The three numbers that were once used to report and assist citizens in emergency situations are now being misused by people to wield some form of power over others. People of a lighter skin tone have been taking upon themselves to assume authority over and police the behavior of those of a darker complexion. A lot of times these incidents are related to either minor violations or no violation at all, but these people have an incessant need to assert power and authority over others and do so by dialing 9-1-1. Their misperceptions are transmitted across phone lines to those who have the authority and in this dangerous game of ‘Telephone’ people have died at the hands of misinformed officers. Misinformation or the omission of information in dire and urgent situations such as one that involves an “emergency” phone call cannot be overlooked and are vital in si
tuations where innocent people die. The incidents below are real situations in which this game of ‘Telephone’ has been played and the results have either been the cost of another’s life or astounding reactions from empathetic people.
1) Jonathon Ferrell (24) – On September 14, 2013, a 911 caller called the cops to report an attempted burglary. Jonathon was the alleged burglar. However, Jonathon was not there to rob the woman; he was there seeking help. Moments before arriving to the house, Jonathon had been in a horrific car accident really late that night and was seeking help on a dark road. Sarah McCartney woke up to a black man knocking at her door. Thinking it was her husband, Sarah opened the door and immediately hit the panic button on her alarm when she discovered that Jonathon was not her husband. Sarah had a baby in the house. After triggering the alarm, she called 9-1-1 and sat on the phone with dispatch for eighteen minutes. Jonathon never broke into the house and did not attempt to do so. For eighteen long minutes, he sat outside of her house, disheveled after having been in a car accident. Eventually, three police officers arrived at a park where Jonathon had walked, approached him, and within seventeen seconds fired ten fatal shots that killed Jonathon.
2) John Crawford, III (22) – On August 5, 2014, Ronald Ritchie called 911 and reported that a black man was waiving around a gun in a Walmart. Ronald further informed the dispatcher that the man was pointing the gun at people. John was the man described by Ronald and was in possession of a BB or pellet gun, talking on his cellphone. Officers believed that they were responding to an “active shooter” situation and shot John within seconds of approaching him. The footage from the Walmart displayed that John never pointed the gun at anyone and Ronald later confessed the same, contradicting the information he provided the 911 dispatcher. John was only holding the gun and speaking on the cell phone. Later, a woman in Walmart died from a heart attack that was triggered by the shooting and the cops intensely interrogated John’s girlfriend. Ronald was not held accountable for the misinformation he passed on to the authorities.
3) Tamir Rice (12) – On November 22, 2014, a man called 911 and told the dispatcher that there was a man with a gun outside of a recreation center. The 911 caller mentioned that the person was possibly a child playing with a fake gun. This information was never relayed by the dispatcher, Constance Hollinger, to the responding officers Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback, who thought that they were approaching an “active shooter”. Tamir was dead within two seconds after the officers arrived and was killed in front of his little sister. Later, it was determined that Loehmann was hired without a serious background check and no corroboration of his references in which a former supervisor stated that Loehmann could not be trusted to follow simple instructions from commanding officers. All officers and the dispatcher, Constance, involved were given disciplinary charges.
4) Rashon Nelson & Donte Robinson (Both 23) – On April 12, 2018, a Starbucks manager, Holly Hylton, in Philadelphia dialed 911 to report two men that were “refusing to make a purchase or leave.” The dispatcher then informs the police officers that there was a “disturbance” at the Starbucks. The Starbucks employee never called it a “disturbance”. Rahson and Donte had been waiting for a third friend to discuss a potential real estate deal. While waiting on said friend, Rashon asked the manager to use the bathroom. She responded ‘No’ and the two men continued waiting in the coffee shop. Police arrive, arrest the two men, and escort them out of the store. Rashon and Donte were never mirandized, never asked or even told that there was a disturbance, and otherwise, were never aware that the cops had been called on them. The CEO of Starbucks publicly apologized to the two gentlemen, the manager was fired, and the corporation shut down 8,000 U.S. stores in May of 2018 so staff can learn about implicit bias. Luckily, no one was hurt or even worse, killed, but neither Holly, although released from her duties, nor the dispatcher were charged legally.
