Fullerton City councilmember Bruce Whitaker issued today an Open Letter to Fullerton Residents, supporting and urging all efforts “which will result in a clear, factual and complete explanation of events which led to the death of Kelly J. Thomas.”  READ THE LETTER, POSTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ENTRY.
The letter, dated July 17, 2011, is written on the letterhead of the City of Fullerton Office of the Mayor and City Council and is the first public call to action from a council member.
Kelly Thomas is the homeless man taken into custody July 5 by Fullerton Police and hospitalized after the interaction turned violent. Thomas died July 10 after his family had life support removed.
“I would really like to thank Bruce Whitaker and the city council. It is a great thing that the council is being very open about this, and I appreciate their efforts in trying to find the truth in the matter and their willingness to share with the public,” said Ron Thomas, Kelly Thomas’ father and retired Orange County Sheriff deputy.
Mayor Richard M. Jones said that even though the letter is on official city stationary, it reflects the views of Councilmember Whitaker as a private citizen. “He is exercising his right to free speech as a private citizen,” and that it does not represent the council itself. “It’s just not good to speculate on things until we know all the facts,“ Jones said, acknowledging that there have been no official findings from any of the investigations currently underway.
Councilmember Sharon Quirk-Silva said she also supports making any video and audio footage public, but through the district attorney’s process. “The video and audio are in hands of the DA and they will use that throughout the investigation, and as that comes to light, the public will have more access.”
Councilmember and former Chief of Police Pat McKinley disagrees.  ”I disagree with that last sentence about releasing the video.  It isn’t a wise thing to do and is for the authorities to do.”
Councilmember Don Bankhead declined to comment.
–
Reporting by Amy Dempsey/FullertonStories.com and Davis Barber/FullertonStories.com
Nice Job Bruce!
Not sure what Mayor Jones is referring to, but you certainly have speculated on nothing in your letter. I also am pleased that you are calling for transparency in releasing the video which is a part of the public domain. It’s disappointing that former Police Chief and Councilman McKinley would leave the decision to release a video in which a single, unarmed man was killed during an incident with 6 police officers in the hands of the police department itself. Are we to believe that under no circumstances would the FPD protect their own? It’s good to know that we have a Councilman who puts the people first.
[...] FullertonStories.com just published this letter from councilmember Bruce Whitaker, in which he demands that the video and audio recordings of the July 5th police beating of Kelly Thomas be released to the public. [...]
[...] FullertonStories.com just published this letter from councilmember Bruce Whitaker, in which he demands that the video and audio recordings of the July 5th police beating of Kelly Thomas be released to the public. [...]
Thank you Bruce for standing up to be a voice for those who have no voice. We expect transparency in this investigation. We expect that those men and women working the streets of Fullerton in uniform want the same as well. Let us not end up on the national news as another police corruption story, but as an example of through, timely and just investigation.
Bruce and his wife have shown great compassion to myself and my family. However, Mayor Jones has not given us the time of day. I can only guess that this is because (as seen in past council meeting videos) he is going to see to it that the downtown area is cleaned up. Well, his goon squad has gone to far this time. I have no doubt that the intention of this “goon/hit squad” was to show the other homeless people that if they don’t leave, they will be next. Well Jones, I’m not going anywhere. I will find justice for my son even if it means your job. I don’t appreciate the fact that you have already had your attorney contact me for an out of court settlement. He felt compelled to degrade my son, and to go as far as saying “Ron, Kelly wasn’t a rocket scientist”. After hearing my son on the video beg and cry out for them to stop they tazed him some more. Then he cryed out “DAD..DAD HELP…..These were the last words of his life as the murderers continued to beat him to death. I will never give up my fight for my sons justice.
Ron Thomas, Kelly’s Dad
To the Council, DA, and Mayor of Fullerton….I just want to let you know – this is NOT going un-noticed in the Special Needs/Mental Health community. I am from Illinois and am watching this closely. You are paid to protect ALL citizens, not just those you “like”, or who are “easy” to deal with.
You CANNOT murder and then degrade the memory of citizens who have mental health or developmental disabilites and get away with it! There isn’t a family around who feels safe going through Fullerton right now, who has a family member with a mental health issue or disability.
