Looking for a killer
Officials, victim's family members ask community for help in finding gunman
By David Slade
Standing in the dirt beneath a highway overpass in Charleston where a 15-year-old boy's life ran out, tearful family members and grim-faced local officials called upon local residents Wednesday to step up and tell what they know about the killing.
The Post and Courier
Danielle Downing, sister of Jermel Tyler Brown, 15, whose body was found Tuesday under the I-26 overpass near Huger Street, leans on Mayor Joe Riley on Wednesday during a press conference. Downing and her aunt, Angela Wright (left), gathered beneath the overpass, where Riley and other city leaders discussed Brown's shooting death.
"We beg and plead that someone comes forward," said Angela Wright, an aunt of homicide victim Jermel Brown. "He, a child of God, did not deserve to get killed."
Brown's body was found about 8 a.m. Tuesday off Huger Street. The Daniel Jenkins Academy student had been shot multiple times.
On Wednesday, as cars rumbled overhead on Interstate 26, some of those gathered beneath the overpass who had known Brown described a cheerful boy, not yet old enough to drive, who participated in mentoring programs and often brought a smile to those around him.
"Jermel was one of the main reasons I liked going to my job," said Linda Allen, an intervention specialist at the school. "He made me laugh more than anybody else, and I'm really going to miss him."
If police have determined any motive for the killing, they aren't saying, but it was clear they need more information.
"Someone saw him get into a car, and we need those people to contact our detectives," said Police Chief Greg Mullen. "This young man did not need to die like he did. Someone in our community needs to pay for that."
City Councilman Robert Mitchell said that if people are afraid to call the police or Crime Stoppers, they can look him up in the phone book and call him personally.
Related stories
Crime-fighting bills stall during session, published 06/07/09
Family grieves loss of couple, published 06/30/09
Brown lived with his mother and siblings on America Street at Cooper River Courts, a public housing complex on Charleston's East Side.
"He was such a sweet boy," Wright said. "If you were having a bad day, he'd make it a good day."
Mullen has offered no details about where, or when, police believe Brown was seen getting into a vehicle.
Community leaders, City Council members, Mayor Joe Riley and state Rep. Wendell Gilliard were among those calling for local residents to help the police solve Brown's killing and also the killings Sunday evening of Johnny and Betty Vice.
Jermel Brown
The Vices, a local couple in their 60s, died when a car full of men fleeing from the police crashed into their vehicle at Ashley Avenue and Moultrie Street.
Three men fled the scene, and the driver is believed to have made his escape in a recent model Ford Expedition or Cadillac Escalade.
"This man (Brown) could be anybody's brother or friend," Gilliard said "The other day, a couple was just driving in their car, and they are here no longer."
Riley said the police will not rest until the killers are brought to justice, and used the occasion to renew his call for the General Assembly to pass a series of criminal justice reforms he has repeatedly called for, involving tougher sentences and conditions for bail and probation.
The mayor said he will show Brown's photograph to the next lawmaker who offers excuses for not approving the proposed laws. He also urged those with "any shred of information" about the killings to come forward and help.
To offer tips
To report information about the shooting death of Jermel Brown, call Charleston police at 577-7434 or Crime Stoppers at 554-1111.
"The way we make our communities strong is by not tolerating illegal and violent activity," Riley said.
City Councilman Jimmy Gallant, a minister and the city police chaplain, said he knew Brown through a mentoring program he's involved with and first met him when the boy was 10 years old.
"He was a fabulous young man," Gallant said. "I don't know why someone would bring him to a place like this and take his life."
Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
As usual, I see that investigative reporting is a nill.
July 2, 2009 at 5:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sig (anonymous) says...
Another life lost due to welfare scumbags. A family torn apart because our society does not care about what happens as long as it does not happen to them. There is no doubt there are plenty of people who know who did this but will not say a word.
Condolences to the family.
July 2, 2009 at 6:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spengler (anonymous) says...
