U.P. Breaking News Editorial: We call for a rare Michigan Grand Jury probe in Marquette County – Very serious questions in aftermath of the shooting death of an elderly Ishpeming Township man – rare local Grand Jury needed to expose why mental health system has broken down in Marquette County – and to explain why this should not have ended up one of the sad suicide by cop stories

Ambulance leaves scene at approx 9:39 a.m.; roughly 30 minutes after the shooting happened and 40 minutes after original call.  Photos by Greg Peterson

Editorial: Breakdown in U.P. and Marquette County mental health care, and not enough training on defusing a situation are among factors in the shooting of an elderly Ishpeming man

 

Ishpeming Township June 9, 2016 Shooting Timeline:

• Original Call 200 Block of Silver St.: 8:50 a.m.

• Shooting call approx 9:10 a.m.

• (U.P. Breaking News on scene approx 9:25 a.m.)

• Paramedics, police doing CPR as they leave house with victim on a stretcher: 9:36 a.m.

• Ambulance leaves the scene 9:39 a.m.

2005  Marquette County Sheriff’s Dept. Policy for Nonlethal Force by Police

Why did it take 30 minutes to transport the shooting victim?

Besides the usual funding excuse, they are Marquette County and other U.P. and nonlethal force are almost strangers? Others have been shot by U.P. Law enforcement.

Why did it take so long to transport victim – despite CPR and possible defib?

Why is Pathways Community Mental Health allowed to provide poor services – again funding is blamed because of the lethal Snyder Administration whose policies are not life-friendly?!

This will lead to more suicides – we should care!

By Greg Peterson

News Director, Owner

Upper Peninsula Breaking News

I think it was likely “Suicide by Cop” yesterday in west Ishpeming.

But there are many very serious questions in the aftermath of the shooting of a despondent elderly west Ishpeming man in chronic pain.

The shooting by a Marquette County Sheriff’s Dept. deputy painfully shows the Upper Peninsula – like access to U.P. public records – is light years behind the rest of the nation when it comes to readily available non-lethal force.

Officers should be trained to defuse and back off – call in experts. That obviously was not done – every cop should have backed out.

Why did it take 30 minutes to rush the victim to the hospital?

There is an old saying in the paramedic game – yes you do CPR, yes to shock (defibrillator) if needed but you always “scoop and run.”

Why are Upper Peninsula law officers not better trained in non-lethal force – and to back out – not increase the drama?

With all of today’s non-lethal force avenues – those who fund – or do not fund – nonlethal force in the Upper Peninsula should be ashamed. Again money over people.

Why wasn’t non-lethal force used – because there appeared to be numerous cops on the scene when shooting occurred.

The first media on the scene, Upper Peninsula Breaking News had been on the shooting location roughly five minutes or longer when – all of a sudden – out of the blue – a somewhat grumpy Michigan State Trooper began shouting at me.

The bristly trooper shouted that cops were going to cordon off the scene. While the tape shows the trooper used the proper polite words – he then started giving me a “count to five” or I presume he would have arrested me.

I get it – there is a syndrome called Suicide by Cop – especially if there is a sadness, poverty, loneliness and chronic pain (today little is done to help those who legitimately need pain relief due to the epidemic of pill heads).

Over the past two years, the rash of suicides across the Upper Peninsula and in Marquette County is stunning.

Now all but completely inept Pathways Community Mental Health has little funding or tools to do much about it. I believe Pathways employees care – and the administration plays the cards they are dealt from Lansing – but the system is a joke.

So I can believe that this elderly guy may have wanted to be shot by the cops – not sure – but it is certainly plausible.

U.P. Breaking News has been conducting an investigation of how Pathways is letting the public down through fewer services, lack of funding (budget cuts) and mismanagement.

Upper Peninsula Health System Marquette is benefiting greatly from financial-clumsiness of Pathways.

For example, for just one client/patient it is costing the state hundreds of thousands of dollars.

U.P. Health System Marquette paramedics (ambulance runs cost $1,400 or so per incident) – have responded to an estimated/roughly 100 calls over past two years for this one client.

U.P. Health System Marquette – a Duke LifePoint Hospital that has saved lives in the U.P. – also stands to make hundreds of thousands of dollars on this patient alone.

At issue is weekly calls to the same residence on the 8th floor of Pine Ridge Apartments in Marquette because of a male Pathways client in his early 20’s who suffers from chronic panic attacks and other issues – and yet it housed near the top of Pine Ridge Apartments.

