By Mary Mitchell, Sun-Times Columnist
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/chicagocopstaser82yearoldwoman06nov07.shtml
November 6, 2007

Chicago Police TASER 82 Year Old Grandma After Forced Entry for "Wellness" Check (Nov. 10, 2007)

http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/636574,CST-NWS-mitch06.article

Police allegedly used a Taser on 82-year-old Lillian Fletcher when
performing a well- bring check at her home.(Tom Cruze/Sun-Times

Original Title: No justification for using Taser on grandma
Chicago cop's actions against mentally ill woman probed

Unless an 82-year-old grandmother is holding a loaded gun, there's no excuse for
police officers to use a Taser. None.But that's what happened Oct. 29 when Chicago Police officers went to a West Side home to make a "well-being" check. The officers were responding to a request from the city'sDepartment of Aging. Apparently, the department had received an anonymous tip that Lillian Fletcher, who has a history of mental illness, was home alone and in need of assistance. When Fletcher refused to open her door, police were called. Although Fletcher cracked the door, she still refused to let her visitors into the house.

But police officers wouldn't take no for an answer and pushed their way in. Fletcher ran and got the hammer she keeps beside her bed.

"My grandmother is easily confused," her granddaughter, Traci Taylor, said Monday. "She probably didn't know what was going on."  Taylor is one of her grandmother's caregivers. She said her grandmother has schizophrenia and dementia.  Normally Fletcher is looked after by a homemaker or by her own daughter and Taylor. Only recently did these women find themselves between homemakers.

"She can be belligerent," Taylor said. But she's 82 years old, 5 feet 1 inch and weighs no more than 160 pounds, she added.  I just don't think they should be Tasing 82-year-old women. That's ridiculous."

Reportedly swinging a hammer

According to a police source, when officers arrived, Fletcher was "swinging a hammer" and becoming "increasingly violent."  When Fletcher failed to stop as ordered, an officer discharged a Taser. Also, it's worth noting that Fletcher hasn't been charged with violating any laws.

"The matter is being looked into by the Office of Professional Standards, and the Chicago Police Department will also be reviewing the matter to determine if procedures were followed," a police spokesman said.

After Tasing Fletcher, officers took her to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she was treated. Her family is concerned Fletcher may have suffered a stroke. Citing privacy laws, a hospital spokesman declined comment. But Taylor said a social worker at the hospital advised relatives of the circumstancessurrounding Fletcher's hospitalization. Fletcher was released five days later, but she is still complaining about her hip and a burn on her abdomen. Doctors told Fletcher's family that she should be seen by a neurologist because she has fluid on her brain and may have to undergo surgery. 'There has to be another way'

Unfortunately, despite Fletcher's documented mental condition, police officers --including a sergeant -- resorted to the same tactics they use when they are dealing with violent criminals.  For instance, last August, Chicago Police officers were accused of causing the death of a South Side man after they subdued him with a Taser. The officers were responding to a 911 call placed by the man's family. Allegedly, Gefery Johnson was combative and resisted arrest. Officers used a Taser and pepper spray on Johnson, and he later died. Last week, the Cook County medical examiner's office ruled Johnson's death "accidental" and blamed cocaine intoxication rather than the Taser.

About 150 field training officers will soon be equipped with new Tasers. About 200 sergeants have had Tasers for about five years. Obviously, there are times when a Taser should be used to keep the peace. And disabling an out-of-control person is better than shooting that person and asking questions later. But in Fletcher's case, police officers showed extremely poor judgment. Even if she didn't look elderly, there was no question she was mentally disturbed. How do these police officers justify using such force on an elderly woman? Where was their compassion?

"I want people to know what happened," Taylor said. "I want them to try and do something as far as regulating Taser use. We're talking about an 82-year-old woman. "There has to be another way to stop her -- use your stick and block the hammer," she said. "Knock it out of her hand. How hard is that?"

