Archive for December, 2017

Red Cross In Milwaukee Accused Of Denying Service To Turner Family Who Are African-American

Video testimony posted on Facebook by local African-American community organizer alleging that the American Red Cross in Southeast Wisconsin Chapter had denied service to the Turner family after a three alarm fire engulfed their residence and destroyed everything.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 30, 2017

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – On Saturday, Tory Lowe, an African-American organizer in the Black community posted in his Facebook (FB) account a video alleging that the American Red Cross Southeast Wisconsin Chapter (ARCSWC) apparently denied service to the Latressa Turner family after their residence was engulfed on fire and destroyed everything they owned on December 28 in a three alarm fire. Lowe says that it was the same day that a ARCSWC policy was released to the public that ten Zip Codes in the City of Milwaukee will no longer receive on-site fire relief aid and assistance due to safety concerns of ARCSWC volunteers and workers. The Zip Code area affected is 53204, 53205, 53206, 53208, 53209, 53210, 53215, 53216, 53218 and 53233, according to a new policy announcement by Patty Flowers, the Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Southeast Wisconsin Chapter. The designated or redlined area that Flowers identified is located in the predominantly Black and Latino communities. Flowers told news media outlets that it was a safety concern, also to scale down in providing assistance, the staff and volunteers were tired and they were implementing the new policy in the mention area, which by just identifying the ten Zip Code area would definitely indicate a racially driven bias decision instead of including all areas in the State of Wisconsin in the policy. Victims of fire destruction of property and disasters in the inner city will now be provided a card by the Milwaukee Fire Department to call and make arrangements with a ARCSWC volunteer so, the volunteer can meet victims at the nearest police district station or go the ARCSWC headquarters location at the 2600 block of W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee.
On December 28, the Turner’s family residence caught fire and destroyed the home and everything they owned. Turner and her sister Latoya Lewis went to the 5th Milwaukee Police District Station and waited between one hour to several hours for ARCSWC volunteer to showed up, which no one from the local Red Cross arrived to meet with them. So, the family went to the ARCSWC headquarters on Wisconsin Ave. and were denied service, according to testimony by the Turner. Turner has an 18-month-old child. Both Turner and Lewis say that the Red Cross denied them service due to the color of their skin and were treated unfairly, according to their testimony in the Lowe FB posted video. The person at the ARCSWC referred them to another location of a group or organization to seek help.
A GoFundme for the Turner family has been setup for people to donate.

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Cosimano, Mencher And Guinto From The 69’ers Motorcycle Club Facing The Death Penalty Or Life For The Murder Of Anderson, The Outlaws M.C. President

Cosimano, the President of the 69’ers Motorcycle Club has been charged with the premeditated cold blooded murder of Anderson, an Outlaws M.C. President while he sat in his truck in Odessa.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 29, 2017

Odessa, Florida – The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has booked Christopher “Durty” Brian Cosimano, 29, of Riverview, the President of the 69’ers Motorcycle Club (M.C.) and Michael “Pumpkin” Dominick Mencher, 51, of Riverview and Allan “Bee Bee” Burt Guinto, 26, of Brandon, who are also members of the 69’ers M.C. with one felony count each for premeditated murder/homicide in the cold blooded shooting death of Paul Quincy Anderson, 44, of New Port Richey, the President of the Cross Bayou Chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in Pasco County. The three murder suspects are being held without bail and if convicted, Cosimano. Mencher and Guinto are facing the death penalty or life in prison for Anderson’s homicide.
The criminal complaint says that both Cosimano and Mencher arrived in motorcycles at the location where Anderson was parked with his truck. Cosimano went up to Anderson’s truck, which was parked on State Road 54 and Suncoast Parkway and tapped on the window and fired several shots at the victim. Mencher accompanied Cosimano and was nearby, he was the one in charge to finish off Anderson, if Cosimano failed to kill Anderson on the spot and the third suspect, Guinto was considered the scout in a vehicle who watched for police.
A nearby video camera surveillance captured the suspects at the scene where the shooting occurred, according to the criminal complaint.
The M.C.s had a history of feuding and members of the Outlaws had assaulted Guinto at a local bar and police reports indicated that 69’ers members riding their motorcycles on the road were targeted by members of the Outlaws who tried to run them off the road in prior incidents, Sheriff Chris Nocco, from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reported.

