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PUBLICSAFETY

Bellamy defends officers' arrest of council candidate

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
(Updated 2:44 pm)
By Amanda Lehmert and
Ryan Seals
Staff Writers

GREENSBORO — Police Chief Tim Bellamy said Monday that he stands behind the actions of his officers in the arrest of City Council candidate and gang leader Jorge Cornell over the weekend.

Friends and supporters of Cornell told City Council on Monday night that the arrest was the latest example of police officer harassment of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation and now Cornell’s campaign staff.

They argued that the 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew imposed by the magistrate’s office prevents him from campaigning.

Cornell, 32, who is running for an at-large seat on council, was arrested Saturday evening on a charge of resisting a public officer in relation to an incident at South Elm and East McGee streets. He did not return multiple phone messages seeking comment about the incident Monday.

Off-duty police officers were working a free downtown concert when, according to police, they saw people sporting colors linked to Cornell’s gang who were “hollering and flashing gang signs.”

Police have said that the arresting officer R.A. Watkins saw a rival gang in the area and approached members of Cornell’s group to get them to stop flashing gang signs.

Cornell got between a member of his group and two officers, leading to his arrest.

Eric Ginsburg, who works for Cornell’s campaign, told City Council members he was photographed by a Greensboro Police officer while attending the concert. He disputed the story that gang signs were shown.

“People were waving and saying hello to me especially, a college student with no criminal record or gang affiliation,” Ginsburg said.

Luis Rosa told City Council members that the event was one of many incidents of the police unfairly targeting gang members.

“The countless charges you have brought us up on, of course, have been dropped because we are not guilty of them,” said Rosa, who filed a complaint against the police department with the city’s Complaint Review Committee.

Rosa said the Latin Kings have called for peace among local gangs — and the police have stood in the way.

Other residents who spoke also questioned the police department’s actions.

Bellamy said he had talked to the officers involved and believes they acted appropriately.

In a video of the incident posted on YouTube and Cornell’s campaign Web site, Cornell comes between two uniformed officers speaking to members of his group to stop their discussion.

Watkins tells Cornell: “You are going to jail, get away from me, get out of my face. ... I’m talking to them, I’m not talking to you.”

Cornell responds: “You want to arrest me because I am running for City Council” and says his group was out to have a good time.

Cornell is arrested about 25 seconds after approaching officers. The incident is followed by Cornell’s daughters screaming at police for arresting their father. Cornell states he was arrested for no reason and makes multiple references to his campaign.

“Officers were asking them to stop flashing (gang) signs and go back on the curb,” Bellamy said. “Mr. Cornell intervened with Officer Watkins. The officer tried to back away and the officer did what he was supposed to do.

“He did not want to have a confrontation with him and wanted him to get out of the street. There was no use of force and no one caused problems with police, they were looking out for the safety of the folks there.”

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or Ryan.Seals@news-record.com

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Lynn Hey (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Jorge Cornell at a news conference in 2008.

SEE THE VIDEO

The video showing the discussion and then the arrest by Officer R.A. Watkins appeared on the campaign Web site of Jorge Cornell, cornellforcouncil.wordpress.com.

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JoeScott

August 4, 2009 - 8:35 am EDT

Yeah, this wasn't a case of racial profiling so much as behavior profiling.

DocF

August 4, 2009 - 9:02 am EDT

OK, a known, self-proclaimed, gang leader obstructs a police officer in the performance of his duties, gets himself arrested and this is racial profiling? I don't think so; it is the fruit of being a publicity hog and Cornell is that. Officer Watkins did it right and now the do-gooders and the hoodlums are upset. Please hand me my crying towel.

Gator

August 4, 2009 - 9:18 am EDT

Please tell me why a convict/gang leader is getting all this attention. Isn’t there any legitimate news? For the love of god shut down the press if this is as good as it gets.

jeaniegnc

August 4, 2009 - 9:34 am EDT

I agree, shut down the news coverage of this man. He planned what happened including having his daughters at the scene to cry and ask the police why they were harrassing their father. This newspaper is doing exactly what this man wanted, giving him free publicity. Support our police because they were doing their job and doing it very well.

