Philadelphia Police were ordered not to arrest looters by 1st Deputy Police Commissioner Melvin Singleton, according to a report from FOX29 News."Extremely frustrated officers, both patrol [and] commanders told me overnight they were 'ordered to NOT arrest looters just disperse them,'" FOX 29 News' Steve Keeley reported Wednesday morning.
Keeley said the orders came from Singleton.
Breaking: OBTAINED BY FOX29 NEWS. Directive from @PhillyPolice executive team. Extremely frustrated officers, both patrol&commanders told me overnight they were"ordered to NOT arrest looters just disperse them". ’CAR-2’ is Deputy Police Commissioner Melvin Singleton @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/HVjryECnrv
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) October 28, 2020
Yesterday when police announced the number of arrests in the Mon-Tues looting,charges were for "burglary". And in the directive, @phillypolice point out no calls for burglary will be responded to by the dept.&officers think that leaves no deterrent to stop looting @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/2AyhIyV7O7
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) October 28, 2020
Singleton works directly under Police Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw.
Singleton was pictured taking a knee in support of Black Lives Matter earlier this year.
Proud of our Board Member Deputy @PhillyPolice Commissioner Melvin Singleton - standing up by kneeling down. #leadership pic.twitter.com/4t2ES3dbLC
— Rebuilding Together Philadelphia (@RTPhiladelphia) June 4, 2020
He reportedly suggested all his fellow officers do the same.
Philadelphia police and National Guard take a knee at the suggestion of Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Melvin Singleton, unseen, Monday, at a march calling for justice over the death of #GeorgeFloyd. (@AP Photo/Matt Rourke) pic.twitter.com/T6XM5nvLmv
— Danielle Camilli (@BCTDanielle) June 2, 2020
FOX29 reported Wednesday afternoon that 53 officers were injured during the first two days of riots.
The city was left in shambles.
Walmart in shambles after last night’s looting in north Philadelphia #Philly #PhiladephiaRiot #PhillyRiots pic.twitter.com/xDbTcFY1yP
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Flooding inside Walmart as water continues to spew across the store #PhiladelphiaRiots #Philly #PhillyRiots pic.twitter.com/lNX3249sI9
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Walmart Pharmacy broken into as well #Walmart #PhiladelphiaRiots #Philly #PhillyRiots pic.twitter.com/qGQl2ywuzP
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Wading through water over the store through aisles of looted electronics. Current state of the Walmart Supercenter in north Philly #PhiladelphiaRiots #Philly #PhillyRiots pic.twitter.com/WSJ7iG60uo
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Businesses are boarding up in Philadelphia after two consecutive nights of civil unrest #PhiladelphiaRiots #Philly #PhillyRiots pic.twitter.com/qiLbdwKfju
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Windows smashed at this Dollar Tree in Philly #Philadelphia #PhillyRiots #PhiladelphiaRiots pic.twitter.com/Ctl6KPMi9M
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Community members cleaning up some of the mess in the parking lot after last night’s looting #Philadelphia #PhillyRiots #PhiladelphiaRiots pic.twitter.com/KCJ53cDLCc
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Rioters even set fire to a Church:
The Vietnam Baptist Church in Philadelphia was burned during BLM rioting. pic.twitter.com/UwdFuRnC9E
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) October 29, 2020
Will Melvin Singleton get on his knees and help the victims of the Black Lives Matter movement he knelt before rebuild?
Don't count on it!
Related:
Philadelphia Police: 2020-10-28 Police run away and retreat from a mob of BLM rioters in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Police: 2019-09-22 Philadelphia's Simon Gratz HS football fans run for exits after shots fired
Philadelphia Police: 2019-08-15 Ex Felon Arrested in Phil post kidnapping; no fatalities
Philadelphia Police: 2020-10-28 Police run away and retreat from a mob of BLM rioters in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Police: 2019-09-22 Philadelphia's Simon Gratz HS football fans run for exits after shots fired
Philadelphia Police: 2019-08-15 Ex Felon Arrested in Phil post kidnapping; no fatalities
Related:
Black Lives Matter: 2020-10-29 Who's Really To Blame For the Riots In American Cities? Pt. 2 With Michael Yon
Black Lives Matter: 2020-10-29 Philadelphia round-up: Elijah Schaffer beaten inside store for filming
Black Lives Matter: 2020-10-29 Black Lives Matter activist is now the first to be federally charged with assaulting a cross-deputized cop in Portland at a riot
Black Lives Matter: 2020-10-29 Who's Really To Blame For the Riots In American Cities? Pt. 2 With Michael Yon
Black Lives Matter: 2020-10-29 Philadelphia round-up: Elijah Schaffer beaten inside store for filming
Black Lives Matter: 2020-10-29 Black Lives Matter activist is now the first to be federally charged with assaulting a cross-deputized cop in Portland at a riot