Raid Traumatizes Family

The following video is the personal recount of a RPD raid. Lydia, the mother, and two of the children, Tanajha, who is 10 years old and Lawrence who is 6 years old discuss the raid and how it has effected their lives.

According to an article in the Democrat and Chronicle, approximately 500 raids are conducted by the Rochester Police Department every year. The following is one family's account of the raid that took place at their home and the trauma that still persists.

On June 12, 2011, a hot June evening, the Rochester Police broke in a family's door and told everyone to get on the floor. The adults were handcuffed and face down on the floor. There were 4 children in the house, ages 10 years, 6 years, 3 years and 9 months old, who became confused and scared and jumped on the couch.

The ten year old girl, Tanajha, afraid the dog might bite the police went to grab her. One police officer responded by pointing a rifle at her. The stress of the incident caused the 10 year old to start having an asthma attack. The children were eventually sent next door, while the police tore the house apart looking for drugs.

The beds were cut up, food thrown out of freezer, items tossed out of drawers and strewn on the floor. The adults were strip searched and cavity checked all in an effort to find drugs.

Lydia, the mother, stated that she was interrogated and threatened with Child Protective Services if she did not give up the drugs. No drugs were found.

This is the account of the evening that was told by Lydia and her two oldest children. The trauma did not end that evening though. Lydia and the children described the lasting effects of the senseless raid. The nightmares, fear of going outside and distrust of police were expressed by Lydia, as well as the children.

The anger over their meager belongings being destroyed and a claim that was filed being denied and the lack of ability to replace the items which included the children's beds, computer and food.

There was a warrant that authorized the raid of the house to search for drugs or evidence of trafficking of drugs. No drugs and no arrests were made. Lydia filed a claim to try to recoup the family losses. Lydia filed the paper and received a letter dated August 17, 2011 stating that her claim was received, registered and assigned a number. Her Receipt also stated that she would be contacted once her claim was reviewed by the claims committee or if additional information was needed to process and review the claim. This was signed by a Suzanne C. Sutera, Legal Assistant-Claims.

The same day that Lydia received this receipt letter, she received another letter stating the the claim had been reviewed by the claims committee and that they came to the conclusion that legal responsibility does not rest with the City of Rochester based on the fact of a valid judicial warrant. This second letter was signed by Suzanne C. Sutera, Claims Investigator. The question that arises is did the claim actually go to a claims committee as the first letter said, or did Suzanne get the claim and just write the second letter stating it had gone to the Claims Committee? Is this the City's system for handling claims?

Part of our injustice system is that the poor have no recourse when their rights are violated. There is no money to hire an attorney when questions arise about the legitimacy of a warrant. Other costs associated with cases like Lydia's are replacing damaged belongings and counseling for children to deal with the trauma.