CAST YOUR VOTE
Should cops have Tasered an 82 year old?
No

Yes

What do you think?
Should 82-year-old Lillian Fletcher have been Tasered? E-mail your thoughts to  metro@suntimes.com

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http://mparent7777-2.blogspot.com/2007/11/cops-burst-into-82-year-old-womans-home.html

By Mary Mitchell, Sun-Times Columnist
November 7, 2007

As shocking as it is that a Chicago Police officer Tasered an 82-year-old grandmother during a "wellness" check, it's even more disheartening that so many of our readers believe the police action was appropriate. By late Tuesday [Nov. 7], 7,967 people had responded to the Chicago Sun-Times Web site poll question: "Police allegedly tasered 82-year-old Lillian Fletcher when performing a well-being check at her home. Should cops have Tasered an 82-year-old? "

Sixty-three percent responded no. But 37 percent, or 2,940 people voted yes -- Lillian Fletcher, the elderly and mentally-ill grandmother who was Tasered by police who burst into her home, should have been Tasered because she was wielding a hammer.

That's scary.

Mind you, Fletcher had not broken any laws, police were not executing a search warrant, and the elderly woman had not been threatening neighbors with the hammer. In fact, she didn't grab the hammer until officers forced their way into her garden apartment.

After the Tasering, Fletcher, who suffers from dementia and schizophrenia, was hospitalized for five days and may have to undergo surgery for fluid on the brain.

Instead of condemning the police action, many of the people who shot me an e-mail blamed the elderly woman's family for the fiasco.

"What about the family that left their mother home alone knowing she had all these issues," said Dave M. "Put the blame where it really belongs: on the family. Why don't you stop by and visit good old granny and when she starts swinging a hammer at you just take your beating and give her a hug."

Well, Dave M., I did visit Fletcher at her home on Monday night, and she didn't pull out a hammer. You know why? I didn't push my way into her home. I rang the doorbell. When she ushered me into her kitchen and invited me to sit, I sat. And when our chat was over, I put on my coat, said "Good night" and made sure she locked her door behind me.

In other words, I respected her space -- something police didn't do.

As for her family, they aren't the triflin' people some of you are depicting. In fact, if anyone is to blame for what's happened, it would be the city's Department of Aging.

Fletcher, who can be belligerent, told a caseworker to go away. But instead of leaving, the worker called the police, and officers treated Fletcher like she was a criminal.

Joyce Gallagher, the city's commissioner for the Department of Aging, declined to discuss Fletcher's case because it is under investigation. She did say that last year, her department answered 591 calls without incident.

[Joyce Gallagher's published biography says that she was named permanent head of the Chicago Department of Aging on July 9, 2003 by Mayor Richard M Daley, however, her name or contact information does not appear in the Chicago employees directory. Only the name of Mary Gallaher appears under the heading of the Department of Aging. Prior to her appointment to head the Dept. of Aging, Joyce was employed by the city for 13 years as the "Cable Administrator" where Gallagher has "...helped bring cable-television competition to much of the city, resulting in lower rates and improved services" stated a press release dated July 9, 2003.

Chicago Dept. of Aging list Mary Gallagher in their city employee directory at: http://cityinfo.cityofchicago.org/PhoneBook/PhoneBook?page=Employee&EID='936960221'

Department : Aging
Workgroup : Aging - Commissioner's Office
Employee Name : GALLAGHER, MARY
Job Title : COMMISSIONER DEPT ON AGING
Business : 1-312-744-5770
Business Address : 30 N LA SALLE
CHICAGO , IL 60602 

Chicago Mayor's Office correspondence handled by Margaret Gach

Department : Mayor's Office
Workgroup : Mayor's Office - Correspondence Unit
Employee Name : GACH, MARGARET
Job Title : ADMIN. ASSISTANT
Business : 1-312- 744-5855
Business Address : 121 N. LASALLE
CHICAGO , IL 60602
E-Mail Address : MGACH@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG ]

Still, Fletcher was within her rights to deny city employees access to her home. Although she has mental problems, she wasn't threatening anyone, nor was she living in squalor. And despite what the cold-hearted among us have said, police officers showed poor judgment in their handling of this woman. It shouldn't take a front-page story or a lawsuit to make the city acknowledge that much.

MARY MITCHELL Sun-Times columnist

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Reader Comments
36 comments:

http://mparent7777-2.blogspot.com/2007/11/cops-burst-into-82-year-old-womans-home.html

Anonymous said...

