Redwood Curtain CopWatch, based in the north coast of California, is part of a larger movement of self organized CopWatch groups throughout the US. Our local efforts seek to intervene in the drastic rise of the presence, militarization, and violence of the police, and build support networks based on self-determination, caring, and concrete needs.
California Highway Patrol
255 E. Samoa Blvd
Arcata, CA 95521
Arcata Police Department Building Its BAD Reputation
Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 11:20pm
January 2, 2011: We found the below composite article ("Citizen, police accounts differ in two incidents") while looking for reports online about Arcata cop, Don Arminio.
Just in the past two weeks, people have told us their personal experiences of being hurt and violated by aggressive, violent, and illegal behavior from Don Arminio, a young war veteran-turned cop.
The first account here is about how Arcata Officer Don Arminio hit a pedestrian in his car- then, to distract and cover-up, the Arcata Police made criminals of the victim and her friend, who was upset about what happened.
Drawing people out of their homes and then arresting them is a tactic that the Arcata Police have been consistently using on people.
Racial Profiling and Violence
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 10/14/2010 - 10:19pmOn March 03, 2008 I was driving from San Francisco to San Jose after having dinner at Fuzio’s restaurant in the Castro district around 10:45 pm where I had crispy calamari linguini and water. Driving a constant speed of 60 mph on Highway 101 I notice three Highway Patrol cars one on my left side and two on my right side driving at very high speed. When I looked in the rear mirror I notice a CHP car with the lights on. I thought the officer wanted me to move lanes since I was next to the HOV lane so, I did. The officer followed me to the other lane then, I realize that I needed to stop. I WAS TARGET OF RACIAL PROFILING FOR DRIVING WHILE HISPANIC. I had EUREKA, CA license plates.
