#snitching is for squares like Andrews | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lunaserenade · 3 years

Text

Haunted

gif by yours truly, from my last trip to DC. (with special appearance by my friend’s fat head)

Masterlist

Part Ten of the Meet Me at Sunrise Series

Previous Chapter: Sick Day

Next Chapter: Entangled

Author’s Note: @violentcosmicsymphony and @briefgalaxycat <3

Paring: Marcus Pike x FBI Agent!Reader

Words: 1.2k

Warnings: Light cursing, violence.

Summary: Stormy nights and ghoulish tales

It was a stormy looking night in Washington as you walked hand in hand with Marcus around Capitol Hill. It had been a long day in the office, Christian Laurent's partner Ioan Pearce had been spotted in town recently and you spent the day reaching out to contacts you made while undercover to see what he was up to. What you found made you uneasy, to say he had taken Laurent's arrest badly and quite personally was an understatement. Word was going around that he was looking for whoever snitched on Laurent and his intentions were ruinous.

To get your mind off it Marcus had taken you to a lovely dinner. Afterwards you insisted on walking around the historic city, he loved seeing you completely in your element sharing the history of the city you adored.

“So apparently it's spotted down in the basement of the Capitol Building. Stories say it shows up before elections and tragedies, some guards have said that it showed up the night before Kennedy and Lincoln's assassinations.”

“... a demon cat.” Marcus said, bemused.

“A demon cat.” You said with a nod. “But to be fair... back then the Capitol Police were notoriously unqualified and liked to drink on patrol.”

“So drunk cops saw a black cat, it spooked them, and thus had to be a ghost?” Marcus laughed.

“Exactly.” You said with a grin “During the Civil War they used the Capitol Building as a hospital for Union soldiers. The ghosts of the soldiers wander the halls to this day. John Quincy Adams appears occasionally too.”

“You love all of this don't you?” Marcus said taking your linked hands and pulling you into his arms.

“I'm a sucker for spooky history. I love learning about a city through its darker stories. Do you believe in ghosts Agent Pike?” You looked up at him through your lashes and gave him a devilish grin.

“You'll have to work a lot harder to make me a believer.”

“Oh, alright Scully, I'll get right on that.” You gave him a quick kiss and continued your own personal ghost tour for Marcus. You rattled on about various haunts as lightning illuminated the sky behind the Capitol Building: Andrew Jackson's ghost in Lafayette Square, The Hay-Adams Hotel that was plagued by 'Clover' Adams who was possibly murdered, and finally as the two of you neared your shared apartment: Ford's Theater.

“We have ghosts next to work?” Marcus queried.

“This town has seen enough bloodshed I'd be surprised if the whole thing weren’t haunted. The Ford's Theater is an obvious one though, there are reports of people hearing plays going on, shadow figures, and cold spots. More than once people have said they heard sounds from a play, a gunshot, followed by Lincoln's ghost up in the booth. Some even say that they see John Wilkes Booth jump down from the booth and limp away.” You couldn't help the enthusiasm you had telling the story; ghosts had always thrilled you.

“Didn't you say Lincoln was at the White House too? Busy ghost.” Marcus joked and you gave him a lighthearted shove with your shoulder.

“Yeah yeah yeah, ghosts aside the building itself is considered cursed by some and I can't blame them. In 1893 the front of the building collapsed and killed twenty-two people and injured almost seventy others. If that doesn't sound like a string of bad events, I'm not sure what is.” You said as Marcus opened the door to your apartment building for you.

“Well, I'm not sure if I'm a believer yet, but I did love the history lesson.” Marcus smirked as the two of you entered the elevator. As soon as the door slid shut Marcus had you pressed against the wall, his hands roaming your body as he crushed his lips against yours. A soft moan escaped your mouth as Marcus' hands skimmed under your shirt and he pressed hot kisses down your throat, stopping to give it a light bite. You were beginning to undo his tie and tug off his jacket when the ding of the elevator shook you both out of your daze, and a slightly startled older woman was standing outside the doors. You both murmured apologies as she entered and Marcus was turning a brilliant shade of pink. Finally reaching your floor, the two of you rushed out laughing like giddy teenagers who couldn't keep their hands off each other.

“Thank you for tonight Marcus, I needed that.” You said earnestly, hunting for your key and opening the door to the dark apartment.

“Anything for you.” He replied, pressing a kiss to your cheek and following you in.

“Honey, didn't you leave a light on?” You looked around your shadowy apartment curiously, eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness.

“I thought so, let me just find the damn switch.” You heard Marcus fumbling through the darkness and suddenly heard a sound behind you. A hand went around your throat, quickly silencing any scream you may have had in you, and you felt the cool metal of a blade pressed against your cheek. With a click Marcus turned on the lights in the apartment and his heart stopped. Ioan Pearce had you by the throat on the other side of the room, knife pressed against your cheek so hard a small drop of blood had begun to collect along the blade. Marcus began to reach for his gun but stopped at the choking noise you made as Pearce squeezed your throat tighter.

“I wouldn't recommend that Mr. Ramos... or is it Special Agent?” Ioan Pearce said menacingly. As Marcus raised his hands up in agreeance Pearce slightly relaxed his hold and you could breathe again. “Christian Laurent sends his regards.” Pearce pressed the knife to your cheek harder and you let out a small cry of pain.

“I don't know what you want, but just let her go. She has nothing to do with this.” Marcus' gaze kept flicking back and forth between the two of you, you could see the dread in his eyes.

“Doesn't she though? Isn't she the one who wormed her way in to Christian's inner circle? We don't take kindly to government rats.” Pearce seethed.

Your eyes met Marcus' and you hoped he would think quick as you proceeded to do one of the more ill-advised things you'd ever done in your life. You whipped your head forward and sharply threw it back smashing it into Pearce's, once his grip was loosened you threw back an elbow and scrambled as Marcus charged forward. Marcus tackled him to the ground and struggled for a moment until Pearce wiggled free suddenly and started to flee. Grabbing the loaded Glock from the end table drawer by the door you fired once, catching his arm as he raced out the door. Your heart was racing as Marcus went to sit up and let out a cry of pain. Rushing to him and dropping to your knees you saw the blood seeping through his white dress shirt, Pearce had stabbed Marcus in the abdomen.

“Marcus?! Baby, I need you to look at me.” Your hands shook as you applied pressure to the wound. He reached up, brushed his thumb under the cut on your cheek, his eyes glassy and then he drifted into unconsciousness.

tagged: @diva-1992, @yespolkadotkitty, @sarahjkl82-blog, @seasonschange-butpeopledont, @mrsparknuts, @disgruntledspacedad, @mrschiltoncat, @giselatropicana, @sugarontherims, @ilovetardis, @cynic-spirit, @supernaturalgirl, @farfromjustordinary

Let me know if you'd like to be added to my tags.

