Community | August 04, 2010 | 5 comments

Homeless Woman Killed by Police Cruiser While Sleeping in Park | End Homelessness | Change.org

source: http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/homeless_woman_killed_by_police_cruiser_while_sleep...

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A Cincinnati woman died last week after she was run over while sleeping in Washington Park. The driver? A respected police officer with a jacket full of recommendations for his work in the park system. Officer Marty Polk was on a routine daytime patrol when he ran over Joann Burton with a police cruiser.

Officer Polk drove off the park service route onto the grass, running over Burton as she slept under blankets between the trees. Officer Polk stopped after he realized he'd hit something and called an ambulance when Burton began screaming, "Someone ran over my legs!" Burton later died at the hospital, leaving behind a husband, five children and several grandchildren.

Burton's husband has asked why a trained police officer would drive on grass in a public park. Others wonder how someone could fail to see a person lying in a pile of blankets at noon. The Cincinnati police department has said it's not standard procedure to drive through grass, though it's "not unusual." Officer Polk underwent standard drug and alcohol testing after the accident but the results have not yet been released and the investigation is ongoing.

Officer Polk had received extensive praise from local business owners over the years. Other than a minor traffic accident (on the road, not on the grass) twenty years ago, his record was excellent and he's never had a disciplinary problem. He's been placed on paid leave during the investigation.

A vigil has already been held in the park by Burton's friends and family. The Cincinnati Homeless Coalition has also hired a lawyer to represent Burton's family's interests.

Adding another layer of tragedy to the story is that park residents have said Officer Polk was nice, friendly and treated them with respect. No one has suggested that Polk intentionally hit Burton or meant to harm anyone. Which makes us ask: how could an officer with a great reputation and a good relationship with the park's homeless community be so fatally unaware?
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    Community,   News and Politics,   Politics,   US Politics,   5 more
  2. tags:
    Police,  Homeless,  Negligence
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5 comments // Homeless Woman Killed by Police Cruiser While Sleeping in Park | End Homelessness | Change.org

  • dariusvons
  • EdJoyProductions
    • +3
      EdJoyProductions  

    • This woman had a family and probably severe mental illness. I imagine that the family sought help for her and ran into every kind of obstacle imaginable. Many of the homeless population suffer from mental illness and we do nothing to help these people, in fact, when the system gets a hold of them, it usually does more harm than good, making many reluctant to seek help. This will continue until we improve services and resources for the mentally ill.

      My heart goes out to this officer and this woman's family.

    • 1 year ago
  • Toughth
    • +1
      Toughth  
    • EdJoyProductions:

      My wife is a diagnosed scizo affective bi polar manic. The state does nothing to help with her and wants me to supply a full time caretaker for her. My wallet will not suport this so I have to put up with the mental abuse that she dish's out. I have been told by the state that it is up to me to make sure she is properly taken care of. I have been victemized in this matter by the state and am almost afaid to sleep in my own bed. The only way she can be admited to the state system is if she murders me.

    • 1 year ago
  • EdJoyProductions
    • +1
      EdJoyProductions  
    • Toughth:

      Wow. I am very sorry for that.

      I know first hand what you are going through and you have my sympathies. All of the options in this situation are distasteful. However, if you believe that your life is in danger, you need to act to preserve yourself. Do not allow this person to drag you down with her. There is no dishonor is self-preservation. Life is very short.

    • 1 year ago
  • KSirys
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