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.
Sonoma County
"The harder path is creating a more just society..." August 20, 2011 Letter by Mary Moore
Submitted by copwatch on Sat, 08/20/2011 - 2:17pmLetter To the Editor: Press Democrat August 20, 2011
[Regarding Article "Santa Rosa Mayor Defends Kids Handling SWAT Weapons" Read below]
It is useless to try logic with people who have become so desensitized that they don't instinctively react with outrage at the idea of our local police using guns and tanks in an attempt to "reach the community" through its children via the "cool" factor as was just done in South Park.
Santa Rosa Deputy Who Murdered Albert Leday Jr. June 2nd Has Shot Two Other People in the Past
Submitted by copwatch on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 1:35pm"...three shootings — most officers go through their career with no shootings — it just raises a lot of concerns.”
'Deputy involved in June 2 shooting involved in two other shootings'
By JEREMY HAY THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Monday, July 5, 2010 at 5:32 p.m.
Published: Monday, July 5, 2010 at 5:32 p.m.
The Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a man last month in Santa Rosa has been involved in three of the 11 officer-involved shootings that the sheriff's office has recorded this decade.
Sgt. Mark Fuston, who on June 1 killed Albert Mike Leday Jr., 49, after a high speed chase, was one of two deputies who fatally shot a Windsor woman in 2000 after she pointed a toy gun at them. In 2003, he shot and injured a fleeing gang member.
Jails Kill Prisoners or Neglect Them To Suffer and Die; Then Blame Death on Deceased
Submitted by copwatch on Fri, 06/11/2010 - 12:50pmSonoma County D.A. says "no fault" in Jail Death
By Mary Callahan, Press Democrat: June 11, 2010
The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office has concluded that a 44-year-old Santa Rosa man found dead in his bunk at the county jail last fall succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest. Prosecutors said there was no evidence of negligence related to the Sept. 18 death of Jon Gerald Moore. “After reviewing all of the evidence in this case, it is apparent that this was a tragic death due to natural causes and did not involve criminal negligence on the part of any individual,” Assistant District Attorney Diana Gomez said in a written statement. “Therefore, no criminal charges are warranted. The District Attorney's Office routinely reviews in-custody deaths under a countywide protocol aimed at ensuring objective investigation of cases in which someone dies while in the hands of law enforcement authorities.
Santa Rosa Cops Shoot and Kill Man After Car Chase (and crash)
Submitted by copwatch on Thu, 06/10/2010 - 2:28pmRedwood Curtain CopWatch Note: Albert Leday Sr. is the 21st person killed by cops (officially admitted) in Santa Rosa since 1999.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100603/ARTICLES/100609824
Albert Mike Leday, Jr. left, is pictured here holding his grandchild while
standing next to his son, Justin Leday, holding his son, another grandchild.
Albert Leday was shot and killed after fleeing from sheriff's deputies.
Son says his father 'made mistakes' but was a good man
