The crime: Working on your car while black

[True Dough]

Always suspicious, right?

[ProudLib72]

1. They were bored, saw a random black guy doing something

That's exactly why blue lives matter.

[trc]

2. I smell a huge payday for this young man.

Ridiculous behavior from "contract" police....loitering, in the parking lot while repairing your car. And stomping on the phone.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

3. More detail here....

This happened in Southport, IN, a suburb of Indy. Still trying to find info on how this played out long-term. Many Indiana papers have strict access controls, just as Pence planned it.

See: https://thefreethoughtproject.com/working-car-police-harass-while-black/
Note: This is the original article cited on YouTube and contains some innaccuracies.

(snips)

As Evans’ video shows, he was simply working on his car this week when a Southport police officer approached him and began harassing him. The officer was relentless in his pursuit to treat Evans like a criminal yet he’d done absolutely nothing wrong.

The officer asked Evans why he was outside, a question that Evans is not obligated to answer. He then asked if Evans lived in the complex and, even though he did not have to answer the officer, Evans told him that he did, in fact, live in the complex.

The conversation should’ve ended there, but it did not. Instead, when confronted with an intelligent man who knew his rights, the officer reacted with hubris and then called for backup, telling Evans that he was “going to do it the hard way.”

(edited to correct name to Jaquon Dean and add a further, more accurate report here)

Man says he was profiled, assaulted by officers outside his Indianapolis apartment complex
Link: https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/crime/man-says-he-was-profiled-assaulted-by-officer-outside-his-indianapolis-apartment-complex

(snip)

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis man is planning to take legal action after he says he was profiled, then assaulted, by a security officer outside his own apartment.

Jaquon Dean was sitting in his car outside his northwest side apartment Saturday when, he says, a security officer approached asking if he lived there. Dean says the officer demanded to know his name and called in backup when Dean declined to answer his questions. “He’s there every day so he knows I live there,” Dean said.

Dean filmed his interaction with the officer, James Reynolds, who identified himself as a courtesy officer for the complex. Reynolds runs a security company, Reynolds Security Consulting Corp., out of Plainfield and is also a reserve officer for the town of Sheridan. He’s currently running as a Republican candidate for Hendricks County Council.

...........

[oberliner]

5. Most of the information in that article is not accurate

Starting with the fact that the man's name is Jaquon Dean, not Malcolm Evans.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

20. Thanks, corrections made above.

A lot of people are asking how that happened on Dean's Twitter page. Perhaps at the time of the interview cited on YouTube, he asked that his real name not be published.

I hope he sees a degree of justice over this incident.......

[oberliner]

25. You're welcome

It does look like he is planning to pursue legal action so hopefully justice is served.

[2naSalit]

6. those

fucker need to get a taste of their own behavior type from the other side of the nightstick.

[oberliner]

7. That person is not an actual cop

Turns out he is a "private security officer"

[nini]

70. 'He's currently running as a Republican candidate for Hendricks County Council.

And there you go.. he'll get votes from the racists because he showed that guy who's boss!

barf

[KY_EnviroGuy]

71. Agree.

We have a lot of insecure men in the US that are wannabe soldiers and cops and I've been around a bunch of them. Typically tote guns, drive loud pickups, constantly talk bravado and bullshit and talk down to women. Also worship Clint Eastwood movies.

Those are the ones that would think that guy's actions were perfect and legal - a sickness of ignorance we need to fix.

[oberliner]

4. Is that first guy a real cop? Edit to add: Answer, no he isn't

What the hell is he wearing?

Edit to add: Turns out he's not a cop.

[Demovictory9]

11. "courtesy cop" for apartment complex. wow, talk about a power trip, yes the young man will sue

https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/crime/man-says-he-was-profiled-assaulted-by-officer-outside-his-indianapolis-apartment-complex

[salin]

12. I live about 45 miles south of here - and lived in Marion County (which is just north of southport)

and never saw any "uniform" like this.

But first dude said he was a police officer working on contract as security for the complex (i.e. Moonlighting - not uncommon here).

If (per your edit) he's not a cop, then he misidentified himself to this person. That could lead to some big (deserved) headaches for him.

[oberliner]

14. Is a "courtesy officer" the same as a cop?

Dean filmed his interaction with the officer, James Reynolds, who identified himself as a courtesy officer for the complex.

Reynolds runs a security company, Reynolds Security Consulting Corp., out of Plainfield and is also a reserve officer for the town of Sheridan. He’s currently running as a Republican candidate for Hendricks County Council.

[salin]

17. never heard that term.

And worked with a number of Indy police who provided school parking lot security (traffic flow) at dismissal. Never heard that term used.

I also think (but I could be wrong) that "reserve officers" tend to = trained volunteers, not employees.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

21. One would think they would have to be deputized.....

under a sworn oath to carry the authority of a police officer.

Regardless, even if he were a cop, as I understand it, they must have reasonable suspicion of a crime having been committed in order to ask for ID. They can't just randomly stop citizens and demand personal info.

