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NAACP: Shomrim Facebook Posts 'Disgusting,' 'Prejudiced'

The president of the NAACP's Baltimore chapter told Patch that the Jewish neighborhood watch group should use better judgment.

 

The president of NAACP's Baltimore chapter on Friday called Shomrim of Baltimore's Facebook page "disgusting" and said its depiction of black people displays a "prejudice" that she believes was also seen during a criminal trial this summer involving a member of the Jewish neighborhood watch group.

However, a Shomrim leader said that the group's Facebook postings are only meant to help police solve crimes.

On Tuesday Shomrim published a photo of a young, black male riding a bicycle in Upper Park Heights while towing another, riderless bike beside him. It was posted without an explanation as to why it was posted between Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

Some of Shomrim's Facebook readers' comments joked or implied that the male had stolen the second bicycle. But most of the nearly 20 comments were critical of the photo, saying that posting it would create racial tension.

Tessa Hill-Aston, president of the NAACP's Baltimore chapter, told Pikesville Patch on Thursday that the photo and others on the Facebook page displayed prejudice.

"For Shomrim to put that on, whomever did it, without a caption and without showing something positive—like that (the boy) was helping someone because it had a flat—is totally inappropriate this day and time," Hill-Aston said. "It's disgusting."

Hill-Aston said the photo, and others on the site like it, are inappropriate.

"In my mind, they are posting things that show they are targeting someone who is African American—looking in a negative light—and that's not appropriate," she said.

Another photo posted by Shomrim March 4, also originally posted without caption or explanation, shows a woman waiting in line at a local Giant Food Store.

It spurred similar comments from readers, including, "If Shomrim is going to post things like this, at least make them useful and informative, not just a venue for jokes."

In the comments accompanying the March 4 photo, Shomrim eventually explains that the group—not the police—is looking for her in connection with a crime at Rite Aid, but they did not specify what kind of crime.

"To me that's making a statement," Hill-Aston said of the photos. "They think they can do that without repercussion, yet they want to be (trusted as) watchdogs in the community."

"They're being very brazen to do something like that after they've been looked at unfavorably," she said.

She was referring to a trial this summer in which former Shomrim member, Eli Werdesheim, and his brother were charged with assaulting Corey Ausby, 15, who is black, and holding him against his will.

In May, Eli Werdesheim was convicted of second-degree assault and false imprisonment for that incident that took place Nov. 19, 2010. In June he was sentenced to 3 years in prison—all suspended. His brother Avi was cleared of charges.

Numerous Shomrim witnesses testified in the trial, and Hill-Aston attended.

"I could feel the sense of prejudice coming out of some of the witnesses because they were hostile to the prosecutor," who was black, she said.

On Wednesday, after Pikesville Patch spoke with Shomrim's general counsel about the photo of the African American male with two bikes, Shomrim removed the nearly 20 comments attached to it.

On Thursday, the all-volunteer group had also posted an explanation with the photo.

Ronnie Rosenbluth, Shomrim vice president, said Friday afternoon that he can't speak on behalf of the group without speaking with the board first.

However, speaking independently, he said, "I would have thought that Tessa would have called me if she was concerned about anything we posted online. That was our understanding." He describes the group's working relationship with NAACP as "a good one."

And he noted that Shomrim has asked the NAACP and other groups to help them find African American member applicants.

Shomrim could better coordinate how the Facebook page is managed, for example, how comments and responses to them are managed, he said.

And he emphasized that photos posted on Facebook are there to help police solve crime—not as statements about race.

The disclaimer Shomrim posted Wednesday states that, "As always, all photos are taken by Shomrim volunteers or community members and are not an indication of comment on a person's guilt or innocence." 

The group's Facebook page has 548 "likes"—that's eight more than on Tuesday—and states that its mission is to "gather intelligence on security and safety issues affecting our community."

Their area includes Upper Park Heights: Northwest Baltimore and its communities that extend into Pikesville—communities that are anchored by Park Heights and Greenspring avenues.

