WARREN Video patrol lacking helpers

The police chief thinks the league leader jumped the gun on public comments.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Plans to start a citizens video patrol here have been stalled by a lack of volunteers.
Tom Conley, president and CEO of the Warren-Trumbull County Urban League, says he'll go forward with the patrol anyway.
"We are still working on starting this, and it is definitely something that I want to do," Conley said.
The idea for the video patrol came in March -- a few days after several juveniles complained to Conley that police officers used excessive force in arresting revelers in the street from a birthday party in the Comfort Inn downtown.
Conley said the plan is to have volunteer residents respond to police calls and videotape the conduct of police as a means of ensuring that citizens' rights are not violated.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos says he doesn't have a problem with a video patrol, as long as the volunteers don't interfere with police duties.
Police said about 100 to 150 juveniles spilled onto North Park Avenue early March 15.
They reported receiving a call about a large fight.
Officers arrested one adult and eight juveniles, the report states.
Police acted properly
An internal investigation showed that police acted properly, Mandopoulos said.
"I think Mr. Conley overreacted. I support the Urban League, and I was shocked that he had a press conference and he allowed a person that attended that press conference to call us racist and corrupt.
"That comment could cause possible litigation," Mandopoulos said.
The chief declined to say if he planned to file a lawsuit but suggested that the U.S. Justice Department should look at the Urban League.
"Think about it. Here we are doing the best we can possibly do, and the leader of the Urban League makes remarks about us," the chief said.
"I don't see anything constructive coming out of it."
Conley said a citizen that came to his press conference made the comment and was not speaking on behalf of the organization.
"Everything I said was factual, and I did not overreact," Conley said.
He noted the press conference was conducted to tell the public he was planning to have the Comfort Inn matter investigated.
The chief said he also cautioned Conley to be careful in what he says.
"I told him that you can't make remarks like he has because he is dependent on funding from the United Way, and when you make comments without knowing all the facts, people tend to frown," the chief said.
Police also noted that out of those arrested at the Comfort Inn, all but two have been convicted of charges and those cases are pending in Trumbull County Juvenile Court.
The adult, Michael Simpson, 19, had said police used excessive force arresting him.
Capt. Tim Bowers, who conducted the internal investigation, and the chief showed photos of Simpson taken right after the arrest, and no injuries were visible.
Simpson pleaded guilty in municipal court last month to a charge of obstruction of justice.
He received a five-day jail sentence.
sinkovich@vindy.com