#marcus pike #marcus pike x reader #meet me at sunrise #The Mentalist #Pedro Pascal #Narcos #Javier Pena #The Mandalorian #fluff #fanfic

62 notes · View notes

bagels-and-seagulls · 4 years

Note

I know you said you would never write those au’s you listed and I wouldn’t ever push... I just wanted to say they all sound sooo good! Especially the Mob boss David and Matteo in witness protection! That sounds like the most captivating Davenzi story! ❤️ now I’m kinda sad I can’t read it but it’s still fun to think about! 😊

well anon if you’re gonna twist my arm about it, i suppose i could give you a couple more thoughts i had about that one ;)

-david hadn’t seen or heard from matteo in four years by the time the feds walked up to him while he was drinking his morning coffee outside one of his cafes he used to clean some of his money. it had been so long that he was starting to lose trace of everywhere that matteo had been, what he touched, his favorite spot on the couch, which side of the bed he slept on. it was long enough that david was starting to forget, long enough that david agonized most of the night just trying to remember the sound of his laugh, the twist of his smile.

-can i help you officers? he asks, not looking up from the morning paper, sipping slowly at his cup. we need some information, one of them says. i don’t have any, david responds because he isn’t in the mood to be dealing with any cops right now. we’re not looking into you, the other one says as if that’s going to make him talk anymore. we’re interested in one of your old associates. and david flips the page as he says, get lost.

-they don’t leave him alone. in fact they come back every other day, scaring off some of his best customers just by waving their badges around and talking a little bit too loud. he ignores them, tells them to beat it every chance he gets, says they’re barking up the wrong tree and to try another guy. he isn’t helping any cops, no matter who they’re trying to take down. he isn’t a fucking snitch.

-he’s lighting up a cigarette, a nasty habit he meant to quit years ago but the taste of it makes him remember something a little sweet, in his office overlooking a nightclub he owned when the bar keep comes up, knocking meekly on the door, saying that there were some people there to see him, and they weren’t taking no for an answer. he rolls his eyes when he sees idiot 1 and idiot 2 come in. he throws his feet up onto his desk, this is harassment at this point, he says, taking a drag. we’re willing to make a deal for your testimony. full immunity for whatever you tell us, one says. david laughs. don’t need it, he says and blows smoke above his head, don’t want it neither. and the officers look frustrated as hell, willing to do anything at this point for his help, and david figures that whatever they’re after must be pretty bad, worse than the devil if they were coming to him for help.

-it had been five years since he’s seen matteo.

-i’ll help you, david says, stubbing out the cigarette on the desk, for a price. and the cops look at each other, and he can see them agree to it before the ever open their mouths. name it, one says. matteo florenzi, he responds, and they look at each other again like he named the one thing they wouldn’t be able to give him.

-it takes them four days for them to come back to him and say they can arrange a meeting, but there will be rules, strict rules. he agrees to every single one of them, and to prove how willing he was to play ball, tells them about a party that the guy they were interested in was going to throw. it wouldn’t break their case, at least not the case they were trying to make, but there would be a lot of cash going around that get together, as well as some other things.

-they come up with an agreement. he’ll feed them information under the table. they set up some stings. his name stays out of any reports.

-two weeks in, he says he’s not giving anymore until they follow through with their end. there’s been at least six arrests, and he’s feeling like he needs a reward.

-they put him in the back of the car after patting him down and checking each of his pockets and drive five hours outside the city, into a little town he’s never heard of but was still too close to home for him to not have checked after all these years. his silence must be making them a little nervous because they go over all of the rules again. no touching. no saying his real name. no threatening language of any kind. no talking about the trial. he will not be let out of the police’s sight. yada, yada, yada. he didn’t care. he wasn’t there to hurt matteo. he already told them that, not like they believed him. he would never. he just wanted to talk, just to look.

-they take him to a diner on the main street and force him into the corner of the booth, everyone feeling a little bit tense. where is he? he hisses at one of them. just wait, one of them hisses back.

-david doesn’t have to wait too long because matteo comes rushing out of the kitchen, six plates in his hands like he’s been doing this his entire life, rushing off between tables to drop of cups, and food, and coffee, and checks with a full smile and a little bit of a skip in his step. he’s just as breathtaking as david remembers, just as beautiful, just as handsome, just as everything that david has been seeing in his dreams and he thinks that he must stop breathing, soaking in the sight of him, because one of cops looks at him like he’s a little bit worried david might choke. matteo gets to them after a minute, not even looking up from his little notebook, tucking some of his hair behind his ear and clicking his pen. hi, welcome to rudy’s. i’m andrew. what- he stops when he looks up, his notebook slipping out of his hand and falling to the table, as he’s staring straight at david, who is staring right back.

-it kind of feels like they drop out of time for a minute, just looking at each other.

-order up! someone yells from behind them and dings a little bell, and matteo shakes his head for a second before, looking behind him. i’ll bring you all some coffee, he says, grabbing his notebook and going back to the kitchen, looking over his shoulder a couple of times on his way there, not that david was pretending to do anything but watch after him.

-what can i- uh, can i get you guys? matteo asks when he comes back, and everyone is now looking at david. the cops are probably worried he’s about to spring over the table and wrap his fingers around matteo’s neck, which he isn’t, but matteo is there with wide and glassy eyes, his hands shaking and his fingers pulling at the skin of his knuckles. the way he was biting his lip was making it a little hard for david to even think, wanting nothing more than to scoop matteo up in his arms and tell him it was all alright now. he was here. there was no need to be afraid anymore.

-do- do your eggs have any cardamom in them? david asks, fiddling with the edges of the plastic menu they were handed. car-cardamom? matteo repeats, twiddling the pen in between his fingers. yeah, david responds with too much enthusiasm because matteo quirks his head to the side. cause, uh, cause i haven’t been able to see- i mean have eggs for- for a while because someone put cardamom in them last time. i- i’m allergic- to cardamom, but i would- would really like to have some eggs again. and matteo shuffles on his feet as the cops are looking between them. and you don’t- don’t blame the eggs? matteo asks, gripping at the back of his neck. no- no, of course not, david says too quickly, and he must be getting a little eager because the cops sit up a little higher and square their shoulders. i know that- that the eggs didn’t mean it, david says, and matteo nods, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. yeah, he says and sniffles, i’ll get you some eggs.

#do i follow through on my promises to myself #apparently not #but i'm waiting for my bread and pie to be done and got bored #anyways #i don't know what this is #davenzi #davenzi fic #my writing #other aus

76 notes · View notes

bewitchingwitch · 5 years

Text

Constellations pt. 10

It had been days since you had been home. Ever since that girl from the Ministry had whisked you away after you got back with Theseus you had been training nonstop. You had no idea what was going on in the outside world, or what was in the post. You had even been sleeping at the ministry they had assigned you a small room that had a pull out bed.

You were training under the instruction of a strict yet kind man named Cecil who had long black dreadlocks weaved with gray that he pinned up in a bun. No matter the training exercise he always wore nice clothes. Today he was wearing brown slacks with a white button up rolled up to his forearms with suspenders.

Today's training had you dodging spells while he fired them at you. You were dressed in simple workout clothes you couldn't pull off the dressed look like Cecil. He would fire them at you and you had to deflect them with a counter spell or dodge. Eventually you had to get close enough to him to take the apple from him that he carried in his right while he wielded his wand in with his left. You thought it was a stupid task but Cecil insisted you do it anyway if you wanted to keep working here.