CopOnTheBeat

August 4, 2009 - 10:30 am EDT

As I've said before, this was a staged event by Cornell. Why get arrested for attention? Isn't that extreme?

No, not in Cornell's world. He's no stranger to the criminal justice system. He knows it well. He's a thug. He's a part of the system. Go figure.

I agree with what JoeScott said above, but let me add. It wasn't racial profiling by the officer. It was racial profiling by Cornell and his roving band of hoodlums -- Cornell sought out the cop -- not the other way around.

What a tool.

EGParent

August 4, 2009 - 11:11 am EDT

I think Guilford County Protective child services need to investigate the safety of his children....

gboro84

August 4, 2009 - 11:46 am EDT

1. It is no more illegal or unethical for officers to photograph crowds of people than it is for citiznes to film cops. It is actually quite routine when their is a downtown event for officers to be present and even photographing, just like it is not uncommon for regular folk to do the same.

2. If no crime was commited, and the officers just wanted Cornell's crowd to get out of the street, then why were they unable to comply? It sounds like Cornell should be applying for a job as city staff rather than city council for his lack of discipline.

3. Anyone who openly defies authority for no good reason rather than intelligently quetioning it is obviously not working to understand all viewpoints. He is closed minded, and already has a pre-determined conclusion regarding cops (they are talking to my friends=harrassment). This man is not yet fit for council at-large. He only considers HIS viewpoint and not the viewpoint of the rest of the citizens he will SERVE and he has no regard for the intricacies of police work. I dont know if he is uneducated, ignorant, or if he just enjoys starting trouble, but he is not what we need on the council. We are CLEANING UP the council this year.

kikablue

August 4, 2009 - 7:59 pm EDT

If the city council is cleaned up and CLEANED OUT, maybe things can change in Greensboro, but as long as the same ones stay on the council, NOTHING will ever change. As far as Cornell being bad for the council, WELL TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS THERE NOW.

tledford

August 4, 2009 - 12:57 pm EDT

The arrest was warranted but the curfew is absurd.

CopOnTheBeat

August 4, 2009 - 12:59 pm EDT

Let's not forget that in his mind (Dear God save us all)...he's an upstanding citizen...standing up for what's right. Am I right here?

But the facts indicate otherwise.

Let's see, how many times has Cornell been shot? Once? Twice? He's had several run-ins with the law in his home state of New York, including felony conspiracy and possession of a weapon by a felon. And then in good ol' Guilford County, it is my understand that he's been charged with assault, robbery, and conspiracy to embezzle.

I don't know his conviction rate, but I do know he's been charged with all sorts of stuff that would make Matlock sweat. Now here's where the "he was never convicted" crowd will come in and say...you can charge anyone with anything...he's walked free on some of that stuff, all because he was "profiled" and targeted by the big, bad...mean ol' police.

Many people use that same argument with O.J. Simpson.

I rest my case...

Wiley

August 4, 2009 - 1:13 pm EDT

Please do your research before making baseless accusations. Also, are you calling him a criminal because he's been shot? Blame the victim, I like the GPD's thinking.

gboro84

August 4, 2009 - 2:43 pm EDT

I did a little research. I found this recently shot video. An officer was conversing with a young man, and Mr. Cornell stepped in between the two men and told the cop that he should be speaking with Cornell rather than the young man. The officer asked Cornell, more than once, to step aside and let the two men finish their conversation. Cornell refused and was charged with interfering with an investigation. Crystal clear if you ask me.

Wiley

August 4, 2009 - 1:10 pm EDT

I think most of you need to meet the guy he's a humble down to earth person not some criminal mastermind like the GPD wants you to to think. I would also like to point out that the GPD has many more legal suits against it than Jorge. I am also willing to bet money that the charges against him will not stick(respond back and we can work something out).