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Red Cross Redlined Milwaukee’s Black And Latino Community Areas From On-site Fire Aid Services

Lack of diversity training and employees of color in the Wisconsin Red Cross, especially in the Milwaukee area could be a contributing factor and not safety that resulted in redlining the Black and Latino predominantly community areas from providing on-site fire, disaster relief and assistance.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 28, 2017

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The American Red Cross Southeast Wisconsin Chapter (ARCSWC) just redlined ten Milwaukee area Zip Codes, 53204, 53205, 53206, 53208, 53209, 53210, 53215, 53216, 53218 and 53233, according to a new policy announcement by Patty Flowers, the Regional CEO of the American Red Cross of Wisconsin, TMJ4 dot com reported. Flowers says, that the Milwaukee Fire Department members will be able to provide victims of a fire in Zip Codes mentioned with a card to contact a Red Cross volunteer to apply for aid and then the volunteer would arrange to meet the victim at a local police station or at Red Cross headquarters for face to face contact instead at on-site fire incidents as a safety measure for the volunteer. If a victim needs a ride to meet a Red Cross volunteer, the Red Cross has made arrangements with local taxi cab services to transport the victims free of charge to meet a Red Cross volunteer or to apply for aid, according to Flowers.
The ARCSWC offices are located at the 2600 block of W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee where the surrounding neighborhood is predominantly African-American. Will Flowers now decide to move the headquarters, since safety has become a factor for implementing the new redlining policy and move it to a White predominantly suburb?
Milwaukee Alderman Robert “Bob” Donovan released the following statement on his Facebook (FB) account and blamed criminals, Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn and Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm for their failed strategies and policies in dealing with crime.
Ald. Donovan’s FB statement, “The Red Cross serves in war torn countries such as Iraq, Bosnia, Somalia, Chechnya and Afghanistan—but out of concern for its volunteers’ safety, the Red Cross will no longer serve a large part of the City of Milwaukee when it comes to on-site fire and disaster relief and assistance!”
“The American Red Cross Southeast Wisconsin Chapter’s decision not to enter ten City of Milwaukee Zip Codes is a clear and appalling indication of the FAILED public safety strategies of the Barrett and Flynn administration as well as the weak, mollycoddling policies of DA Chisholm’s office towards reckless, violent criminals!”
What Donovan failed to understand is, why the Red Cross actually goes into war torn ridden countries and recently to Puerto Rico’s rural areas where it was more dangerous to the safety of the Red Cross staff and volunteers due to lawless areas then the Milwaukee predominantly Black and Latino communities?
There has been no Milwaukee police report that any Red Cross volunteer who are mostly White volunteers and many come from the suburbs including Milwaukee have become victims of any crime in the predominantly Black and Latino communities. The Red Cross of Wisconsin and the ARCSWC need to revise their policies and include diversity training and adding Red Cross employees of color including management since, the Black and Latino communities due generate funds and donate to the Red Cross itself. If the Red Cross continues to redline inner city communities then these very communities including surrounding communities should begin to redline the Red Cross itself and begin to boycott it.
The American Red Cross Southeast Chapter serves communities across the following counties: Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha, according to its website.

The Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Southeast Wisconsin Chapter