"Come and take it (y/n) it's only an apple it's not that hard!" He chuckled, his voice had a South African accent attached to it. He fired another spell at you that you barely avoided.

Your let out an agitated growl in response. You were getting better but the past few days you hadn't managed to take the bloody apple from him. They said that once you could get it from him that you could finally go home. And you were determined to get it from him today

You sprinted forward deflecting three spells and fired one in return that he lazily avoided by tilting his body to the side. "Is that the best you got (y/n)?"

"Not even close Cecil!" You shouted back as you made your way closer to him. You came to halt a few feet from him. He just smirked at you. Now you had to figure out how to get the apple from him.

"Come on girlie I thought you would have gotten this sooner." You circled one another, anticipating each other's next move. "You're what? Thirty something?"

"30 to be exact." You replied.

"I'm pushing 65 I'm considered to be an elderly in the muggle world. And yet you can't seem to beat me." He smirked.

"Don't be so sure of yourself." You mimicked his expression.

"And why is that?"

"Because while you were monologuing I took the apple." You rubbed it on the sleeve of your shirt and took a bite out of it.

Cecil looked surprise from a moment before chucking deeply. "Congrats! You can finally go home little one!" He clasped your shoulder.

"I know I'm so tired, the beds here aren't soft at all." You remarked as you gathered your things.

Cecil just laughed. "I'll be looking forward to working in the field with you."

"As will I." You said a quick goodbye and apparted out of the training arena and onto the steps of your apartment. You sighed contently as you opened the door and stepped into your apartment.

You immediately plopped down on the couch in your living room. You body melted into the soft cushions. You shifted uncomfortable feeling as if something was underneath you.

You reached your hand back and pulled out a piece of paper that you had rumpled form laying on. It was a perfectly square and folded four times.

You unfolded it and noticed scribbly writing. It said, Remember Quidditch tomorrow morning at 7 sharp. I'll swing by to take you there.

Sincerely,

Newt.

You smiled at the note, you were happy that Newt had left you a note. And you couldn't wait to play quidditch with him and Theseus tomorrow. It wad unknown to you just how much that quidditch match would mean.

*******************************************

At exactly 7 that morning Newt had knocked on your door expecting to see you sleep eyed and half awake. But instead you were wide awake already carrying your broom and a duffle bag. You were dressed in jeans very uncommon for the era, with a white shirt that was tucked in and a red bandana that pushed back your hair. Though a few strands still escaped.

Your broom was sleek with golden bristles and a mahogany handle it had two worn strings wrapped around the hand colored in red and yellow. To symbolize your gryffindor status. There was also a carving on the top of the handle. It was a heart with your first name initial and the initial of an A written in it. He felt a pang of jealously and looked away from the carving. You noticed what he was staring at and moved to cover it with your hand

You had never seen Newt in casual clothes before. He was wearing a loose and stained blue button up with suspenders and black jeans. He looked good. You couldn’t help yourself from scanning him up and down. He carried his broom in his hand it had a crooked handle and it was very simple and worn out.

“Are you ready?” You asked as you hopped down the steps like a child.

“Yes.” He smiled at you and took your hand in his which surprised you. You looked down at your fingers interlaced and Newt began to pull his hand away. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have grabbed you hand.”

You gripped his hand tighter and gave him a reassuring smile and he relaxed into your touch. “How are we going to get there?”

You began walking down the street together your brooms tucked under your arms. “Well we play in this abandoned quidditch field a little ways out of town. It had the hoops and everything it’s just a little rusty. We can apparate or we can walk if you’d like.”

You thought for a moment while Newt watched you. Your hair way blowing lightly in the wind. He wanted to tuck the stray hairs behind your ears but felt that it would be too out of line. He didn’t even know what you thought of him.

“We can walk if it’s only a little way.” You wanted to spend more time with him.

“Okay.” He squeezed your hand and you walked together talking endlessly about his creatures and what chapter he was currently writing. You told him about your adventures at the Ministry leaving out your mission with Theseus.

You arrived shortly after to see Theseus and three other people already in the air flying around on their brooms and scouring. Theseus flew with ease his hair whisking in the wind as he through the Quaffle through the hoop. Newt had mentioned that he was a seeker but you figured that since they were only playing two on two they decided not to use the snitch. You gave a big whoop as the ball sailed through the hoop.

Theseus circled around and was surprised to see you and Newt. One of his buddies pulled up next to him and then the other two followed. “Oi, who’s that?” The guy asked while they were still out of earshot.

“The girl’s pretty.” The guy on his right mentioned.

“Can it Andrew.” Theseus hated his friends.

“They guy isn’t too shabby either. To be honest I wouldn’t mind shagging either one of them.”

“Thats my brother.” Theseus glared back at his friend who just smirked.

“What I’ve been dying to get into your brothers pants since Hogwarts let me live a little.”

“Andy keep your mind out of the gutters. ” The guy on his left remarked he had a Spanish accent.

“Quiet Diego.”

“Oh boys I recognize her she’s the girl from the papers! The one who Theseus is snogging on the cover!” The last guy whose name was Blaine whistled.

“Oooooooo.” All the guys circled around Theseus mocking him and making kissing noises.

“Piss off.” Theseus grumbled as he flew away from the crowd as he descended he called out to Newt. “Well, well, well it looks like baby brother decided to join us and without a notice!” He stayed on the broom and stopped a couple feet from the ground floating in front of you.

“Hello (y/n).” He smiled.

“Hello Theseus.” You returned it feeling blush creep onto your cheeks. Newt watched you two interact and felt anger settle into his chest.

“I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I’m been training.”

“Is that so?” He moved his broom closer to where his face was inches away from yours. “How’s That been going?” Newt opened his mouth to interject but someone else did it for him.

“Not to interrupt this little flirting session but we came out to play Quidditch Scamander. Not to watch you undress your girl with your eyes.” Blaine’s said as he slid off of his broom and took it in his hands, balancing it on his shoulders wrapping his arms as around it.

“Yeah Theseus you promised us a game.” Diego stayed on his broom as Andrew jumped off of his.

“And now that we have two more we can play three on three and use the snitch. You kept saying how you could catch the snitch in 5 minutes flat and have yet to shown us.”

“He’s always bragging with nothing to back it up.” Blaine made his way over to you. He was tall with blonde hair that was due for a haircut as it crept past his ears and curled at the ends lightly. With bright blue eyes and a million dollar smile.

“Yea he’s been bragging that he could beat me in catching the snitch and Merlin knows he never has before. “ Diego had black hair that was slicked back and he had cute dimples.

“Nonetheless He was a quidditch star you know that all the girls flocked to him. They couldn’t keep their hands off of him.” Andrew was wearing a sweater despite the warm weather with an A on it.

“Ha ha now I now know the A on your sweater stands for asshole.” Theseus shot back.

“Touchy aren’t we?.” Andrew had red hair with freckles. He had long limbs and was build like a linebacker. He was fetching a box that was laying in the field. He picked the snitch up and held it out to Theseus. “Care to finally show us and your girlfriend what you’re made of?”

“You’re on Weasley.” Theseus took the small golden ball from his outstretched hand.