One question though, If the Police are not harassing him why have they dropped over ten charges against him over the last few years(we're talking about Greensboro)? The only thing he has been convicted of is disorderly conduct and he admitted to that. So do yall think Jorge is a scheming menace (I'm laughing at you) or the GPD are a bunch of clowns.

mohair.sam

August 4, 2009 - 1:38 pm EDT

He's a Latin King -- their history is full of violence against law enforcement officers and innocent civilians, to say nothing of their drug empire. Google "Latin Kings" and "murder" and marvel at the number of news accounts of arrests, convictions, and life sentences that land. These guys aren't just bad news; they're predominantly responsible for the decline of Chicago from a tolerable urban center to a gang-infested nightmare. If the police can't take 'em down, it'll be up to us citizens -- and thank God G'boro has a concealed carry permit.

gboro84

August 4, 2009 - 1:42 pm EDT

Wiley, Jeff Dahmer was a very nice guy to from what I understand, so the fact that you have a favorable impression of Cornell means nothing to me. Wiley, I have been charged twice in the past with both charges being dropped. Actually, come to think of it, one of my arresting officers happens to be a close (black) associate of Cornell's who was recently fired. I guess he got what was coming to him for "profiling" me. Wiley, if you watch the video and still come to the conclusion that Cornell is being harassed by the cops rather than harassing the cops, then I can only assume that you have your mind made up and you show total disregard for other viewpoints that don't agree with yours. Nelson Johnson has called for a paradigm shift and he wants ALL viewpoints to be considered, right? So let the video, and Cornell's actions in the video, speak for themselves. He was not racially profiled, he profiled the white officer. He figures that if a cop is talking to one of my friends, it must be because I am hispanic. Thank god Watkins was there to diffuse a potentially lethal situation involving rival gangs. 1984 Los Angeles is a perfect example of what you get when you have gangs running the show. Of course, the Latin Kings are not some old street gang, they are an "enlightened" racial supremacy group, so maybe the gang task force should hand over all evidence to the Feds and let them deal with Mr. Cornell.

Wiley

August 4, 2009 - 2:02 pm EDT

Hmm you have a weird way of saying things but I mostly agree with you.
Yes, I'd be fine with non more gang squad and let the Feds worry about it as hopefully they'd be a bit more professional.
I won't make any claims about what went down at elm st. and it's open to discussion but I still am willing to bet money that the charges will be dropped.

However, Greensboro is not LA and the same conditions do not exist and the AMLKQN don't want to control the city they just want to have a say.

Not being Hispanic I have asked about their racial feeling, while they are proud of who they are, they are not racist from what I know of them.

gboro84

August 4, 2009 - 2:34 pm EDT

The AMLKQn's main stated goal, and you can research this as I have for weeks, is "to unite all brown people in resistance against the system designed make them fail."

The main stated goal of the Beloved Community Center, who is closely aligned with the Almighty Latins, is "to unite all brown and black people in resistance to the system."

I can only conlude that this is a call for racial division and possibly war. The notion that "the system" is preventing anyone from being successful in life is ridiculous rhetoric, especially in a town with a black mayor, black police chieft, in a county with a black chairman, a black school super-intendent, in a country with a black president and a black attorney general.

I live in northeast Greensboro, a beautiful, loving, diverse, and mostly peaceful community. The only problems this community has stem from gang presence. Gangs selling drugs, gangs damaging property with bullets and spray paint, gangs intimidating patrons of local business, gangs stealing property. Ever since the inception of the gang unit, the midnight shooting has ceased, the drug dealers are fewer and not out in the open like they used to be, the gangs dont hang out on the corner and there is less fear in the community of parking your car at night. Me, my montagnard and vietnamese neighbors, my mexican neighbors, and my black and white neighbors, we get along great. We feed each other when food is scarce. We house and clothe each other in the winter. We counsel each other when we are feeling down. We help each other earn a living. And yes, when one of us crosses the line and commits a crime against another, we assist the police and the system in correcting the situation. We are not a perfect community. We have heated discussions about race, politics and religion. We are not a community of cowards.

