Woman, 90, locked officer in basement, settles with police

[iscooterliberally]

This is an old story, but I didn't see it posted here. I'm happy that this woman won her case. The city said they were 'tired of the police bleeding money'.

Venus Green, who was 87 when she was handcuffed, roughed up and injured by police, will receive $95,000 as part of a settlement with Baltimore City. The city chose to settle the case instead of taking a chance in front of a jury.

"We thought we would have a difficult time in front of a city jury, or any jury," Baltimore City solicitor George Nilson said.

Green was so put out by what police officers did, the city said she locked one of them in her basement.

"I was treated like a criminal," said Green, a retired educator who's now 90.

Read more: http://www.wbaltv.com/i-team/Woman-90-locked-officer-in-basement-settles-with-police/11028044#ixzz3F0xQ73hp

[irisblue]

1. 16.8 million in the last 2 fiscal yrs

geez......yep that is bleeding cash from Baltimore.

[Gman]

2. Sure, take it to a jury

They will have lost after opening statements.

[Veilex]

4. +1

[Amimnoch]

3. Really glad she is being taken care of, but it does not take care of the root of the problem.

The officers need time in Jail, and the money from the suit she just won needs to come out of their pockets back to the city for the rest of their working AND retirement lives. If there's ANY record of their behavior, prior to this incident, that was an indicator that they were loose cannons, then the chief/officer who had knowledge that they weren't the right caliber of persons to be entrusted with the welfare of the public should also have some of their salary hit for the rest of their working careers to cover the costs to the public.

The thing is, nobody who needs to learn a lesson from this does. She does get restitution - good. But the citizens taxes pay for it, so the police, and politicians who regulate, and/or appoint their leadership don't lose a dime, or a wink of sleep over it, after all.. it's not THEIR money that's paying for it, just tax money which might as well be monopoly money to them.

If we start making the individuals, and their enablers accountable for their actions, as everyone else in society is accountable, I bet we start seeing a LOT less police abuse of power.

[iscooterliberally]

6. I was thinking about this too.

Every time I see one of the scenarios were the cops are at city hall complaining about pay raises or cuts or anything to do with their pay and benefits it gets me wondering. Why doesn't someone report on how much money the city lost due to bad behavior on the part of the police department? Good cops cover up for bad cops, that much we all know. Since that is the case, I think their pensions should take the hit. Bad behavior needs to be corrected. Even though I'm glad the woman won her lawsuit, this is still a cover up.

[avebury]

5. The City got off lightly. Had it gone to a jury

I imagine that she would have gotten a lot more then $95,000.

Unfortunately for the citizens, the City does not appear to be dealing with the real problem and the PD will most likely continue to bleed money.

[Enthusiast]

7. Good.

[tularetom]

8. I guess she can let him out of the basement now

I'm happy that she got a settlement but in my mind it isn't nearly enough.