“So you’re team captain Scamander and I’ll be the other team captain. You can pick first.”

Theseus looked over his options. “Well I’m a seeker so we need a chaser.” Newt assumed that he would pick him that’s what he always did. Theseus picked Newt because he didn’t like to compete with him, but today was different. “I’ll take (y/n).” You we’re leaning on your broom and your hand nearly slipped when he called your name. You jogged over to stand by his side. “Your turn Weasley.”

Andrew scanned the crowd. “Well I’ll need a chaser since I’m a beater. Newt I choose you.” Newt walked over to Andrew bitter that his brother had pulled that dirty trick of picking you and putting him on a different team. “So I know the girl’s taken but what’s your story handsome?” Andre winked and Newt turned away not sure what to make of Theseus’ flirty friend.

“I’ll take Blaine he’s the only other beater.” Theseus called out.

“Thanks Theseus you sure know how to make a guy feel welcomed.” Blaine sauntered over to stand by you and started up light conversation while the brothers watched.

“Diego That means you’re with me.”

“Always a pleasure.” Diego who was already in the air watched as everyone else gathered their stuff and flew into the air. Everyone got into position.

“So it’s good old fashioned street quidditch you want to toss for who goes first?” Andrew asked as he held out a silver sickle.

“I’m feeling generous you can go first cherry.”

“Such a tease in and out of the bed.” Andrew teased as he got back into position.

Blaine was floating next to you his beater under neath his arm as he pulled out a stopwatch from his pocket. “I don’t believe that he can get get the snitch in under 5 minutes especially against Diego.”

“Is he good?” You asked.

“Good? He was the best Seeker Gryffindor had while we were there.”

“You were a Gryffindor?”

“Yep me, Diego and Andrew were. Newt and Theseus were Hufflepuffs.”

“Yeah I knew what house they were in. I’m a Gryffindor.” You winked at the playful blonde.

“Nice I figured. I know a Gryffindor when I see one. We’re all a rather charming bunch.” Blaine floated a little closer nothing romantic just friendly banter.

“Indeed.”

“Blaine, new girl stop talking and lets play.” Andrew called.

“It’s (y/n)!” You corrected.

“(Y/n) stop talking!” Andrew called back playfully. “And someone hurry up and release the snitch so we can start.

Theseus flew over to you and handed you the snitch cupping your hands around it. He kissed your hand. “Will you do me the honors of releasing it. I think I’ll have a better chance at winning if you do it.”

“Isn’t that romantic.” Blaine interjected. He was now hanging from his broom upside down like kid do on monkey bars.

“Blaine stop that you’re gonna fall off! We’re like 50 feet in the air!” Theseus reprimanded.

“Oh piss off mom I’m fine.”

You let yourself fall back and hang upside down mimicking Blaine while Newt and Theseus chocked back a scream. “(Y/n)!”

“It’s fun Theseus! Plus what did you expect?”

“We’re Gryffindors!” Blaine finished.

You released the snitch and sat upright as the game officially began. You saw Blaine start his timer before slipping the stopwatch back into his pocket.

The game was intense. You currently had the Quaffle and zoomed past Newt as Andrew shot a bludger at you. You dodged it and chucked the ball into the center hoop sinking it. You raised your arms up in triumph as Blaine cheered. You were the only scorer for the team. Andrew’s team was up by ten points. Newt had scored ome more time than you had. He much better at Quidditch than he had let on.

You had once let him get past you because he looked so bloody good with his hair all disheveled by the wind and his suspender slipping off of his shoulder. Theseus had noticed and lost track of the snitch during that time. He was now back on the hunt against Diego. “You only have a minute left!” Blaine called out as he shot a bludger at Newt who avoided it but dropped the Quaffle. You dived for it and grabbed in stuffing it underneath your arm.

You pulled up and sped towards the goals where Newt was blocking. Even though he liked you there was no way he was going to let you win. Andrew shot the bludger towards you and there was no way you could avoid it by shifting to the side. You made sure your grip was good on the Quaffle before you leapt up off of your broom. They all stopped to watch you. Especially the brothers both of them terrified at your reckless move. As you jumped though the air the broom continued to zoom below you.

The bludger flew past you and you fell back down and grasped onto your broom with one hand. One handedly you flew and tossed the Quaffle into the the hoop. Once you got rid of the ball you swung yourself back on and did a victory lap as both teams cheered you on.

“Bloody Merlin (y/n) that was fucking amazing!” Blaine abandoned his post to give you a high five. Diego gave a holler in support as he continued to search for the snitch.

You laughed. “That was my signature move when I was at Hogwarts. It always got everyone in the stands on their feet.” While you were preoccupied with questions about the stunt you pulled Theseus only had about thirty seconds left to catch the snitch.

He finally saw it. It was flying circles around Diego’s feet. Diego wasn’t paying attention he was congratulating you on your save. Theseus made his move. He hugged his body close to the broom as he zoomed forward and outstretched his hand. Diego didn’t notice what Theseus was aiming for until too late.

Theseus’ hand enclosed on the golden ball and he held it up in triumph as Blaine called time. He had caught the snitch within the five minute mark. You and Blaine swarmed him you had won the game because the snitch gave your team a 150 points. You moved close and your lips were inches from touching, Newt was watching in heartbreak until Blaine’s voice interrupted you.

“Oi who is that?” Blaine had his hand up to clock the sunlight and was squinting down towards a small figure that was coming closer.

You all moved down a couple feet and the figure became a little clearer. You eyes widened in realization. The guy was calling your name. “(Y/N)!”

“Who is that?” Theseus and all the other followed down to where you were.

“Is that-? It can’t be.” You were in disbelief. “I still have three months he wasn’t suppose to come yet.” You mumbled to yourself as you let yourself descend the figure was storming closer until he was a couple feet away.

You jump off your broom and grab it all the boys land to and you then to face Newt. You know what’s coming and you don’t want to face it. “Hold my broom please.” You give it to him and your hands longer for a moment as you give him a quick peck on his cheek that is visible to none.

You move closer to the guy. Newt and Theseus realize who it is as he gets closer it’s the guy from the photograph on your mantle and down the photograph that you carry in your briefcase. He had the same tousled raven hair but he wasn’t smirking now. He had a deep look of anger etched into his face. His hazel honey eyes blazing.

He was wearing a smart grey three piece suit without the coat jacket. He as wearing a dark grey vest with a tie and matching slacks. His white undershirt was rolled up to revel his muscular forearms. He was about the same build as Blaine. Muscular but it was subtle. Not much bigger than Theseus but as tall as Newt.

You caught up with the guy and placed your hand onto his chest to stop him from moving and closer. “Adonis this is a surprise!” You were looking forward to seeing him but not like this. “I’m glad to see you.”

“(Y/n)...” His chest was still rising up and down you could tell he was pissed.

You reached your hand up and caressed the side of his face a soothing gesture you had always done to calm him down when he got like this. He was a sweet but a very temperamental young man. You rand your hand down to his cheekbone opening up your palm. And he placed a light kiss onto it. It was a sign to you that he had calmed down for the moment bring. A trust symbol between you two.

