James W.

Price

From:

Sent:

To:

Cc:

Subject:

Attachm ents:

Chris Case

Monday. May 24, 2010 1 :20 PM

'Savannah Morning News'; 'WJCL'; 'WSAV'; 'WTOC' Vivian Woods; Diane Schleicher

Press Release - Taser Incident

201 0051885a.pdf; 201 0051885b.pdf; 201 0051885c.pdf; 201 0051885d .pdf; 2010051885e.pdf; 2010051885f.pdf; 201 0051885g.pdf; 201 0051885h.pdf; 2010051885i.pdf

PRESS RELEASE: Tybee Island Police Department, May 24, 2010

Attached please find copies of the relevant police reports documenting the activities of TI PO officers during the incident in which an autistic man was tased on Friday, May 23, at about 10:45 PM.

I believe that the reports accurately portray what the officers involved were experiencing. As you read them, please try to keep in mind the conditions under which the officers were working. The area was the center of the activities that followed the end of the Beach Bum Parade, a rowdy, raucous event dominated by the consumption of adult beverages and disorderly activities. The officers had no way of knowing that Mr. Grevemberg was autistic and unable to converse in a normally sociable manner with other adults. He showed many ofthe characteristics of an intoxicated person. He was a foot taller than both of the involved officers. He became violent for no obvious reason. The officer with the Taser ended the fight and prevented further injuries to Mr. Grevemberg and to the officers themselves.

We are sincerely apologetic for the injuries suffered by Mr. Grevemberg. We are also sorry that he was left unattended under the circumstances described above. As his case finds its way through the justice system, we are certain the judge will take into account any and all mitigating circumstances in rendering his decision.

James W. Price, Chief of Police Tybee Island Police Department

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TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT GA0250600

I

P.O. BOX 1340 Tybee Island, GA 31328

Printed Date: 0512312010 Printed Time: 2: 18 PM Page 1 of2

I Incident No.
2010051885
Incident Type [counts Code Attempt
Disorderly Conduct
1 42-60 0
Primary Location: 1 Secondary Location:
1518 Butler Avenue
City I State I Zip I County
Tybee Island GA 31328 Chatham
Zone I Sub Zone , Location I Sub Location I Business Name:
South Rock House
Incident Date Time Date Time 'Report Date Time , Stranger I Weapon Type I Premise
05/21/2010 22:43 To 0512112010 23:08 05/2112010 23:11 Unk 5- COMMERCIAL
Case Type I Case Status
Disorderly Conduct Closed by Arrest
Complainant
Seq. No.1Name: (Last, First. Middle) Home Phone Work Phone I Other Phone
1 Officer TifliQth}'-S!Wivan , (912)786-5600
Address ISSN
78 Van Horn Street Tybee Island, GA 31328
Race r Date of Birth Age I Employer I School
Tybee Island Police Department
Height I Weight [ Hair [EyeS
Victim "".
Seq. No.1 Name: (Last, First, Middle) Home Phone Work Phone 1 Other Phone
. 1 City of Tybee Island (912)786-4573
, Address ISSN
401 Butler Avenue Tvbee Island GA 31328
Race I Sex I Date of Birth Age I Employer I School
Height 1 Weight , Hair , Eyes
Offender
Seq. No. Name: (Last, First, Middle) Home Phone Work Phone Other Phone
Grevembel1g Q .. HffOra , (912)897 ~2912
Address ISSN
122 Hampshire Road Savannah, GA 31410
Race I Sex I Date of Birth Age I Employer lSChOO!
White M 0110811992 18 Handicapped
Height I Weight I Hair I Eyes 1 D Suspect 0 Warrant 0 Arrest Arrest Date
6'10" 170 Brown Brown o Primary Aaaressor 0 Juv. Arrest 05/21/2010 Incident Report

Reporting Officer Badge Suffix Signature
Otc. Tim Sullivan 317 02
Approving Officer Badge Suffix Signature
Corporal Javier Valdes 312 02 TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 3A0250e,00

P.O. BOX 1340 Tybee Island, GA 31328

Printed Date: 05/24/2010 Printed Time: 11 :27 AM Page 2 of 2

Incident Report

Arrest Charges Disorderly Conduct

i

other Officers

"

Counts Code

'.

