April 12, 2009
Spring Break Bloody Spring Break
17 Comments »Richmond and other area schools began spring break on Friday, the third. I came home from work and opened the news and read that a neighbor, unknown to me, had been killed. Spring break ends today the same way it began; this morning, just near my place of work, someone had been killed.
In case you are into fact checking, as you should be, here is a list of violent events that took place during spring break on the Southside with links to the news reports (of course violent crime is far from being centered on the Southside, other shootings have happened elsewhere in the Richmond metro area during this time):
April 3, there was the murder and burglary, possibly drug related, that happened within a ten minute walk from my home.
April 10, a young man nearly had his head blown off just a few minutes walk from where I work when a car rolled up next to him and someone fired; meanwhile, just a little south of my residence, on the same day, a man was shot in the leg and was dropped off at the hospital.
This morning, back by my place of work again, a man was found shot to death. Here is the release from Richmond Police spokesperson Karla Peters, whom we thank very much for keeping us updated:
“At approximately 1:43 a.m. (April, 12), police received a call of a person shot in the 5000 block of Forest Hill Avenue. Officers arrived within one minute of the dispatch and found a male lying in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was transported to the hospital where he died a short time later. He has been identified as Kemal Dickerson, 33, of the 5900 block of Glenway Court.Anyone with any information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.”
Now some people might say if you don’t like it, move. This is victim blaming and I won’t tolerate it. Others might say, well what are you doing to help? To them I say, you are reading this right? Not to mention that I am involved in many activities to improve my home and community. But what everyone should be saying is: Why do our representatives, who meet in our town regularly, continue to allow anyone to be able to just walk in to a gun show and buy a lethal weapon without even presenting ID?
Don’t they read the news? Are they incompetent? Did they forget about the Virginia Tech Massacre? I seriously doubt that any of these situations are the case. I suspect money has more to do with it than anything else. In fact, while researching for this article, I read that one of our representatives went so far as to say that gun shows are a financial benefit to his impoverished area during these hard economic times. Really? How long would a person have to suffer in poverty before an instrument of protection becomes one of destruction?
How long, how long must we endure this open murder market?
I know gun rights are a sensitive issue and that maybe some of you have stopped reading already and are thinking that I am a liberal, left wing, bleeding-heart knee-jerker, but the fact is that I don’t want to take anyone’s gun from his cold, dead hands as Charlton Heston would say. All I want is to be able to sleep at night knowing that if someone did come in my house to shoot and rob me like they did my neighbor, at least they weren’t able to go to a gun show any given weekend and easily obtain the device which would destroy my beautiful son and wife.
Think I am exaggerating? Read the Washington Post article about Omar Samaha, brother of a Virginia Tech Massacre victim, and his experiences in obtaining guns as part of a 20/20 investigation and decide for yourself.
Who, who would not pass a law to protect our families? Well, here is the record:
SB 1257 Firearms; criminal records check performed at a gun show before vendor may transfer.
02/04/09 Senate: Read third time and defeated by Senate (19-Y 21-N)
YEAS–Barker, Colgan, Deeds, Herring, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Norment, Northam, Petersen, Puller, Quayle, Saslaw, Ticer, Whipple–19.
NAYS–Blevins, Cuccinelli, Edwards, Hanger, Houck, Hurt, Martin, McDougle, Newman, Obenshain, Puckett, Reynolds, Ruff, Smith, Stolle, Stosch, Stuart, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins–21.
Call them, write them, go visit them, after all only a 50% majority is required to make it that more difficult for someone to purchase a gun and kill people.
Very strong well written post. Thank you for putting to words some of the thoughts I have had but not been able to express.
Shennen, the Harveys were not killed with a gun. I too was a neighbor of the Harveys, and at the time of the murders I had an infant and my husband was working nights. If I hadn’t had a gun, I wouldn’t have felt safe staying in my house during that awful time.
I know that the temptation is to think that making guns harder to get through legal means would make us safer, but the opposite is true. Tighter laws will only affect those of us who obey laws.
I will continue to call, visit and write my representatives — but with a different request than yours. I will ask that they continue to let me protect my family and myself.
Just an equal-time comment.
Note to readers: I had mentioned the Harvey’s, but only as an indicator of the violence that is prevalent in Richmond. I did live on the same block as they did in an apartment with my family. We had been living in Richmond for four months at that time and we had purchased a home deeper in the Southside at that exact same time. Although some gun rights supporters will use it as a method to show that owning guns could protect a family in a situation like that, I invoke their memory because it is highly improbable that anyone would have a chance to protect themselves during a home invasion.
Now for some facts from the U.S. Dept. of Justice:
The FBI estimated that 66% of the 16,137 murders in 2004 were committed with firearms.
