DC Police Use Of Force Increases
(Washington, DC) — The DC police department’s use of force is up for the second year in a row. NBC Washington reports the Metropolitan Police Department’s use of force increased for a second consecutive year, and data shows African-Americans are overwhelmingly the target of that force. A report by the Office of Police Complaints says there were one-thousand-35 incidents in 2017. That number went up to one-thousand-242 incidents in 2018, a 20-percent increase. Of those use of force incidents in 2018, 90-percent were against African-Americans. The majority of cases were found to be justified.
Chicago Police Release Reports Into Jussie Smollett’s Case
(Chicago, IL) — New details are being released in the Jussie Smollet investigation as the actor claims vindication. According to just released redacted reports by the Chicago Police Department officers were able to get a warrant for the actor’s iCloud account, reviewed the information and shared it with the FBI. Smollett was cleared of all charges yesterday which alleged him of faking a hate-crime in Chicago. He’s remains under possible investigation by the FBI and U.S. Postal Service. Chicago police say an investigation into a death threat letter the Empire actor received prior to the attack has been handed over to the FBI.
Charlottesville Attacker To Plead Guilty In Federal Hate Crime Case
(Charlottesville, VA) — Reports state there will be a change of plea in the federal hate crime case involving the man convicted of fatally running over a woman during a white nationalist rally in Virginia. James Fields is expected to appear in court today to plead guilty to federal charges in a deal to avoid the death penalty. In June, Fields was indicted on 30 federal civil rights charges. He was previously convicted of first degree murder for driving his car into a crowd during a Unite the Right white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. One person, Heather Heyer, was killed and over two dozen others hurt.
Verizon Releasing Free Features To Block Robocalls, Catch Spam
(New York, NY) — Verizon is preparing to reveal new software to block robocalls and alert customers to spam. The nation’s biggest wireless provider is expected this week to announce free features for wireless customers who have smartphones that can support the features, including Android and iPhones. Verizon announced the plan two months ago and said it’s identified nearly 300-million numbers linked to spam and robocalling. According to Forbes, Verizon is expected to provide more information about how to get and use the app by the end of this week.