Badge

316 01

Name -:'Ji Officer- Tr.avis-Daruel

Comments

GCIC Entry 0 Requested D Warrant D Missing Person D Vehicle D Article 0 Boat D Gun 0 Securities Additional It! A & B 0 Supplemental 0 Citation D Accident DVictim Bill of Rights D Vehicle Impound 0 Inv. Rpt.[]Evidence Forrr

Clearance Arrest

Clearance Date:

Narrative

On 05-21-2010 at 2243 hours while conducting a business check of the Rock House Bar and Grill, I noticed a tall, slender white male staggering back and forth in front of the establishment near the corner of Tybrisa Street and Butler Avenue, I approached the subject, officer Daniels was standing there with me. I asked the subject if he was alright. The subject stated that he was waiting for his brother to get some food. I asked if he had been

, drinking tonight and he said yes. Officer Daniel asked how old he was and he said 18 Y.O.A. The subject was still i staggering back and forth and appeared to be either intoxicated or on something. I began to approach the subject and asked him if he had some identification on him. The subject began backing up, tripping over his own feet in the process. I asked the subject several more times to let me see his identification. The subject went into his pockets and then pulled his hands back out without his identification and began to try to walk away. I told him to stop, which he did not do. I then grabbed his arm to stop him and he began pulling away from me and swinging his arms wildly. I wrestle with the subject, teIHng he to stop, but he did not. I began to attempt to restrain the subject and Officer Daniel deployed his Taser and deployed his cartridge at him. The subject fell to the ground, and I was able to handcuff the subject. Upon turning the subject over, I noticed that he was bleeding from the mouth and I noticed that he was missing a tooth. I called dispatch to send E.M.S. to the scene to evaluate the subject. While waiting on E.M.S., Corporal Valdes arrived on scene and was advised of the situation. A couple of minutes later, the brother of the subject came out of the Rock House and was causing a scene, yelling. We attempted to get him to calm down. The brother, Daria Grevemberg, stated that his brother, Clifford Grevemberg (offender stated above) was autistic. E.M.S. arrived on scene and treated Mr. Grevemberg's broken tooth, as well as minor abrasions to his knees and hands. While E.M.S. was treating the offender, Corporal Saunders arrived on scene and was also advised of the situation. Corporal Saunders went and spoke to the brother for a few minutes and then escorted him to the Tybee Island Police Department. Once E.M.S.. treated Mr. Grevemberg, I called for Jailer Thran to come to the scene and take Mr. Grevemberg to the Tybee Island Police Department. Mr. Grevemberg was taken to the police department and charged with disorderly conduct under the city code. Mr. Grevemberg was booked and processed and released on copy of the charges and turned over to the parents (who arrived on scene and were themselves acting disorderly them selvesl see Officer Daniels supplemental). Nothing further to report at this time.

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Reporting Officer Badge Suffix Signature
Ofe. Tim Sullivan 317 02
Approving Officer Badge Suffix Signature
Corporal Javier Valdes 312 02 TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT GA0250600

