Who is Dr. Anthony Batts? A Dr. Black or Mr. Hyde?

Who is Dr. Anthony Batts? A Dr. Black or Mr. Hyde?

By 

Baltimore Copwatch Founder, Jason Rodriguez

Again we find Baltimore City faced with the looming decision on who will be the next Police Commissioner. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake told the public shortly after the announcement of former Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III retirement in May, that the selection process would be conducted by a panel of Law enforcement experts who would conduct interviews of both internal and external applicants, and would recommend the finalist to the Mayor. Well the legal experts have spoken and the Mayor has made her final decision on who she wants to be the next Baltimore City Police Commissioner. 

(Resigned) Former Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts, has over 29 years in law enforcement. Mostly served in the Southern portion of California. An area that has a bad history of Police Department misconducts and civil rights violations. Oakland has it's shares of problems too. In fact, the Oakland Police Department where Batts was Chief last, was facing Federal receivership (a Fed takeover), for not complying with Court order reforms. This order was issued 9 years ago by the U.S. District Court to the Oakland Police Department. U.S. District Court Judge Thelton Henderson said on January 24, 2012 that he, "remains in disbelief that the Department has failed to adopt the reforms". Judge Henderson expressed his frustration with the pace of improvement from the Department in a 5-page ruling, and was considering placing the Department under Federal control. Chief Batts resigned in protest after two years of service on October 11, 2011. Just a few months before the U.S. District Court reprimanded the Oakland Police Department for not complying with the Courts orders and threatened it's takeover.

We contacted the Oakland California Mayor's Office and the Interim Communications Manager Jay Allen said that, "Mayor Quan has no comment to the media on the resent hiring of former Police Chief Anthony Batts at this time". When we tried to ask the Interim Communications Manager could she comment on the working relationship between Mayor Quan and former Chief Batts, Mrs. Allen stated, "No comment". So I am left to write this article from only one side of the story as to why Chief Batts really resigned. According to his e-mail to the press, Chief Batts said his goal was to, "help rebuild a once proud, professional Department geared toward crime reduction and community services..." He went on to say that, "Now, rather than a Chief managing a Department of law enforcement professionals making the streets of Oakland safe, I found myself with limited control but full accountability... The landscape has changed radically over the past two years with new and different challenges". Most of the Oakland City Council members we spoke to did not know what the beef was between Mayor Jean Quan and former Police Chief Batts. Whatever the beef was it wasn't good for the Citizens of Oakland California.

Another fact we know about former Chief Anthony Batts is that he spent 27 years at the Long Beach California Police Department before leaving for Oakland. He rose up through the ranks to become Police Chief of Long Beach in 2002, during a time when the Department was dealing with large amounts of complaints of right's being violated, lawsuits, and protest against police brutality. The Long Beach Police Department has a long history of Police brutality complaints. The L.A. riots in 1992 quickly spread to Long Beach and when the riots were over 340 fires were set, 1 person died, 361 were injured and over 1,200 were arrested in the worst act of Cilvil disobedience in Long Beach history. Hundreds of complaints of Police Brutality were reported after. Rapper Snoop Dogg told Playboy in an interview on October 11, 2011 that he was in Long Beach during the L.A. riots and that there were many problems in the way the Long Beach Police responded to the event. It was criminal from what Snoop told Playboy. These are the ranks from which Officer Anthony Batts would have come through. 

Besides serving 29 years in some of the most corrupt Police Departments in America, Anthony Batts service is without it's shares of personal scandals. The East Bay Express published a story on December 7, 2011, titled, "The Absent Police Chief" where Investigative Reporter Robert Gammon looked at the official calendar of former Police Chief Anthony Batts covering his two years in Oakland. Robert Gammon found that former Chief Batts took days off without explanation, routinely left early on Friday's so he could enjoy long weekends off, and left his post during the part of the week when the City tends to have it's most violent crimes. In fact, the official record shows that former Chief Batts left work no later than 3PM on at least 54 Friday's over the two years. That doesn't include the vacations, unexplained days off, and approved days off. 8 other occasions Chief Batts left no later than 4PM. Sources familiar with Chief Batts travels say that he often flew back to Long Beach for extended weekends. 

Gammon also noted that Chief Batts behavior, his public questioning of Oaklander's commitment to combating crime, while not putting in a full work schedule himself rankled member's of Oakland's hard working police command staff. The Oakland Police Department is notoriously understaffed according to Gammon, requiring Officers of all ranks to shoulder the heavy workloads in a City with one of the worst crime problems in the Country. We contacted the Oakland Police Officers Association and spoke with the Board President Barry Donelan who said, "the OPOA has no comment on former Chief Batts..." but stated before we hung up, "Good Luck with that, Baltimore is going to need it with him". It doesn't sound like Batts was very like by his Law enforcement peers. Oakland Copwatch told us that, "...he wasn't liked by many in the upper command because many of them was under double workloads, while Batts was M.I.A. in the field." Oakland Copwatch is a community based group in Oakland California that polices the Police, and knows former Chief Anthony Batts well. 