5) In April 2018, Dr. Jennifer Schulte called 911 to report two black men illegally grilling on a lake in Oakland, California. She stayed at the location for two hours waiting for police to arrive. During those two hours, friends of the two black men notified her that they were in fact within the legal limits of the law based on a map. When Jennifer was able to speak with a dispatcher and later police officers, she increasingly became hysterical and began to lie to the dispatcher and the police. She reported that the individuals at said BBQ had shoved her, pushed her, harassed her, etc. Not once during the previous two hours did she fear for her life, but when she was in front of cops all that changed. No one was charged, but the officers did inform the two black men that charcoal was not allowed in the park. A few weeks after the incident, BBQs were being thrown at the same location near the lake. Dr. Jennifer Schulte is now and will forever be known as BBQ Becky on the internet.
6) Darren Martin (29) – On April 27, 2018, a 911 caller reported a black man trying to break into his apartment, banging on the door with possibly a weapon or a large tool. Darren had finished a stint with the Obama administration in the White House and moved to New York for a new position. He was moving into his new apartment when he was greeted by six police officers. Darren proved that he was in fact a resident. The 911 caller has remained anonymous and, as such, there has been no recourse of action.
7) Donisha Prendergast – On April 30, 2018, a 911 caller reported a possible burglary in process in Rialto, California. The reporting party saw several people loading suitcases into a vehicle and “did not recognize the vehicle or the people as neighbors, or the homeowner” per this press release. Seven squad cars and police officers surrounded Donisha and her friends. Donisha, the granddaughter of Bob Marley, was renting the residence as an Airbnb customer. Luckily no one was hurt and Donisha and her friends were released after a twenty-two minute interaction with the police, having proven that they were in fact tenants and moving out.
8) Lolade Siyonbola – In May 2018, Sarah Braasch called 911 to report that a woman was sleeping on a couch in the common area of her dorm. Lolade, a graduate student at Yale, had fallen asleep in the dormitory studying for finals. Sarah woke her up to tell her she was not allowed to be there and proceeded to call the cops. Police arrived and Lolade had to prove that she was 1) a tenant in the dorm and 2) a Yale student. Sarah was unapologetic about the incident and asserted her right to call the police. There was no remorse from Sarah and no recourse for the racially-driven and improper use of 911.
9) Michael Hayes – In May 2018, a white woman called 911 to report a black man breaking and entering into a home. Michael was taking pictures and inspecting a house in Memphis, Tennessee as a possible real estate investment. Upon their arrival, the police were provided with an investment contract signed by the home owner giving consent to Michael. The police were very helpful to Michael and made him feel secure all the while, the neighbor, a white woman, is yelling “hurry up and get out of here.” The officers told her that if she gives Michael any trouble they would take her to jail and that he could take as much time as needed to inspect the house. This is a classic case of one’s (a white person) need to assert power and superiority over another person (a black person); authority they otherwise lack. See video here.
10) Kevin Moore – On May 16, 2018, 911 callers reported a suspicious black man in their residential area. This black man was Kevin, a firefighter, who was conducting a city-mandated vegetation inspection around homes in Montclair Hills, Oakland, California. It is a requirement that firefighters ring the doorbell and announce themselves to the homeowners. No one answered his knocks and instead sent footage to the fire and police departments. Despite his uniform, the fire truck parked out front, his clipboard, and his radio, residents still believed he was “suspicious because he wore tennis shoes.” It seems that even though your occupation requires you to risk your life for other people, prevent wildfires, and protect the residences of citizens, these same people will still think you are in their neighborhood for criminal intent if you are black. Kevin’s colleague, Megan Bryan, a white woman, sympathizes and is well aware of the vast difference in the treatment she receives versus the treatment Kevin receives in conducting these vegetation inspections.
11) Reggie Fields (12) – On June 23, 2018, neighbors of Lucille Holt, Linda Krakora and her husband, called 9-1-1 to report a child that cut a portion of grass that fell on their property. Reggie was one of these children who was hired by Lucille to mow her lawn in Cleveland, Ohio. The cops arrived on the property and no action was taken recognizing that this was a neighborhood feud between Lina (a white woman) and Lucille (a black woman). Since the incident, Lucille has raised $45,000 to fund the boys’ lawn service business and Reggie has received up to 20 calls a week for requests to mow their lawn.