Why hasn’t the Marquette Housing Commission – which oversees Pine Ridge – addressed this and other issues.

Pine Ridge Apartments used to be for the low income elderly – now it is a dumping ground for Pathways clients.

U.P Breaking News calls for the state of Michigan and U.P. Health System Marquette (Duke LifePoint) to account for this improperly handled situation – one of many.

By not addressing the needs of this client, Pathways has also wasted the resources of the city of Marquette Fire department and the city of Marquette Police Department – who often are sent to the call.

Its actually a painful joke at 911 Central Dispatch because this reporter has heard many dispatchers put out the call on the radio in a somewhat sarcastic way – and who can blame the !!!

They care at Marquette County Central Dispatch – but Pathways is asleep at the wheel thanks to the Snyder Administration that shows little care for those with mental health and poverty issues.

Remember the Snyder Administration poisoned a generation of low income kids in Flint and elsewhere. A state scapegoat or two have been arrested – but its common knowledge among Snyder Administration employees know you do not dissent or challenge their boss’s political ideas. Plus the U.S. EPA should be ashamed at the very least.

Numerous friends and relatives of suicide victims have told U.P. Breaking News that Pathways is letting down the public.

There are many horror stories at Pathways since budget cuts under the Snyder Administration.

This is just one terrible, sick incident:

Did you know – a Pathways contracted home for clients in Ishpeming where the woman in charge was feeding moldy sandwiches to blind pathways patients in her case – many thought that was oddly ironic since she was extremely morbidly obese at the time – and this reporter has dealt with weight issues.

We mention the obesity because she was repeatedly feeding the MOLDY SANDWICHES. I dare the state to deny the moldy sandwiches as a half-hearted state probe was conducted.

The investigation is being handled by Michigan State Police and will be reviewed by the Marquette County Prosecutor’s office.

U.P. Breaking News strongly urges these officials to not simply state the shooting was justified – but rather identify and investigate the system problems with non lethal force, inept and wasteful Pathways services to those with depression, and how those in the entire top to bottom mental health response system not only allows it to happen but profits from it.

In fact – if there was ever a time to form a grand jury it is now – to find out what happening to those who need our help the most – but are being failed by the system.

This is why we need a regular Grand Jury system in Michigan – in other states state and local grand juries make findings and demand probes – when local bureaucrats and politicians do not have the courage.

The poster child for misuse of grand juries is said to be the Upper Peninsula:

In fact, the infamous and violent 1913 copper miners strike and related uprisings in the U.P. is being credited with starting the use of grand juries for political revenge with politically powerful company bosses vs miners in Michigan, according to a newsweek story.

“The forces that ran the local government, who were almost unanimously pro-management, evaded justice for the bulk of their crimes. They did this by manipulating the legal process. Of particular note: They rigged a grand jury into failing to indict for some very public and obvious crimes.“

If political bosses and officials do not do their job – someone has to.

Suicide by Cop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_by_cop

http://www.suicidebycop.com/

http://www.suicide.org/suicide-by-cop.html

https://www.policeone.com/police-products/training/articles/84176-Suicide-By-Cop-15-warning-signs-that-you-might-be-involved/

Marquette County and U.P. Suicides (see below is a list of Michigan suicide prevention help agencies)

https://www.facebook.com/Upper-Peninsula-Suicide-Prevention-Coalition-165690650165444/

http://www.dialhelp.org

https://www.facebook.com/AFSPnational

See U.P. Breaking News stories on suicide including Nov. 11, 2015 story

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/rash-of-recent-suicides-in-marquette-county-underlines-national-and-local-epidemic

https://plus.google.com/+UpperPeninsulaBreakingNewsGregPeterson/posts/S8Cyw8kZwY2

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2014/08/16/speechless-tears-and-gut-ache-over-loss-of-mr-robin-williams/

Dial Help Community Support & Outreach Center

Houghton, MI

If you are in immediate crisis:

Call: (906) 482-HELP (4357)
Text: (906) 35-NEEDS (63337)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

Available 24 hours everyday

Marquette County Sheriff’s Department

http://co.marquette.mi.us/departments/sheriff_s_office/index.php#.V1rsETVyyRk

205 MCSD Nonlethal force policy

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjM5OGy_J3NAhWH5IMKHY6kCLgQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislationline.org%2Fdocuments%2Fid%2F7138&usg=AFQjCNEDEOlStL8VA-bWBoEQY1D2TI1ztA&sig2=4qBR3DQTMy-JZCnnqdKVtA

