Remember the Victims of CITGO's Crimes

Global Community Monitor

Check out the Global Community Monitor website at:

http://www.gcmonitor.org/

http://www.gcmonitor.org/article.php?id=673

http://www.gcmonitor.org/article.php?id=608

Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice

From October 4^th through October 6^th, the annual meetings of the Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice were held at the Omni in Corpus Christi. Over 200 people attended the conference from colleges and universities from all across the country. Papers were presented on a variety of topics. I am so very proud of my students who presented their research on two very important and often neglected topics within the realm of feminist criminology. I was very impressed with the poise, professionalism, and knowledge exhibited by these students.

The conference kicked off on Thursday night with a dinner cruise around the bay on Captain Clark’s Flagship. I was pleased to meet several new criminal justice colleagues. Papers were presented on both Friday and Saturday. I presented my paper, Environmental Crime and Injustice: Media Coverage of a Landmark Environmental Case, on Saturday morning. I appreciate the support of my colleagues and students who attended the presentation!

THANK YOU!

A great big thank you to Ruth and Denny from Global Community Monitor and Jeanne and Matt at Wildlaw for hosting the National Bucket Brigade conference this past September and asking me to attend/present. You inspire me! Also, a great big thank you to Dr. Robert Bullard for taking the time to speak with everyone. It was an honor to meet one of my heroes. Together, we are making a difference!

http://www.gcmonitor.org/index.php
http://www.wildlaw.org/
http://www.ejrc.cau.edu/Welcome.html
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20070907/localnews/195245.shtml

Hillcrest and Oak Park Town Meetings

On June 27^th, 2007, a Corpus Christi federal jury unanimously determined that CITGO Petroleum and Refining knowingly operated two large open-top tanks as oil-water separators between January 1994 and May 2003 without the required emission controls that regulate the amount of benzene released into the environment. Consequently, for over nine years, uncontrolled amounts of benzene, a cancer-causing agent, streamed into the air and into the adjoining neighborhoods.

The residents of Hillcrest know about CITGO; they live with the consequences of CITGO’s criminal actions on a daily basis. But outside of the community, most people in Corpus Christi don’t know much, if anything, about this precedent setting case.

The public doesn’t know that the members of the Environmental Crimes Task Force have worked tirelessly on this case for many years. The public doesn’t know that CITGO has a team of over thirty corporate lawyers who are doing everything in their power to avoid taking responsibility for their criminal actions. The public doesn’t know that CITGO has a contingency of public relations personnel and a huge payroll dedicated to making sure CITGO’s public image is protected and promoted as much as possible. The public doesn’t know that the media did a poor job of covering the indictment, the trials, and the impact of CITGO’s crimes on the residents of the neighboring community.

I arrived at the Oveal Williams Senior Center in Hillcrest around 4:15pm Wednesday to observe the town meetings hosted by the Environmental Crime Task Force, a dedicated team comprised of a wide range of federal and state agencies including the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

The meetings were held in order to allow the residents of communities affected by CITGO’s crimes the opportunity to speak with the prosecutors and investigators; in hopes that the information could be used at sentencing to show the judge the extent of the victimization caused by CITGO.

I find it difficult to put into words what I saw, heard, and felt throughout the evening; it was an amazing experience. I don’t know that anyone else felt the same intensity, but that has a lot to do with my role in this process. I am an observer of human behavior. I observe with all of my senses; I listen closely, I see the little things and the bigger picture simultaneously. I observed the participants, the setting, and the interactions. The hugs, the handshakes, the wide eyes, the perplexed facial expressions. I heard the stories, both painful and uplifting. I witnessed the camaraderie among government agents, the laughter shared among activists, the concern on the faces of the residents and the excitement emanating from my students who knew they were experiencing something profound.

I don’t think anyone, myself included, anticipated the overwhelming turnout that occurred. On both Tuesday and Wednesday, for over six hours each day, prosecutors and investigators interviewed more than 400 residents and several refinery employees. At times, the center was so crowded; residents were spilling into every available room.

I could barely contain my excitement and was overcome with waves of emotion. For years I have read about environmental crime, researched environmental crime, and collected data about environmental crime. I wrote a book about environmental crime. I educate my students about environmental crime. I attend conferences and speak about environmental crime. Today though was not about numbers, data, reports, and presentations. Today I observed the reality of environmental crime; the victims, the activists, the agents; the sorrows, the joys, the laughter, the tears. Today was so real; it took my breath away.

When I first arrived, I was met by Suzie Canales and Jean Salone. I brought along two of my students in order to allow them the opportunity to meet the various government agents, observe the process, and share in my excitement. I try to get them out of the class room and into the real world as much as possible.

Suzie is the director of Citizens for Environmental Justice, a local grassroots organization dedicated to fighting environmental injustice in Corpus Christi. Suzie is a bundle of energy, stubbornness, and determination. I have been fortunate to work closely with her over the past two years. Suzie and Jean, a resident of Hillcrest for over fifty years and one of the star witnesses for the prosecution, set up a table at the entrance of the senior center. The table was full of folders for residents to take with them after meeting with the government agents. These folders contained information pertaining to the recent soil study conducted in the community as well as a chapter from an upcoming book about environmental injustice which includes interviews with Hillcrest residents.