Printed Date: 05/24/2010 Printed Time: 8:22 AM Page 1 of 1

Report Date: 05/21/2010

Report Time: 22:43

Sir,in reference to this CRN. I got out on foot in the area in front of the Rockhouse Bar, I noticed the listed suspect Grevemberg sitting on the' curb with with his head down between his knees. I noticed Ofc. Sullivan make contact with a separate male across the street who was intoxicated and had dropped his bicycle. I stood by for a few minutes until he was done interviewing this subject. Just about that time I noticed the tall white male (I observed sitting on the curb earlier) standing near us very unsteady on his feet.. Ofc. Sullivan began asking him questions and 1 could hear that the suspects responses were slow and slurred. I noticed that his eyes seemed to be ina fixed gaze. I believed this subject to be intoxicated by his demeanor. I asked him how old he was and responded by answering that he was eighteen years of age. Ofc. Sullivan then asked for identification several times to which he reached into his pockets and pulled his hands back out. The suspect then began to step backwards and then turn around to which Ofc. Sullivan said for him to stop and reached for the suspects wrist. Upon grabbing his wrist the suspect immediate.ly began to pull away and pulls his arms away from Ofc. Sullivan's handcuffs. I observed that Of c .. Sullivan was beginning to get into a scuffle with this subject. It was obvious to me that the suspects intent was on resisting and could not be subdued with hands-on contact. I estimated the suspects size to be approximately six foot nine lone hundred seventy pounds. For the safety of Ofc. Sullivan I immediately deployed my X 26 and aimed the lazer towards-the lower part of his back and 9ave a loud verbal command to stop. The suspect continued to stru9gle and I fired the deployable cartridge, consisting of two taser prongs towards the lower part of his back. (Both prongs made contact in the lower fight side of the suspects back, a few inches apart) The suspect immediately fell forward and I turned off the five second cycle before it could finish after I could see that suspect was subdued. I advised the suspect that if he did not stop that he would be tased again. The suspect advised that he would stop and Ofc. Sullivan handcuffed him. Otc. Sullivan called for EMS to the scene to evaluate the suspect while I had him sit down on the curb. He attempted to stand up several times to which I advised him to sit back down. I told him that the EMTs needed to check on him before being transported to the jail. Behind me I heard subjects coming out of the Rock House Bar claiming to be ass?ciated with this suspect advising us that he was autistic. I continually heard these subjects say to the suspect "We're sorry Cliffford, we snoulan't l1-ave 'left Y,Otl out here." I heard a male subject behind me (later identified to be the suspects brother) " fiis is aU my..r_a_ult!" "I should 't have eft him.:ouH\ee." EMS arrived shortly thereafter where the suspect was evaluated in the ambulance. I stood by as the suspect was being questioned by EMTs. His answers to aU the EMTs questions were c.learly stated to them such as his name and his where his pain was. Cpl. Valdes assisted in removing the two taser prongs from the small of the suspects back. I placed the used cartridge and prongs into a latex glove and later into evidence (ODV#1 at the police department). The suspect was then transported. to the police department for booking and I went back into service. End of Supplemental.

Supplemental Officer Officer Travis Daniel

Badge Suffix Signature

316 01

Supplemental Approving Officer Corporal Javier Valdes

Badge Suffil( Signature

312 03

TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT GA0250600

Printed Date: 05/24/2010 Printed Time: 8:23 AM Page 1 of 1

Report Date: 05/24/2010

Report Time: 01 :05

On 5/2112010 I heard Ofc Sullivan asking dispatch for Ems for a subject that they had tasered, As sift supervisor I responded to the scene. Upon my arrival on scene I noticed a white male sitting on the curve right in front of the Rock House Bar. I noticed that the subject had a large abrasion to one knee and there was some blood on his lip. I then approached Ofc Sullivan and Ofc Daniel and asked what happened. They advised me that they approached the subject because he appeared to be intoxicated. They asked him several questions and asked him for and identification and they subject could not provided them with one. They then stated that as they attempted to place him under arrest a struggled ensued to where Ofc Daniel unhosletred his taser and deployed it towards Mr Grevemberg striking him in the lower right side of his back.

While awaiting for Ems to arrive on scene a white male came out of the Rock House Bar and started to yell at us that Mr Grevemberg was his brother and that he was autistic. The white male then noticed the injuries that Mr Grevemberg had and got very agitated using profanity out loadffhis is fucking ridiculous,and that the Police beat my fucking autistic brother up,He also stated that he had made contact with his mother and father and that they where on the way there). Do to him using this language out load a growing crowd was surrounding Ofc sullivan,Ofc Daniel and myself. I then asked dispatch where was Ems coming from and she advised that they where on the Island.