We do not need outsiders coming into our community and turning us against each other. We do not need agitators coming into our community and neutering our police force. We do not need agitators in the community to "unite" us all the while spewing nonsensical and vague rhetoric about "the system" and "oppression." Booker T Washington experinced oppression. Jorge Cornell experienced karma, just as I did when I use to think good fun was waiting for a confrontation with police. I was 16 then, Mr. Cornell is a grown man and has not grown out of his angst ridden, rebelious teenager stage. Maybe a few years down the road, he will have finally exited puberty and may even be a suitable candidate for public office, but today, he is doing nothing positive for my community. The officers with the gang task force have done many positive things for northeast Greensboro, just ask some of the low level gang members who were arrested last year and are now getting their GED's and doing their best to stay out of the mix: the drugs, the violence and the hateful rhetoric of brown/black vs the system/whites.

In short, take that crap somewhere else.

gboro84

August 4, 2009 - 3:04 pm EDT

Also, a fact that hasn't been brought up, is that this story is about Bellamy's support of Watkin's decision. I would like to thank Bellamy for supporting his officers when they need it. That is the kind of leadership our police department needs. It is a thankless job and even moreso when officers on the street are not supported by their superiors. Thank you Chief Bellamy for taking a stand.

Another thing, why are we trying to unite gangs? Wouldn't a truly united community be free from racial and criminal organizations? Why do we need Latin Kings or Black Panthers or Aryan Nationalists? I get it!! If all of the criminal organizations are united, they can take law abiding citizens for everything they got! Mr. Cornell, if you truly desire unity, then disown the Latin Kings and become a full fledged member of the Citiznes of Greensboro. We are an all-inclusive group of people of diverse background and demographics. We do not promote racial superiority or inferiority and we do not promote self defeating ideologies that only serve to divide races that have found unity. Destroy your crown and come celebrate and promote your latin heritage with us blacks, whites, and asians without the racially charged rhetoric. We promise not to hold you down, and hey, since there are more whites in America, we will even give YOU, since you are hispanic, SPECIAL consideration when it comes to applying for school or for employment. Unite with us!

CopOnTheBeat

August 4, 2009 - 4:17 pm EDT

Wiley said: "Also, are you calling him a criminal because he's been shot?"

Of course I'm not. But let me ask you..was he shot while he was being robbed? Was he shot being carjacked? Was he in a convenience store being robbed..an innocent bystander? Was be shot while being raped?

The answer is no.

Are you so blind as to see that he DOES have convictions? Geez, Wiley, on his very own filing to run for public office, he admits to being a convicted felon.

I guess he's been persucuted all his life for being Hispanic? Right, Wiley? Poor little Jorge....the "Inca" of the Latin Kings and Queens -- a gang of thugs and thugettes.

Get real.

gboro84

August 4, 2009 - 4:52 pm EDT

Yes, everyone ignores the fact that his subjects and underlings in his gang call him King Jay. I saw these guys at the city council meeting talking about how "there was a blue jeep on our street=harrassment." Well, as long as we have gangsters getting involved in local government and law enforcement, I WELCOME all the police presence in my neighborhood. And yes, I to have been "harrassed" by officers wanting to know what exactly i was doing walking down my street at 3am, no problem, i just show my ID and I'm on my way, obviously I am thankful they are doing an effective job. There is a lot of talk in the latin kings and on their forums about dealing with kings involved with drugs and violence. They openly admit that "the system causes them to pursue criminal lfestyles" and then they wonder why they get investigated.

Yes Latin Kings, the system wants you to FAIL at your attempts to control police and the law for your own criminal activities. The system wants you to fail at your attempts to pit blacks and whites against each other in a race war. The system wants you to fail at dividing our diverse community.

gboro84

August 4, 2009 - 7:45 pm EDT

If you listen to the vague incendiary rhetoric being spewed forth by Nelson Johnson, King Jay and the rest of the Almighty Latinos, you'd come away with the impression that our police department was involved with the attempted assassination of King Jay. A most disgusting allegation considering the Almighty Latins favored slogan of "Folk Killers". See, the folks nation is in a perpetually endless and most ignorant "war" against the peoples nation of which the Latin Kings have aligned themselves. The notion that the gangs in Greensboro would be at peace and share each others drug territory without dispute without the "meddling" of our police is such a laughable idea that I don't know where to begin. First off, King Jay does not hold that much sway in the ALKQN, and neither do the low level drug dealers who head the crips and bloods in this town with their respective "community organizations." Tookie Williams founded the crips and even he could not change the minds of the thousands of ignorant youth who followed his lead of bettering the community through drug sales and robbery. Of course, its the systems fault for making these misguided young people turn to victmizing their neighbors to earn their living.