An 82 year old wielding a hammer...then gets tazered...are you frickin serious. 82!! I hope somebody is pressing charges and those cowardly cops get some time to visit some people who really miss them in the can. C.O.P.S. = Cowards Opportunistically Pummeling Seniors!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Anonymous said...

Freakin' incredible!
What a sad state of affairs we are in with unstable/NWO'ized cops with low self-esteem, poor (but intentional) training ... who build themselves up with their badges and their tazers and their flashing lights, getting off on their power instead of protecting and serving! Incredible! Just wait until Blackwater trains your police department! (They may already have)

CR
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Anonymous said...

typical yanks, what a disgusting country, and you think that the rest of the world is jealous of you, what a joke
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Illy said...

Dead seriously, the world is dying man.
To even think there would be over 1% of even 1000 reader comments is scarier than this itself. Comments about this also will go from arguing, name calling, race remarks and off topic flaming.

The family should of been there.
Who cares for a negro.
She old so who cares.
The cops did their job.
Blah blah blah.

I am sick of these horrible stories and most sick of the comments on them. We really need more love and peace on this earth.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Zimbabalouie said...

Police in the United States long ago forgot to read the Constitution and Bill of rights. They do not have unfettered authority to do as they please. They are still bound by the law just as you and I are in our daily lives.

To all of those who didn't understand the question or for some reason failed to grasp the concept of a citizens right to be laft alone think about the the fact that she was 82 years old, in her own home (not house, not cell, not box), and she only reacted to the intrusion of armed men shouting, advancing, and demanding she comply with their orders faster than an 82 year old brain with mental problems could think.

Yep, your all right she deserved the tasering and when they taser you, your mom, your children, or your family pet just remember that in the eyes of uncaring public you must have deserved it. You must be guilty, because the cops don't make mistakes and they always tell the truth!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Heather Collins said...

Police are not trained to help the citizens, they are trained to tame us, so to speak. There is an "us versus them" mentality with the police. Tasering an elderly woman instead of trying to calmly diffuse the situation like a professional is a shameful act.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
christopher said...

Must have been trained by the Vancouver police
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Anonymous said...

Concerning the cops breaking into the 82 yr old womans home and assualting her with the taser I must say is entirely unacceptable. This was a violation of her 4th amendment rights. The scary thing is it shows a government out of control and the police state that we are currently living in. The sad thing is that most people in this country are brainwashed into thinking their government and law enforcement can do no wrong. The people that think this are living in a fantasy land. Problem is there is no way to reach these comatose people. I will say this however. These kinds of brash incidents law enforcement are doing and the total usurpation of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the united states, and The Bill of Rights by all levels of government in the U.S. including law enforcement will one day encompass all people who live in this country. When that happens then all the naysayers will cry how did this happen. By then of course it will be too late. The only difference between a cop and a criminal is a cop has a badge.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Anonymous said...

After the US collapse, Taser Corp. will be up for serial murder. Almost 200 dead so far.

They tasered a guy in my town just for being irate. If any cop tasers me, he will be dead ASAP.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

What is this world coming too? heartless, mean, and cruel, to the old sick, and helpless. Now we have the Taser in Queensland Australia, it good for some things, but a lot of people are going to be hurt, and police will have too much power. I would be frighten if some one start breaking in to my house I would try to protect myself too.

The poor dear had every right to protect her self, she didn't know who was breaking in, and she was very ill. It shocks me what is happening all over the world. This story just shocked me, it's so unbelievable and she is ill and 82 years old no respect for sick and old and children too what read this year. Tasers are killing people what I read on the internet news. The police knock on the door and gentle said who they where. Maybe it be a different story. People have a heart.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Joe Malone, TN said...

