Latest news with #CMPD
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Family sues CMPD, claims Jovontay Williams died from restraint-induced homicide
The family of a man who died in custody is now suing the city of Charlotte and four officers who were involved. They called the death of Jovontay Williams preventable, restraint-induced homicide. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Doorbell camera video shows what happened before man's death in CMPD custody In June 2022, police responded to a northeast Charlotte home for a suspicious person who was allegedly trying to break into homes. Body camera video shows they found Williams acting erratically on the porch and put him in handcuffs on the ground. It took 19 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. In the lawsuit, the Williams family said he repeatedly told officers he could not breathe, but they made no effort to reposition him or relieve pressure from his back. According to the suit, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department policy explicitly prohibits this kind of restraint. It said an independent autopsy commissioned by the family confirmed that Williams died from restraint asphyxia while in police custody. VIDEO: Doorbell camera video shows what happened before man's death in CMPD custody
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Once a ‘rule of law' city, Costa Mesa offers assurances to Latinos amid ICE activity
As federal immigration enforcement efforts ramp up throughout Orange County, officials in Costa Mesa, where Latinos comprise nearly 36% of the population, this week reassured residents the city's police department would not enforce immigration laws or investigate residents' legal status. In a community message issued Tuesday on behalf of Mayor John Stephens and Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez, leaders reaffirmed the city's commitment to the safety of all residents. 'We stand firmly by our core values of inclusivity and compassion for all members of our diverse community,' read the statement, which promised safe harbor to peaceful protesters while offering a warning to those who might use a demonstration to justify acts of violence, vandalism or property damage. 'The Costa Mesa Police Department cannot and will not enforce immigration laws nor investigate immigration status,' the missive continued. 'If there is a crime that needs to be reported, or if you are in need of officer assistance, our police department is here for you, regardless of immigration status — do not hesitate to call for help.' The proclamation comes amid reports this week of enhanced ICE sightings and activity in the neighboring cities of Santa Ana and Fountain Valley, where individuals have been reportedly detained by agents in the course of normal daily activities, including at job sites. 'The impetus [for the message] was a palpable fear we were sensing in the community from our Latino residents, so our intention was to alleviate some of the concerns,' said Chavez, who represents the predominantly Latino 4th Council District on the city's west side. 'It was really important for us to remind folks CMPD supports everyone in the community — it's so vital for me that my residents feel comfortable calling CMPD if anything happens.' Tuesday's message is a far cry from Costa Mesa's earlier stances on immigration enforcement and the role local police officers should play in reporting and tracking residents' legal status. The federal government in 2006 agreed to assign a full-time immigration agent to work inside Costa Mesa's jail so the residency of detainees could be verified. Prior to that, such verification was undertaken by the Orange County Sheriff's Department but was not common at the city level. Over the next four years, nearly 1,300 individuals processed through the jail would be identified as undocumented immigrants, according to city records, although it is unknown how many were processed or deported at the federal level. The move was championed by then-Mayor Allan Mansoor, a vocal anti-immigrant activist, who was still on the council in 2010, when a conservative-led, five-member council voted to declare Costa Mesa a 'rule of law' city. Resolution No. 10-27 pledged the city would support federal immigration enforcement through the adoption of local measures and would not be a sanctuary to those who violated immigration laws. Mayor Pro Tem Chavez in an interview Thursday recalled being 15 at the time the declaration was made. The anti-Latino sentiment in the community was thinly veiled and families were reluctant to contact the police at the time. 'There was a lot of rhetoric. You knew it was there and you couldn't hide from it,' he said. 'For me, the perception of my community and what we felt was there was no need to call the police. That's how I grew up.' Chavez was 22 years old in 2018, when a group of residents and officials rallied for the city to officially oppose Senate Bill 54, a 'sanctuary state' law that provided expanded protection for undocumented immigrants. He translated the public comment of a Spanish-speaking resident who wished to share her concerns with the council and later that year ran for a seat on the newly districted council and won with nearly 61% of the vote. 'It was at that moment I felt the need to step up for residents in my community, who are here working and following the rules and following the law but just happen to be undocumented,' the mayor pro tem said. 'They just want the American dream, to have a roof over their heads, food on the table, a good job and good education for their children.' Roberto Herrera is a leadership development director for Resilience Orange County, a nonprofit social justice group that aims to build leadership and representation in local communities of color. Since 2022, the group has created the neighborhood initiative Costa Mesa Unidos to focus, in part, on tenant protections. He said a series of public arrests earlier this year involving Homeland Security agents in Costa Mesa, even if not directly related to immigration enforcement, have raised concerns about an increased federal presence in town. 'I was working with city council members to verify if this [activity] involved CMPD,' Herrera said. 'I think this initial effort was to blanket all those in the immigrant community as criminals.' While advocates appreciate Costa Mesa officials' efforts to reassure the immigrant community of their inclusion and protection, Herrera suggested the city might take a page from Santa Ana, and support a legal defense fund for detained residents. 'Right now, this message to the public is helpful, but I believe the city can do more,' he said. 'People are being detained and deported, so legal services are what's needed right now.' Costa Mesa police officials declined requests for an interview on the department's history of immigration enforcement and policing in years past, but spokesperson Roxi Fyad on Thursday affirmed this week's message in a separate comment. 'We, as a local police department in California, cannot and will not enforce immigration laws nor investigate immigration status. We are here to protect and serve our community,' she said.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CMPD prepares for Saturday's ‘No Kings' protest: What to expect in Charlotte this weekend