Marquette County Sheriff Michael Lovelace

mlovelace@mqtco.org

MCSD Undersheriff Michael L. Klein

mklein@mqtco.org

Upper Peninsula Breaking News

Pathways Community Mental Health

http://www.pathwaysup.org

http://www.pathwaysup.org/SitePages/index.htm

Marquette Housing Commission/Pine Ridge Apartments in Marquette, MI

http://www.mqthc.org/

U.P. Health System Marquette, a Duke LifePoint Hospital

http://www.uphealthsystem.com

Marquette County 911 Central Dispatch

http://www.co.marquette.mi.us/departments/central_dispatch/index.php#.V1r3NjVyyRk

U.P. Police shootings

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/06/deputy_shoots_kills_elderly_ma.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/01/geoffrey_fiegers_law_firm_sues_1.html

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/parents-police-officer-murdered-unarmed-son-in-michigan-u-p-

Grand Jury system adopted in many states rarely used in Michigan – except for federal court – because it acts as watchdog and critic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_jury

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_juries_in_the_United_States

http://research.lawyers.com/michigan/criminal-process-in-michigan.html

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ra1f2itmcevch0yaqwhsniqk))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-175-1927-VII

http://www.lawqa.com/qa/when-grand-jury-used

https://www.uakron.edu/dotAsset/91d6804c-df7f-46e6-b077-641541df1225.pdf

http://www.newsweek.com/scot-free-why-grand-jury-system-should-be-reformed-290763

Marquette County suicide prevention group forming

Marquette County Suicide Prevention Coalition | WNMU-FM

Suicide prevention coalition formed in Marquette County

Upper Peninsula Suicide Prevention Coalition – Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Upper-Peninsula-Suicide-Prevention-Coalition-165690650165444/

Marquette County – Suicide Prevention Alliance

Aug 21, 2015 – Let’s Talk: A Community Conversation About Suicide Prevention Event … The Marquette County Suicide Prevention Alliance is pleased to offer

Local alliance focuses on suicide prevention | Marquette

Michigan Suicide Prevention Contacts:

Alger, Luce & Schoolcraft Counties

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Barb Smutek 906.635.8629 bsmutek@saulttribe.net

Allegan County

Mimi Gabriel mimigabriel61@gmail.com

Amy Embury 269.673.6617 ext. 2711 aembury@accmhs.org

Alpena County

Pamela Lloyd-Gorski 989.354.9104 pamlg@i2k.com

Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska & Leelanau Counties

Micki Jannazzo 231.922.4802 mjannazzo@thirdlevel.org

Arenac & Bay Counties

Trisha Charbonneau-Ivey 989.895.2381 tivey@babha.org

Baraga County

Pam Dove 906.524.3449 pdove@bcmh.org

Berrien, Cass & St. Joseph Counties

Trent Watford 269.428.7226 trentwatford@gmail.com

Branch County

Bruce Sweet 517.279.8404

Charlevoix & Emmet Counties

Andrew Sahara, PhD 231.347.6701 asahara@norcocmh.org

Chippewa County

Dr. Barbara Weber 906.635.7270 weber1222@sbcglobal.net

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Barb Smutek 906.635.8629 bsmutek@saulttribe.net

Clinton County

Christian McDaniel 989.224.5300 mcdaniec@ceicmh.org

Debby Kloosterman 517.668.0185 klooster@edzone.net

Crawford and Roscommon Counties

Nicole Ellens 989.366.1105 Nicole.ellens@nlcmh.org

Delta County

Ann Buchler 906.399.4950 abuchler@dsnet.us

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Barb Smutek 906.635.8629 bsmutek@saulttribe.net

Dickinson County

Tina Tappy 906.774.0273 teetappy@charter.net

Eaton County

Polly Brainerd 517.541.8939 pbrainerd@eatonisd.org

Gratiot County

Bob Radaz 989.466.4163 bradaz@gccmha.org

Hillsdale County

David King 517.796.4519 david.king@lifewayscmh.org

Huron County

Kathie Harrison 989.269.0373 kathie@huroncmh.org

Iron County

Bill Reid 906.779.0637 breid@nbhs.org

Jackson County

David King 517.796.4519 david.king@lifewayscmh.org

Kalamazoo County

Guy Golomb 269.381.1510 ggolomb@gryphon.org

Kent County

Barbara Hawkins-Palmer 616.632.7281 barb.hawkins-palmer@kentcountymi.gov

Lake, Mason & Oceana Counties

Jim Thomas 231.843.5431 JimT@wmcmhs.org

Lenawee County

Kathryn Szewczuk 517.263.8905 KSzewczuk@LCMHA.org

Livingston County

Leslie Hall 517.546.4126 x580 lhall@cmhliv.org

Mackinac County

Ann Belonga 906.643.8442 abbelonga@sault.com

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Barb Smutek 906.635.8629 bsmutek@saulttribe.net