Fullerton will pay for your lack of responsibilty – the reputation of your city is on the line. We’re watching!
[...] a July 17 “Open Letter to Fullerton Residents” that was written on city stationery and which has been posted online by the local news blog Fullerton Stories. In it, he states that he and his wife Linda attended Thomas’ memorial service and that he [...]
I would like to encourage everyone to send an e-mail to the Fullerton City Council, via the link above. This could be you or one of your love ones next time. These animals don’t belong on the streets, let alone wearing badges. I frequent the train station where this happened, and I saw Mr. Thomas in the days prior to his murder. He never showed any signs of being violent to anyone. How ironic that his father turned out to be a former Orange County policeman; perhaps there will be a bit of justice. Please take a minute to contact the Fullerton City Council, and express your outrage at this madness. My sincere condolences to the Thomas family.
I was also a victim of police brutality. I was living in CA when it happened and they tried sooo hard to get me to back down from telling the world what happened. I am so sorry for your loss, Mr Thomas. They told me in court that my witnesses were not credible because they were HOMELESS. What in the hell is the state of California coming to? Homeless are people just like everyone else, even more fragile. I would like to see more people stand up to Police when brutality is happening. A crowd of people who have video is very powerful. please, if you see something happening like this in the future, PLEASE HELP. We as a people have let the police have entirely too much power. Even if we go to jail for a few days, isn’t it worth saving someones life?
Ron, the founder of the town newspaper, The Fullerton Observer was a rocket scientist. I understand that they have interviewed you and are very unhappy over what happened to your son. Hang in there. The people of Fullerton love law and order, but when required to face the truth, will hold their police department up to law and order.
I have heard you twice on KFI. No one seems to be picking up on what you define as “contempt of cop mode”. I am quite sure I know what you mean.
Perhaps this website can give you my e-mail. They have my permission. Otherwise, my name can be found in phone directories in both Orange and Riverside Counties.
GOOD PEOPLE OF FULLERTON, SPEAK UP! Please contact your city council member and the chief of police to let them know your disgust. This beating death is a stain on the city, and makes me not proud to be a resident. These aberrant police actions have consequences, and decent citizens need to speak up now to put pressure on the people and the policies that are un-American and unacceptable.
I know of a man that was similarly beaten by Fullerton police just for the simple crime of being homeless.
I am also alarmed that I’ve seen a video where the police beat the cameraman. If your actions are so shameful you don’t want them seen, change your actions! Don’t beat the photographer.
These gestapo like tactics will continue, unless outraged citizens call for better.
Please do so now, everyone.
I, too, will be contacting the City Council, and urge all Fullerton residents, as well as non-residents, to do the same. Do not let these actions go unnoticed! Write, call, picket, talk, and continue to press for JUSTICE for ALL, including our unfortunate indigent citizens.
My brother was homeless, and faced a similar situation with only one Fullerton Police Officer last year. He was drinking a coffee HE HAD PAID FOR at Starbucks, when approached by a Police Officer who tried to arrest him for trespassing. He did not resist arrest, but the officer kept yelling at him to stop doing so (just as was the case with Mr. Thomas), while beating him badly enough to send him to the hospital for a two-day stay. Major lacerations, bruises, a concussion, and residual health problems to this day – all of which treatment was paid for by the citizens (remember, he was indigent and had no insurance). He couldn’t even find an attorney to represent him in a civil suit, for reasons that boiled down to my brother’s credibility because he was homeless (even though there were numerous witnesses supporting his claims).
This brutality has no room in a civilized society. Please, if this situation bothers you as much as it does me, do SOMETHING today.
Will the fact that members of the Fullerton Plolice Department and the DA’s office are friends outside of the job impede the investigation?!
I can only say that last night when I read of this very terrible tragedy, I broke down and wept as I read the words of this young man crying out for his Father…”DAD,DAD,DAD”. I am speechless when reading that the mayor said this young man is not “rocket scientist” What a piece of garbage to be so heartless as to say such a heartless and terrible thing to the father of this young man, who was MURDERED by a group of sick, demented, sadistic and cruel Police officers. I pray that if there is a heaven this young man is there right now.I am a man, but this is something deserves my tears. My God.
I admire Bruce. He is the one true leader on our city council.