The top of the Facebook page tells readers that "if you see anything suspicious, please call us at 410-358-9999."

Stay with Patch for more information on Ronnie Bluth's independent response to the NAACP comments.

Related Topics: Baltimore, Bicycle, Bike, Facebook, NAACP, Photo, Prejudice, Race, Racial, and Shomrim

Sam Ahdi

4:20 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

These temporary designations- Jewish, black, white, Christian, - can often separate us. Instead, let's all focus on our eternal nature as spiritual beings, and the love, bliss, and peace that united us. Namaste

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Sam Ahdi

4:24 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

These temporary designations based on our material nature- Black and white, Jewish and Christian- can often be used to create barriers between us. Instead, let's all focus on our eternal nature as spiritual brings, and the love, peace and bliss that unites us. Namaste.

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B Allen

9:32 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

that is the democrats MO! To create division... when are blacks going to realize the dems want power over them to get their vote, why do they try to keep blacks down? Seems the conservatives are the ones who get it. Why did the black caucus put Michael Steele down when he was running for Senator? He would have run ringsa round that worthless Cardin should have he been elected. The black caucus and the NAACP made Steele out to be a "uncle Tom" when all he was doing was living the American Dream. You know, you complain that you cannot live the American Dream, well guess what, they dems are holding you back. Watch this vieo and find out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

Laura Jackson

4:27 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

You're definitely confusing religion with race. God created ALL races; however, there's only ONE religion (according to His word). And, only THAT religion will be among the saved and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Everyone should put aside the race card. God doesn't care what race we are. We are all EQUAL in His eyes. Don't forget that! As for comments made, don't worry about them or what anyone says. It's up to God what He will do come Judgement Day!

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jackblasio

9:51 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Did anybody criticize Benny Hill for slappin' that little "old-bald-headed-white-man" around? No....Why? ...'cause it was funny!!! There was no race card involved...you're right "everyone should put aside the race card!"...these days you just can't say anything where people take issue with it!...tough beans!!!

amdactivist

4:52 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

ask the naacp if they would feel better if we post 2 white guys and also ask them why they don't get involved with helping the many black kids that do most of the crime instead of defending their actions especially in baltimore city.. Ask the naacp why they don't get involved when 5 black kids raped a white woman.. they are not an asset to the black community and its widely known.. They only condone racism at its fullest and not a christian like thing to do. We all bleed red and we all God's children and the naacp should cease to exist instead of making mega bucks doing not a dang thing..

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john sullivan

10:26 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

Definitely agree. If the NAACP didn't complain about everything they (including Jesse Jackson & the buffoon Al Sharpton) would lose their paychecks. Local, State & the Federal Gov'ts. have been bending over backwards for the NAACP for over 40 years. 2months ago several blacks assaulted a young white out of towner, punching & robbing him of possessions including his clothes. Incredibly It was not classified a hate crime. Approximately 10 years ago Ms.Yvette Beakes, a young white pharmacist was victim of a deliberate car crash in Balto. city. 5 black youths robbed her, beat, raped & murdered her then dumped her body on a road. When 1st questioned if the the death penalty would be sought Patricia Jessamy, the then city State's Attorney, replied that they might depending on the severity of the crime! If the victims & attackers race were reversed it would have instantly been on the National news with the FBI, Jackson, Sharpton & others would have immediately flown here 7 demanded justice in their mouthy photo ops!

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B Allen

9:24 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

NAACP is there to create "traps" and cry racism. That is how they get their funding to keep them in business and get the big paychecks while other blacks are out of work, trying to make ends meet, homeless, uneducated, on drugs, drinking, in jail, should I go on? Maybe blacks need to listen to guys like in this video and come to the realization that the dems are trying to hold blacks down for their vote. These guys get it and there are many others joining them and standing up the the dems and the power they think they have over the blacks. BTW, Obama is one of them, what has he done for blacks other than say you don't have to look for a job any longer if you are on welfare? He has done NOTHING!!!! watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

Truth

4:55 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

Lame approch for Janet to create a non-existent story. Janet is the one who's looking to build racial tension, she should be ashamed of her self. This explains why the patch can't build any following.