12) Jordan Rogers (8) – In June 2018, Alison Ettel dialed 911 to report a child illegally selling water without a permit. That child was Jordan who was selling water outside of her apartment in San Francisco, California to raise money for her first trip to Disneyland. Videos of Alison went viral on social media and after ridicule Alison publicly apologized for her actions. As a result, Jordan received four tickets to Disneyland, paid in full by musician Jonathan Brannon. Alison is now and will forever be known as ‘Permit Patty.’
13) Jazmine Abhulimen – On July 4, 2018, Adam Bloom, then board member and pool chair of the Glenridge Community in Winston Salem, NC, called the police on black woman for trespassing. He told dispatchers the there was a “non-resident that’s at the pool and refuses to leave.” Jazmine and her family were residents and possessed a pool access card which indeed provided her with proper access to the swimming pool. The police arrived and Jazmine provided all of her information. This is yet another incident where with caucasity comes some natural superior power over another race. It was determined that no crime was committed and, as a result, Adam has been fired from his job with Sonoco and resigned as a board member of the Glenridge Community.
14) Camilla Hudson (53) – In July 2018, Morry Matson, a CVS manager, called 911 to report a woman using a fraudulent coupon in Chicago. Camilla, a black woman, had received a coupon in the mail from a product manufacturer and was redeeming it for a replacement to a defective product. Morry claimed that the coupon was fake. When Camilla asked Morry for his title and role with the store, he called the cops. Three cops showed up but took no action. Morry is the president of the Illinois chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans which aims to advance LGBTQ rights within the Republican Party. He was also a state delegate for Trump’s Presidential campaign and accused of forging signatures on an official election ballot. Morry has since been fired from CVS and the corporation has released a public apology.
15) Uriah Sharp (11) – In July 2018, neighbors called 911 on a boy that approached homes with nothing in his hands and left with something ‘suspicious.’ Uriah and his mother, Brandie Sharp, were delivering newspapers distributed by The Columbus Dispatch to homes in a community in Columbus, Ohio. Brandie believes this call was triggered as a result of racial-profiling as they are both black. Brandie, like any mother, was trying to teach her son the value in hard work. She has since requested a change to his route.
16) Viktor Stevenson – On July 17, 2018, a 911 caller reported of a possible burglary in process at a business in San Francisco, California. Viktor was the alleged suspect. He owns and operates a high-end lemonade stand call ‘Gourmonade’ and was preparing his store for opening when four cops approached him. Viktor first apologizes for triggering an alarm. However, the police immediately asked to see his hands and to prove that this was his store. Viktor used his key to open and close the door and provided ID at the request of the officers. No charges were pressed, but yet again, if you are black, you automatically look suspicious just because of the melanin in your skin.
17) Darsell Obregon – On July 25, 2018, a white woman dialed 911 on who she describes as a black woman in Brooklyn, New York for standing outside of her apartment. Darsell, who is in fact Latino, was the black woman described. She stood inside of a doorway outside of the apartment to shield herself from a sudden rainstorm that commenced during her walk to the train. Darsell called a rideshare service, and was trying to keep dry while patiently waiting for her ride to arrive. The 911 caller, while on the phone with the dispatcher, insults Darsell about how she looks and the way she is dressed. Darsell remains quiet and records the entire incident. When her ride share service arrives, Darsell rides of with the driver to her intended destination. The 911 caller could have been kind and could have given Darsell an umbrella, but instead called the cops when no law was broken. This 911 caller, who will now forever be known as ‘Brooklyn Becky,’ blames her autism for her racial-profiling as a way to prevent criticism on social media even though we all know racism is not a symptom of autism. She also stated that she is Latino herself, but her social media accounts display her ties to other far right and white supremacist accounts. This event prompted a new term: Wokewashing which is a term describing the use of social justice terms (in this case, ableism) to excuse the inexcusable and allow bigots to hide behind irrelevant marginalizations while causing real harm to multiple-marginalized people. Food for thought.