I then again herd Mr Grevemberg brother yelling profanity and saying that the police beat his fucking brother up to some one that he was talking to on his cell phone. I then approached him asked him to please stop using that type of language. Ems then arrived on scene and treated Mr Grevemberg for his injuries. Once Ems was done I assisted Ofc Daniel in the removing of the prongs from Mr Grevemberg lower right side of his back. Both prongs and taser cartridge where placed into a latex glove and later entered into evidence by Ofc Daniel.

Cpl Saunders did arrive on scene after I called and advised that the crowed was growing. read his supplemental. nothing further.

Supplemental Officer Corporal Javier Valdes

Badge Suffix Signature

312 03

Supplemental Approving Officer

Badge Suffix Signature

TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT GA0250600

Printed Date: 05/24/2010 Printed Time: 8:22 AM Page 1 of 2

Report Date: 05/2112010 Report Time: 22:43

ON: 05/2112010,1 WAS AT THE TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEN I HEARD THROUGH DISPATCH THAT EMS WAS NEEDED IN FRONT OF THE ROCK HOUSE BAR TO CHECK OUT A PERSON WHO HAD BEEN TASED. WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO TYBRISA STREET, CPL.vALDES ASKED HOW LONG BEFORE EMS WOULD ARRIVE AND MENTIONED THE GROWING CROWD ON THE CORNER OF TYBRISA AND BUTLER

ONCE I REACHED TYBRISA STREET AND BUTLER AVENUE I STOPPED TO SEE IF CPLVALDES NEEDED ANY ASSISTANCE. CPL.VALDES ADVISED THAT OFC.SULLIVAN AND OFC.DANIEL HAD BEEN INVOLVED I N A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH CLIFFORD GREVEMBERG AND THAT THEY HAD TO DEPLOY THE TASER DURING THE ALTERCATION. CPL.VALDES ADVISED THAT EMS WAS ENROUTE TO CHECK OUT CLIFFORD GREVEMBERG'S INJ,URIES. CPL.VALDES ADVISED THAT AFTER EMS MEDICALLY CLEARS CLIFFORD GREVEMBERG THAT HE WOULD BE TRANSPORTED TO THE TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BOOKED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

I TOOK A LOOK AT CLIFFORD GREVEMBERG WHO WAS SITTING ON THE CURB IN FRONT OF THE ROCK HOUSE. THERE WAS A LARGE ABRASION TO ONE KNEE AND THERE WAS SOME BLOOD ON HIS UP, I WAS TOLD THAT HE ALSO HAD A BROKEN TOOTH.

CPL.vALDES ADVISED ME THAT AFTER THE INCIDENT HAD OCURRED, DARIO MARIANI,CLlFFORD GREVEMBERG'S BROTHER, ADVISED THE OFFICERS THAT CLIFFORD WAS NOT INTOXICATED, HE WAS AUTISTIC.

I SPOKE WITH DARIO MARIANI AND ADVISED HIM THAT CLIFFORD WAS GOING TO BE CHECKED OUT BY EMS AND THAT HE WOULD BE TRANSPORTED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. ONCE CLIFFORD WAS , RECEIVED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HE WOULD BE QUICKLY PROCESSED AND RELEASED TO HIM OR HIS PARENTS_