Bill Kellner – Chair – Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

John Griffith – Treasurer – Park Bank

Beth Anderson – Secretary – Laureate Group

Patricia Ackerman – A.O. Smith Corporation

Iain Boyd – Snap-on Incorporated

Bill Carollo – Big Ten Conference

Marti Croak – U.S. Bank

Joann Eisenhart, Ph.D. – Northwestern Mutual

Rebecca Fitzgerald – Johnson Controls Power Solutions

Tami Garrison – MillerCoors

Lisa George – We Energies/Wisconsin Energy Corporation

Toni Holland – Time Warner Cable

William Jessup – Milwaukee Police Department

Tom Kissinger – The Marcus Corporation

Molly Lueder, CFP, CLU, ChFC – Northwestern Mutual

Janet C. Protasiewicz – Milwaukee County Circuit Court

Kelly Savage – State Farm Insurance Companies

Francis Schmitz – Law Offices of Francis Schmitz

Srini Seshadri

Sue Shimoyama – Rockwell Automation

Michael Stull – ManpowerGroup

Laura Timm – Briggs & Stratton Corporation

Ellen Trytek – Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLC

Mary Voelker, Ph.D., SPHR – Consulting on Change

Gerard Washington – Milwaukee Fire Department

Emeritus Members

Gwen Jackson – Chair Emeritus – Retired

Linda Cutler – Retired

William (Bill) Murgas – Retired

Gregory Oberland – Northwestern Mutual

Edward O’Connor – Retired

Mark Petrarca – A. O. Smith Corporation

Steve Tews

Red Cross Staff Members

Patty Flowers – Regional CEO

Nicole Gulatz – Regional Chief Development Officer

Rachel Bennett – Executive Assistant

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Mayor Tom Barrett Appointed Carmen C. Cabrera, The First Latina Election Commissioner For The City Of Milwaukee

The City of Milwaukee Election Commission has confirmed that Carmen C. Cabrera, a long time community activist has been appointed as Election Commissioner.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 27, 2017

Milwaukee, WI – On Wednesday, Neil V. Albrecht, the Director for the City of Milwaukee Election Commission confirmed that Carmen C. Cabrera, a Democrat was appointed by Mayor Tom Barrett as the first Latina Election Commissioner in Milwaukee’s history. Cabrera is well known for her community activism and was instrumental along with 500 other educational activists in the 1970’s to break down the wall of discrimination in many areas including at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where on August 27, 1970, members of the Latino community took over the chancellor’s office seeking education opportunities for Latinos. In 1970, UW-Milwaukee only had about 14 Latino students compared to 25,000 White students and discrimination that kept Latinos from enrolling was the norm. Cabrera, of Puerto Rican decent was instrumental in bridging a network between the Puerto Rican and Mexican community to work together and her activisim along with other activists in both communities including the undocumented community in the 1970’s led to changes in education policies and other successful strives and opportunities for Latinos in the Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin.
Two other Board of Election Commissioners were confirmed as well on Wednesday and they are Stephenie D. Findley, Chair, Democrat and Robert F. Spindell Jr., a Republican.
The terms for Cabrera, Findley and Spindell Jr. run from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021, according to Albrecht. The Board of Election Commission website in the City of Milwaukee was updated this week to reflect the current Commissioners.

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2 Majority Latino Districts Controversy 2012 Email From Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West Resurfaces

An email that was released several days before the 2012 Milwaukee County 12th District Supervisor election in 2012 has resurfaced where Supervisor West gave her opinion about 2 majority Latino districts and has never been addressed by West until today.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 26, 2017

Milwaukee, WI – On Monday, Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West responded to an email currently circulating in Facebook that was released several days before the 2012 County Board elections sent to Harold Mester, the Public Information Manager from Milwaukee County expressing her concerns and opinion about 2 majority Latino districts involving the 12th and 4th Supervisor Districts before the 2012 elections. Supervisor West posted multiple comments concerning the email in Robert Miranda’s Facebook account on Monday.
On Friday, Supervisor West released the following statement to Miranda who is backing her re-election and was sent to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA).

Peggy West response: “Well its true? The 2nd Latino influence district we have now is Weisgan’s district. Again a Latino has never run for that seat so they are making it seem like Marina & I “fixed” the map to keep our seats. We had nothing to do with the map. Again, we added a 2nd influence district which has not affected representation so how am I suppressing that?”

The following statements were posted on Miranda’s post comment thread.

Peggy West comments on Robert Miranda”s post thread dated 12/25/2017

“We have not 1, but 2 Latino Majority/influence districts by the next redistricting, we could add another. I am not understanding the confusion of my support for them? There were multiple maps to vote on & we created one with a Hispanic majority(12) & a Hispanic Influence( Marina Dimitrijevic) in fact the amendment that created those districts, I authored with Marina after the original information we received saying that Marina’s district could not be an influence district based on voting age was proved false. I don’t recall anyone asking for anything more than that? Why are we not discussing how we could have 1 majority & 2 influence at the city level but the Alderman representing those districts did not support it & its never been brought up again? Why aren’t we still discussing this in 2018?”