Being absent from the job, and not a visible leader out in the trenches is the least of the scandals for former Chief Batts. The Long Beach Beachcomber reported on February 11, 2011 that former Long Beach Police Chief Batts was turned down for a job opportunity in San Jose California after a background investigation revealed a history of domestic violence against women with whom he had relationships with. The Beachcomber, a news publication in Long Beach California revealed Batts dark past in an April 14, 2009 story about him being blackmailed over indiscretions as part of the Lobstergate inquiry. Lobstergate involved Long Beach Officers going diving for Lobsters in the Bay while on-duty. The whistle blowers were fired for reporting the misconduct as punishment, supposedly by Batts. Batts at the time was being blackmailed by a female friend who knew about Lobstergate and in May 2010 he threatened her in response to her request for payment. The Beachcomber reported that a police complaint was lodged and investigated, but no action was taken against Batts. 

On January 26, 2011 the Long Beach Systems for Public Safety conducted an SPS background investigation into Batts 27 years with the Long Beach Police Department, 7 of those last years were as the Police Chief. In less than 24 hours in several interviews, CEO Sid P. Smith conducting the investigation learned about the Lobstergate scandal and Batts multiple affairs with women, some whom were Officers at the LBPD under his command and some whom had filed domestic violence reports against Batts. Two of the five domestic violence reports involve Congresswoman Laura Richardson, who was married to Anthony Batts between 1995 and 2002. One incident is reported to have took place shortly after Richardson was elected to the Long Beach City Council, and before Batts was named Long Beach Chief. Richardson reportedly sought refuge with co-Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga and showed up to one Council Meeting wearing sunglasses to conceal the blemish. She had a black eye. We were told by the Beachcomber that a complaint was filed and investigated in this case too, but no action again was taken against Batts. We contacted the now Congresswoman Laura Richardson's office and spoke to her staff. We were told someone would get back to us with a comment. At this time we have not heard back from Congresswoman Richardson's office.

We contacted the Long Beach Beachcomber and spoke with Jay Beeler who wrote the articles and he stated that without a doubt the allegations are all true. In fact, Batts was having an affair with a female Officer while he was married. An Officer who's sexual relationship spanned over 10 years with Batts, and helped the Beachcomber with the investigation for there exposé of articles into Batts dark background. Jay Beeler said they spoke with many Officers who knew Batts to piece together there articles and stand by there investigation. Jay Beeler said, "it was like he knew we were on to him, so he started looking for a way out of town. So he found the Oakland PD, told a phony story as to why he was leaving, and left Long Beach fast". The Beachcomber also informed us that they will be publishing another series of articles next week looking into the technique of Batts "silver tongue", especially with respect to female Mayor's. This will be the third female Mayor, Batts has managed to convince to lead a major Police Department. The Beachcomber called Batts, "A smooth operator, he talks a great game, but in terms of performance... What were your accomplishments in Long Beach? What were your specific accomplishments in Oakland?" 

Jay Beeler also commented on why he felt there wasn't more news media jumping on this domestic violence story. He blames it on the documentation problem. "They won't release any documents out of L.A. to me under the Public Information Act. San Diego same deal.", he said. We learned why the Beachcomber's Jay Beeler was having so much trouble getting any records when we spoke to our friends from Oakland Copwatch. They told us that, "On August 29, 2006, the California Supreme Court in a case called, "Copley Press vs. Superior Court" held that records of an administrative appeal of sustained misconduct charges are confidential and not be disclosed to the public. Meaning an Officers complaint records can not be accessed by the public and prevents the public from knowing the extent of an Officers misconducts or there punishment. This ruling is what prevented the Beachcomber from gaining access to the domestic violence complaints on Chief Batts." Oakland Copwatch expressed some concerns about the Baltimore City hiring of former Chief Batts and referred me to talk to a Oakland Police Department watchdog, who runs an on-line blog dedicated to the OPD and it's corruption. We'll follow up and get back to you on what we learn from the OPD watchdog in reference to former Chief Batts service while at the OPD. 

