work environment there has gotten "intolerable".
I'd wondered why Murl Harpham became lieutenant all of the sudden. He was a captain for years and no mention of the change in the papers. Was this an actual demotion or simply part of departmental reorganization under Chief Nielsen? I can't think of any captains with Eureka P.D. Maybe Nielsen did away with the position?
If this is all the Chief's fault, it sure didn't take him long to piss people off. This could be just the normal reaction, though, to a newcomer who comes in and stirs things up where people were pretty comfortable. Regardless, hopefully the powers that be will look into the situation.
As far as all this talk about how much better Eureka has become under Nielsen, it's beyond me. I can't tell any difference, and I don't mean any slight against Nielsen by saying that. The same things have been happening around here as they always have.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:55 AM
20 comments
20 Comments:
You are about the only person I know who does not seem to think that law enforcement has improved dramatically since the new chief took over. Does he deserve the credit? I don't know for sure, but probably. While this not be the most important issue, the increased code enforcement on illegally parked vehicles is one example though as one who has been on the short end of this you might disagree.
Thats why he was hired, to shake things up. Must be hard entering a department where almost everyone is a lifer. Can you imagine being Murl's boss? How long has Owlsley done her job? Is she going to do it for another 25 years?
Go Garr!
Hayduke wrote, "You are about the only person I know who does not seem to think that law enforcement has improved dramatically since the new chief took over.".
I don't see how anybody can say law enforcement improved, especially dramatically. In what ways?
Nothing against Nielsen, but I don't know that I've had any problems with EPD before he came along. In the few dealings I've had with them over the years, they've always been pleasant enough with me.
As far as criminal activity supposedly being down, if that's what people are suggesting has happened, I haven't noticed any difference. I'm not blaming that on anyone. That's just my observation.
They made a big deal out of some drug busts recently, but they've been doing those for years. Where are the people who got arrested in that bust over on Del Norte Street in Eureka going to go when they get out of jail? Probably either right back to where they were living or, if they've been evicted, maybe they'll end up moving to your neighborhood. Is there really any reason for cheers for those drug busts?
Not saying Nielsen's doing a good or bad job. Just saying that in my day to day life, nothing seems to have changed for better or worse around town.
As far as increased enforcement on illegally parked vehicles, seems to me they've been talking about toughening up on that for years. I have noticed, though, they seemed to have stopped citing vehicles being sold along the street on Harris Street in Henderson Center. They went on a big ticket binge when they first started enforcing the ordinance. Guess they must of got tired of dealing with it. That's fine with me.
I've heard they will pay a house call these days for crimes reported, rather than the old "We'll send you a form to fill out." I'd consider that a dramatic improvement.
If these corrupt officers like Gallegos-approved murderer Terry Liles are crying foul, then Nielsen must be doing something right. Keep it up!
Well, for one thing, the new chief doesn't describe our City to the world as "a hell hole."
"Well, for one thing, the new chief doesn't describe our City to the world as "a hell hole.".
At least not publicly. Besides, he is pretty much a newbie to the area.
"I've heard they will pay a house call these days for crimes reported, rather than the old "We'll send you a form to fill out.".
I could be wrong on this, but I believe they started doing that before Nielsen took charge.
Quite honestly, as annoying as it may be for someone to have to fill out their own crime report, I don't have a problem with it. Seems like a waste of time to me to use up a police officer's time writing a report on something they're probably not going to do anything about anyway.
Are you blind ? The Chief is like Jerry Droz when he lived here ! He's really been doing a fantastic job . This town is getting shaken up just like Jerry tried to do but Jerry however was not the Police Chief and really didn't have the clout as our current Chief does . I love our Chief and i ain't Gay either but really love the man for what he's done . Maybe he and Jerry Droz are somehow working together . Just don't know...........
We have been complaining for years about a junk Ford ugly Gray car with a rear bed that sat on Washington Street without moving for 6 years . Nobody did anything about it as more and more junkies moved into the neighborhood on Summer and on lower Washington Streets . Garr Neilson became Chief . That junker is now gone . GOD BLESS OUR NEW CHIEF .
We had an abandoned vehicle in front of our business a month or so ago. After a few calls, it was taken care of.
Chief Garr PERSONALLY called the business to make sure that the vehicle had been moved. Garr must have been checking up on his dispatchers to see if they were assigning officers to calls.
As a person who expects a small, efficient government, I totally respect the Chief for making sure that my tax dollars are being spent wisely...
And seriously, God Bless YOU for continuing to agitate for a clean up in your neighborhood. Just because some people are poor does NOT mean they should be required to live in intolerable conditions, ignored by the authorities who are supposed to enforce the laws equally. More Eurekans should follow your example of persistence.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_8837095
Larry Glass and Garr Nielsen are both being dishonest and deceitful when they claim the police review proposal would take away the police chief's power to discipline anybody. All the proposed police review commission would do is make recommendations regarding complaints, and it was never proposed that it have any further authority than that. Glass and Nielsen and their little vulture Rex Bohn are beating up a straw man who doesn't exist. That CopWatch group is a small handful of Marxists gathered around Kim Starr and Tracy Herrin, and are not part of the wider movement by moderate community members on behalf of the same mainstream police review commission that other cities in California have. This article just confuses instead of clarifies what the real choices of the community are.
Larry Glass added the first two letters to his name just as soon as he dropped out of school . It's him continuing to stop growth leading to unemployment leading to more meth dealers in this town .
Since you seem to know the inside story, is Christina part of the small Marxist group or is she part of the larger anti-police group?
Marxists? If anyone in this story are the marxists, its the police officers who are hired by us taxpayers.
EPD officers: If you can't take the heat, you should get out of the kitchen. Subordination is grounds for termination. Support your commander or stand down.
Heres a blog written by an EWPD employee with an interesting take on the situation
http://abovethelaweureka.blogspot.com/
Christina is not part of CopWatch. In fact, no one with any sense is part of CopWatch.
Hey Fred ! You must sit at home all day if you have not seen the difference in Eureka since Nielson took over . Things are better and our neighborhoods are cleaner .
As i was saying before....with Larry Glass and his anti - growth movement we now have few jobs leading to more meth dealers coming to , Eureka . Thanks Larry but we need more new businesses here for the creation of new jobs . It's about jobs or lack of them that we have been an attraction for drug dealing in our Town!
I guess so, although I still don't see how anything is all that much better around town and can't see what Nielsen would have to do with neighborhoods being "cleaner", if you're using the literal form of the word. He's the Chief of Police, not a street sweeper.
"Subordination is grounds for termination."
Uh, Theo Therme, are you sure you didn't mean "insubordination?"
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