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Chillin

7:35 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

NAACP must be asleep at the wheel if they had to be alerted by a reporter of the posted photo from an organization that they have a beef with already. Or did they see it before the reporter, but didn't think it was offensive until the reporter had to convince them that it was?

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B Allen

9:19 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

That is what the NAACP does. They follow the socialist Saul Alinskys rules for radicals. Maybe they should be listening to these guys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

John Rickell

5:06 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

I'm sure if the person was white their picture would have been posted also. It just happened to be a black person, the neighborhood has a lot of bikes stolen, and the only way to stop it is posting pictures of bikes and people with bikes. So the NAACP needs to get over it. I believe in an eye for eye. If you get caught stealing you loose a hand. It will make you think twice about stealing again. Won't it?

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B Allen

9:17 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Maybe blacks need to stop listening to the dems, NAACP, jessee Jackson and AL Sharpton and listen to these guys. They know what is going on and have filtered through the lies and deceipt that those groups feel the black community. They ask the question, why is ther 15% black unemployment? Why is ther over 50% black youth unemployment? Why are blacks dropping out and not getting an education? Hell Obama turned down the voucher program for kids in the worse school district in the country, Washington DC... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

William Metzner, Sr.

5:16 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

Bad asses come in every color, gender, size, and shape!

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Sadida Scott

5:35 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

@John Rickell. you want to amputate a hand for a bike! which costs what $25 for a used one.
so what is next, you see a bike stolen, you grab the kid and cut his hand off?

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John Rickell

5:45 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

@Sadida Scott it seems to be the only way today's hard headed thieves will learn not to steal, Death Penalty without appeals will teach people not to kill, Burn an arsonist's hand will teach them not to start fires. It is the only way today's idiots will learn.

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RARE MARYLAND INDEPENDENT

6:36 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

Somehow a true black leader must emerge and address the real issues hurting the black population without being called an Uncle Tom.
Until then, we deal with inept reporting by Jayne Miller wannabees and the stock answers from so called black leaders.
Yawn. Waiting for the next issue to be created by the media to disrespect folks.

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B Allen

9:12 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Here are some right here, but blacks don't listnen to the truth. They listen to the lies and deceipt the democrats are feeding them. Why do you think Obama just passed and decree to cut out having to look for work when you are collecting welfare. He follows the Saul Alinsky rules for radicals method. Give to people and they will follow you...the NAACP also follows the rules for radicals rules also, As Alinsky preached, "the organizer must begin the task of agitating: rubbing resentments, fanning hostilities, and searching out controversy. This is necessary to get people to participate. An organizer has to attack apathy and disturb the prevailing patterns of complacent community life where people have simply come to accept a situation." Here are new faces who get it but the NAACP and the black caucus put them down, I wonder why, they get it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

Jackie

6:40 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

Where are all the grown ups over at Shomrim? The Facebook incident is juvenile.

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B Allen

9:04 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Not really, it's the high tech environment we are living in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

Sean Tully

11:02 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

It seems to me that Shomrim is trying to stir the pot for some reason. The posting of the black male on the bike was plain stupid.

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B Allen

9:03 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Sean, why? Your comment makes NO sense and is, in yuor words, "plain stupid". In this day and age if you are out there, anyone can take your picture with a cell phone and post it on social media. get with the program. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

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Jackie

8:22 am on Monday, August 6, 2012

To clarify, I agree with Sean.

Dave

12:17 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

John Rickell,

I guess you never stole a candy bar, or a piece of penny candy when you were a kid huh? Eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

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John Rickell

7:31 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

@Dave No I never stole as a child, I'm 51 years old and I grew up when parents gave good butt beatings. And now the liberal lawyers put a stop to that. And @Sean Tully - It sounds like you would prefer the Shomrim to have photo shopped the picture to make the kid riding the bike look white. And wouldn't you like to have a picture to help you recover your bike if it was stolen?