Signs of the impending police state just keep popping up in the media. It's pretty sad that trained police officers feel that a granny with a hammer is a lethal threat to them... and what gave them the right to break into her home. I hope the woman and her family sue and win. If it happened in my house there would be some shot policemen. Vote Ron Paul and take back America!!!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Chicago cops have an open policy to mistreat citizens and get away with it.Look at they're history,Haggerty,and Russ were shot to death by police,yet,the cops that did this NEVER were charged with a crime.If you protect yourself against the cops,you're charged with a crime.
Only when citizens start shooting back,and making a few of them say goodbye to oxygen,will this mis-treatment against citizens STOP.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Yet another incredible article about the abuse of tasers in the hands of unstable bellicose policemen. The cops are too quick to use these very offensive weapons, and the cop concerned should be made to take a psychology test. What happened to their motto: 'To protect and serve'?
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

This just goes to show you the the "Big Brother" society thinks they know what's best for you and if you dare try and excersise your right to say "No I do not think you're right" you get punished
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Welcome to the NWO police state. The police don't protect and serve, they intimidate and abuse. We need to be protected from those who are supposed to protect us. This is police brutality any way you look at it. The cops are afraid of being hurt, well guess what, Officer Friendly, you accepted a job that is inherently risky. You may even be killed but that is the risk that you accepted when you signed on. I don't have any pity, any more, for cops who are killed or maimed in the line of duty, they bring it on themselves! Like politicians there are few good ones anymore, cops are just bullies and punks!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

police today are not taught to treat someone with compassion and to try to disarm a situation. They are taught that it is proper to escalate a situation to the next level. ie. if someone does not submitt to their verbal commands, then they can hit them. they are taught to take it to the next level instead of talking someone down when they confront someone upset. If the person is on drugs, you have to be more aggressive, but this has become the norm for everyone. The police have forgotten who they work for. The people they are mistreating. Saddly they are creating a police state, but that is what they are taught..... need to fire all those in power that promote this .
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Tasers are considered wonderful, non-lethal devices embraced by the law enforcement community because they are not treated, handled, or thought of with the same consideration as a firearm.

What cannot be so readily explained away are the ever-growing numbers of deaths occurring at the hands of overzealous authorized personnel who suspend the use of sound judgment and basic common sense to resolve the circumstances they have been placed in.

http://news.google.com/news?q=taser+%2B+death+%2B+news&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=4&ct=title

I remember a time when the best professionals in law enforcement would make it through their entire career without ever having to use or brandish their weapon.

It was a time when sound judgment and basic common sense were applied to all circumstances that would end, more often than not, with a positive outcome and conclusion.

And while tasers are a very effective and a valid tool in the fight against crime when adequately and properly used. Not adequately testing a device before using it may have some unintended and negative results.

Say like when an overzealous individuals hiding behind their badge is unable to handle the power their position brings them and they over abuse said device and equipment.

Hey look, it’s a murder – zap ‘em! Look, a robbery is being committed over there – 50,000 volts coming their way. Oh no you don’t Mr. Jaywalker! You think you can just go and not use the crosswalk when the light is green – taser this guy too!

Being in law enforcement can be a very tough job and until you’re in another person’s shoes it’s not anyone’s place to judge.

However, if a negative trend is identified where a growing number of the population is unnecessarily loosing their lives when alternative resolution processes are already in place and do work.

Then it’s time to re-evaluate what’s being done because maybe sight has been lost on when it means to serve and protect.

All individuals can be trained on how and when to correctly use any device or tool. But I don’t know at this time how to bring people back from the dead.

So be it, an 82-year old woman, a person bound in a wheelchair, mentally challenged, or any other qualifying set of circumstances; when the use of a piece of equipment or weapon continues to take lives in increasing numbers when other devices, resources and tools will do.

Then re-evaluating everything is in order to arrive at a better set of circumstances that do have a much more successful and achievable outcome.

Tasers will continue to be overused and unnecessarily abused by law enforcement officials until they themselves and those close to them, begin to also lose their lives or are left permanently disabled by them.

Then will we observe a moratorium on the use of tasers, until the chance to study the device in a greater capacity is undertaken to better identify how, when and why they may be used and under what specific circumstances too.

Illegal immigration is finally getting addressed in a similar fashion.

It didn't matter how many hospitals and schools closed, states went into debt by tens of millions of dollars, or Joe and Jane civilians’ lives were negatively impacted because of the festering and growing problem of illegal immigration.

Change was only observed after enough law enforcement officials, politicians, and their families were hurt or killed by of some non-conforming, law breaking individuals without a legal presence in our country.

I am positive and hopeful better training will continue to be provided to law enforcement officials, and sound judgment and common sense will guide and rule the actions and behavior of all individuals who wear a badge.