“Excuse but who the hell are you?” Theseus stepped forward you could see he had pulled his wand and so had the others they were holding them hidden behind their backs.

Adonis let out a low growl in response. “You.” His voice was deep and you knew that if you didn’t stop him someone was going to get hurt bad.

“Adonis...” your vocie had a warning edge to it.

“It’s him! That bastard!”

You pulled yourself away from him. “Hold your tounge how dare you insult him!” You poked your finger at his chest. Your other hand resting on your hip.

“How dare I? How dare you defend him! You know what he did!”

“No I don’t have any clue what you’re talking about Adonis!”

“Really? You want to play innocent?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” You raised your voice. “I didn’t do anything wrong!” Both Newt and Theseus were at the ready both of them wanting to send this newcomer to hell but they knew you wouldn’t want them to. You could handle yourself. And despite how this guy was acting now that one intimate moment you had had with him earlier proved that you cared for him. And would not approve of the Scamander brothers destroying him.

“YOU DID NOTHING WRONG?” He was practically red with anger now. You knew you needed to stop arguing with him before he blew his top.

“Adonis breath. What’s wrong?” You placed your hand back on his chest and he took in and he closed his eyes. He opened them and began to pull out something from his back pocket.

He pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet that had been rolled up in the back pocket of his slacks. It was a little crumpled he handed it to you. “Explain this.”

“What is this?” You held the paper still not looking at the cover. Theseus knew what it was and his heart dropped.

“Read the headline.” And you did and you placed your hand over your mouth in horror. The picture below the title was a moving picture of you and Theseus kissing. It was from when you were on the mission someone had taken it of you guys without you knowing. It moved on repeat the way Theseus bit your lips and you leaned into it depending it. “Oh Donnie I-“

But Adonis had already pushed past you and was standing chest to chest with Theseus sizing him up. “So war hero, you think just because I’m not here you can make a move on my girl I don’t think so.”

Theseus want backing down. “You’re girl, you talk about her like she’s your property. Who do you think you are.”

Adonis turned back to you in shock. He glanced down at your hand and you hid you hand behind your back in shame. He couldn’t believe that you didn’t tell these people about him.

“You ask who I am War hero? I’m her fiancée.”

Taglist: @hearteyesmotherclucker @c8n10n4o2-geek @martarosado17 @nanjaeminniee @moisoverennyi-thestarlessone @profangirllex @gaenahelleborus @melodramaticmelon2118 @michellekstr @nctyong-xo @preppy-by-the-c @sweetlyshinylady @emo-plaidin @dreacantsleep @theetherealbloom @lily2089 @mywckdmind @barbarachern @imbiandiwanttocry @ollyoxenfrees @newtslatte @pettylady @februarycalum @justanothereducationmajor @feelthefeelingsinsideyou @ombriescent @ztinge @liloefuru @reindeerdaisies @babywizardoll @heckin-kat @thewitchmadness @bunnie-kookie @the-fandom-life-forever @missanonyma @frozen-blue-eyes @newletas @sassycassyhoneybee @spookysunflowr

135 notes · View notes

xavierplym · 6 years

Note

Can you do, “let the devil in”??? I love your writing

awh thank you so much xo

Had a lot of fun writing this, love a badass woman who ain’t afraid of no man lmao

Venom - Eminem, writing in italic are the lyrics.

“Let the Devil in”

“Hey! Move, give us some room!” The crowd of the halloween party splits into two when a small group come piling in with two holding up a kid with his hanging his head low, feeling weak. Y/n stops her conversation and looks over to the outburst of shouting and shuffling of feet. Quickly shoving her cup into her friend’s hand she rushes over.

Pushing people out of the way to get to the front of the crowd, she looks at the concerned faces and looks down to the kid slumped in the chair.

“Colby, what the fuck?!” She kneels down to his height and moves his head to show his bloody face, “What?…” her face drops into a furious expression while he hisses, looking up with a glare, “Who?” The lad next to Colby sighs deeply, not needing to answer. Y/n gets to her feet and pushes Colby’s chin upwards, making him groan in pain. Light hitting his face, she can see one of his eyes are already swelled closed and lip bust, chest rising and falling at a rapid rate.

“What did you do?” Her voice remains calm, where as her body language is telling everyone otherwise.

“Hey, we were just messing abou-”

“Hey! I didn’t fucking ask you, did I, Andrew?” She glares to the the boy next to Colby, looking back to the injured kid in the seat, she remains silent.

“We, um… We went into Graintree territory.” Colby responds quietly and not even finishing his sentence, y/n sighs and runs her hand through her hair. “We crashed their Halloween party. We weren’t expecting for it to get this out of hand.” Andrew admits, embarrassed. Knowing the issue that has been caused she looks around the crowd, she looks back to Colby, taking in his condition.

“Clean him up. I’ll be back.” She speaks calmly before pushing her way through the crowd again and makes her way out of the house. “y/n! This isn’t a good idea.” Andrew went after her and grabs her arm, making her snatch her arm out of his grasp. Glaring back, she gives him a warning look, “I’m fixing this mess.”

“Oh hey, Angel!” Looking down to the street, she sees a group of 8 guys leaning against their cars, dressed in terrible devil costumes. Breathing deeply, she looks back to Andrew and quickly shoves him in the chest so he gets back into the house before being seen. Seeing a familiar face, she rushes over to the small crowd.

“What the fuck, Noah?!” She repeats her actions again and roughly pushes his chest, making him take a step back. His brows knit together as his expression becomes harsh.

“What, you think I did that?” He spits out to her and takes a step towards her again.

I got a song filled with shit for the strong-willed

She looks up with a glare, meeting his eyes. She has no reason to be afraid, not by Noah, anyway. Despite being in two groups that have had issues for years. They found themselves drawn to each other. Like a more fucked up version of Romeo and Juliet.

“Then tell me who did it.” Her voice is low, in hope no one else hears. He shakes his head and looks down to his feet, face amused. “I ain’t no snitch.”

Sets you off ‘til you scream, ‘Piss off! Screw you!’

When it talks to you like you don’t belong

Her brows raise, in false surprise. She can only simply smile and look away not being able to help being amused by his sudden loyalty to his guys. Not like he was thinking about that when she was straddling his lap and making him whimper only the night before.

“C’mon, Angel. We know he’s inside. Why don’t you get him for us so we can, y’know, have a chat. Take it as a warning.” The guy behind Noah gives you the petname, mocking your choice of outfit for the holiday. Making Noah snicker and he reaches to play with the halo headband you’re wearing, which quickly brings your glare back to him and you slap his hand away.

“Oh, you think this is funny?” His smug smirk slowly fades as he sees her turn on her feet and quickly storm inside.

But I don’t care, I barely can wait

To hit them with the snare and the bass

“They’re not getting away with this.” y/n mutters to herself, reaching behind Colby who is still getting cleaned up. She grabs the the object that is tucked in the corner of the room and quickly leaves again.

Square in the face,

“You think it’s funny, huh?” She shouts after the boys outside as she walks back over to them, holding an old wooden bat against her shoulder.