According to the 1997 Survey of State Prison Inmates, among those possessing a gun, the source of the gun was from -
* a flea market or gun show for fewer than 2%
* a retail store or pawnshop for about 12%
* family, friends, a street buy, or an illegal source for 80%
For those of us who aren’t good at number crunching that’s about 200 people murdered in one year by guns bought at gun shows.
By making background checks mandatory at gun shows that number might not become zero, but I’ll bet 200 people’s lives a year that they would like to see it get as close as possible to zero. Wouldn’t you?
Not to exacerbate the issue, but I prefer facts to opinions, so here is a little more useful information from the Bureau of Justice:
The data are from the federal government’s second largest household survey, which interviews people 12 years old and
older throughout the country about their experiences with crime and criminal offenders. Because it includes only information obtained from victims’ responses to questions, it obtains no homicide data.
During the 1987-1992 period, offenders fired their weapons in 17 percent of all non-fatal handgun crimes, missing the victim
four out of five times. In 3 percent of the non-fatal crimes committed with handguns, about 21,000 annually, the victim was
wounded. In addition, an average 11,100 were killed each year.
During the same period an estimated annual average of 62,000 violent crime victims (approximately 1 percent of all violent
crime victims) used a firearm in an effort to defend themselves. In addition, an annual average of about 20,000 victims of theft, household burglary or motor vehicle theft attempted to defend their property with guns.
In most cases victims defending themselves with firearms were confronted by unarmed offenders or those armed with weapons other than firearms. During the six-year period,
about one in three armed victims faced an armed offender.
BJS estimated that more than 340,000 crimes annually involved firearm thefts. During the period almost two-thirds of such losses occurred during household burglaries and almost one- third in larcenies. The survey does not report on thefts or burglaries from stores or other businesses.
The link: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/press/hvfsdaft.pr
and the main link for even more info:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/guns.htm
Knowledge is good in and of itself.
I like this piece and I’m certainly not trying to disagree with you (much), but as a fellow southsider/Forest Hillanite, I think you’re being a bit dramatic.
Okay so the 5000 block of Forest Hill is still quite far from the “ghetto”. I agree that things like this shouldn’t happen there. But c’mon dude, more cops aren’t gonna change shit.
Having a voice and making an effort is important, but…. when (and if) I ever have a family, I’m buying a gun legally or illegally and it will be ready to blow a muthafuckers head off.
Can you really blame our cops or the city for these assholes murdering each other?
I know my answer is weak and really vague, but no one is promised safety at birth… American citizen or not.
My husband knew the man who was shot on Forest Hill over the weekend! This sort of crime is un excusable, but The Forest is somewhere that the police go to eat their lunch/dinner…i drink at the forest regularly with friends and there is very often a police pressence. Teh police cannot make a difference if it didnt happpen there it might have happened in his neighbourhood when entering his home, getting in his car, walking to the store,there could be children playing….you cannot have police evrywhere ALL the time
Exactly, Jessica. People do not like to think about the fact that even if the police had a two-minute response time (and let’s face it, in South Side the Easter Bunny would get there before the police so you might as well call him), an unarmed homeowner faced with an armed invader would not stand a chance. The police would be able to do little more than take a report.
So why does everyone still persist in believing that the solution is more police? Unless you’re putting a substation in my foyer, I am still going to need to defend my family whether I call 911 or not.
People who fear for their safety at home would do far better adopting a dog from a shelter than buying and maintaining a gun. Just ask the police. They fear dogs more than people with guns because dogs don’t hesitate and people with guns do. Many of us think we would shoot someone if necessary, but most of us wouldn’t, would miss the target, or would have our gun used on us. Americans need to get their heads out of the sand and recognize that countries with strict gun laws have far fewer violent crimes.
the first month we moved to southside (oak grove) our friend caught someone trying to steal his car in front of our house (broke the window and knocked the ignition block off). we called the police and asked them to come and take a report, and they refused to come out. then we got a tow truck (cause the car was inoperable) and he showed up drunk as a skunk and we watched his truck roll down the hill as he forgot to put it in park. welcome to southside!
and i agree with jim, dogs are the best, and they do not hesitate. i’m not saying if i lived by myself i wouldnt have both (dog + gun), cause i think i would. but my shepherd makes it very clear that anyone that hops my fence is in a world of trouble…
Jack – “Can you really blame our cops or the city for these assholes murdering each other?”
This reminds me of a public enemy song that uses a quote from the godfather – “theyre animals anyway, let them lose their souls”. the song is more about alcohol in the black community, but i think it applies. see lyrics http://www.publicenemy.com/index.php?page=page5&item=4&num=97
the police responded to the scene in less than two mins. from the time the call was placed. I know, i was there. the police presence in that area is very evident in the effort to prevent the criminal element from taking over. We cannot depend on others for our own protection! I love the forest and have been going there for years! we also need to be aware that it did not happen at the forest,the staff and patrons were the first to notice and respond because the do care what happens in there neighborhood!