DUE TO THE GROWING CROWD IN THE AREA AND DARIO MARIANI AND A FRIEND NAMED TRISTAN"S OBVIOUS OUTRAGE AT THE ARREST OF CLIFFORD GREVEMBERG, I ASKED TRISTAN AND DARIO MARIANI IF THEY WANTED ME TO TRANSPORT THEM TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY COULD WAIT UNTIL CLIFFORD ARRIVES AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. DARIO AND TRSTAN WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE POUCE DEPARTMENT TO WAIT FOR CLiFFORDS ARRIVAL AT THE roue DEPARTMENT. DARIO MARIANI ADVISED THAT HE HAD CALLED CLiFFORDS PARENTS AND ADVISED THEM OF THE SITUATION AND THAT THEY WOULD MEET US AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ONCE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE WERE MET BY MR AND MRS GREVEMBERG WHO APPEARED TO BE UPSET ABOUT THE INCIDENT. MRGREVEMBERG ASKED WHAT HiAD HAPPENED AND I ADVISED HIM THAT I DID NOT KNOW THE WHOLE STORY AS OF YET. I ADVISED MRGREVEMBERG THAT CLIFFORD HAD BEEN TASED AFTER RESISTING OFFICERS ON TYBRISA STREET. MRGREVEMBERG WAS VERY ANGRY ABOUT HIS AUTISTIC SON BEING TASED.I ADVISED MRGREVEMBERG THAT THE POLICE OFFICERS WOULD HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT CLIFFORD WAS AUTISTIC. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT NO ONE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED EXCEPT CLIFFORD AND THE TWO OFFICERS THAT HAD ARRESTED HIM. I ADVISED MR.GREVENBERG THAT DARIO MARIANI NOR

i Supplemental Officer

, Cpl. Bruce Saunders

Badge Suffix Signature 308 02

Badge Suffix Signature

I SupplemerJtai Approving Officer

TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT GA0250600

Printed Date: 05/24/201.0 Printed Time: 8:22 AM Page 2 of 2

TRISTAN KNEW WHAT HAD LEAD UPTO THE ARREST BECAUSE THEY WERE IN THE ROCKHOUSE WHEN THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. THEY HAD LEFT CLIFFORD ALONE ON THE CORNER OUTSIDE THE ROCK HOUSE.

WHILE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE MOTHER,NANCY GREVEMBERG WAS OBVIOUSLY UPSET AND DID NOT APPROVE OF CUFFORDS ARREST BUT SHE NEVER GOT DISORDERLY OVER THE SITUATION. DARIO AND TRISTAN WOULD OCCASIONALLY WALK AROUND THE PARKING AREA USING PROFANITY TO SHOW THEIR OUTRAGE ABOUT THE INCIDENT. TRISTAN ACTUALLY PUNCHED ON OF THE WOODEN SUPPORT BEAMS IN FRONT OF THE COURT HOUSE IN ANGER.

MRGREVEMBERG WAS VERY ANGRY ABOUT THE INCIDENT FROM THE START. I ATIEMPTED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND REASON WITH HIM BUT HE WOULD NOT HEAR ANY PART OF IT. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS HE BECAME LOUD USING PROFANITY ABOUT THE ARREST AND ONLY WANTED TO KNOW WHO THE OFFICERS WERE THAT ,"BEAT UP HIS SON." I ADVISED MR.GREVEMBERG THAT I UNDERSTOOD THAT HE WAS UPSET ABOUT HIS SON BUT THAT CURSING AND ARGUING ABOUT THE INCIDENT WAS NOT HELPING ANYONE. MRGREVEMBERG CONTINUED TO ESCALATE AND I ADVISED HIM THAT HE COULD NOT HELP OUT CLIFFORD IF HE WAS IN JAIL FOR BEING DISORDERLY.

AT THIS TIME, OFC. MI LlKAN STEPPED I N AND CALMED THE SITUATION WITH MR. GREVEMBERG. OFC.MllIKAN CONTINUED TO BE A CALMING INFLUENCE WITH THE GREVEMBERG'S UNTIL CLIFFORD WAS RELEASED.

Supplemental Officer Cpl. Bruce Saunders

Badge Suffix Signature

308 02

Supplemental Approving Officer

Badge Suffix Signature

TYBEE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT GA0250600

Printed Date: 05/24/2010 Printed Time: 11 :07 AM Page 1 of 1

Report Date: 05/24/2010

Report Time: 11 :02

On 5/24/2010 I downloaded the information contained in the Taser X-26 carried by Ofc. Daniel. The Taser was fired once for a 5 second duration on 5/21/2010. The information is attached to this report.

Supplemental Officer Lieutenant Robert Bryson

Badge Suffix Signature 306

Supplemental Approving Officer

Badge Suffix Signature