The lads look back to her, conversation going quiet and expressions changing.

this fuckin’ world better prepare to get laced

Noah’s eyes widen and quickly steps forward to reach y/n. Everything goes into slow motion as shouting starts to get louder.

Because they’re gonna taste my—

And just like that. Y/n grips tight with both hands on the bat and swings, colliding the wood into the windscreen of the car.

Venom.

Noah gets closer to y/n as she continues to swing for the car, glass cracking and flying everywhere. “Stop!” Noah shouts to her and her response is pointing the wood to him, causing the end to touch his chin, snarl across her face.

“Maybe you should take this as a fucking warning.” her voice raised and meets every glare she’s being given and looks back to Noah, “If any of you,” She pushes the bat lightly, making Noah stumble back slightly. “Any of you! Touch one of those kids again.” She speaks slow, but remains her power. She lowers the bat and lets it drag against the concrete as she approaches Noah. Leaning up, she becomes nose to nose with him.

“Next time, this bat will be connecting to one of your faces and not a windscreen.” She doesn’t blink, she just glares. That’s all she could do.

Noah steps back, keeping her eye contact.

“Let’s go.” He speaks loud enough for the rest of the men to hear. Earning a confused laugh from the guy standing behind him.

“You’re…You’re not serious? You’re not letting this bitch get away-”

“Lets go!” Noah quickly turns and glares at the guy, pushing his shoulders.

Once everyone left the party, the clock quickly went to 3am without y/n even know. She sighs in frustration of the events tonight. Luckily Colby is going to be okay and hasn’t left with any broken bones. Holding a black bag in one she clears up the empty bottles and cups with the other. Lights dim enough to see where she’s going, she doesn’t see the figure sitting at the table in the corner.

“Is he okay?” She drops the bag in surprise and snaps her head into the direction of the voice, “Who the fu-” Noah steps forward with a sigh and her expression drops, “What are you doing here?” She snaps and walks forward, making him raise his hands to his chest, “Hey, it’s just me. I’m just asking if he’s okay?”

She stands there staring at him for a couple of moments before turning back to grab the bag and carry on cleaning, “He’ll be fine.” She remains blunt and carries on with the cleaning she wishes she didn’t have to do. Having her back to Noah she doesn’t see him walk closer until she feels his hands lightly wrap around her waist. She freezes.

“You owe me a new windscreen.” His reply is soft, but intimidating. Causing her to hold her breath before exhaling deeply with an amused smile.

“Your guys shouldn’t of fucked up one of my guys.” She shrugs and smirks.

“Well he shouldn’t of -” Not letting him finish the sentence, she drops the bag and turns on the spot facing him and a hand wrapping around his throat, “You know he shouldn’t of gotten that treatment, he’s a stupid kid.” her glare comes back as her hand tightens whereas he starts to smirk.

“I know that and I made sure it doesn’t happen again.” He doesn’t break his gaze into her and it makes her blood boil more, causing her to tighten her hand once again making Noah hiss. To make her stop he reaches round to the back of her head and into her hair, giving her a harsh tug to make her face look upwards. Smirk growing wider as he sees her eyes getting darker. “Oh I love it when we’re rough with each other.” Her breathing starts to get deeper, making her take her hand away - which makes Noah take his hand away from her but grips onto the back of her neck.

“I don’t know why you’re resisting.” He raises a brow at her, causing her to roll her eyes and to try and not look too amused. She slowly places her hands onto his dressed shirt covered chest, not being able to help bring her face closer. His tongue grazes his bottom lip as he leans in also, before their lips get a chance to touch, y/n pushes on his chest and shakes her head. “You need to leave, Noah.” Her voice is a warning enough, like there should be any more tonight. Noah exhales a laugh with slight annoyance and closes in on her again, causing her to back into a wall. Smirk smacked across his smug face, hand cupping her cheek with the other hand leaning against the wall, trapping her in, she can’t help but smirk herself.

“I know you don’t want me to.” He smiles wickedly and leans in closer, brushing his lips against her making a groan silently erupt in her throat, trying to resist.

“Let the devil in, Angel.”

#noah centineo #noah centineo x reader #noah centineo fanfic #noah centineo imagine #tatbilb #to all the boys i've loved before #peter kavinsky #peter kavinsky x reader #sbial #jamey sbial #mine

80 notes · View notes

shirlleycoyle · 5 years

Text

US Cities Are Helping People Buy Amazon Surveillance Cameras Using Taxpayer Money

The Ring doorbell surveillance camera sits squarely in the center of a Tiffany-blue online flyer, which provides details about a “Security Product Subsidy Event” in Arcadia, California.

“Big Sale,” the advertisement says, in citrus-colored script. “$100 off.”

“HELP STOP CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS,” the ad continues.

This isn’t an ad from Best Buy or an electronics store. It’s an ad from the Arcadia city government. The local city government is selling discounted surveillance cameras directly to its residents, and the “discount” is subsidized by the city. In other words, taxpayer money is being paid to Ring, Amazon’s home surveillance company, in exchange for hundreds of surveillance cameras.

Cities and towns around the country are paying Ring up to $100,000 to subsidize the purchase of the company’s surveillance cameras for private residents. For every dollar committed by a city per these agreements, Ring will match it. This motivates cities to pledge tens of thousands of dollars to a tech giant that is building a private, nationwide surveillance network—which Amazon is using, in part, to secure the packages it delivers. A typical discount program will last several weeks, or until a certain number of residents take advantage of the program.

Motherboard has identified 14 American cities that have these discount programs as well as one city in the United Kingdom. However, there are probably more cities that have offered similar discount programs. Motherboard has reported that Ring courts local governments and police departments around the country to advertise, distribute, and use its products.

Got a tip about Ring discount programs, police partnerships, or something else? We’d love to hear from you. You can contact Caroline Haskins securely on Signal on +1 (785) 813-1084, or via email at [email protected].

Image: Arcadia, CA promotional image for a Ring subsidy program event in December 2018.

Cities are paying Ring so that residents can enter a private, mostly unregulated surveillance ecosystem that includes cameras both outside and inside their homes. Ring’s products are marketed with the typical language of security services, which serves to promote fear and encourage people to snitch on their neighbors. Ring camera footage is accessible at any moment by employees in Ukraine, and all Ring owners are, often unknowingly, engaging in de facto beta testing for Ring’s facial, object, and voice recognition systems. Gizmodo reported Thursday that Ring hires “news editors” to pull 911 call data into its “neighborhood watch” app, Neighbors, for real-time, unconfirmed crime alerts.

“These deals are sinister because Amazon, a company that doesn’t need a handout from anyone, has figured out a way to get citizens to fund the very network that will be used to surveil them,” said Chris Gilliard, a professor of English at Macomb Community College who studies digital redlining and discriminatory practices enabled by data mining. “It undermines the ideas of transparency and accountability that are supposed to be the foundation of public services to ultimately mainly benefit one of the richest companies in the world.”

“At a time when many communities are questioning and democratically deciding against aggressive surveillance like facial recognition in their communities, this provides Amazon and the police a back door surveillance network that bypasses the will and oversight of the community,” he added.

Ring did not respond to Motherboard’s request for comment.

