My Camera is Better

Butler, W.
11/19/2011

My partner and I are detaining four juveniles for possible truancy violations. We’re at the edge of the Occupy Gomorrah camp site. The kids claim to be home schooled students. I haven’t decided whether or not to believe them. Some “occupier” emerges from the crowd, camera in hand, and demands, “Is this an investigation? What are these guys being detained for?”

Hoe Hoe Hoe

Butler, W.
12/15/2010

A lone black woman limps down Infidelity Boulevard–a roadway known for its street whores. Is she “walking the track,” as they say in hoe parlance? Two undercover vice cops decide to check. They park their unmarked car half a block away. Officer Mario Cervantes gets out and hits her up on foot. She looks like a senior citizen. “Hey girl, what’s goin’ on?”

Captain’s Orders

Butler, W.
09/20/2010

Sergeant Tony Carrasquillo doesn’t look happy. “Listen guys, the captain wants numbers,” he says. “Direct quote: ‘I don’t care about felonies. Bring me numbers.’” The captain wants tickets. It seems upper management places more value in a stack of bullshit infractions than locking up gangsters.

Gun! Gun! Gun!

Butler, W.
07/14/2010

Half a block down the street: two youngsters, shaved heads, dressed down. They look like they need attention. “Let’s stop these guys,” I say to my partner, Guy McKinney.

Race Card Denied

Butler, W.
06/16/2010

“Man, the only reason you’re stopping me is because I’m black!” That from a parolee, fresh out of prison. He and his companion got stopped for jaywalking. The handcuffs were their idea.