Suzie and Jean were proudly wearing their Citizens for Environmental Justice t-shirts. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw them, remembering the time that the three of us appeared on a public access TV program, imploring residents (CITGO victims) of Hillcrest to contact the Environmental Crimes Task Force. I can honestly say that my public access experience was as comical as it was humiliating. I had the idea to get t-shirts just that day and as the result of a rush job, the word “justice” was misspelled. Naturally I did not realize this until right before we were to go on air. Our shirts proudly proclaimed, Citizens for Environmental Jusice. Someone forgot the “t” in justice.

To make matters worse, the “set” for our interview consisted of a couch that looked like it was picked up on the side of the road, a drippy ceiling, and a host who answered his cell phone twice during the live show (and told the caller that he was in a meeting!). Fortunately it appears that no one watched the show, aside from Hillcrest resident Kelly Arcadie, who said he saw Suzie, but only because she accidentally left her bag on the set and had to sneak back on set to get it. He told her that he saw her backside, got a glimpse of her t-shirt and wanted to make sure that she would order one for him in an XL.

In addition to informational packets, Suzie and Jean had two lists for residents to sign if they wanted to participate in a study being conducted in Hillcrest. The focus of this study is to develop appropriate protocols for biomarkers of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons. We will be collecting blood, hair, and urine samples from volunteers in Hillcrest over the next few months. I am assisting in the survey administration, data collection, and analyses; the non-toxicology aspects of the study, of course. I collected enough urine samples when I worked in the Florida jails, gathering data for the federally funded Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program. In fact, as far as I know, I am still the urine collection champion in the Hillsborough County Jail, with a total of 16 pees procured in less than eight hours. I am so proud of myself.

I introduced my students to both Suzie and Jean. I could not believe the number of residents coming in and out of the center. Suzie told me that over a hundred people had already been through and that dozens of residents had been waiting when the task force arrived. Fanny Chirinos, a reporter from the local newspaper, the Caller Times, was watching the influx of residents. Although the Caller Times has generally done a horrendous job of covering the crimes committed by CITGO, I genuinely like Fanny and believe she is trying to do a good job of covering the story. I don’t think that highly of her employers.

I especially enjoy seeing the diversity among government agents; something I did not observe among the CITGO attorneys, a not-so-diverse collection of old, rich, white guys (and a token female here or there). Three of the agents are African-American and one agent is Hispanic. The lead prosecutor from the Department of Justice is African-American. The majority of the residents are African-American or Hispanic. I guarantee that if the agents and prosecutors were all white, the interactions with the residents would have been volatile.

My phone rings and I realize that Emily (name changed to protect identity) is calling me. I met Emily approximately two months ago. She read the story I wrote about the trial for our local alternative newspaper and left a message on my office voice mail. When I called her back, she told me that she contacted me because she could tell that I really cared about the people of the community and that she had information for me regarding her former employment at CITGO. Several years ago, Emily worked at CITGO as a contact employee for another company. During that time, she observed a number of disturbing behaviors involving CITGO employees. She observed several employees dumping chemicals on the ground and pouring concrete on the area to hide the pollution. She told me that she kept a detailed record of her observations and felt compelled to contact me with this information. She sounded trustworthy on the phone, but I’ve been in the crime business for a while now and I’ve had my fair share of veiled and not-so-veiled threats.

I met Emily on the steps of the federal court house that night to pick up the documents. I attended the CITGO trial on most days and got to know the U.S. Marshal’s who run security operations pretty well. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to be surrounded by cameras and men with guns just in case Emily wasn’t who she said she was. Fortunately she was a concerned citizen and not a CITGO spy.

I asked Emily to attend the meeting at Hillcrest on Wednesday. I introduced her to one of the agents. After the interview, Emily walks out and I can see tears in her eyes. I put my hand on her shoulder and I thank her for coming. I can tell that she was glad to have the opportunity to share what she experienced. I tell her that I will take her notes to the investigators and that she has made a difference; that she has helped the people. Emily thanks me for helping her and I am close to tears myself.

Residents continue to come into the center. The prosecutors gather groups of residents and tell them about the case, the sentencing, and the victim impact statements. Over and over, they tell the residents that this meeting is not about financial compensation for the victims of CITGO’s crimes. Some of the residents are frustrated and challenge the prosecutors. I understand their frustrations. But for once, I am more in tune with the government agents. I can step down off of my critical-of-government platform and let pure appreciation wash over me. I know how much time and effort each and every agent and prosecutor has put into this case. The years, months, weeks, days, and minutes. I hear the dedication and concern in their voices when they talk about the case.

Usually I am one of the most outspoken critics of government. I distrust the government; the secrecy, the lack of transparency, the pompousness, the arrogance, and the like. But something has shifted in me over the past several months, ever since I observed the trials and the handling of the case by the Environmental Crimes Task Force.