Jay Beeler with the Beachcomber expressed his concerns too. Saying that, "It seems like Baltimore City didn't do a good job investigating into the background of Anthony Batts." He concluded by saying, "You think they would have looked on the internet or something... (jokingly laughing)" Beeler said he had a statement for the Citizen of Baltimore City. "It would be a huge mistake on the part of Baltimore City if they confirm Anthony Batts as there Police Commissioner... for his qualifications just aren't there!", he warned. The Beachcomber's Jay Beeler also pointed out that they had just learned that Batts had listed one of his more resent work experiences with a consulting group. Jay Beeler said he had just seen the article on the Baltimore Business Journal's website, where it listed Batts resent work experience as a CEO to a consulting company called, "A. William White". Beeler said he knew where the name came from when he first saw it and said the "A" stood for "Anthony", and the "William White" was Batts name before he was adopted. Beeler found it funny and ironic that Batts was a CEO of one. "One" employee that is. 

Which leads us to our Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and her poor choices she has made in her resent appointments. Remember Rico Singleton? Hired as the Cities top information technology official. Forced to resign because of alleged ethics violations between him, his wife and a million dollar software contract with the State of New York. He was Head of New York State's I.T. Department at the time, before coming to Baltimore City. When Mr. Singleton applied for the Head I.T. job in Baltimore City, he list his past experience as a Vice-President with a company that his wife's was the CEO of. Word was the company was a front company to get a minority status for contract bidding and that Mr. Singleton was Vice-President in name only. That same company is being investigated by the New York State Authorities. Sounds like to me he ran from New York to Baltimore City. Did Mr. Singleton know the New York Authorities were on to him, and so he found his escape in Baltimore City by using a "silver tongue" too? 

Now, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has decided that former Chief Anthony Batts is the best choice (after a nationwide search), for Police Commissioner of Baltimore City. The Mayor's only real instructions given to the legal Think Tank was that the next Police Commissioner would have to follow her outlined Public Safety Strategy and Priority Plan. A plan that included a pledge to, "Reducing violence against women, specifically domestic violence and sexual assault." Hiring former Chief Anthony Batts would be a slap in the face to those principles and an insult to all the Woman of Baltimore City who look to be protected against domestic violence. It's like hiring a chicken hawk to watch over the hen house. Would you let a child predator work in a school? Then why would you hire someone who will take an oath to Protect and Service the Citizens of Baltimore City, including women, who (we'll say allegedly) is a victimizer of woman.  

The Citizens of Baltimore City should be in outage by the Mayor's selection. I encourage you to contact the Mayor's Office, and every member in the Baltimore City Council. Ask the Mayor and the Council members to, "denounce the hiring of former Chief Anthony Batts as our next Police Commissioner, for he has a history of domestic violence". With so many fine men and women serving in the Baltimore City Police Department, I would hope the Mayor can let go of any ideas of continuing to look across the Country for our next Police Commissioner, and allow a real local leader in the Department to step up to the plate. They have earned it. I'm sure they'll do better than the poor choice of Anthony "William White" Batts from the West Coast. That fake, that phony, that Hyde. We'll keep turning over the rocks of California to get to the bottom of all this. My friends from Oakland Copwatch gave me so many leads. Thanks Oakland Copwatch for your help.

Shout out to Mr. Michael Eugene Johnson for finding the original article from the Long Beach Beachcomber and passing it off to Daren Muhammad, host of WFBR's 1590AM talk radio show "State of the City", which is heard Tuesday through Saturday at noon. The East Bay Express has been the leading voice of Oakland California since 1978. The Long Beach Beachcomber has a 42,000 households and businesses circulation distribution in the Long Beach area each week as well as an on-line news publication. To contact me and/or the Baltimore City Chapter of Copwatch call 443-271-3951, or send e-mails to productoftheenvironment@gmail.com

With great power, comes great responsibility Mark Zuckerberg.

Mark Zuckerberg, the so called founder of the most popular social networking site on the web, has been given a great power. A power that may become too powerful to handle and may end the success of the social networking giant. That power is, "The Freedom of Speech". With great power, comes great responsibility. Right?


Mark Zuckerberg was just recently named Time magazine 2010 "Person of the Year". Zuckerberg said to Time magazine, "The thing that I really care about is making the world more open and connected. What that stands for is something that I have believed in for a really long time." Pressed to define it, Zuckerberg gamely expands. "Open means having access to more information, right? More transparency, being able to share things and have a voice in the world. And connected is helping people stay in touch and maintain empathy for each other, and bandwidth." But is facebook a truly open network???


Recently, I ran into a facebook filter, when I was social networking an online petition. I was posting the link of an online Petition to have a Baltimore City Government official removed from office when I received a popup notice saying that I had violated facebook's TOS (terms of service) for groups. The message said that my posting were, "considered spammy or irrelevant." How is posting an online petition considered "spammy of irrelevant"? Who determines what postings are "spammy" or "irrelevant"? Where is the freedom of speech at? Does Mark Zuckerberg have too much power?