[Demovictory9]

22. his background is shady. terminated from real cop job. A bunch of short term reserve cop jobs,

[Anon-C]

27. +1

[salin]

31. Apt complex issue - not doing due diligence.

If the internet can find this out so quickly, but businesses that hire his company can't/don't? Hit the walletbook via law suits.

[uponit7771]

52. +1, I'm thinking some of these PDs & security companies ignore these employment patterns. SUCKS !!

[malaise]

8. I am pissed

Hope he sues the shutout of them

[Demovictory9]

9. me too

[oberliner]

10. He has said he is planning to take legal action

I have a feeling this will work out well for him in the end financially.

[malaise]

16. Hope so

That really made me angry

What are you doing outside- how dare them.
This is the Con's racist America.

[oberliner]

18. I agree that racism played a role here

But this sort of thing predates Trump.

[malaise]

19. True but either it's happening more or we're seeing it more

I am sick of it

[oberliner]

38. I think we're seeing it more thanks to twitter/facebook and the like

And, in a way, this is a good thing, since now there is more accountability for this behavior than in the days when it flew more under the radar.

[lunasun]

56. ++ when people didn't believe it happened at all or was an exaggerated tale when reported

Now the video shows it all which usually changes that mindset . Now there are repercussions for the inappropriate actions

[smirkymonkey]

39. This is Trump's America. He has emboldened these racist assholes and they

feel like they can act this way toward minorities and get away with it. I hope he sues the shit out of them.

[CreekDog]

34. you seem very concerned at folks' interpretation of events here

at every turn you seem to want to lessen what happened and people’s reaction

others may not notice the pattern in threads about racial incidents but lots of us do

[oberliner]

36. I would think that everyone here would agree that racism precedes Trump

I think we see more incidents like this now because of social media and ubiquitous camera phones.

You disagree?

[CreekDog]

46. you posted because Trump was being blamed AT ALL for racism

Yup.

[oberliner]

47. My belief is that racism precedes Trump

This kind of thing went on during all previous administrations. Racism has been an ugly stain on our country from the beginning.

With respect to black people being mistreated by the police, you are no doubt aware that the Black Lives Matter movement began during the previous administration in response to incidents that occurred while Obama was POTUS.

It is important to recognize that this problem goes much deeper than who is in the WH.

[CreekDog]

48. NOBODY said Trump invented racism and you know it

I'd like to point out that you defended Rachel Dolezal in the most ridiculous way possible here.

Dolezal is white, for our viewers at home.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10026992254#post10

[oberliner]

54. A poster wrote "This is Con's Racist America"

I just responded by saying that this racism predates the "Don the Con" presidency. Important, I thought to note that these incidents were happening previously and, sadly, will happen after we get rid of Trump, unless things change dramatically.

With respect to my posts about Rachel D from three years ago, I think I was just trying to wrap my mind around why she was doing and saying the things she was doing and saying since it seemed so unusual. I agree that I never really landed on a satisfying explanation.

[CreekDog]

59. Prove it, show us a poster that said that racism didn't exist before Trump

You can't, well, maybe some sleeper or troll will have a post for you to make a straw man of.

[oberliner]

60. The response was to "This is Con's racist America"

Maybe I misunderstand what that meant - but it seemed to indicate a relationship between this incident and Trump's racism.

Again, I only wanted to emphasize the importance of looking beyond the WH occupant in recognizing that this sort of incident could have just as easily occurred in Obama's America (and has).

I get that you feel that point was too obvious to bother making.

[CreekDog]

61. The original post did not say that racism didn't exist before Trump became president

are you trying to say that black folks here believe that racism didn't exist against black people UNTIL Trump was president?

are you really?

[oberliner]

62. Do you think things are better or worse with respect to racism now that Trump is president?

Or pretty much the same as before?

My view is that things are pretty much the same (awful before, awful now) - but I think there is a reasonable argument to be made that things are worse because of Trump's rhetoric.

That is where I think there might be some room for disagreement and discussion.

I'm happy to concede that my point was poorly expressed, and I respect that you found it to be insulting and/or offensive. No such offense or insult was intended.

Let's focus on working together to make sure incidents like the one in the OP don't happen any more - and that justice is served in that particular case.

As I pointed out, the gentleman who was treated so shamefully by those "officers" is taking legal action - and I wish him all the success in the world in that endeavor (and I hope that rent-a-cop also faces consequences for his behavior).

Remember we are all on the same side here! Peace

[LanternWaste]

64. As no one is arguing against the premise that racism predates trump

simply bringing it up seems irrelevant at best.



You disagree that no one is arguing racism predates trump?

[Judi Lynn]

41. So true, that's what called my attention to the name which increased when it kept happening.

Some things are unchanging, unfortunately.

Distinctive, unmistakable pattern, and it's noticed whenever it happens. Cuts down on one's likelihood to attach any importance to anything else from the name.