“Well that I understand and I’m more confused now because Marina Dimitrijevic and I authored the amendment for the Hispanic Majority districts together & she’s been a champion of the Hispanic Community(which I agree she has) but I have not been? Which I will need an explanation on. It also states I lost supporters in 2011 over this yet I was endorsed by both Voces de la Frontera & Citizen Action in the 2012 elections?”

“Always have been opposed to Voter ID, co-sponsored free birth certificates to assist people getting an ID to go vote. Further more, its a revelation that Mrs. Ortiz-Velez provided the “smoking gun” because according to “the Hispanic Conservative” it was Joe Sanfelippo. Sanfelippo received the same information that we did the difference is Marina & I did an amendment to create those districts. The information we got from STAFF told us that we were NOT given correct information originally but AGAIN, we corrected it. This is not the first time in County Gov’t that staff has made a mistake but has come back to help correct it. The Co. Exec. Staff does it every year in the budget.”

“The email to Harold Mester you are referring to expresses my confusion as to why we are still discussing Latino Majority districts when we PASSED an amendment to have them again after being provided the proper information. I was never against them, I was informed as was Marina, incorrectly that it could not be done, once we knew it could be, it was. I don’t understand how that is seen as opposition? By anyone?”

In April 2011, nearly 5,000 in Latino population were removed from the 4th Supervisor County District and moved to the 12th Supervisor District, and a ward with 5,000 Whites were moved into the 4th District from the Milwaukee downtown area. The move circumvented the original district map that was being proposed by community redistricting concerned citizens and Sylvia Ortiz-Velez who was monitoring the redistricting process noticed the change. Ortiz-Velez has declared to be a candidate in the 12th Supervisor District, which would be her second time to challenge West for the seat. Supervisor West has also filed a declaration of candidacy for re-election. HNNUSA in 2011 contacted Ortiz-Velez about the redistricting issue and what the Milwaukee County Redistricting Committee (MCRC) intended to do. Ortiz-Velez provided stats and information to HNNUSA showing that the MCRC, which Supervisor West was a member had moved removed nearly 5,000 Latinos from the 4th District and added 5,000 Whites to the 4th District. Today, West hasn’t been able to explain why in 2011, nearly 5,000 Latinos were removed from the 4th District and replaced by 5,000 Whites.
Once the HNNUSA article on June 2011 was published to expose the reduction of Latino population in the 4th District, it created public pressure to fix it and to add Latinos instead of removing them from the 4th District. The MCRC had no choice, but to redo the redistricting that assure a portion of Latinos remained in the 4th District and the redistricting plan was later approved by the MCRC and the County Board of Supervisors.
The redistricting issue and majority Latino districts could resurface again, if the U.S. Supreme Court decides on the Republican Gerrymandering case and could affect Wisconsin redistricting. The Latino community needs public elected officials that support majority Latino voting districts to ensure voter empowerment.

Sylvia Ortiz-Velez responded to Robert Miranda’s post on 12/25/2017 and posted the following comments.

“Robert, I am suprised that with your long career as a writer and editor of the Spanish Journal, that you shared a post by Mr. Abel Ortiz, that is inaccurate. Just in case you overlooked your investigative tools, I want you to know that, I have only ran once, five years ago. One of the concern by many, is that Mrs. West did not support Two Hispanic Majority Districts at the County. Let’s be fair, since you posted Aaron article, it even states that, seems like you are cherry picking. What the article doesn’t reveal is that, I am the reason why we have two hispanic majority seats. I have never taken credit for it until now. Also I support two legislative assembly districts, as well, that are hispanic voting age majority, which is stated in the article, which I am sure you can agree. I also worked very hard to ensure two hispanic majority seats at the Common Council, which I gave public testimony in. I am against the current Republican Voter I.d. bill because it promotes voter suppression, as filed in a recent lawsuit, because citizens without proper documentation are not allowed to vote. As you know Robert only U.S. citizens, by federal law, are allowed to vote.”