Edward

8:31 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Maybe he was just trying to help the economy by making someone buy a new bike.

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B Allen

9:00 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

If the NAACP, Jessee Jackson, Al Sharpton and the rest did not "race bait" and instigate racial tensions, they would not have a bunch of kool-aide drinking followers sending them money and keeping them in business. Ever wonder how much Jessee pays himself? Ever wonder how much Al Sharpton makes? Ever ask the NAACP so alled leaders pay themselves from money donated? You would be surprised. They are the ones that you are complaining about making a bunch of money and not having to work for it while 16% unemployment of blacks and over 50% black youth unemployment is running rampant under the obama administration. It looks to me that the NAACP has outlived itself. Watch this video because it is nice to see fresh faces that get it and are willing to speak out about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

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The Dude

9:29 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

WOW..hate to jump to conclusions, but looks suspicious. NAASCP needs to grow up and call a spade aspade ( no pun ). Colored kids are killing each other, and innocent victims, in record numbers all over this country and this is what this organization has to worry about? SAD.

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B Allen

9:38 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Ask this guy from Alexandria that was attacked in a racial attack. Yeah and the NAACP has NOTHING to say about this. They are such hypocrites. No wait, the NAACP are run by a bunch of "race baiters" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVolT-B4cA

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Bassist1956

10:05 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Maybe Shomrim wouldn't be needed if Baltimoreans were more civil and more importantly if the police (Baltimore City - unprofessional lazy hotheads with low standards) were worth 2 cents other than being sued for it

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Jackie

12:20 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012

@Metzner, Sr: You are right about the bad asses. I just toured the Maryland House of Corrections (the one being demolished). Check out the entry log. Last tour day is tomorrow.

@Allen: You need to update your outrage. Jessie, the Rev Al and the gang have moved on. The Rev Al has a national TV and radio show with a substantial following. Jessie has his own baggage. The Dems are fighting the GOP and nothing is getting done for the people who elected them.

@Shomrim: Learn to live within the community. You aren't going to have the whole place to yourself no matter how you feel. We are all in this together, so grow up and learn to play well with others.

Yes, Shomrim is being coy. Yes, they are baiting the community and stirring up resentments and fears. Someone over there is immature and vindictive. Those attitudes serve no one well.

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Joe

1:59 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

"Rev Al has a national TV and radio show with a substantial following"
Really? What a fracking joke!
Net 6PM P2+ (000s) 25-54 (000s) 35-64 (000s)
FNC SPECIAL RPT W/BRET BAIER 1,840 322 767
CNN Situation Room 427 92 130
MSNBC POLITICS NATION 684 120 253
CNBC Mad Money 149 39 79
HLN EVENING EXPRESS 150 57 92

Only other racists watch that racist! RESIST WE MUCH!

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B Allen

11:09 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Jackie, it is a shame that you people think that telling the truth is, in your term, "outrage". Also, don't know where you get your info, but the knucklehead Sharpton has a measly following. He and Jessee, NAACP and the black caucus, are the ones "laughing all the way to the bank" because they have you fooled. They do the race baiting and they only show up when they think they might get on TV. I don't see the GOP race baiting or trying to divide anyone. It is just put out there by the left wing knuckheaded libs. I know, I was in the democrat party for 30 yrs. I know what is being said and done. Here is something the nAACP and other self proclaimed black leaders DON'T want you to see. Check it out http://errvideo.com/

Steve

12:40 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012

I don't think that Shomrim are the do gooders they try to portray themselves. In NYC they have been caught hampering investigations in order to protect Jews. If they catch a child molester they are instructed not to call the police but call the Rabbi instead.

http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/tragedy_borough_park_puts_shomrim_under_scrutiny

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VoiceOfReason

7:04 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012

Organizations in different cities have different goals, and operate in different ways (even if they use a common name). So I would not draw conclusions from one city to the next.