Thank you.

[oberliner]

63. That seems like a smart approach

I appreciate you engaging in this conversation with such courtesy. I respect and admire where you are coming from. You are one of my favorite posters on DU - always something thought-provoking and insightful.

[CreekDog]

66. From my reading of her post, it does not appear that she has asked for your approval

[oberliner]

67. Kind words offered without being asked for are often the most cherished

Just wanted to express my appreciation for that poster.

[CreekDog]

68. her words were "so true" in reply to my words about your post!

enough with the obfuscation. sheesh.

[oberliner]

69. I'll take any opening I can get to offer praise and kind words

On that note, I appreciate you taking me to task on my posts and challenging me to think about them more.

[JI7]

51. +

[HipChick]

44. Perhaps...but Trump emboldens it..

[oberliner]

45. That's certainly true

[CreekDog]

49. that poster is acting like we are saying racism didn't exist before Trump

that's bullshit, no serious poster here has said anything of the sort.

[Demovictory9]

24. three orgs to sue: Apartment complex, Reynolds security, Southport police

[oberliner]

26. Yep

Lots of potential avenues to pursue here.

[LakeSuperiorView]

72. Wasn't that Barbara Bush's thought on Katrina victims?

[Demovictory9]

13. security company owner running for public office as republican

I hope he loses both his business and the election

Jaquon Dean was sitting in his car outside his northwest side apartment Saturday when, he says, a security officer approached asking if he lived there. Dean says the officer demanded to know his name and called in backup when Dean declined to answer his questions.

“He’s there every day so he knows I live there,” Dean said.

Dean filmed his interaction with the officer, James Reynolds, who identified himself as a courtesy officer for the complex.

Reynolds runs a security company, Reynolds Security Consulting Corp., out of Plainfield and is also a reserve officer for the town of Sheridan. He’s currently running as a Republican candidate for Hendricks County Council.

[oberliner]

15. Here's a photo of the person

?itok=mpnwJjzp

[LuckyCharms]

28. This is what a lot of white people do not understand...

This black man cannot even work on his car in a parking lot without being harassed and manhandled.

I wouldn't have to give the possibility of something like that happening to me a second thought, because it most likely would not happen to me. A black man, however, has to be cognizant of this shit EVERY WAKING MOMENT.

So infuriating. Also, those cops don't seem to possess much intelligence or situational awareness. I can't even begin to describe how I would feel if a couple of big dumb fucks put their hands on me.

[salin]

32. Agreed.

[oberliner]

33. This crap does also happen to white people

Cops (and rent-a-cops) pull this kind of thing all the time on white people as well. Serious power tripping goes on frequently.

That said, black people are much more likely to be targeted in this way and are more often seen as "suspicious" and that makes it much worse.

[CreekDog]

35. how would we know that things happen to white people without you here to tell us

you seem very concerned that folks think bad things only happen to black people

if you think you’re smooth -you’re not

[oberliner]

37. I think most people do know that

I bring it up because I think there is something inherently problematic about the way many police officers approach their interactions with people (and those rent-a-cops, in particular).

Would you agree with that?

[brush]

42. You're so obvious.

[oberliner]

43. Thank you, I appreciate that

I try to be as direct and straightforward as possible and am grateful when others are as well.

We are all like a family here - especially long-time posters like us - it's important to have a climate of mutual respect.

[CreekDog]

53. you also like to argue racism with people who self identify as black

smooth? not smooth.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210629042#post45

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10027934725#post14

these aren't examples of trying to make any particular groundbreaking point, but instead serve to create side arguments around racism.

but the whitesplaining is probably just a bonus when the opportunity presents itself.

[oberliner]

57. I do try to engage in discussions with folks on many topics

That's what I think the point of a discussion forum is.

People are free to dismiss my opinions and disregard my questions if they are not interested in discussing a particular topic with me for any reason.

Generally, I try to be courteous but do confess that I occasionally can get snarky. Still a work in progress on that front.

[CreekDog]

50. don't move the goalposts, you posted as if it was news to us that bad things happen to white people

there's only one reason people here post that around here.

[uponit7771]

55. +1

[oberliner]

58. Everyone knows that bad things happen to people of all races

My point was meant to highlight what I believe to be the second of two important elements of this story - namely, that police officers (and particularly "Rent-a-cop" wannabe police officers) take advantage of their power too frequently. I think this story highlights both the issue of racism and the issue of abuse of power and was hoping to open up the conversation on that second front as well.

[smirkymonkey]

40. +1000

This right here!

[Cha]

29. :(

[Bettie]

30. "Quit Tensing Up"

Really? So, they use someone being tense while being dragged out of his own car in the parking lot of the place where he lives and has the absolute right to be to abuse him further.

The looks on their faces too...they were just looking for someone to harass.

And some wonder why people run from cops.

We need something done about this.

[Aristus]

65. Jesus. Now the rent-a-cops are profiling.

[Scurrilous]

73. ...