“I am the one who found the redistricting data in June or July of 2011, ie the smoking gun, while researching. I thought long and hard for three days. What to do. I knew that if I brought it up, people might make it a political football and our community would not get the second majority seat. So, I handed the information off, put my community first, and took no credit for finding it, Once the data and the action was exposed it forced the committee and board to go back and redistrict and we got the second Majority seat. Thanks to me now reporters, and groups of Latinos, now had the data, which forced the board to fix it or face a lawsuit. To give some background, this email was found 2 or 3 days before, the election in 2012. Many people supporting Mrs. West, were upset and felt betrayed. All the while Mrs. West assured many people that she indeed was fighting for our community in 2011 when the redistricting occurred. . Once again, having a hispanic, majority seat ensures more voter participation and that whomever is in the seat, that they will champion, issues important to us, which Marina has done. I am grateful to her for that. I can substaintiate everything I have stated here.”

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Three Florida Members Of The 69’ers Motorcycle Club Arrested In Connection With Outlaws M.C. President Homicide

President of the 69’ers Motorcycle Club allegedly murdered in cold blood an Outlaws M.C. president while he sat in his truck.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 24, 2017

Odessa, Florida – On Friday, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reported that Christopher “Durty” Brian Cosimano, 29, the President of the 69’ers Motorcycle Club (M.C.) had been taken into custody in connection with Friday’s fatal shooting of Paul Quincy Anderson, 44, of New Port Richey, the President of the Cross Bayou Chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in Pasco County. Cosimano allegedly shot and killed Anderson, according to Chris Nocco, the Pasco County Sheriff. Also taken into custody and facing 1st-degree homicide charges with Cosimano are Michael “Pumpkin” Dominick Mencher, 51, of Tampa and Allen “Bee Bee” Burt Guinto, 26, who are both members of the 69’ers M.C.
Sheriff Nocco says that both Cosimano and Mencher arrived at the location in motorcycles where Anderson was seen at. Cosimano went up to Anderson’s truck, which was parked on State Road 54 and Suncoast Parkway and tapped on the window and fired several shots at the victim. Mencher was the one in charge to finish off Anderson, if Cosimano failed to kill Anderson and the third suspect was considered the scout in a vehicle, according to Sheriff Nocco.
A nearby video camera surveillance captured the suspects at the scene where the shooting occurred, according to Nocco.
Sheriff Nocco says, that the M.C.s had been feuding and members of the Outlaws had assaulted Guinto at a local bar and police reports indicate that 69’ers members riding their motorcycles were targeted by members of the Outlaws who tried to run them off the road in prior incidents.
Sheriff Nocco expects for the Outlaws to retaliate against members of the 69’ers and warns people in the area to be on the look out for motorcycles with out of state license plates.

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Terrence E. Harris, Milwaukee Crossing Guard Fatal Hit-and-run Suspect Arrested In California

Harris had fled from Milwaukee shortly after striking Tyler, a crossing guard with his vehicle in a hit-and-run crash, which the victim later died due to the injuries.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 23, 2017

Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) reported that a 35-year-old male suspect wanted for the hit-and-run crash in November had been taken into custody in California. Police identified the suspect as Terrence E. Harris, 35, from Milwaukee. Harris was arrested on December 21st by the Lodi Police Department in California and is being processed for extradition to face several felony charges for hit-and-run involving death (if convicted, Harris is facing 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines) and knowingly operating a vehicle while license revoked causing death (suspect is facing 6 years in prison and up to $10 000 in fines, if convicted). According to Milwaukee Police, detectives conducted an extensive investigation into the hit-and-run crash on November 10th at the 7200 block of W. Carmen Ave. causing the death of Andrew Tyler, 71, who died on December 7th from his injuries. The vehicle that Harris was driving sped away from the crash scene, a nearby security surveillance video camera recorded. Tyler had been a crossing guard for 9 years. The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office issued charges and a warrant in the case on December 21.
Based on the investigation, MPD investigators requested the assistance of the Lodi Police Department in CA in locating Harris. He was arrested on December 21st around 1:30 p.m. in Lodi by their officers. The MPD initiated an extradition process for Harris to be returned to Wisconsin and face charges, MPD reported.

