by Eric Alfaro –
The deeper one investigates the clearer it becomes that interconnecting interests are present in Woodland politics. Woodland is showing symptoms of cronyism; in other words, the case of Luis Gutierrez has stretched the fabric of the political structure to the point that one can no longer ignore the favoritism within politics and indifference with community concerns.
With the recently completed investigation lead by the Woodland Police Department it was revealed that Luis Gutierrez was not a gang member. This fact has unearthed an even starker fact. Sheriff Ed Prieto indiscriminately labeled Gutierrez as a gang member without proof. The legal implications of an anti-gang unit stopping and killing a young man with no gang ties are inescapable. Once we accept what happened with Prieto’s false identification, an even bigger issue arises. If sheriff Ed Prieto had the bravery to hoodwink the community and label Luis as a gang member with absolutely no proof; how many others have also been falsely identified as gang members? We often hear from the Sheriff of our ?gang problem?; how much of that problem is real and how much of it is fabricated? Every single gang profile in the sheriffs office needs to be reviewed by the FBI. Gang policing should not be eliminated, no one is arguing that; but as community members we have to make a choice- Do we allow the pursuit of gang members to blur the lines between the innocent and guilty or do we ask for every individual to be presumed innocent until proven guilty?
Sheriff Prieto has proven himself to be accountable only to himself, a trait common in Woodland politics. Recently, concerned Woodlanders attended a city council meeting where they asked the council to support an independent investigation. The city council payed no attention to the attendees and instead assured them that council member Artemio Pimentel had assembled a group of 15 Latino leaders to meet with the District Attorney. Two things struck me as odd about this summoning of Latino “leaders.” By having Artemio assemble Latino “leaders,” the city council is reinforcing the false notion that this is nothing more than a Latino issue. Latinos are not the only concerned residents of Woodland, and Pimentel himself has stated that this is not a Latino issue. Why are hand selected individuals meeting behind close doors with the District Attorney, supposedly advocating for the community? Nothing held in closed quarters without public input can ever be in benefit to the public.
The reason the community is calling for an independent investigation is because too many interconnecting relationships exist in Woodland. The three objective entities should have been the Sheriffs office, the Woodland Police Department and the District Attorney. The Sheriff has lost most legitimacy at this point; he has falsely condemned at least one person as a gang member (that we know of) and about a year ago he violated constitutional doctrines of fair trials by locking people out of a court precessing.
The Woodland Police Department, although not involved in the death of Luis Gutierrez, has tarnished its image beyond objectivity. Days after Luis Gutierrez was killed, the sheriffs office used Woodland Police evidence to obtain a search warrant to enter Gutierrez’s residence In the official Statement of Probable Cause, a two year old incident where Gutierrez was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by a presumed gang member was used by the sheriff’s office to enter the home of Gutierrez. This is the bottom line; the Woodland Police Department and the Sheriffs office shared evidence to obtain a search warrant, this alone is too unsettling to go unnoticed. Too many juxtaposed variables exist in this case. Even if the end result proves nothing out of the ordinary, a federal probe is needed to settle all the unanswered questions that still exist. Why was Luis stopped if he was not a gang member? Why did the Sheriff lie?
The answers to these questions are not out of our grasp, but it will take community involvement to reach a final resolution.
The culture of indifference accepted by many public officials needs to change. Elected officials have a duty to stand behind what is just and constitutionally guaranteed, it should not take 51% of Woodland to finally prompt career politicians to investigate a possible trespass on our civil rights. Maybe it is because of the weather or maybe because of the world political climate, but for whatever reasons it may be-people are becoming come civic minded.
This reminds me of what is happening in Iran; a group of brave individuals risk all types of police and government retaliation to peacefully demand the right to live free and securely. I do not wish to compare what is happening in Woodland with the events taking place in Iran, the two are worlds apart. To be on the safe side, I think I’ll wear green tomorrow.