LIFT (Lucas Izzard Foundation for Teens)

Lisa Burnside 906.484.2298

Macomb County

Gary Burnett 586.948.6104 gary.burnett@mccmh.net

Marquette County

The Marquette County Suicide Prevention Alliance Sarah Derwin 906.315.2621 sderwin@mqtco.org

Menominee County

Dan McVane 715.735.9820 brmcvdan@gmail.com

Midland County

Kathy Dollard 989.837.0708 kdollard@cmhcm.org

Missaukee & Wexford Counties

Ken Nydam 231.876.3280 ken.nydam@nlcmh.org

Monroe County

Larry Csokasy 734.240.1770 larry.csokasy@mercymemorial.org

Montcalm County

Penny Dora 616.225.6136 pdora@maisd.com

Muskegon County

Michael Pyne 231.724.6618 michael.pyne@muskegoncmh.org

Newaygo County

Mike Geoghan 231.689.7330 mgeoghan@newaygocmh.org

Oakland County

James Perlaki 248.451.3738 jperlaki@commongroundhelps.org

Saginaw County

Nancy Johnson 989.797.3546 njohnson@sccmha.org

Sanilac County

Nancy Dean 888.580.5437 FREE ndean@sanilaccmh.org

Shiawassee County

Penny Corbin 989.723.0709 pcorbin@shiacmh.org

St. Clair County

Amy Smith 810.966.7830 asmith@scccmh.org

Tuscola County

Susan Walker 989.550.8283 susaneawalker@yahoo.com

Van Buren County

Liz Courtney 269.655.3341 lcourtney@vbcmh.com

Washtenaw County

Michelle Rose Armstrong 734.368.1114 michellerosearmstrong@gmail.com

 

Speechless: Tears and gut ache over loss of Mr. Robin Williams

(Photo by Greg Peterson) Took this photo (accidentally) at local cop scene seemed appropriate for the words. Please extend compassion, love, respect to someone you think may be depressed. Do not stigmatize if you truly care – not false care – Watch for Lack of interest in normal stuff, a person who would normally be an active communicator – instead goes relatively quiet.

We have always known that money doesn’t guarantee happiness – and often can have opposite effect.

The death of Robin Williams – shows why we need to remove the stigma of depression. And realize that no matter the problem with others (like past grudges, land disputes, petty/silly estate battles, dumb pigheaded stuff etc.), – that family and friends are more important than $ and other earthly garbage. Justice always. Humanity always. No stigma always.

When people are depressed – there is fear of stigma and being labeled – when they need another person the most – vicious circle.

A depressed person often knows and worries  – if they tell others – they will be labeled crazy.
What would say after someone you know takes their life:

“In only she had reached out”

“If only he had given me a clue I would have done anything”

“If only I had known”

But would you have judged?

Would you have stigmatized/judged”

Or would you truly been non-judgmental and loving. For real love and respect – not pseudo (say that because there is too much faux and pretend caring – too many narcissists).

—

btw – I will release the following video free to public online (won’t make buck off Robin’s back) but need free local dub from 3/4 inch to digital.

Does anyone locally have a 3/4 inch videotape machine – to dub to DVD or another digital format to put online for everyone, no charge at all.

Have priceless lost bootleg (1970 or 80s industry insiders used for Christmas party and convention) blooper reel – 3/4 inch tape of Mr. Robin Williams (The GFOS Mr. Brown taught me the respect of “Mr.”)

This tape is (screamingly funny) out- takes from Mork and Mindy-  tapes of Mr. Robin Williams.

Have not watched it since age 19 – and it was obvious then that the 3/4 inch videotape had been dubbed many times – some rolls and glitches etc

Any of us TV news reporters or production folk who used 3/4 inch and similar videotape felt it was a God-Send back then (no more shooting film) but digital took away ye olde (dreaded and permanent) glitch and roll scenario. Those were the days my friend.

—
Am still without words as my own inner soul – and funny bone – accept this loss.
Wonder if he knew how positive he made people feel after working 9 to 5  or  9 to 9.

Speechless – everything seems more heavy without his voice.

Thank you to the Creator for giving us Mr. Robin Williams.

Just speechless. But break into laughter just thinking about him.