Wiley

August 5, 2009 - 4:10 am EDT

The Curfew got dropped. Either Jorge has OJ Simpson's lawyer or the Magistrate, judge or whatever came to some sense... Talk amongst yourself.
And COPOnTheBeat thanks for makin' fun of my poor vision you sound like a great guy yourself the type that wears hers/his uniform everywhere they go to get free food/drinks.
I don't know the exact circumstances of him being shot but I'd be more than happy to ask for you because you don't seem to be a big fan of fact checking.

Also, do you want a candidate that hides things? Jorge is a "straight up" kinda guy which I much prefer than some beating around the bush stuff. Would Ted Kennedy admit the truth about his little "accident" that possibly lost him the presidency, GWB tell truth about his cocaine days, or Bill Clinton admit how much pot he smoked? I guess honesty is no longer valued in modern politics so you can call me a nostalgic if you want.

Anyways as I said before I'm willing to bet money that the charges will be dropped and do that escrow style.

gboro84

August 5, 2009 - 1:24 pm EDT

The curfew was ridiculous and I have not heard the reasoning behind it. The arresting officer did not set a curfew, the magistrate did. The arresting officer made the arrest because Cornell was interefering with the officers duty. Cornell has no regard for the importance of police work and his vague calls for the unification of browns and blacks against "the system" leads me to believe that he is stuck in a regressive and self defeating mindset that reinforces the ridiculous notion that white men control the world and want to rid the world of non whites. He puts this idea in the minds of impressionable youth who call him King Jay and would more than likely lay down their lives for this man no matter what. Sure, he is a felon, no biggie, people change, I've changed. I use to be the guy waiting for a confrontation with the cops just so I could throw it in their face how they are nothing but "tools for the white man system". I grew up, I got an education. Jorge Cornell has not brought peace to these streets. Any "cleaning up" of the streets has been because of GPD's gang unit and I know a few youths who are happy the gang unit popped them for selling weed and crack before they got caught up in violence and ended up dead. I can not respect a man who boasts of being arrested numerous times and the charges being dropped. There is no reason for that. It's not like he is getting arrested marching for civil rights. He gets arrested at the end of investigations regarding murder, violence, drugs, and theft. It took a very long time for the feds to pin anything on John Gotti but they eventually got him. John Gotti was "here for the community" as well. He would give out free food and toys to kids. Yeah, a great another great american who was being held down by the white man.

CopOnTheBeat

August 5, 2009 - 2:44 pm EDT

Wiley said: "you sound like a great guy yourself the type that wears hers/his uniform everywhere they go to get free food/drinks."

Actually, Wiley, if you were a little smarter, you would realize that a badge and uniform doesn't entitle you to freebies. I dont accept gratuities, never have, never will. And just to make you feel better, I don't eat in restaurants wearing a uniform. It keeps the 'crumbs' who work in the kitchen and don't like cops from doing things to your food...besides preparing it.

Don't go to the trouble of asking King-J how he got shot, least not on my account. I am sure, in his version, he was just an innocent victim (as always). he'll probably tell you that he was shot at a Tupperware party, or better yet, prayer meeting somewhere...all while in the midst of praying for peace. Oh yeah, I'm sure that's how it happened. You believe me. Dont you?

Oh, and don't bet the farm quite yet on his freedom on this latest charge. As I've said before, King-J is his own worst enemy. Videotaping a stunt like that for the attention was money in the bank for the DA. It should look great in court. I bet the DA wishes every defendant would provide their own damning evidence. Better yet, maybe he'll represent himself in court. Yes, that's what he should do. But he's well versed in legal proceedings, so I'm sure he's knows his rights to counsel.

