HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of Complaint from Sheryl Susee Butte County Administrator: Brian Haddix
25 County Center Dr. Oroville 95965
1 have spoken with Butte County Supervisor, Maureen Kirk, on numerous
occasions about the unprofessional conduct by the Butte County Sheriff
Department. They have been disrespectful and abusive when they do respond
to any given issue, or they do not respond at all. As a taxpayer, my main
concern that I have addressed with Maureen is that they do not necessarily
have to like me, but as a taxpayer, they do have to respond to me
professionally. The following accounts are only a small representation of the
copious amounts of misconduct by the Butte County Sheriff Department.
In the summer of 2004, 1 was at home and from inside my house I noticed a
man jump over my iron gate. I went outside to ascertain what was going on. I
found myself interacting with an irrational being. I told him to get off my
property and informed him that I was calling the Sheriff's Department. A
female dispatcher answered the call and I began to plead with her to send an
officer to the scene while yelling at the unknown man to leave, as I was
scared. I asked the dispatcher if she could hear the man in the background
yelling back at me and she said "yes". All the dispatcher wanted to do was
argue with me. All I wanted was this man off my property and she couldn't
seem to understand that. Finally, I think it was my third phone call when I
stated "are you going to send somebody in this lifetime"? The reply I received
was, We're busy". By this time the man had left. Approximately one hour and
forty-five minutes later two officers showed up. I told them that I wanted the
man arrested for trespassing and showed them my surveillance tape to prove
it. Officer Scott replied, "He has more of a right to be on your property then
you". Then they left.
On the mornings of May 13th and 14th of 2006, a worker and I burned my
brush pile. Later, on the night of the 14th I threw some leaves and a little
piece of green branch into the embers that were still hot from that morning. It
began to smoke and shortly thereafter the fire department came out to see
what was wrong because a neighbor complained, "This is a common action by
this neighbor". Derrington, a fireman, led the conversation as they asked me
to provide a permit which I did.
They asked if I had called the number on the permit and I said "yes."Then
they asked what it said. I told them the recording stated that Saturday and
Sunday were burn days. They asked if I was aware that I was burning after
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hours. I replied "no, but it is my responsibility and conceded my mistake. I
told them that if they needed to cite me for burning after hours, I would
understand. Without any explanation, they left my residence with my permits.
The next thing I knew there was an abundance of law enforcement officers
including a Highway Patrol officer. Officer Patterson sped up to my gate and
ordered me to open it up or "he was going to mow it down with his vehicle".
When my son opened the gate, Patterson violated my civil rights. He came
into my residence without permission or a warrant, started beating me up,
slamming me against the wall, and told me "I will kick you to the fucking
ground if you don't turn around right now. You listen to me now God Damn it.
You turn around"! All of this was captured by audio and video surveillance and
translated for my attorney.
In court on August 20th, 2007 they told untruths and conveniently for them
Derrington wasn't there, another fireman, Webber had taken his place.
Webber stated that he was the one that dealt with me that night and that was
also a lie. They tried to prosecute me for two misdemeanors even though CDF
had dismissed and dropped all charges due to the fire departments
unprofessional behavior. They tried to prosecute me for burning after hours,
burning without a permit, and obstructing the duties of law enforcement.
When my attorney presented evidence to the court concerning the audio
surveillance, miraculously the prosecution was willing to drop everything if I
just paid the fine. No one addressed the facts of my civil rights being violated,
the attorney fees, or the burden I endured. I provided Supervisor Kirk a copy
of their testimony and the translated audio surveillance. Still nothing has been
done.
On June 28th 2008 at approximately 5:30 pm I was on the phone with Officer
Cornelius requesting assistance because my neighbor, Larry Masula had
instructed his dogs "to get me". Obviously I was shaken and angry and I
asked for a patrolman to come and deal with the situation. They said "no" and
responded that it was my fault because I needed to fix my fence so his dogs
couldn't stick their heads through.
I told them that that was ludicrous because it's a wrought iron fence and
because the neighbor had no right to sic his dogs on me. He said, "We don't
see that there is a problem" and hung up. I called back and asked, "Did you
just hang up on me"? He said, "Yeah I hung up. There was nothing else to
say. We don't see a problem and no one is going to respond". I asked him his
name and he stated "Officer Cornelius." I expressed my discontent with his
professionalism and conduct and that I was going to make a formal complaint.
He said nonchalantly, "Go ahead, I don't care". After that phone call I was
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totally disgusted. I then called Supervisor Kirk and left a message about my
discontent and feeling helpless and violated. Approximately one hour later two
Sheriff's appeared, but in essence did nothing. To this date it is my
understanding that the Butte County Sheriff's Department never followed up
with the animal complaint they said they would make. Also, Larry Masula has
been told before to keep his dogs in their kennel. This too has not been done.
Unfortunately, animal control has shown about as much interest in responding
to ANY animal related issues.
About one month before this incident, I spoke with Supervisor Kirk on the 27th
of May and she informed me that she had been reassured by Captain I.W.
Smith of the Butte County Sheriffs Department, that if I had any problems,
the Sheriffs deputies were going to come out to my home because I am a
taxpayer and they were going to do their job correctly. This has not
happened. Please see attachment.
These are three accounts of many. I do not have the energy or patience to
elaborate and I wanted to give you a picture of what I have been subjected to
by both neighbors and law enforcement. Numerous events have been well
documented and can be made available upon request. These negative
dealings have been normal responses from the County Sheriffs Dept. These
accounts can also be verified through all the calls and phone recordings made.
Their conduct has worsened since I exposed the fire department and sheriff's
department in court, as they no longer respond. I am optimistic that you will
review, investigate, and inquire into these issues diligently and with concern
for my well being. I want the same rights, respect, and remedy that are given
to other taxpayers and property owners.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Susee
Date
CC Butte County Board of Supervisors
Jane Dolan
Bill Connelly
Curt Josiassen
Kim Yamaguchi
Maureen Kirk
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M A U R.E EN K I-R-K-
SUPERVISOR,THIRD DISTRICT