I don't care much for Joe R, but any citizen, including the Mayor, would be outraged by a senseless crime against a youngster. The bad guy is the killer. If Joe wants to add his weight to the matter, so be it. The underlying problem in all of this, which is going to increase, is Socialism. socialism destroys intiative, responsibility, and culture. The current Administration is forcing Socialism down our throats, not because they "care" about citizens, but because they want Power. Power over every thing you do. It gets me mad when one party-they're both screwed- panders to minorities, gives them a meager handout for votes, then dumps them until the next election. America may have its faults, but our Founders never intended us to be yoked by oppressive political parties who care only about power. Vote for the right people, find the right people. don't vote for someone 'cause "he's white, black, or brown like me." Don't vote along party lines. The solution begins with each one of us. The only excuse is the one you make.
July 2, 2009 at 6:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Yeah I'm sorry to say there is more to the story but being 15 you won't hear about probably. This is sad and amazingly predictable for young black males. 15 is very young. I know blame us call us racist that's the easy way out while your young men die. You meet in churches, gyms with political leaders looking for photo ops. You have stop the vioence days while you continue the cycle that has created this mess to begin with. I need to start attending these to listen to what is being said because I bet it's not waht needs to be heard.
July 2, 2009 at 6:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
That area is a cultural consequence of "all morals are equal" and the political enabling of the results of that lifestyle. Government has few choices to fix this. Government could declare martial law. Government will probably just buy them everything that they need or want. Just giving them enough to hold their heads above water will only perpetuate the status quo.
July 2, 2009 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GmckGirl (anonymous) says...
My sister was Jermel's teacher at DJA. She told me so much about him, how caring he was, how smart, how he always made her laugh, and how he asked her to go to the prom with him. He was one of her best students. Along with his family and friends, she grieves for such a horrible & tragic loss of a young life. It doesn't matter where he was going, he didn't deserve to be slaughtered in this way. There is way too much "settling of the scores" via murders. Here in Columbia, Law Enforcement and many youth leaders, as well as citizens, are questioning all this crime of black on black, hitting an all time high. Leaders are trying to get this to stop, but it keeps exculating. Many murders are the most innocent--being in the wrong place at the wrong time; taking a wrong turn and ending up in a drug infested area, where the occupants of that area have no value of life, and will take a life at a drop of a hat. They don't need a reason, except that they "felt like it". I listened to my sister's love and care for Jermel. This tragedy has left yet another grieving family & friends asking "WHY?". I hope & pray that the perpetrators are caught and charged and sentenced to the highest degree of the law. I offer my condolences to Jermel's family, friends, and my sister. They will all miss him terribly. However, Jermel is with a higher and more powerful source, God. He is smiling down on all his loved ones, telling them not to weep for him, that he is happy now. However, that does not justify such a ruthless, and senseless killing of a child-once again. When will this stop? What will it take? Murder has no bounderies-it hits every ethnic group, social group, poor people, rich people, children, the elderly. This has GOT to stop! What cam we, as citizens do, to help? Just name it and lets all join together, quit throwing stones,and find a solution, before it's your family going through this.
July 2, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
moonpie..I am so sick of your ignorance. Why wasn't there a comment from you on the two white kids that was on these threads a few days ago for being serial robbers. That's right, they were WHITE, and we know that serial robbers are not part of the White culture. But being a White person yourself, you seem to know so much about the black communities.
Are you a bigot, yes you are. You show it every time you post, so please stop begging for us to look at you as a concern citizen, in which you could give a dam if all black people just disappeared from the US.
After reading that this kid participated in mentoring programs and often brought a smile to those around him, White people like you only see black, so instead of this kid being a good kid in your eyes, he has to be a drug dealer or a thug.
Rest in peace Jermel, you will be miss by family and friends.
July 2, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
moonpie, I invite you to come into my church and you will hear many a speaker telling all of our children that they need to take personal responsibility for their actions. They are told about the "thug" mentality and how they need to get away from it. How rediculous wearing their pants below their behinds looks. How they need to honor their parents.
And don't worry, the parents are spoken to as well. How we are to raise their children in a Godly way. How we need to be responsible parents and lead by example. I could go on and on, but like I said. I invite you to visit so that you can hear what is being taught in at least one church. And I bet it's not what you like to think is being said.