Because for me and so many other individuals really do believe that the loss of even one innocent life is too great a cost and sacrifice to bear.

Adequate focus and attention on needs to be on continually achieving and obtaining successful outcomes in the fight against crime without suspending sound judgment and good basic common sense.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

I know a cop, she constantly jokes about how she and her police buddies taser people. The police abuse these things.

Anyhow, how can the police burst into her house without a warrant. I think a lawsuit is in order.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Like one of our former Russian dissidents stated that if informants and the police here (USSR) had thought that someone was under the stairs waiting to repel any encroachments they (police) would have thought twice before acting. I think that same sentiment should be embraced here
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Illinois is the perfect test site for the Police State. A history of corruption. Everybody is corrupt there. The state is a joke. The cops are out of control, immune, thugs. Hard to imagine how many doughnuts it would take to make someone afraid of Granny, so they must do it for fun. Avoid Illinois.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Here in Santa Cruz, California the police cars no longer have "to protect and to serve" emblazened on the doors(for all too obvious reasons).
I side with the millions of people in this country who still believe that neither the police nor anybody else has any right to enter your home or property without an invitation, and must leave immediately when requested to do so. The "for your own good" crap that is constantly being shoved down our throats is just that...crap. If that woman doesn't want what you're selling, leave her alone it's none of your business. She's not hurting anyone. Taser my grandma and I'll shoot you dead. No questions asked.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Most cops are criminals. I hope the next time this happens they get shot dead. Same goes for that pushy caseworker.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

I believe we live under a state sponsored police state terror agenda. And the American people seem to suport it without so much as a whimper of protest. Blogs are useful for the authorities to identify those to be arrested upon the implementation of full martial law.
Blog away!
Friday, November 09, 2007
anonymous said...

Is it any wonder why cons will treat you like a hero it you kill a cop? It ain't a mystery to me. The only ones who miss/mour for killed cops are their families and other cops.
Friday, November 09, 2007
anonymous said...

Is it any wonder why if you kill a cop your a hero in jail, (not to met it ain't). anonymous
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Shock troops have every right to tazer or kill anyone for any reason. By 'right' I mean force at the time of the action, and immunity from justice after the action. Bow to your overlords landless peasants, and beg. Pay taxes and die like slaves.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Did these "police officers" get their taining a the George Bush school of cowardice?
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Look, these people are sick. Avoid them all costs. 20% of police are somewhat OK so the odds are against you. Be alert and very careful at all times, this is war in case you haven't figured it out. It is war and it is heating up. The people who approve of this brutality are simply the kids in the school yard who give their lunch money to the bully. Show compassion and consider what being so afraid and in denial must be like. May God bless us with strength and keep us from hating.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Bloody Yanks,

Why dont you folks go somewhere quiet for a while, and have a good look at yourselves, start to practice what you preach, and then come back into the civilized world.

They hate you bacause of your freedoms, hahaha, what a crock.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

The lady is dysfunctional based on the article and the cops were equally dysfunctional. Dysfunction rules... or does it,it sure is noticable.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

We need to understand that the police are the biggest threat to our personal safety. They refer to themselves as " he or she is one of our own". We are objects for abuse. We are non persons in their eyes. Here in Toronto they tazered some guy right in the eye. Can you imagine ho much that hurt. Im sure they joked about it after. Our countries are becmoing police states so take heed !
Friday, November 09, 2007
Anonymous said...

I dont know who is worse. The police officers who tasered this elderly woman, or the 37% of poll respondents who thought their actions were acceptable. Jeez America!! What's going on over there in the country we are all supposedly so envious off?!
Friday, November 09, 2007
EJ said...

My question is this. You all talk so bravely about this and that but why do you hide behind an anonymous name?
Friday, November 09, 2007
Chucky said...

Any cops did this to me or my family will die. I will killl that cop or if I cannot, I will kill the next cop that I see.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Anonymous said...

How about blamming ourselves for not acting against this type of injustice? All we do is bitch about how unfair is becoming and yet we still sit behind our computers and dont to shit about it. Ron Paul aint solving shit, WE THE PEOPLE have the authority to change, not the politicians!
Saturday, November 10, 2007

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