RING PROMOTIONAL AGREEMENTS

Promotional agreements occur between a city and Ring. These agreements turn city governments, responsible for serving their citizens, into literal advertisers and salespeople for a giant corporation, and at taxpayer expense.

California cities like La Mirada and Alhambra have allotted $10,000 in taxpayer money to these discount programs. Maywood and Temple City, CA have each pledged $20,000 toward a Ring discount program. Since 2017, Arcadia, CA has directed $50,000 toward Ring discount programs and La Cañada Flintridge has contributed at least $44,750. Rancho Palos Verdes approved a $100,000 program in 2017.

Image: La Mirada, CA promotional image for its Ring rebate program.

On July 10, the San Marino City Council agreed to pledge $10,000 toward a Ring discount program. The most recent draft of the Promotional Agreement states that Ring will match every dollar that the city pays into the program. This means that for every $100 discount off a Ring product, the city pays $50 and Ring pays $50.

The agreement also requires the city to “make reasonable efforts to promote the program,” and it names several examples of how to do so: post on the city’s website, city social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, distribute brochures and flyers at City Hall, and issue a “joint press release” between Ring and the city.

Ring is also required to “provide marketing support and materials” in order to help the city market its products. Per the agreement, Ring must “collaborate with the City on the distribution and marketing” of Ring products.

The agreement also regulates how individual city employees are allowed to speak about Ring.

“Additionally, no statements should be made by any City officer or employee about Ring’s products and services, which isn’t in writing and hasn’t been approved in advance by Ring,” the agreement reads.

“This turns my stomach,” Evan Greer, deputy director of civil rights group Fight for the Future told Motherboard. “Amazon isn’t just building an unaccountable, for-profit surveillance empire, they’re getting the government to subsidize it with our tax dollars.”

CONCERNS ABOUT RING PARTNERSHIPS

Toward the end of the July 10 city council meeting for San Marino, CA, the city’s Vice Mayor Gretchen Shepherd-Romey expressed concern about the city’s potential promotional agreement with Ring.

Shepherd-Romey was concerned that not enough city residents would take advantage of the 45-day promotional period because too many people are on vacation, and concerned that people would install their discounted cameras on their vacation homes instead of their San Marino homes.

Other residents and city council members were also skeptical about entering a promotional agreement with Ring. They were mainly focused on the fact that city residents may not need a discount.

“I guess what I don’t understand is, I don’t know why the city would pay $50?” one city resident asked during the open comment period. “I don’t understand why city funds would be used on a thing like this.”

“I have the same thing, why would we pay $50?” one city council member added. “But I trust the public safety commission and I think this could be a good way to prevent and deter crime.”

The city council unanimously approved the measure to sign a promotional agreement with Ring. The 45-day promotional period, representatives agreed, would begin after September 1, after most people’s vacations have ended.

San Marino resident Andrew Ko told Motherboard that the city’s arrangement with Ring makes no sense.

“Why are we spending $10,000 when we have trouble paying for emergency services in San Marino?” Ko said. “This is troubling because the City just passed a budget and the Police Department is already asking for a budget amendment to transfer funds from the General Fund to pay for this program.”

Image: Alhambra, CA flyer for a Ring discount program.

HOW RING PROMOTIONAL AGREEMENTS WORK

Promotional agreements typically apply to most Ring products, including its doorbell camera, “Floodlight” camera, and “Stick Up” cameras, which can go outdoors or indoors. According to public city council meeting notes from Rancho Palos Verdes, the agreements can even apply to a Ring solar panel. However, some advertisements for discount programs only mention Ring doorbell cameras, Ring’s most inexpensive product. Promotional agreements can fund two main types of programs: online promo codes, and in-person discount events.

Through discount programs, residents can enter a promo code during their online checkout get up to $100 off a Ring product. For instance, the City of Commerce, CA made a Facebook post in November 2016 claiming that residents can get a $100 on a doorbell camera on Ring.com.

“Just visit Ring.com and enter promo code Commerce99 for the discount on the state of the art video doorbell system,” the post reads.

This appears to be one of the most popular types of programs, as it’s taken place in several California cities, including Arcadia, La Mirada, Maywood, Diamond Bar, Lancaster, La Cañada Flintridge, and West Hollywood.

Discount events, meanwhile, usually take place at in-person somewhere in a city, often at a shopping center or community center. Although promotional agreements are approved by local governments, sometimes local police participate in the promotion of Ring products at these in person events.

Image: South Gate, CA promotional image for a Ring discount event.

For instance, Arcadia has hosted at least two Ring Subsidy Events. One such event was advertised by the Arcadia Police Department on NextDoor. The event, which took place in December 2018 at the Arcadia Masonic Lodge, offered attendees a $100 discount on the purchase of any Ring product. A nearly identical event in Arcadia took place in 2017, and a local news report claims that about 300 people attended.

Alhambra, CA hosted an event in 2018 at the “Emergency Preparedness Fair” at the city’s Farmers Market. The South Gate, CA police department hosted an event in 2018 at a local shopping center. The event descriptions typically note that people have to provide proof of residency to be eligible for the discount.

Cities identified by Motherboard that have offered Ring discount programs include Arcadia, CA; Commerce, CA; La Mirada, CA; Maywood, CA; Diamond Bar, CA; Lancaster, CA; Alhambra, CA; Monrovia, CA; Temple City, CA; La Cañada Flintridge, CA; South Gate, CA; Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; Redondo Beach, CA; West Hollywood, CA; and Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.

RING PARTNERSHIPS WITH POLICE

Ring has also partnered with at least 225 law enforcement agencies around the country. Unlike discount programs, which are made between Ring and a city, these partnerships are between Ring and police departments. Police partnerships sometimes require police to “encourage adoption” of Ring products by buying Ring’s doorbell cameras and downloading Neighbors, Ring’s free “neighborhood watch” app, per reporting from Motherboard.

Police use a variety of tactics in order to encourage the adoption of Ring products as a part of their partnerships with Ring, such as raffles and giveaways. Motherboard has obtained these emails, flyers, and contracts via public record requests from Wolcott, CT; Waynesboro, VA; and Lakeland, FL.

Motherboard obtained documents from the Waynesboro, VA police department, which show that the department created a raffle event shortly after it entered into a partnership with Ring. The documents include the draft of a flyer for a Ring product giveaway. The flyer has the heading “WIN FREE HOME SECURITY PRODUCTS!!!!” above an image of the Waynesboro Police logo with an array of four Ring products.

Image: Waynesboro, VA flyer for a Ring product giveaway program obtained by Motherboard.

“To celebrate our partnership with Ring, we are giving away a home security package to ONE City of Waynesboro resident. The kid includes a Ring Wireless Doorbell 2, Ring Wireless Spotlight Camera, Ring Chime Pro Wi-Fi Extender, and a Ring Solar Security Sign,” the flyer reads.

Motherboard obtained documents from the police department of Wolcott, CT which include an extremely similar giveaway flyer. The flyer shows a local police officer holding the box for a Ring doorbell camera, and the heading reads, “WIN A FREE RING DOORBELL!”