Many countries like China, Turkey, and Iran have been blocking access to the facebook network by choice. The fear in these Countries is that the people will organize and protest against the powers to be. Maybe even overthrow the ruling parties. Facebook has already proven that it can be useful to organize people for positive and negative causes. Syrians are organizing campaigns on social networks to protest the Government rule. Egypt and Tunisia coordinated their successful uprisings using social media networks. These examples are positive usage of social networks to organize and protest. 


But recently there have been examples on the misuse of social networks to organize and do wrong. In Philadelphia, social networks was used to organize a flash mob of mostly African American teens, who ran through department stores on a snatch and grab looting spree. In London England, several days of riots were said to be organized through social networking sites and through Blackberry messaging. These bad examples shows the dark side of social networks and the Internet in general. 


Now questions are being asked by many Governments all over the Globe, "Should social networking sites be banned or regulated?" The British Parliament is currently holding inquires as to what caused the London riots. Fingers are being pointed at social networks as inciting the riots, even allowing hoodlums to post messages and pictures about there spoiled gains. Prime Minister David Cameron said that he would consider, "blocking social networks" in his Countries if the riots continue. Does Prime Minister David Cameron have that power to block networks on the Internet in his Country? I would not want to live in a County were my access to a open network on the Internet is being blocked. 


Mark Zuckerberg flew to London to do damage control after the riots of London ended. Zuckerberg went to Parliament to answer questions about social networking's role in the London riots, and of course to continue to promote his social network company in a positive light. You think Mark Zuckerberg isn't hearing the concerns from Parliament and other Governments? Which do you think Mark Zuckerberg would protect first if it came down to it? Facebook or The Freedom of Speech? I'm a betting man and I put my money on facebook.


If you read the Time magazine article you would have read that the two biggest issues for Mark Zuckerberg is an overly "open" network and providing bandwidth. Mark Zuckerberg wants facebook to be a Global company, but most Countries aren't open to the idea of an "open" network. As more Countries start using facebook, more servers and bandwidth will be needed. And more filtering will be needed to comply with Governmental laws, and cultural and religious practices. To solve these problems, Mark Zuckerberg will have to introduce more filtering of uploaded content on the facebook network. Which is the real reason why my posts were blocked as "spammy or irrelevant". To preserve bandwidth. But where is the preservation of the freedom of speech?


Mark Zuckerberg is betting that filtering will allow facebook to be introduced or in some cases be reintroduced back into Counties that do not allow a fully "open" network. Facebook may need stronger filtering in order to keep them from being regulated by Governments around the World. There are many types of filtering being used right now on facebook and there are more sure to come. In Germany, it is illegal to display Nazi content. So, facebook filters and blocks any Nazi content in Germany that would violate this law, but allows this content to be viewed in the United States where it is protected under the freedom of speech in the Constitution. 


Future facebook filters could block postings that may seem to incite trouble, or may incite others to do harm. Filters in China (once facebook China is relaunched), would block anything related to human rights, and remarks protesting the Chinese Government. Add biometrics software to the mix, and a user could be monitored and filtered at the same time. A social network could automatically notify the police whenever someone post information related to a crime on the network, then give the police the users information, postings and pictures. Filtering could become the "Big Brother" of social networks. 


Is filtering of social networks the key to keeping them "open networks" in the future? And is it truly an "open" network, if what you say is analyzed by an algorithm that checks your postings for questionable language and content? When I visit my friends in person, we can talk about anything we want to without restrictions or "blocks". So why would I want to use a social network service that doesn't allow me to say what's on my mind to my friends without scrutiny? Shouldn't my social networking be as "open" as my life is? 


Mark Zuckerberg has been given a great power alright. One he should protect for every person on this Planet that uses facebook. Let the chips fall, however they may fall. Even if it means an oppressive Government falls in the process. The people in China, Turkey, Iran or wherever have the same right as I do to protest there Governments policies and say what's on there mind. The peoples voice should not be filtered on any medium, especially on facebook. The Freedom of Speech should be protected on social networks and on the Internet. Freedom of Speech can spark a revolution when it is impeded on. The revolution that may take place for facebook may be thousands of loyal users abandoning the network to sites that protect users freedoms and personal information. 


To make this filtering thing even worse, facebook doesn't give you any options to contest the blockage once you have been flagged. You only get a popup message that you "must" acknowledge (AGREE) that you understand facebook's TOS. This is not right. There are no options to get in contact with facebook either. The only option you have is to report a bug. They don't even answer the phone at facebook, which I have been calling non-stop for over a week. Does Mark Zuckerberg care about it's users? Or does he only care about the money he is making from it's users? Does a facebook user have a voice? With no means of getting in contact with facebook, I would say Mark Zuckerberg doesn't want to hear from us. What do you think?