July 2, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
ridiculous*
Oops!
July 2, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Lovely_One, make that two churches. The hardest thing for every congregation is to get those lessons into gear for outside of the building and on other days other than Sunday. This is from personal experience. It's tough to have a perfect example to try to live up to in a lost world.
July 2, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
theronce, you are right about getting those lessons outside of the constraints of those 4 walls. We do have members that go out and bring children into the church even though their parents don't attend. We also have men that are part of Fraternities and use that along with their religious ties to mentor to young men outside of the church. Granted they could do more but it is more than some people do.
July 2, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
When all the truth comes out, will all the truth come out?
July 2, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nana6262 (anonymous) says...
To be killed is no way to die, no matter what the situation is. My heart goes out to the family. As for moonpie's comment, you really need to grow up, The RACE card thing is so old now and it really needs to stop, Just because he is a young black male doesnt mean he was a "black male" that is into things he shouldnt be into. Actually read the comments people that knew him said, then rethink your judgement. No one deserves to be killed...that goes for BLACK< WHITE, SPANISH, OLD or YOUNG!
July 2, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
"Whether some black churches do preach what has been posted won't bring this young man back."
Harold, you are correct, but it will help keep others from meeting the same or similar fates.
July 2, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
craigdelk (anonymous) says...
seems like there are a few knee jerk reactions to moonpie's comments. I reread his/her comments and I don't see anything racist about saying that there is more to this story than is being told. Nor is there anything racist about saying that it is totally predictable that a young black male would be slain (presumably by another young black male). Simple crime statistics would help you draw that conclusion.
On to the black community leaders looking for photo ops, look no further than senior Gillard or your humble, not in it for himself Senator...Robert Ford. I believe that these two political clowns care as much about the communities that they represent as King Joe cares about fixing the flooding downtown.
Moonpie may not have been accurate about the message being told through churches and other institutions who care, but honestly i don't think it is the church going crowd that is the problem.
July 2, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst1 (anonymous) says...
I know this is a serious topic but Nana6262 - "to be killed is no way to die"
Isn't that the way it always happens? Killed by old age, killed by heart attack, killed by cancer, etc..
July 2, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
harold, I never called moonpie racist in my post, nor did I make an insinuation that her post was racist. She used the term "racist", not me. I merely commented on her broad generalization of what she believes is being taught in all black churches.
Also, on more than one occasion (which may or may not be the case today) moonpie has come across as being very bigoted in her posts.
July 2, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shootingstar (anonymous) says...
we should not be speaking of black or white in this issue. I sincerely hope they find the killer, for he is the one at fault. We can only speculate if the victim knew his killer.
god bless his family for losing a child at 15.
July 2, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shootingstar (anonymous) says...
What can the community and law enforcement do to stop this? Lets begin speaking about patrols and neighborhood watches along with tougher sentencing for the guilty parties!
July 2, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately Lovely, for those of us who end up reading moonie's posts, it is expected of her to make broad generalizations.
You RARELY see her post on articles reflecting Blacks or Hispanics in a positive light just as I RARELY see her post on articles that reflect Whites in a negative light.
She is not alone.
The Post & Courier reports on what happens in the Charleston area. They are very selective as to what articles to publish and they generally choose those that will generate the most feedback.
They are very aware of the 'regulars' and how 'we' tend to get into these 'debates' about race & crime.
What I find interesting is how moonie, Harold and other like-minded posters are seemingly wanting for a public outcry from persons like myself, theronce or Lovely. As if unless law-abiding Blacks stand in front of cameras on a daily basis decrying the level of the socio-economic ills affecting the Black community, we don't exist.
Because they know a few Blacks, grew up with a couple or even have a token one in their families, all of a sudden they are 'experts' on the Black Experience.
It's a shame that people like that would rather spend their time commenting on articles that seemingly proves their premise that Blacks are somehow synonymous with the lowest common denominator of the Human Dynamic.
I tend to pity them as I've gotten to 'know' them on this site.