“To celebrate our partnership with Ring, we are giving away a Ring Doorbell to TWO Wolcott resident (see below for other requirements),” the flyer reads. “To enter, simply download the Neighbors App by Ring at download.ring.com/wolcott or text wolcott to 555888 and then comment below this post that you downloaded it.”

Image: Wolcott, CT flyer for a Ring product giveaway program obtained by Motherboard.

In exchange for promoting Ring products, the company grants police access to Ring’s “Law Enforcement Neighborhood Portal.” This portal acts like an interactive map that shows the approximate location of every Ring product in a given area. Police can then request footage directly from Ring camera owners without a warrant.

Similar giveaway programs have also been initiated by the police departments of Livonia, MI; Mahwah, NJ; Newark, NJ; and Palmdale, CA.

MAKING NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER

Activist groups like Fight for the Future have criticized Ring for creating a privatized, unregulated dragnet surveillance program, and called for cities to stop partnering with the company. However, the details of Ring partnership and promotional agreements show that the company is dedicated to legitimizing its products among local law enforcement and government officials in order to maximize the proliferation of its products.

Greer told Motherboard that although Ring claims their mission is to “make neighborhoods safer,” a world with more cameras is more dangerous—especially for people of color and activists, who are often targeted by law enforcement.

“I think we need to think about what we mean when we say safety,” Greer said. “And to me, there’s nothing more unsafe than privately run surveillance dragnet, with a very cozy relationship with law enforcement, spreading very quickly across our cities.”

All of the documents that informed this article are now public and viewable on Document Cloud.

US Cities Are Helping People Buy Amazon Surveillance Cameras Using Taxpayer Money syndicated from https://triviaqaweb.wordpress.com/feed/

0 notes

rolandfontana · 5 years

Text

‘We Can’t Police Violence Away’

It took Xavier Castile a month to learn how to walk again.

But Castile, a father of two who was shot in what he believes was a case of mistaken identity, believes he is one of the more fortunate ones.

“My little cousin just got shot, and that affected a lot of people because he was young,” Castile said.

Castile’s cousin was one of the 200 incidents of aggravated assaults in his San Antonio, Tx., neighborhood. Castile said his cousin died in the shooting.

Xavier Castile of San Antonio Tx., was shot six times in the back. Still photo courtesy KSAT12

According to the San Antonio crime tracker map, there were more than 200 reports of aggravated assaults in Castile’s neighborhood last year.

Milo Colton, a criminology professor at St. Mary’s University, said the reasons for the violence are deep-rooted.

“It boils down to: If you want justice you’re going to have to get it yourself.” Colton said.

“We all grew up with the norm, ‘You don’t snitch.’ Traditionally, African Americans have had to struggle in the system, and on many occasions, don’t put a lot of faith in the criminal justice system.”

Based on decades of experience studying crime trends in San Antonio, Colton said he believes the violence could be quelled by creating more job training and educational opportunities, along with more proactive attitude on the part of local law enforcement to improve relationships with residents.

Colton said the issue, however, also lies within members of the community.

“There are those who resent others who are trying to succeed,” Colton said.

Castile remains determined to push through. After recovering, he got the opportunity to play arena football and decided to create his own job opportunities.

“As it is, they tried to cripple me, so it only made me power up. I started my own security business, Checkmate Security,” said Castile.

“We’ve been going on for about four or five years strong already.” Castile has this message for his community:

“The tough days and trying-to-get-stripes days, trying-to-prove-something days, are over with,” Castile said.

KSAT12 explored the roots of violence in several San Antonio neighborhoods as part of its Crime and Justice series.

District 5, on the city’s West Side, is home to hard-working families, some of whom have built their own businesses.

Unfortunately, the area also claims an unfavorable distinction as being one of the most murderous districts.

In 2018 alone, the San Antonio Police Department Cracker Tracker Map shows there were 16 reported murders in District 5, a 22 square-mile area, where the median annual income is about $25,000.

For District 5 resident, Coque Onetime, hearing about murders in his community comes as no surprise. He said he knows about six or seven people murdered in the area within the last five years.

“Friends, relatives, neighbors … You get immune to it, like, it’s an everyday thing,” Onetime said. “There are people that are panhandling and stuff, because they don’t got to eat.”

Prof. Milo Colton. Photo courtesy KSAT/12

Poverty and lack of opportunity are the driving factors that contribute to violence, said Prof. Colton. “It puts stress on family relations. Odds are you’re in jobs that have no guarantee.”

In many cases, people don’t have jobs at all.

Matthew Idrogo, for instance, is homeless and believes he hasn’t been able to secure a job because of a lack of education. He said he uses drugs to feel better and sells drugs to get by.

“I sell Klimax (a kind of synthetic marijuana) on Zarzamora (Street). I was a big-time dope dealer,” he said.

“[We do it] for food, for clothes. We don’t do it to do it, to enjoy seeing people get hurt.”

According to Idrogo, it’s a life that was born out of necessity, one that catapulted him into the criminal justice system and into the cycle of indigence.

“From state prison, I went to county jail, went back to prison. I been (in and) out of prison almost my whole life,” he said.

Creating a better future for the underserved isn’t easy, but according to Colton, this can be done over time, starting with better transportation options and school systems.

“What we need is a unified school district, and that way we can make sure that the monies are distributed more evenly,” he said.

Local politicians agree.

“We can’t police (violence ) away because the crime is a symptom of larger issues,” said Keith Toney, who was running as a candidate for San Antonio city council.

Toney believes the key to reducing violent crime in San Antonio’s neighborhoods lies in creating educational and job opportunities for idle minds.

“If they get trained up and they’re working a trade and they’re redoing buildings, then they are working a shift,” Toney said.

“”They won’t have time to shift into crime, to shift into aggravated assault,”

Toney believes the key to reducing violent crime lies in creating educational and job opportunities for idle minds.

“If they get trained up and they’re working a trade and they’re redoing buildings, then they are working a shift so that they won’t have time to shift into crime, to shift into aggravated assault,” Toney said.

He wants to challenge big developers.

“I want training opportunities, and they can do that in the trades. Not everyone’s going to college, but one thing that they’ll need is workers for the various projects that they’re bringing in here,” Toney said.

Candidate Jada Andrews-Sullivan offered a different perspective.

She believes reducing violence begins with improving relationships among residents.

“Truly educate one another, get back to our community policing, which is, ‘I know my neighbor. My neighbor knows me,’” Andrews-Sullivan said.

She also wants to locally address what she said are deep-rooted, nationwide tensions between law enforcement and people of color.

“Sitting down with the chief and saying that it’s not so much that we need the forcefulness of the Police Department but we truly need the heart of the Police Department,” Andrews-Sullivan said.

“We truly need you to get out of those squad cars and walk up and down the neighborhoods and get to know who lives here,”

Deven Clarke, a staffer for KSAT12-ABC San Antonio, is a 2019 John Jay/Harry Frank Guggenheim Justice Reporting Fellow. This is a condensed version of two of the reports Deven is producing as part of a crime and justice series workshop project for his fellowship. The full stories are available here.

‘We Can’t Police Violence Away’ syndicated from https://immigrationattorneyto.wordpress.com/