Since you're in so tight with King-J, tell him that. Oh, and tell him not to worry about bringing copies of his criminal record to court. The officer and the DA will have plenty of copies -- all very admissible. But King-J knows this already. yes?

gboro84

August 5, 2009 - 5:43 pm EDT

The way some papers lower than the N&R have reported in last year, Jorge Cornell and moreso Nelson Johnson have all but stated outright that they believe the officers involved with the Gang Unit were involved with the attempted assassination of King Jay. Personally, I think it was a rival gang who viewed his calls for peace as a sign of weakness and figured it would be a good opportunity to cripple the Almighty Latinos and take over their territory. Again I say if King Jay and his community organization want peace and do not want to be targeted by gangsters and gang detectives, then disown your organization and join the rest of the real world as citizens of the community rather than latin kings. I guarantee you will not be targeted by gangsters or gang detectives. Just saying that you aren't doing anything bad is not enough if you still flag your colors, stacking gang signs in public, and spouting the rhetoric of your gang. It doesn't work like that, if you've given up gang life, than give it up.

gsostudent

August 10, 2009 - 3:15 pm EDT

Being a cop DOES entitle you to free drinks and such things- if you were a real cop you'd know that. I have friends working in the service sector around the country who are told to serve cops for free- a sandwich shop in California, a gas station in New Jersey, and a Starbucks here in Greensboro. Police constantly abuse their position to gain favors, break the law, and run around saying whatever kind of garbage they want.

WhatsMyName

August 5, 2009 - 9:55 pm EDT

This PR campaign reminds me of the 90s in Connecticut where I grew up. During that time the Los Solidos and Latin Kings gangs sported media spokesmen. They used the television and newspaper media to promote an image as "gangs" serving the community. Some community leaders rallied to their cause. Jorge Cornell, the Latin Kings and the Beloved Community Center are the spitting image of what happened then.

(You knew this was coming) It didn't take long until the streets ran with blood. The crime was so out of control that the cities imposed curfews; curfews lead to pleas for state police assistance. When state and local police couldn't stop the gangs, they requested help from the FBI. (Feel free to look it up Mr. Wiley: there's even a Gangland episode on the History Channel about this.) The epitamy took place when photos surfaced from an undercover FBI operation showing the gangs in a daytime shootout with automatic weapons in the state capital.

Mr Wiley, I urge you to think about who will come to your side when dangerous minds move into your community. Will it be the established national criminal network? Will it be the trained professionals who put their lives on the line for YOUR sake anytime, anywhere you ask? The gangs come to your community to ultimately control and supress you; the police come to rescue you. Who do you willingly surrender to?

gsostudent

August 10, 2009 - 3:21 pm EDT

NEWS & RECORD- GET WITH THE PROGRAM! The ALKQN is not a gang- it's a nation. Just because they're people of color who have colors and handshakes doesn't make them criminals. A gang means that they are involved in criminal activity. Being ACCUSED of criminal activity does not make you a criminal.

Your repeated slanderous comments about these people is a racist characterization of them that repeated verbatim the b***s*** jargon you get from the GPD. You are making it difficult for people to make an honest living, stay in their homes, keep their jobs, etc. You don't just get to run around calling people criminals without evidence. Convictions almost ten years ago in NY do not count. Look at the record of wrongful arrests here in Greensboro!

WHAT IS THE GANG SQUAD DOING except clowning around and arresting people on bogus charges? What are they actually doing to fix the REAL gang problem in this City?? Ask some hard questions of the police for once. How do they justify their huge budget? Explain why they are wasting their time with silly charges like "resisting arrest" or other minor charges when there are people being KILLED. How many arrests in that Hickory Trails murder case? ZERO. Where are the convictions of drug kingpins, rapists, and murderers? The situation is too serious in Greensboro for the GPD to be messing around wasting their time harassing Cornell.

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