I suggest others do the same. To rail against such individuals only serves to waste ones time.
Let's just concentrate on what we CAN do to effect change in our communities.
Because no matter how successful Blacks/Hispanics become, or how much we do individually and collectively to help our fellow citizens (regardless of race, gender or ethnicity), posters like moonie and the like will ALWAYS have something negative to say about 'us'.
Our efforts are better served by ignoring them.
BUENOS DIAS MIS AMIGOS!
July 2, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
harold, I wouldn't mind an open, honest discussion about race at all. I welcome opinions from others. I only have when those opinions are based solely on prejudice and talking points or when they cross over into the land of bigotry and become derogatory.
Honestly, if you were to come on here and say, "This is my honest opinion about 'xyz'" and welcome feedback or even rebuttal of the same without vitriol, I wouldn't shutdown on you. But, if you come in trying to be underhanded with some kind of hidded agenda, then we have an issue.
So, from this point on I welcome your honest, open opinion and will refrain from having a kneejerk reaction of the same; as long as you are as open about your meaning as you know I will be.
July 2, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
where was the FATHER?
July 2, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
eyfig, right on. You, Lovely and I are veterans on here and after a while you know the deal and know what to expect from the "usual" posters.
Wanting to have an open, honest discussion is one thing, but making the same race-based and prejudiced postings when there is a negative article involving a black or hispanic person is another thing. Like Lovely said, I welcome open and honest discussions about race, I don't think we have enough. But sorry, I will still choose to ignore the usual "baiters"
July 2, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
*WAVES AT HAROLD*
Welcome back. I have an intense dislike for this Politically Correct manner in which P&C decides who gets to stay or doesn't.
We all should be free to express ourselves on this site.
Look forward to 'debating' you in the future.
July 2, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
eyfig, you hit the nail right on the head. Others that have just started to read posts by moonpie and others of her ilk may not understand why someone would call them racists. Especially when they are professing not to be. But, if that know the posting patterns of said posters (as you have laid out) they would not be so quick to "pay no attention to the [wo]man behind the curtain." They would know that there is more to the poster's story than they are professing at the moment.
SCdea, I am with you on that one. "I will still choose to ignore the usual 'baiters'.
July 2, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
P.S. I still reserve the right to *itch slap ignorance on this board!!!
July 2, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
How sad that I knew there would be these types of posts.
How sad that this little boy is dead.
How sad that, by all accounts, we lost a wonderful person way too early. Just think of all the possibilities for this young boy.
I am also saddened by the deaths of the couple....how unfair!
Please people....nothing is ever going to change unless we come together. Let's start loving our children more than we hate people's sick color. Let's start realizing that we are all the same inside, we have the same hopes and fears, the same love of family.
July 2, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
I, for one, think it's VERY hard to address this honestly without sounding somewhat racist. I'm not a racist, and I find those that are ignorant and intolerable. I do feel, however, that young black men are getting in to trouble, and meeting death, at a much higher rate than other races. The reasons are many and it's not a trend that can be reversed easily by parents, clergy or politicians. It's going to take just as long to reverse this trend as it did to establish the trend. Young people, of all races, do not value life as previous generations did. They don't value anything in the same way previous generations did. It's been a downhill slope since the 1950s at least. Based on the history of the area that this murder happened in, and the crime element that normally hang out in the streets in this area, I'd be willing to bet that the victim is NOT an "innocent" victim. That's why I made my remark earlier about the lack of investigative reporting. It's difficult to discuss something like this intelligently when all of the facts are not available. As for myself, I don't care what happens to criminals as long as they are removed from society and no longer a threat to me or to those I care about. If that removal comes at the hands of another criminal, so be it. As for the murderer, he too needs to be removed from society, convicted and put to death.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that if the boy was truly an innocent victim than this was a horrendous crime. If the boy was involved in criminal activity that resulted in his death, than I'm glad he's off of the streets. We don't have enough information to say one way or another at this point. As I've said before, I feel the same way about the white redneck kids that cook up meth in Ladson. We just don't read about that as often. It's either not as big a problem, or there are serious reporting issues with the print, TV and Internet media nationwide.