(Editor’s note: I believe that shooting resulted from a dispute or confrontation that began at the Locker Room, but the shooting did NOT take place there.)
I really appreciate everyone’s comments on this thread, but I’d like to remind the readers and commentators that the story is focused on amending the “Gun Show Loophole” and not on the Richmond Police Department. That said, I am pleased to report that I have developed a partnership with the 2nd precinct police department and readers can expect more information from the department in the near future. Thanks again for reading Southside Richmond!
We can blame the guns but i think its the people.You got people running around here needing to be medicated by aphysician but instead they are loading up on street drugs and some go umedicated or evaluated. Its funny to me to hear people talk so much about guns when its not the gun itself that kils people. Its these unstable, emotionally disturbed people trying to cope in this ruthless society…thats all it seems to take to make someone snap…. a whole lotta fear+ ego+ some kind of mental instability= formula for disaster,
I often read threads and posts like these and it makes me shake my head. I get so tired of people that refuse to take responsibility for the defense of themselves, their family or their home. They want the police to protect them, the schools to raise their children, the government to bail them out because they live in a flood plain or tornado alley, or under a volcano!
Give me a break. There is no gun show loop hole. Every licensed gun owner selling at the gun show has to BY LAW conduct a back ground check on EVERYONE purchasing a firearm. The so called “loop hole” is one private citizen selling to another private citizen.
People are allowed to sell their own personal firearms just as they can sell anything else. Its a free market. I have purchased the majority of fire arms I own from private owners. Like anything else you get a better deal when you buy from a private owner and not a business.
The reason that the laws fail in the general assembly is there is no stopping point. Where does it end? It starts with the end of PRIVATE SALES at gun shows. Of course thats never enough for people who want some one else to take care of them. Next they want private sales to stop at home. Next a father wont be able to pass down a family’s heirloom firearms to his son with out a back ground check and fees to the government.
When a drunk driver kills a family because he was careless enough to drink and get behind the wheel, we dont blame the car or the alcohol. We hold the person responsible. Why people choose to go after guns is beyond me. I dont care if your liberal or not. I have plenty of friends that are liberal and ardent gun owners.
You need to do your part as a free American. Enroll yourself, your children and your wife in a quality martial arts program. Take your wife and get some fire arms training. D&P shooting range behind Southern gun world on Midlothian has a great program and its affordable. Purchase, learn how to use it, train with it frequently, and become an active part of this great free society that was founded by great men with guns and guts!
All that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing!
If you choose not to do these things that is up to you. The problem you will face is with men like me who choose to defend themselves. WHo love freedom and are willing to do their part to maintain it with as little government intervention as possible. I dont need the government to protect me in my own country. I dont need them to find me a job or help me pay my mortgage. I am capable of all of that and so are you Shennen. I offer this to you. If you (and your wife) would like to go to the gun range and learn how to shoot and care for a firearm, i will offer my time and weapons to do so. My email is LajoieJG@hotmail.com. Its up to you.
I met my wife in martial arts class. She is an avid shooter and gun owner as well. We also have three dogs that we rescued who help to protect the home. We do our part to help keep the criminals at bay. We also network with the neighbors to make sure that the neighborhood is aware of potential criminal activity. It is our responsibility for our own safety and security. Be proactive. Don’t rely on the police to be reactive.
I was at the Locker Room with the victim. There was NO confrontation there. He was having a drink, playing a game, minding his own business. Kemal aka Ali was a very good friend of mine. He recieved a call right before he left, I could hear him tell the person he would be right out. I believe the person that called him to come out was possibly the shooter. I have told detectives to look at his phone records and find out who that person was that called him to come out.
The gun show loophole is a loophole in background checks, not sales. A licensed firearms dealer must by law conduct a background check before selling a firearm. That means he will not be selling to a juvenile, a convicted felon, a person adjusted mentally ill. A private seller is not required to conduct a background check, so he can, and does, sell to anyone. Have you been to a gun show and seen the people walking around with a sign on saying…”____ for Sale” How is that a private transaction? It is an attempt to evade the background check. Ask yourself “Why would anyone want to sell a firearm to someone without a background check?”
The last gun show I was at they conducted background checks.
Really….. there are some great arguements on both sides……but I think it was Jim who said it best…..GET A DOG (and a gun)!!! I can be pretty sure that most of you…if you’re not ex-military or law enforcement you would be on the wrong end of your own gun in a home invasion (at this point some of your ego’s won’t allow you to believe that but it is true)…. A quality dog will provide you with: EARLY WARNING and Protection to the DEATH. if you are a RESPONSIBLE Gun owner then your gun has a lock on it; safety; and is kept under lock and key…..So you tell me, when the door is kicked in ARE YOUR HANDS STEADY?? probably not seein as how most of you couldn’t walk down most streets in this town with a steady hand….. just a thought