Concerning ​​To​r​y Robinson and the County Sheriff

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By Dr. John E. Warren

Editorial

First we need to have everyone understand that the City of Lemon Grove does not have its own Police Department like National City, Chula Vista,   El Cajon or San Diego. Lemon Grove contracts with the San Diego County Sheriff for police services just as Imperial Beach does. This is why the stop of To​r​y Robinson was by the San Diego County Sheriff Officers.

Second, there is nothing here to suggest that a “broken ​t​ail light” was anything more than that. It would appear that with the ability to run the license plate of Mr. Robinson’s car while in pursuit​, such a check would have shown that the vehicle was not stolen. The only other suspicious factor was the car being driven by a Black ​man.

Third, once Mr. Robinson  arrived at the location where his car stopped, he got out of the car with his hands up.

​Why was it necessary, as in the case of Eric Garner, for several officers to rush him even though he was already on his knees with his hands up? There is no indication that there was any  effort to hold a conversation with Mr. Robinson as to what was going on or why he did not stop sooner. In other words, the Sheriff Deputies really didn’t care. Here was a chance for another stop and arrest.​

Fourth this case points to a classic abuse of justice recurring  everyday. It appears that any action by a citizen outside of immediate compliance with whatever an officer says, becomes grounds for the charge of resisting arrest which is a felony. Now it no longer matters what caused the initial contact if it was a minor issue. The felony resisting arrest becomes the main issue. Problem: it is human nature to ask questions when threatened​.