Meet Officer Blondie - name and badge number unknown - as he moves from one unsuspecting demonstrator to another. Prior spray-victim holds face, lower right.
By Mike Chek / Special to the OB Rag
During yesterday’s pepper-spraying and roughing-up of Occupy San Diego demonstrators by San Diego Police, one officer stood out in his duties. Officer “Blondie” (we don’t know his true identify) clearly was The Hammer as officers cleared out tents at the Civic Center Plaza.
The SDPD had ordered all tents to be removed from the Plaza and at 8 am Friday, October 14th, dozens of officers had arrived to enforce that order. And through some minor jostling of non-violent demonstrators who had circled the half dozen tents, the officers did remove the tents.
Officer Blondie earns his award - he is no longer part of the 99%.
But as soon as they had done so, two more tents appeared. Police backed off temporarily. They returned around 1pm and that’s when the pepper-spraying and rough-housing began. Several protesters were sprayed and several had their throats grabbed. Other were turned upside down and tossed aside.
But one officer stood out – Blondie – he had the pepper-spray canister and was using it to spray directly into people’s faces – which is not unusual, but ol’ Blondie used a special tact. He would come from behind the person, and without warning, reach around them with the canister and do his thing. Then usually there would be a shriek and the person would crumple to the ground, yelling and squirming in pain.
Now, I don’t think Officer Blondie is a rogue cop. Oh no, he was doing his spraying right alongside Lt. Capt. Mark Jones of the SDPD as they both formed part of a skirmish line that waded into the circles of peaceful but resisting Occupiers.
The long reach of the arm of aw enforcement is made longer with a pepper-spray canister. Blondie is at the other end. Good job, Blondie!
So, Officer Blondie, please step forward and receive your well-earned prize – you did your job, buddy!
You are no longer a member of the 99 Per Cent.
So, in the future, my sisters and brothers of the Occupy movement, be sure to be on the lookout for ol’ Officer Blondie.
Mike Chek is a very popular speaker at General Assemblies – everyone is always calling his name.
Editor: You can see more of Officer Blondie in the video on our HomePage.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
What a douche!
AWESOME!
Porcine w/ thumbs
I suggest that the protest get some swim goggles!! This isn’t going to be the last they will be needed. San Diego police are militant. And they have never been held accountable. Even last week San Diego City Council committee, the media, and others let them once again get off the hook for all the scandals that have happened within the police community recently. Also, make sure you have a coffee cup or pie tin, as shield and will reflect the mace back at them.
We MUST get this guy’s name and lodge a formal complaint.
Unfortunately that probably won’t make any difference. He’ll probably even get a promotion.
I really appreciate your continuing coverage, Mike.
You mention “Lt.” Mark Jones. I interviewed Capt. Mark Jones, who is probably the same officer, on video on 10/7:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msZ87g7ljiw
It’s an interesting contrast. The underlying question is why the civilian bosses have started to feel threatened by the actions of the 99%. The whispers from the 1% are reaching reactive ears.
BTW, I’ve got 14 vids up at sandiegocitizenjournal.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Drew Reiff
I watched your video. Thanks for taking it and posting it but this Capt. Mark Jones is not the right guy. I’ve watched other videos,
even some where this officer was in the same shot with the guy we’re trying to identify. This is NOT Mr. Pepper Spray.
I have talked to this officer. I know who he is and he seemed very professional when I talked with him. I have never seen him do
anything like the cop we’re trying to identify.
http://youtu.be/Kol4xe2Hrj4 has a good picture of Mr. Pepper Spray. If you check out around about 15 sec. you can see both of them in the same frame. At about 1:54 there’s a good shot of Blondie shaking his can of pepper spray. (Just want us to get the right guy.)
Yes, I stand corrected: the high-ranking officer next to Officer Blondie is Capt. Mark Jones. I never said that Capt (or Lt) Jones was Dr Pepper Spray, just that Jones was moving right alongside Blondie so Blondie was/ is not a rogue cop out there on his own.
I think we put a reward up for officer Blondie’s Name.
Please send his photo to the mayor and chief of police. He needs to be reined back (to say the least). Daniel B. above has some great advice. Carry on!!
Awesome, now the 99% gets to pick and choose who else is in the 99%
This whole thing is cute, but annoying.
Also: “He would come from behind the person, and without warning, reach around them with the canister and do his thing.” Do you have photo or video proof of this? I mean there were tons of cameras around, someone had to catch that. It is something that he would be reprimanded on if everyone sent it up the chain. Or is it just another story blown out of proportion?
Yes, there is video proof of this.
‘Sorry to keep going over this but I just want to be clear. The guy in the picture at the top of this article is the right guy but he
is not Capt. Mark Jones.
That’s good to know, thanks. The interview video is of Capt. Mark Jones. The OB Rag identified a “Lt. Mark Jones” as being there NEXT to the officer that used pepper spray and NOT pictured.
The police have not arrested many people and have shown restraint. When they act, under orders, removing protest property, it causes negativity, and raises the potential for violence
Is there a Lt. Mark Jones and were his actions excessive?. I have no idea and reacted to what the Rag journalist reported.
I really appreciate the information and keeping the record correct.
I believe the police have a tough job , they follow orders and they are blamed for City governors decisions. They are, of course, personally responsible if they are excessive in carrying out orders, but not for the orders themselves.
Peace and justice- ADR
BTW the interview in question is here
Thanks for the clarification. ‘Sorry if I misunderstood. I really appreciate your work. Thanks for all you’re doing. Peace.
nice shot of that guy. “outing” abusive police is the best way to garner support of police officers who are good, hardworking 99%ers.
Blondie’s Badge Number is 4567. We, the people, are going to get his name, it’s the only way to sue him and his department for the assaults that took place at the hands of Blondie and his ‘above the law’ badge and gun wielding accomplices.
Here is a clip of the SDPD’s Chief of Police referencing violance just before Blondie went SDuPiD (SDPD) on San Diego’s peaceful Wall Street Occupiers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27RiiveRxQ
BonnieDAMantis – Thank you for the badge number of Officer Blondie. Next up: his name.