18) Ving Rhames – In 2018, a woman called 911 to report that a large black man was breaking into a house. This man was Ving Rhames, a well-known actor in the Mission: Impossible series. Ving just returned to his home in Santa Monica and answered the door in his basketball shorts. He was greeted with a red dot from a 9-millimeter gun, a ‘Put your hands up,’ three police officers, and a police dog. Ving was immediately recognized by one of the officers and the situation quickly de-escalated. No one was harmed but events such as this should not occur based off of false pretenses. Ving now has a fear for his son’s life. As a result, the police department has launched a program called ‘Meet Your Neighbors’ to encourage residents to get to know each other and avoid situations such as this one in the future.
19) Erika Martin – On August 1, 2018, 911 callers in Mountain View, California reported that a black woman shoplifted from a Safeway. The callers were Safeway employees and Erika was the woman to whom they were referring. Erika regularly donates groceries to the homeless within the community and on this particular day, she dropped off dog food to a homeless man she often sees around the Safeway. Cops arrived on the scene looking for a shoplifting suspect and surrounded Erika. The police noticed that Erika’s shirt did not fit the description and discovered that Erika never exited her car or walked into the store. Her son, after leaving the store, witnessed her encounter with the police and immediately started crying. He thought they were there to arrest him.
Other Incidents (Not 9-1-1 Calls)
Darshaun RocQuemore Simmons (15) – In June 2018, Stephani Sebby-Strempel, a 38-year old white woman, physically and verbally assaulted Darshaun at a local community pool in Summerville, South Carolina and forced him to leave. This was likely a racially-driven attack on Darshaun given the racial slurs that spewed from Stephanie’s mouth toward the young boy. Darshaun did not retaliate, but instead left the community pool to which he had legal and proper access. Stephanie has been charged with third-degree assault on a minor from the incident at the pool and has been fired from her job. She also faces charges for assaulting a police officer. As of lately, Stephanie was only fined a measly $1,000 for both the assault on a minor and on a police officer. Stephanie will forever be known as ‘Pool Patrol Paula’. Read the full story here.
Jarew – On June 8, 2018, Henry William Sintay dismantled a homeless man’s camp and threw away is belongings in the trash can and in the lake. Jarew, a black man, was the homeless man who had set up his camp next to Lake Meritt in Oakland, California. Bystanders videotaped Henry on their phones during the first and second visits to Jarew’s camp. Henry stole a phone from a bystander during his second visit to the camp and ran off with it. He has since been arrested for and confessed to robbery and will forever be known as ‘Jogger Joe.’ To donate and help Jarew or ‘Drew’ feel free to donate here as some of the kind bystanders and eyewitnesses set up a fund to help this man.
Having read these 19 cases (and still counting) involving 911 callers, it is easy to see the trend: the classic game of ‘Tattle Tale.’ The police in each of the circumstances aforementioned represent parents trying to ease the tension between two siblings (white and black people). In the process, their power gets abused by the sibling who believes that because of their position, and possibly a longer and closer relationship with the parents, they have some sort of authority over the other and asserts this counterfeit power by telling on their sibling for things like sitting in front of the TV for too long. The parents, in these cases, police officers, are exhausted and can be misused in cases where the seemingly powerful sibling stretches the truth a little too far or tells a little white lie. The parent will likely discipline the other sibling who has been effectively lied on and, in some cases, “accidentally” end that sibling’s life. In cases like these, child protective services, or the FBI, does not come to arrest the parent and the parent in turn does not discipline the lying sibling which leads to future offenses. This petty game of ‘Tattle Tale’ must be put to an end.
Fun Fact: Did you know that it is actually illegal to smoke marijuana in Amsterdam? Well, it is believe it or not and the Dutch believe that if you are not harming others, harming yourself, or drawing attention to your wrongdoing, then they leave you alone and go on about their day. Result: many people in Amsterdam smoke marijuana out of what is called ‘Coffeeshops.’ I think America should take a page out of the Dutch handbook and just look the other way if no one is in any real harm or danger.
———————————————————————————————————————————————
Please view this video in which Baratunde Thurston discusses the aforementioned cases in a TedTalk on ‘How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time.’
Please view this video in which Joy Ann Reid and Chris Hayes host a panel (including Whitney Dow, documentary filmmaker of “The Whiteness Project”; Larry Krasner, Philadelphia District Attorney; Phillip Atiba Goff, professor in policing equity at Jon Jay College of Criminal Justice; and Tim Wise, an anti-racist educator and author) to discuss racism and address the misuse and abuse of white people calling the police on black people.