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FBI/Police Gang Task Enforcement Expanded To Milwaukee’s Southside To Reduce Crime Hot Spots

The Milwaukee Police Department notified the Fire and Police Commission that it will expand the FBI/Police Gang Task Enforcement unit to the 2nd Milwaukee Police District Station to deal with the high volume of reported crime.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 21, 2017

Milwaukee, WI – On Thursday, Milwaukee Assistant Police Chief James Harpole notified the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (F&PC) that the FBI/Police Gang Task Force Enforcement unit will be housed at the 2nd Milwaukee Police District Station and is being funded by the FBI. Two detectives, two police officers and several Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents will manage the gang task force. The gang unit will concentrate on hot spots where crime is on the increase, especially where gambling, solicitation and drug dealings has been reported. Two drug dealing hots were identified by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), area 1 is located from W. National Ave. to W. Burnham St. between S. 15th St. to S. 29th St.; area 2 is located from W. Lincoln Ave. to W. Harrison Ave. between S. 8th St. to S. 12th St.
The soliciting hot spot area was identified by MPD from W. National Ave. to W. Mitchell St. between S. 17th St. to S. 28th St.
In 2015, an FBI statistic report indicated that the “LGN” route or W. Lincoln Ave., W. Greenfield Ave. and W. National Ave. corridor strips in Milwaukee’s Southside were known nationally as a human trafficking area.
Those police officers assigned to the gang unit will receive at least $18,000 in overtime pay each for investigations and officers will drive federal vehicles as well. The gang unit will remain at the District 2 until crime is diminished, according to Harpole.
Assist. Chief Harpole testified at the hearing that this year alone in District 2, homicides increased by 36%, this time last year 11 homicides were reported and so far, 15 homicides were reported this year in District 2. Non-fatal shootings in 2017 increased by 69%, this time last year 55 victims were injured compared to 96 victims this year related to robbery and drugs, also aggravated assaults increased 22% compared to last year.
MPD also reported that in Wisconsin Opioid overdose deaths total 827 in 2016 compared to 2017, as of December 14, 357 deaths were contributed to overdose of drugs County-wide, which 302 deaths were opiate-related. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiners Office reported that 80 – 90% of County drug overdose deaths are a result of opioids.
In the City of Milwaukee, as of November 30, 2017 about 191 opioid deaths were reported with another 60 deaths under investigation pending confirmation that are most likely opioid related compared to 191 opioid deaths reported in 2016, 152 in 2015, 118 in 2014 and 94 opioid deaths in 2013.
Between 2013 to 2016 of opioid deaths in the City of Milwaukee, 58% were White, 32% were Black, 3% were Hispanic and 2% were classified as other, and 63% were male and 37% were female victims, according to the MPD report.
This year the opioid overdose deaths surpassed the homicide rate of 108 victims and traffic related deaths of 58, up to November 30.
MPD officers saved 22 overdose victims by administering Naloxone (Narcan) in 2016 and 33 victims in 2017, Assist. Chief Harpole confirmed and also stated that the Milwaukee Fire Department rescue response units had saved at least 3,000 overdosing victims with Narcan.
MPD has assigned 16 police officers, detectives including supervisors to the Opioid Task Force (OTF) to investigate deaths and to identify those responsible (suppliers) for selling drugs to victims of addiction resulting in deaths related opiate cases for prosecution. The OTF will also work to arrest drug dealers before they cause more opiate deaths.
The F&PC tabled the MPD Standard Operating Procedure #910 (MDPSOP) Civil Disturbance and Crowd Management until the City Attorney provides an opinion to make sure the policy doesn’t violate any civil rights of citizens. The MPDSOP 910 policy provides guidelines for police officers to follow during a perceived riot to maintain crowd control and the peace. A copy of the #910 proposed policy was released, but most of the text was redacted, so a request was made by one member of the F&PC for MPD to make it public without being redacted for the public to review it and have some input in a community hearing setting before the Commission approves the measure.

MPD began a Traffic Enforcement Surge on October 16, 2017 and will continue to January 1, 2018 resulting in the identification of 50 locations in the City where high crime and crashes intersect. Many of the crashes involved juveniles and young adult chronic offenders with stolen vehicles. Police officers have cited offenders for speeding, reckless driving, red light violations and failing to yield to pedestrians.