July 2, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
I concur with your post mighty ColdOne!
There is a scourge decimating young Black men and women especially in urban areas. Just as there is one doing its level best to destroy Hispanics and Whites in other areas of the country.
The Post & Courier has learned VERY quickly what articles generate the most traffic, hence generating the most advertisement revenue. The paper is after all a business trying to maintain its viability in an ever evolving media world.
With that said, that doesn't discount the very REAL problems facing minority communities. There aren't any magic, simple or quick solutions.
You hit it on the nail Coldbud on that point.
However, when certain posters ONLY posts on negatively charged articles and then profess to not being either bigoted or racist, it's difficult to believe them much less take them seriously.
When you can debate an issue honestly and are open to divergent opinions then no such label can be applied to you.
Moonie is not such a person. And she is NOT alone in that. There are flamers on ALL sides of the race-baiting equation. There are Whites who always seem to see Blacks in a negative light and there are Blacks that see ANY criticism on their culture as racists and bigoted and an assault to them.
For some, there can NEVER be an OPEN and HONEST discussion about race.
They only hear and see what they want to see and hear.
No attempt at intelligent discourse will change that.
July 2, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hipchick (anonymous) says...
We can only hope for the day when people stop labelling everything "black" or "white". When we realize that people are either "good" or "bad" and THAT is what determines the outcome of our life experience. Until then, my heartfelt sympathy to the family of this young man. What a tragedy; regardless of the circumstances.
July 2, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Rather than a few politicians showing up the day after a tragedy in an area like this, would it not be better to increase police patrols in these areas until the bad guys can no longer operate there. Didn't they clean up NYC a few years back with aggressive police work.
July 2, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Yes, theronce, then Mayor Giuliani along with the Police Chief at the time made a very concerted effort to stem the tide of crime in NYC.
Of course such action could not address the underlying causes of crime but it did help to clean up the city somewhat.
Unfortunately many who sought additional face time on national news decried such tactics as 'racist'. When in actuality they were the fools for suggesting that crime was only a Black and Hispanic issue.
Instead of helping they tried to impede what little progress that was made.
Until law enforcement are given the tools to help stem the tide in conjunction with an overhaul of the judicial system, the tide here will continue to rise.
When there isn't a fear of consequences why should criminals stop?
I understand that sociologically change has to occur within a culture, but strict enforcement of laws ALREADY on the books along with stricter penalties would go a long way to helping society remove the rotten fruit.
July 2, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
It's not just a matter of increasing law enforcement. The judicial system as a whole as to be improved. We have way too many repeat offenders, many of them violent repeat offenders, out on the streets. Unless we show our youth that committing crimes has real consequnces, nothing will change. More youth will be drawn in to a life of crime as they see what appears to be the "easy" way or the "cool" way... and we'll continue to read more articles like this one and we'll have more politicians throwing "heart felt" quips out for the media to capture during photo ops.
July 2, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
When we opt to spend more per prisoner than we do per pupil this is what you get.
When we stop criminalizing drugs and start collecting taxes instead we will see a shift.
July 2, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
Coldbud: "If the boy was involved in criminal activity that resulted in his death, than I'm glad he's off of the streets." Extremely coldblooded and heartless, also unrealistic and out of touch with human nature.
Coldbud, as much as I agreed with a lot of your post, I seriously have to disagree with your statement, "If that removal comes at the hands of another criminal, so be it."
What are you suggesting is a legit crime being committed to end this way. Speeding on the highway is a potentially deadly crime. Do you feel that anyone who speeds should be removed from society at the end of a gun. I seem to get the feeling that you believe anybody that commits a crime should be killed or spend life behind bars. Have you never heard the punishment should fit the crime?
Maybe this kid snuck out of his mom's house that early to go smoke a blunt or something. That is illegal, but it is no justification for murder or physical abuse of any kind.
If this cap and trade bill passes, you will be required to alter things on your house to fit the "green" standards. If you can't afford that new window in time, do you feel you should be put to death or sent to jail. You need to be a little more specific on what you consider crime and not make such broad statements. You can come off like jaywalking fits a beheading.