Michael Goodwin

4:30 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012

instead of posting a pic of the guy with the bike maybe they should post a pic of him picking cotton

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Jackie

5:31 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012

I thought you had to be an adult to post on this website? Will Goodwin's parent's please remind him it's not sundown yet.

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B Allen

11:30 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Yes Jackie, you need to be an adult and you need to be able to act like an adult. One way of acting like an adult is to be able to be a free thinker and NOT spew back the talking points, the hatred and agitation the left wing democrats bring to the party. Go watch this video you might learn something. BTW, Sharpton and jackson and some of the others have not moved on. They still preach racial divide because that is how they fool people to contribute to their causes and gives them a bigger paycheck. Why do you think they have NON-profit organizations, well if there is money left over at the end of the year, they get a big windfall. Get educated, watch this. http://errvideo.com/

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B Allen

3:43 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Jackie, have you finally found out the truth with all the lies being thrown out by the left and their sounding board, the left wing media? Maybe you need to find out the truth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpezudbbZMA

moe green

1:44 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012

NAACP-their motto, we wants, we demands, we entitled to.
The real racists.

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VoiceOfReason

7:07 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012

I wish the NAACP cared about black people, instead of about grievances. If someone want to help black people in Baltimore, the solution comes through fixing the public schools by exposing them to competition. An educated populace is capable of growing and achieving.

We need charter schools, vouchers, and true school choice.

And then we need less taxes and regulations - it is nuts that anyone can deal drugs, but opening a store leads to months and years of red tape and obstruction by city bureaucrats. Education makes people employable. And less red tape means more businesses to hire!

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B Allen

11:15 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I watched this documentary and it was an eye opener. Even some HISTORY I did not know. After watching, I felt that Martin Luther King was rolling over in his grave. Ask your library to get this for you. http://errvideo.com/

Joe

1:52 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

Whats disgusting Janet Metzner is your leader in Mississippi getting arrested and convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for VOTER FRAUD in a story ignored by the national media. This is why you people are against voter ID!
"In a story ignored by the national media, in April a Tunica County, Miss., jury convicted NAACP official Lessadolla Sowers on 10 counts of fraudulently casting absentee ballots. Sowers is identified on an NAACP website as a member of the Tunica County NAACP Executive Committee."

"The Tax Assessor for Galveston County, Cheryl Johnson, says In the course of two weeks we received about 1300 registration applications, over 174 received from just three groups – the Voter Participation Center, the LCV Education Fund and the NAACP. Of the 174 received from these groups, roughly 10% were voters already registered but with a slight variation of their legal name or address, which could have resulted in voters being registered multiple times."

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Joe

1:56 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

Janet Metzner of the NAASCP, when will your group do something about the 70%+ of your people having children with no fathers? Fix that issue and much of the poverty and terrible educational issues will disappear. Your group NEVER talks about that.

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Jackie

3:23 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

@Joe. You looked. You cared enough to look. Wow.

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Jackie

3:25 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

@Joe, Uh Joe, did you get the right name? Do you even know who Janet Metzner is? I think you landed on the wrong forum. Um, maybe you should take a look at the current topic and READ all of it, then try again. You are welcome.

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Joe

3:31 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

Ohhhhh, I saw the writer thinking it was the leader of the NAASCP writing about this. I apologize to Ms Metzner.

My posts are directed to Tessa Hill-Aston, president of the NAACP's Baltimore chapter.

Too little coffee and too fast on the keyboard. Saw the picture and name and put them together.

B Allen

11:11 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The TRUTH hurts http://errvideo.com/ GET EDUCATED OUT THERE PEOPLE!

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Steve

11:25 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Ha ha you are as bad as Shoemall trying to promote junk.

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jackblasio

10:16 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I don't see anything wrong with a random photo of a kid riding down the street with an extra bike, as long as nobody is chasing after him! We're in new age of camera phones...another day in the life...big deal!!!

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