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte is gearing up for a weekend of activism as the city braces for a large protest planned in Uptown on Saturday. The event, dubbed the 'No Kings' Rally and March, is part of a broader national movement protesting what organizers describe as 'authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of democracy.' Charlotte immigration attorney responds to planned ICE protest over the weekend CMPD issued a public statement this week acknowledging the planned demonstration and is taking steps to ensure public safety while respecting citizens' rights to peacefully assemble. 'The safety of Charlotte residents and visitors is our top priority,' CMPD said in the public alert. 'We're committed to protecting everyone's right to peacefully gather and encourage everyone coming to Uptown to enjoy the city responsibly.' The 'No Kings' protest is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at First Ward Park, located at 301 E. Seventh Street After opening speeches from community leaders, protesters will begin a 1.4-mile march through Uptown. The event is expected to end around 2 p.m. Organizers said this rally is a response to growing concerns over immigration enforcement tactics and broader political and economic issues. It also reflects solidarity with demonstrations taking place across the country this week in response to the federal government's approach to immigration enforcement Attendees can reportedly expect a peaceful demonstration, with: Volunteer marshals in neon vests Water stations and snacks First aid tents An emphasis on nonviolent action Charlotte's planned No Kings rally to slam 'billionaire politics,' champions peaceful protest We are committed to nonviolent action, and we expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with us. Signs and chants must not incite violence, and signs may not portray swastikas in any form. While there is always an inherent risk to protesting, we are encouraging a family-friendly event No Kings Charlotte: Naked Emperor Rally and March There will likely be road closures and heavy foot traffic in Uptown between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., so plan accordingly if you're heading downtown or commuting through the area. Saturday's rally in Charlotte is part of a larger movement, with simultaneous protests planned in nearby cities and towns such as Rock Hill, Concord, Monroe, Statesville, and Mooresville. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Fatal northwest Charlotte crash closes intersection: CMPD
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — One person is dead after a crash in northwest Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The crash was reported around 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of Auten Road and Oakdale Road. 🚗 Track issues along your commute with the QCN Traffic Interactive Map CMPD said one person was killed in the crash. It's unclear what led to the crash or how many vehicles were involved. Drivers should avoid the intersection as it is closed while police investigate the 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
CMPD officer cleared in fatal Coyote Joe's shooting, SBI says actions were ‘justified'
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — CMPD Officer Joseph Calabro has been cleared by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in the fatal 2024 Coyote Joe's shooting. On the night of Dec. 28, 2024, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers Joseph Calabro, Michael Miles, and Thomas Drennan were working outside the Coyote Joe's nightclub in an off-duty capacity. All three officers were in full uniform. Around 11 p.m., the officers were informed of a man in the parking lot who was intoxicated,had a gun in his van, and stated he wanted to kill himself. Shortly thereafter, club security notified the officers that the man had been located at his van in the parking lot holding a gun to his head. A member of club security was already talking to the man, trying to get him to put the gun down. Officer Drennan recalled hearing the man screaming that he was going to kill himself or make the police do it for him. Officer Calabro added that he heard 'a scream from the gut like the devil was being released from someone.' Officer Miles attempted to talk the man into putting the gun down for several minutes. According to the report, the man was 'clearly impaired and extremely erratic and emotional.' Officers Calabro and Drennan remained out of the man's line of sight while OfficerMiles attempted to de-escalate the situation. Several times during this interaction with Officer Miles, the man made reference to forcing the officers to shoot him. He made statements including: 'Either you're going to shoot me or I'm going to shoot myself. Do you understand that?' 'I know if I point this at you, you'll put me out of my misery,' and, 'If I point this at you, I know for a fact you will kill me.' After seven and a half minutes of Officer Miles attempting to de-escalate the situation, the man began yelling at Officer Miles while advancing toward him. The man emerged from between the vehicles and spotted Officers Calabro and Drennan, 'likely for the first time.' At this point, the man was approximately ten feet from Officer Drennan, whowas standing on the rear driver's side of the van with his taser drawn. Officer Calabro wasstanding in the open parking lot, without cover, approximately 30 feet from the man. Officer Calabro then drew his weapon and pointed it at the man. Addressing OfficerCalabro, the man, stated multiple times, 'I know you're ready.' Officer Calabro then commanded the man six times in succession to drop the firearm. The man then stated to Officer Calabro, 'I know you're ready, because the second that I point this at you, I know….' Officer Calabro then discharged his weapon three times, striking the man. Officer Calabro stated that he fired more than once because police are trained to stop thethreat, and the man was still standing after the first shot. A Canick 9×19 TP9 handgun with a three-round magazine extension containing 21rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the man and secured on the scene. An autopsy conducted on Dec. 30, 2024, determined he suffered three gunshot wounds to the chest and neck. After conducting interviews with the officers, reviewing body camera footage, and receiving the autopsy report, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation concluded the following: No available evidence in this case would enable the State to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Calabro did not act in defense of himself or others. The body-worn camera videos, the statements of the officers and civilian witnesses on scene, and the physical evidence on scene corroborate that Officers Calabro was reasonable in his belief that the decedent posed an imminent threat of great bodily harm or death to others when he fired his weapon, killing the decedent. North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