I think most are in agreement an independent investigation needs to happen – even for the sake of the Woodland Police Dept., the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, and the DA. The fact that the DA is huddled behind closed doors, and a group of “Latino leaders” have been called together to “investigate” the issue, says to me things were uncovered that are potentially incendiary. I cannot fault the DA for wanting to keep a lid on things, but eventually the truth needs to come out. This entire matter has become too politicized, too tainted, too polarizing, to do anything else but insist on an independent investigation.
Great piece Eric. We need the federal government to investigate.
The difference between conflict and compromise is communication. The most important matter at hand is resolution for the family of the victim, so that they may have closure. There is no winner here, there is a tragedy for for the family, and our best efforts must consider their wishes.
Nicely written Eric… from my line of work I see people labeled gang members far too often and its ridiculous not to mention tarnishing their records for LIFE; a sad ongoing filthy assumpiuon by law enforcement.
Excellent investigation.
Has anyone ever thought that maybe other agencies do not want to investigate due to budget problems? Maybe they have been asked but refused? Who is going to pay for another investigation?
Has anyone ever thought that maybe other agencies do not want to investigate due to budget problems? Maybe they have been asked but refused? Who is going to pay for another investigation?
The assertion that money is keeping an investigation from happening is dangerous on two fronts. First, they are asking the FBI to investigate, not woodland or the state. California’s economic situation wont really hinder a federal investigation.
Secondly, and most importantly; if we cannot investigate because of money this essentially gives the sheriff immunity. In other words, if we hold money problems as a deterrent for an investigation-who is to say that the sheriff’s office wont break laws and mismanage the department expecting no consequence in this time of economic crisis.
Main point: The sheriff’s office needs to remain accountable and transparent to us, FOR GOOD OR FOR WORSE.
No independent investigation because the shooter works for the county. Simple as that.
“the Woodland Police Department and the Sheriffs office shared evidence to obtain a search warrant”
So police agencies shouldn’t share information? Have you seen the information on the search warrant? Have you seen the information in Gutierrez gang file or criminal history? Have you gotten a copy of the police report? Have you done anything besides just write your opinion?
Yup. The law enforcement agencies which serve Yolo are out of citizen control because of zero accountability. They either commit, or aid and abet crimes on occasion, like all government agencies. But as soon as there’s a whiff of complicity they conduct an “internal investigation” with the conclusion being (surprise!) that there was nothing wrong with the agency’s conduct. The county circles the wagons and makes sure that there are no leaks and it’s “case closed”. Jerry Brown has basically made the AG’s office a black hole into which complaints are sent and never heard of again. They haven’t conducted a single investigation in the face of multiple very questionable events involving our law enforcement agencies over the past 3 years. Way to go Jer! Good luck with that governor thing you’re pretending at ya mutton head! Bottom line is, if you or yours get hurt or killed by a Yolo county agency, or it’s employees you’ve got no recourse. Justice probably isn’t going to happen. Get over it, or pick up “The Leviathan” by John Locke and reach your own conclusions about what you and your neighbors should do about it.
Eric,
You said “Luis Gutierrez was shot in the back while walking home from the DMV.” That is very simplistic. Gutierrez Navarro was a person of concern to the task force. That’s why they stopped to question him. Do you really think that Navarro just walked away and the agents shot him?
Have you seen the autopsy report? He had Sureño tatoos on his fingers – one dot on his right index finger and a dot on three fingers of his lift hand. That represents 13… XIII… X13… thirteen represents “M” for Mexican Mafia… Sureños. He was a gang member, plain and simple. His associations alone with validated gang members (such as Luis Santillian) is reason enough for agents to perform a field investigation. He was also high on meth. Here’s the report:
http://media.sacbee.com/smedia/2009/05/20/23/Court001.source.prod_affiliate.4.pdf
Do I think the incident needs to be investigated? Yes. Do I think another agency should have performed the autopsy? Yes. But the bottom line is that Navarro chose to hang out with gangsters. He chose to take meth that day. He chose to pull a knife on the agents. It’s very simple, you associate with gangs, you pull a knife on officers… nothing good can come of that. You can’t live a certain lifestyle and expect not to be stopped by officers no matter where you happen to be walking, sitting, whatever. Don’t want a shark bite? Don’t go in the ocean.