POMONA, June 17, 2009 – Residents of the Woodlawn Mobile Home Park in Pomona are demanding an explanation for the harassment of their community following a series of raids on the park. A June 11 police raid on the community was apparently done in preparation for a June 12 sheriff's raid to serve a warrant, which terrorized the entire park. During the second raid, whole families with young children were forced to ground and terrified by the officers' violent actions. At least five or more concussion grenades were thrown into the park by officers during the raid. Three men were reported arrested during the raid on unknown charges and there is no word where they are being held.
There is some uncertainty about which agencies are responsible for last Thursday night’s raid, but eyewitness accounts seem to indicate that a joint force of San Bernardino County Sheriff and possibly un-uniformed Pomona Police officers.
Residents of the park attended the Pomona City Council meeting on Monday, June 15 and addressed the council during the public comment period. One by one, approximately thirty residents, representing adults, the elderly, and children, explained what happened to them. Some became so emotionally overwhelmed that they were unable to continue.
From the Newswire: Pomona police department uses explosive devices in raid on mobile home park & Audio testimony of eyewitnesses: Despite police abuse, mobile home park community pursues redress by Rockero
Police Terrorize Mobile Home Park in Pomona: Community Demands Justice