• Traffic stops in the City by police have increased by 56% with a 111% citation result, which has decreased crashes by 12% in Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety areas (DDACTS).
Between October 16 to December 16, 2017, in DDACTS areas traffic stops increased by 136% with 10,733 citations issued, a 885% increase compared to 2016 same time with 1,090 citations issued, which decreased non-fatal shootings, robbery and motor vehicle thefts by 15% in 2017.

• Citywide crime decreased: non-fatal shootings by -29%, robbery by -9%, motor vehicle theft by -25% and crashes declined by 6%.

• Traffic fatalities compared to non-fatal injuries crashes

August 15 to December 16, 2017, deaths reported at 16 and injuries at 1,402

August 15 to December 16, 2016, deaths reported at 27 and injuries at 1,813

Update: MPD reported that 2017 had 64 traffic fatalities as a result of vehicles involved in deadly crashes and tied the fatality total with 2015.

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Nicasio Cuevas-Quiles Takes Chicago LAMA’s Name, But Fails To TM Register His LAMA-Nomads Motorcycle Group

Cuevas-Quiles ignited a controversy over a LAMA corporation name takeover by registering the Latin American Motorcycle Association LAMA name as his own with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 18, 2017

Clermont, Florida – On Monday, Nicasio Cuevas-Quiles III, 43, aka, “Nic Jones, Nic Yoda, Quil de Nic” the current President of the Latin American Motorcycle Association Nomads (LAMA-Nomads) couldn’t explain why his motorcycle group is not actually registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the State of Florida as a Trademark corporation, according to state records. The USPTO has posted on TSDR check that on December 12, 2017, Attorney Eduardo E. Drake from Fantastic IP Consulting, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota who was representing Quiles in the TM filing had withdrawn from the filing due to lack of communication with client (U.S. Serial # 87498322) for request to Trademark “Latin American Motorcycle Association LAMA”. Quiles filing on June 20, 2017 is still active, but remains under examination with a “non-final Office action” by USPTO.
Which actually means that Quiles doesn’t have the exclusive for the LAMA Trademark yet, which he has implied to have, according to the USPTO records filing.
Last Friday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) broke the story about Quiles and the LAMA-Nomads controversy, which drew condemnation by multiple members from chapters in Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey and around the nation including from other countries that are part of the original Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) based in Chicago that was established in 1977 by Mario Nieves. Apparently, LAMA National (Corporation) from Chicago failed to renew their Trademark with the USPTO and Quiles, a former member of LAMA took it upon himself to take the name of LAMA and registered it as his own. Quiles hasn’t been able to explain why he decided to “steal” the name as some members of the original LAMA have allegedly claimed on Facebook posted comments between Quiles, his group and LAMA members.
The LAMA National in Chicago hasn’t yet responded to an inquiry by HNNUSA and hasn’t released any information about the current controversy between Quiles and them. HNNUSA has learned that Quiles did in fact filed to register the LAMA name in June 2017 as his own and does claim he owns the TM right to use it, which is still under examination by the USPTO, but he failed to also file a Trademark for his own group as LAMA-Nomads with the USPTO.
Quiles is operating an internet website as LAMA-Nomads and recruiting, he also has a Facebook account page with the same name, but his motorcycle group under that name is not registered with the USPTO or the State of Florida today.

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LAMA-Nomads, Florida Motorcycle Group Allegedly Copycats Logos Igniting Controversy Among Biker Groups

Name and logo infringement of colors taken seriously by motorcycle groups and riding groups in the U.S.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 15, 2017

