The bad news piles on
Well, my former partner in activism got himself in trouble in a wildly uncharacteristic way. I don't have any details yet, just this press article from the News-Sentinel... more trouble I didn't need, I see.
Police critic lands behind bars
Perry Redd facing drug, gun charges after arrest in housing project
By DON JACOBS
February 17, 2004
Community activist Perry Redd has been a vocal critic of the Knoxville Police Department who has called for teens to videotape officers and hosted a cable television show that solicited complaints about police actions.
The 39-year-old Redd joined police this weekend in front of another camera - to get his mug shot made.
A convicted felon, Redd was arrested about 2 a.m. Saturday on charges of possessing crack cocaine and a loaded 10mm handgun, said Darrell DeBusk, spokesman for the Knoxville Police Department. Redd on Monday remained in the Knox County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bond.
DeBusk said Redd drove a 2001 Suzuki Esteem with the headlights turned off into a parking lot at the Walter P. Taylor Homes housing project off Olive Street.
Knoxville police officers working on a security issue for the housing project took note of the darkened vehicle and approached Redd with questions. DeBusk said Redd agreed to a search of the vehicle.
"When asked if he had any weapons, Mr. Redd said, 'No,' " DeBusk said. "But officers found a stainless 10mm Smith & Wesson semiautomatic pistol in his waistband."
The gun was loaded with seven rounds, DeBusk said. When police examined the key ring Redd was holding, they noted it contained a white tube. Inside the tube, DeBusk said, officers found 3.2 grams of crack cocaine.
Redd has a criminal history that includes convictions in 1995 for robbery and theft. He was placed on probation but served more than a year in a state prison after violating probation in 1997.
DeBusk said Redd completed his probation last year.
Because Redd is a convicted felon, DeBusk said prosecutors will review filing federal gun charges against Redd as part of the FBI's Safe Streets initiative.
Redd has hosted the "Cop Watch" cable television show on public access Channel 12. Participants in the show discussed problems with police actions and alleged racism. Redd also was a member of the Citizens for Police Review, a group that sought review authority over police actions and policies.
In 2002 Redd announced that Citizens for Police Review would outfit teens with video cameras and police scanners to document officers' actions during traffic stops and other incidents. Redd dubbed the youngsters "Camcorder Troopers," but he never announced that they were active.
Police critic lands behind bars
Perry Redd facing drug, gun charges after arrest in housing project
By DON JACOBS
February 17, 2004
Community activist Perry Redd has been a vocal critic of the Knoxville Police Department who has called for teens to videotape officers and hosted a cable television show that solicited complaints about police actions.
The 39-year-old Redd joined police this weekend in front of another camera - to get his mug shot made.
A convicted felon, Redd was arrested about 2 a.m. Saturday on charges of possessing crack cocaine and a loaded 10mm handgun, said Darrell DeBusk, spokesman for the Knoxville Police Department. Redd on Monday remained in the Knox County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bond.
DeBusk said Redd drove a 2001 Suzuki Esteem with the headlights turned off into a parking lot at the Walter P. Taylor Homes housing project off Olive Street.
Knoxville police officers working on a security issue for the housing project took note of the darkened vehicle and approached Redd with questions. DeBusk said Redd agreed to a search of the vehicle.
"When asked if he had any weapons, Mr. Redd said, 'No,' " DeBusk said. "But officers found a stainless 10mm Smith & Wesson semiautomatic pistol in his waistband."
The gun was loaded with seven rounds, DeBusk said. When police examined the key ring Redd was holding, they noted it contained a white tube. Inside the tube, DeBusk said, officers found 3.2 grams of crack cocaine.
Redd has a criminal history that includes convictions in 1995 for robbery and theft. He was placed on probation but served more than a year in a state prison after violating probation in 1997.
DeBusk said Redd completed his probation last year.
Because Redd is a convicted felon, DeBusk said prosecutors will review filing federal gun charges against Redd as part of the FBI's Safe Streets initiative.
Redd has hosted the "Cop Watch" cable television show on public access Channel 12. Participants in the show discussed problems with police actions and alleged racism. Redd also was a member of the Citizens for Police Review, a group that sought review authority over police actions and policies.
In 2002 Redd announced that Citizens for Police Review would outfit teens with video cameras and police scanners to document officers' actions during traffic stops and other incidents. Redd dubbed the youngsters "Camcorder Troopers," but he never announced that they were active.