As far as the race talks, if anybody feels like they are saying something that is going to come off racist, it's okay to say it if you have a legit point behind it, be it opinionated or not. Where you mess up is when you say "i'm not a racist or anything" or the cliche "I've got a black friend." If it is logical or somewhat thought-provoking, intelligent people won't view it as racist, just an opposing opinion.
July 2, 2009 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
Luna, couldn't agree more.
July 2, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
I agree with many of the comments, I think sociological change along with strict law enforcement is key. I also agree with ColdBud. But strict law enforcement only goes so far. I don't think anyone would argue that laws in general aren't strictly enforced or that punishments for some crimes are decidingly tough. I don't think any of these criminals are thinking they won't get caught.
Crime in NYC is still bad, but the intensity is a lot better than it was back when my mother lived here in the '60s and '70s. I feel safe for the most part in the city, especially in Manhattan. But actually what tampered down crime in Manhattan in worse areas was gentrification and the fact that crime was pushed to outlying areas. As a Manhattanite I can safely walk home to my apartment after midnight without fear of being robbed (across I do live across the street from a police precinct but that's another story) I wouldn't do the same in some parts of the city and definitely not in most part of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Additionally I feel less at east when I'm in Charleston or North Charleston then I've ever felt living in New York and that says a lot.
I only give Giuliani some credit, he took some of the reforms Dinkins made and ran with them and most of his success is mostly due to the NYPD and the "broken windows" sociological theory of crime. But while CompStat and the like was successful there was also an increase in high profile and horrific police brutality cases highlighted by the Louima and Diallo cases where Giuliani stood by the officers. I'll never forgive him for that.
Charleston, North Charleston and the surrounding areas need to quit living in the bubble and realize they are southern "quaint" areas with inner city problems and address them as such. They need to look no further than places like New York and Newark and that have learned how to dramatically decrease their violent crime rates. But yes it all begins way before these kids are 15, sadly enough.
July 2, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ms_1993 (anonymous) says...
Moonpie I have no idea as to whats wrong with you because you always have something negative to say when something happens inside the black community. When something happens with white people nothing is ever said. But this issue has nothing to do with race its the fact that Jermel is a child he was one of my peers and he means alot to me. He would make me laugh and brighten my day whenever I was around. For you people out there who are cold hearted I wish you the best in life. The family and all the rest of his friends I wish the best of life as well I have done alot of grieving but I no that he is looking over me guiding me through life. Some people have there priorities messed up thats why these things happen!!
July 2, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
omarro1974 (anonymous) says...
I think we give our racist posters too much credit.
There will always be 6-8 posters who sit at home collecting their SSI in their basements commenting about black people. Let them.
Mourn this child who went home way too soon.
July 2, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Actually eyfig, it was Mayor Dinkins who initiated a hiring program that expanded the police department in NYC back in the 1990s. Mayor Guilini came in at the tail end of that hiring frenzy and reaped all the benefits of the declining crime rate. This decline started in 1993, one year before Mayor Guilini was elected.
Now, I will give him credit in the fact that he was smart enough to keep all of the officers on the payroll and continue with the "tough on crime" approach.
July 2, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
SCdea, I just read your post. Great minds is all I can say about that....LOL!
July 2, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
Exactly Lovely!! It had to be said...I hate how Giuliani gets all the credit for that. Dinkins wasn't perfect, but he started the turnaround and turned NYC into the overprice Disney world it is today! (Though I LOVE it)
July 2, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
LMAO! I can't remember the Chief's name, but didn't he "resign" shortly after Guilini got into office?
July 2, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
Bill Bratton was his name and yes he resigned after personal conflicts with Giuliani. Rumor has it Giuliani was jealous of the credit Bratton was getting for the crime reforms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bra...
I was thinking yesterday that it's rare for a day to go by in the city where I don't see at least 5 police officers, in the train station on the streets and they are everywhere in Midtown where I live. Even with all the brutality cases that come up every so often, I still feel safer when they are around and yes improving the space of some of these neighborhoods would go a long way to reducing crimes. Institute regular neighborhood patrols. Let the police officers get to know the people in the communities they are serving. It CAN work.