Clermont, Florida – Last August, Nicasio Cuevas Quiles III, aka, “Nic Jones, Nic Yoda, Quil de Nic” was one of a few motorcycle enthusiasts that decided to create a motorcycle group named Latin American Motorcycle Association Nomads (LAMA-Nomads) in Clermont. Quiles is the current President of the LAMA-Nomads. But, the creation of LAMA-Nomads in Florida quickly drew criticism by Florida chapters associated with the actual Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA), which originated about 40 years ago in Chicago, whose founder is Mario Nieves and has chapters in multiple U.S. states, other countries and Puerto Rico. Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) attempted to contact Quiles and Elio Cruz from the LAMA-Nomads concerning the allegations raised by the original LAMA chapter members that LAMA-Nomads had decided to use LAMA’s name without authorization and had also used the name of the Nomads, which another Motorcycle Club exists including adding a skull and ring around their Colors (LAMA-Nomads vest logo) similar to the Barrio Riders from Chicago.
Lou Pagan, a LAMA member in Florida posted a FB video connecting the LAMA-Nomads Colors to three groups and asked Quiles why did he do it.
The LAMA-Nomads attempt to portray their motorcycle group as authentic, but lack any originality, maybe because Quiles was a former member of LAMA and couldn’t let go as a member and continues to use the LAMA name for credibility. Cruz posted on his Facebook (FB) page that their LAMA-Nomads name has been registered and even have an Internet domain with the name of LAMA and had filed lawsuits concerning the use of LAMA. HNNUSA has attempted to contact Cruz about the lawsuits, but no response has been made so far. Quiles has been also contacted as well, but no response has been made by him concerning the LAMA-Nomads and the allegations made that they copied and used other groups, clubs or association logos.
Quiles and members of LAMA-Nomads posed for a photo showing their LAMA-Nomads in front of home at the 9500 block of Royal Vista Ave. in Clermont where they allegedly operate their motorcyle group from and posted the photo in the LAMA-Nomads FB page.
HNNUSA has also attempted to contact Marcos Rodriguez, the President and David Soto, the Vice-President of LAMA National from Chicago, but no response has been received about their options concerning the association’s name infringement by Quiles and his LAMA-Nomads members.
A Weebly dot com web page was setup targeting Quiles by an anonymous source that mentioned that his former employees were seeking compensation from work done, but were never paid. Quiles did respond to the Weebly page about him and stated, “I wish to correct your article one last time related to Milwaukee County case “Mind Mill Creative LLC v. Haban, et al” in which our organization initiated the actions against former staff for, but not limited to, breach of contract, theft/conversion, violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the recent decision by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to close their investigation into the baseless claims as to non payment of wages in favor of our organization.”
Quiles posted an official and unofficial statements on the LAMA-Nomads comments FB page regarding his group and HNNUSA’s inquiry post about the group’s decision to use the name LAMA is also posted.
Quiles TM registered Latin American Motorcycle Association L.A.M.A. on June 20, 2017 and then the name was TM registered by LAMA Corporation from Chicago on August 9, 2017. The TM for LAMA Corp. had expired on August 9, 2013, then LAMA was reactivated in July 28, 2015 and expired on March 13, 2017. Quiles didn’t include Nomads in the TM filing, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The USPTO has posted on TSDR check that on December 12, 2017, Attorney Eduardo E. Drake from Fantastic IP Consulting, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota who was representing Quiles in the TM filing had withdrawn from the filing due to lack of communication with client (U.S. Serial # 87498322) for request to Trademark “Latin American Motorcycle Association LAMA”. Quiles filing on June 20, 2017 is still active, but remains under examination with a “non-final Office action” by USPTO.
Which actually means that Quiles doesn’t have the exclusive for the LAMA Trademark yet, which he has implied to have, according to the USPTO records filing.
Quiles hasn’t TM registered the LAMA-Nomads in the State of Florida yet, according to Corporation state records.

Would it be OK for new motorcycle groups to use and mimic Colors from other clubs, associations and independent riding groups? 

For example:

• Hells Angels-NMG (Hells Angels TM active)
• Outlaws-NMG (Outlaws TM active)
• Bandidos-NMG (Bandidos TM active)
• Vagos-NMG (Vagos TM active)
• Mongols-NMG (Mongols TM active)
• LAMA-Nomads (LAMA TM active, LAMA-Nomads not TM active)

Will it ignite controversy between original M.C.’s, Associations and independent riding groups with wannabes that copy, infringe on names and then TM register the name as their own?
How many M.C.s, Associations and independent riding groups actually have their Colors, logos and names TM registered, so former members and others don’t take the name of a club?
The biker drama continues. Stay tuned.

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