July 2, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
And nobody saw anything? Hmmm....another problem with crimes like this. The people who may know something will not come forward for fear of being labeled a "snitch."
Coldbud....I agree with you. If this young man was doing nothing wrong, just minding his own business, then this is another horrible and needless homicide. But, if he was involved in something illegal, then he should have been expecting some sort of negative consequence or possibly death.
July 2, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tashabecca (anonymous) says...
Once our children become independent of us, we lose control over the who, when, where, how, what, and why are they doing. Our children begin to lead lives of their own. Some live & breathe their upbringing while others push it aside to do as they please. Many maintain dual lives, acting one way in our faces & portray another when they are away from us. How many of us would cuss when we are away from our parents & would never do it in front of their faces? I was one of those children. I knew what was acceptable, but did what I wanted to do when I had the opportunity. My own children range from 23-0 years of age. What I experienced was eye opening. They indeed live secret lives unbeknownst to us. No matter what I said, did, or do to no avail their behaviors persisted. Many of our youth believe but will not verbally admit that "it will never happen to me", they are invincible. Nothing frightens them. Our society helps to perpetuate this thought process by making what once was considered dangerous as "COOL". Giving disgust the "WOW" factor! Tell me, what is so "cool" about breaking an arm or skateboarding in an illegal area? Then there are those who fail to understand the needs of making ends meet, having to supply the basic necessities in which to live. How long can someone live in a home with their water & electricity turned off in the City of Charleston before being evicted for not being able to afford these amenities? Someone who needs help & does not take it would be a fool. Not too many choose to live in impoverished areas, but it is the help that they need to not be homeless. Impoverished does not make a family without values or any less virtuous! This young family (mother/father) has to suffer the loss of a son, wonder day in & out what that child was doing, who killed that child, why was he killed, etc. This is torture for this family. I have spent & still spend many days & nights wondering of the whereabouts of my child & hoping that there is not a knock on my door or a car in the driveway to tell me that my child is dead. That same child that I raised with Christian values that had her own agenda in life who is now grown. Just the other night, sitting with family outdoors we witnessed and intervened in a young male beating on a young female. He threw her into a ditch and left her there. My family confronted him and pulled her out of the ditch. However, there was one uncle of mine that would not get involved because, "Dats dey biznuss, bullet ain' gaught no name on 'em". I quickly pointed out to him in disgust "that attitude is why we as a people have such problems in our community and covet what other communities have"! EACH ONE TELL ONE TO SAVE ONE! This young man made sure he did what he did in the street and not at his home several doors down; I do not believe his folks would have tolerated that behavior. I know when her folks arrived, he ran. We do not know what our children are doing out there? What could we do, if we did?
July 2, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
aptlytitled (anonymous) says...
I commend you Ms. 1993 for making a respectable comment. It takes a high level of maturity to do that in the environment that exists on this board, especially when you're 15 or 16 years old! I feel it is my duty to recognize when someone is doing things the right way. Continue to develop your writing skills. It is difficult, but it can get you to many places.
I too knew Jermel. He was the more laid back than his twin brother, which I know more personally. Now that Jermel is gone, all I can think about is what I can do to help his remaining brother, who will need some extra guidance after this event.
I also would like to recognize eyfig, Lovely, and SCdeacinNYC for their contributions to the board. I don't come often to post, more so to read. Partly because you guys express your points much more eloquently than I am able to. Thanks.
July 2, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Bill Bratton! Thanks, SCdea. I read about this in a book called "Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. Very interesting book, if you want to read it. Also, comes in audio form for those who may be too busy with life to actually sit down long enough to read it.
July 2, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BetsBabe (anonymous) says...
No parents should have to outlive their child, and see them buried.
It makes me sick to even think about it.
July 2, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ms_1993 (anonymous) says...
shoelaces i understand where you are coming from with your comment for every action there is a reaction there are consequences for the the things that people do whether good or bad. But this boy I knew him basically all my life we were friends for along time he was very nice and well mannered my family loved him for that and i love him as well but i hate that everytime somethin happens with a black child it always is linked to being tied to drugs or being a bad person. like tashabecca said our parents cant control us when we have left the house its our decisions we no how we were raised and the morals that were instilled in us but its up to us to obey these rules. I dont know why he was out this time of night because its not normal of him but i do know that the person who did this I hope that they are punished to the full capacity!! Even if he was a bad kid who got into trouble does that give someone else the right to take his life away?? I dont think so people make mistakes everyday and he was on my age way to young plenty of time he could of had to turn his life around!!Love you always Jermel Brown!!
July 2, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Gulliani was the prosecutor for Dinkins. I think that it was a pretty good team.
July 2, 2009 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
thank you ladies, i stand corrected. However theronce is also correct, guilliani was part of the team even prior to becoming mayor.
In either event, timing is everything. Guilliani reaped the benefits of Dinkins' team's forward thinking.
It happens to many politicians, NYC is just a larger example.
July 2, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
aptlytitled, I would say that you are very well versed and should contribute more often. We could use more thoughtful posts to "pretty up" this site! Thank you so much!!!!
eyfig, you are correct that Mayor Rudy was a part of the team that got things rolling in NYC. The rollover effect helped him out to great ends!!!! :-)!
July 2, 2009 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarshGate (anonymous) says...
More misstatements of history on this site. Guiliano never was part of the Dinkens team. He was the Republican United States Attorney for the southern district of NY appointed by Reagan and in charge of enforcing federal laws in some of the NY boroughs, and some outlying counties. Dinkins was the Democratic mayor of all of NYC and only had municipal duties. Even state prosecutions were by the independently-elected County District Attorneys and not by a mayoral appointee. Except for Dinkin's love of tennis which led to the US Open tennis facility in Queens, Dinkins was a very weak mayor and his term coincided with the bleakest days in NYC history.
July 2, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
So unreal. Its like insanity has gripped ALL our kids. white, black, hispanic, is not the point. The youth today are so bent on settling every perceived insult, or disrespect with the ultimate reaction - murder.
Very sad. I have a 15 year old as well as an 18 year old. I will track their arse down if I have to when or IF they ignore my calls, or do not come home when expected. But I am not perfect, nor naive, crap can happen anywhere anytime.
The continual self-destructive actions of some young people today begs the question - Where are we failing them?
There is plenty of blame to be placed, but in the end, its the parent/s that stand around the coffin and weep.
We as parents can do everything possible, but at a certain age, kids start to make decisions on their own. For whatever logic they use to justify those decisions, we are left to wonder.
July 2, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dessy1 (anonymous) says...
my thoughts and prayers go out to this childs family, i hope the thug who ended this gifted young man's life is cought... this just sickens me from all accounts this was a wonderfull child
as parents we have to stand up and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH white,black,hispanic whatever... we need to take these streets back get these low life drug dealers,thugs and scumbags off the streets ... its a great thought but i must admit i have no idea how to do it :( so i keep my children sheltered as i debate on moving out of the town ive grown up in and loved so much
we are loosing this battle sadly i dont know who to lay blame on. but this generation something has failed
July 3, 2009 at 5:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
aptlytitled (anonymous) says...
MarshGate, instead of coming to the board commenting like a know it all, "(sic) More misstatements of history on this site.", I suggest a more polite manner. I don't care if you're America's foremost historian on NYC politics, there's a better way.
Secondly, it was said that Dinkin's was the mayor who began hiring more police officers that eventually lead to crime going down, which happened to coincide with Giuliani coming into office. They didn't say Dinkin's term was wonderful.
Please do not read to catch people's mistakes to make yourself seem smarter, it damages the respectful dialog already taking place.
July 3, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
martinstuart (anonymous) says...
there is no mystery for the crime and violence in certain segments of our community. it doesn't matter about race. it is family make up.
Children of single parents are going to have a much higher incidence of poverty, crime, and lack of respect and morals.
this is not an opinion, it is a fact.
July 5, 2009 at 1:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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