Two men walk into the community center and walk toward the agents. They introduce themselves as long-time CITGO employees; they are also president and vice president of a local workers union. They are both very big guys and they have something to say. They did not come here to make victim statements. They came to get information to take back to their union. They want people to know that there are, as lead prosecutor Howard P. Stewart says, “good people working at CITGO”. But, of course, “there are others”.

I see the agents talking to the union reps but I’m not sure what they are saying. I know that on their way out the door, I’m going to put myself in their path. And I do. I introduce myself and exchange business cards with John Warner, president of the union. I am not a small woman, but standing in close proximity to these two men makes me feel short. I tell them that I am concerned about the employees at CITGO and other refinery and chemical plants along the Port of Corpus Christi. John says, “I could tell you things that go on there that would make your head spin”. I tell him that I want to know about worker health and safety and about the difficulties I come across when trying to access worker health and safety data. He tells me that it is very difficult for employees to get their own medical records. I tell them that I would like to conduct a study involving refinery employees and that I would ensure confidentiality. I can tell that they want people to know that there are good employees at CITGO, who go to work each day and work very hard. I tell them that I know there are good employees and that I appreciate their appearance at the meeting.

It’s after seven and the steady stream of residents has subsided, but only minimally. People are still coming through the doors. I hear someone say, “Dr. Jarrell”, and I’m thrilled to see one of my students, Jonathan Anthony. Jonathan is a spirited young man who has taken virtually every course I’ve offered over the past two years. He was in the class I lectured to during my interview for the position in the spring of 2005. I remember him telling me that he really enjoyed my presentation and hoped that I would be hired; he couldn’t wait to take classes with me.

Jonathan is a good student and I like to think I inspired his activism to some degree. He has become a visible activist on campus and makes sure to address the injustices that have occurred. He has organized a number of protests. He recognizes the importance of this experience. He has gone around campus for months now, telling people about the CITGO case. Students are getting excited about the opportunity to speak out against CITGO. They often stop my office to get updates about the case.

We’re getting ready to leave the senior center. The last resident has just left. The agents are putting away the tables and chairs. I can tell that they are tired but energized by the appearance of so many residents. I hope they have another meeting but I know it’s something that can be talked about later. I am exhausted but elated. The government agents want justice for the community; I want to do their story justice. I want people to know that people are suffering and dying in Hillcrest and Oak Park because of the criminal actions and indifference of CITGO. I want people to know that these government agents are putting their heart and souls into this case.

Bucket Brigade Conference Photos

Bucket Brigade Conference

The conference was a HUGE success and an amazing experience for everyone involved. Just when you start to think that you're alone in the fight against environmental injustice, you realize that communities across the globe are fighting the same war. The names of the corporations many change, but the stories are similar.

We took a toxic tour of Newtown, Georgia and met the amazing activists from the Newtown Florist Club. These activists are inspiring! Suzie and I were introduced to activists from all over the country. We exchanged ideas and strategies, victories and challenges. Together, we know we are making a difference!

I talked to the group about how university activists can aid local activists groups. My talk was given a warm reception and it become abundantly clear that I am finally talking to the right people.

Don't get me wrong, I generally enjoy attending academic conferences but mainly because I get to meet up with colleagues I haven't seen in a while. I'm usually stuck on some obscure panel at 7:30am on the first or last day of the conference (EJ research isn't as popular as studies of guns, murder, and the like). I'm lucky if five people see my presentation which seems like such a waste of $1000 to fly across the country to attend a conference, just to add a line to my CV.

At this conference, I know I made a difference. One of the participants asked me after my presentation, "When are you going to run for president?" I smiled and said, "When radicals fly!"

National Bucket Brigade Coalition Conference

I'll be attending and presenting at the National Bucket Brigade Coalition Conference in Atlanta for the next few days. Find out more about the organization at:

http://www.bucketbrigade.net/index.php

Suzie Canales and I will present on a panel entitled, "Community Partnerships with Government and Universities".

Dr. Robert Bullard will speak on Saturday!

Manatee Rescue

Media coverage of the CITGO trial (Caller Times), the first criminal trial involving a refinery and violations of the Clean Air Act, received limited media attention (ten articles) despite the fact that for over nine years CITGO knowingly released unregulated quantities of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, into the neighboring communities.

The Caller Times, however, covered the rescue and transport of a manatee with surprising detail in the local section of the newspaper (eleven articles), even including a follow-up article two months after the manatee was transported from Corpus Christi to Tampa, Florida and two articles in September describing the manatee's release.

As I've mentioned before, I love manatees; they are adorable in that cute but ugly way. I even had the opportunity to swim with the manatees while living in Florida. Way better than swimming with sharks (I am referring to the predatory sea creature, not the predatory legal kind although in a lot of ways they are scarier). I am glad I know about the manatee that appeared in our waters (what was he thinking?) but I'm not sure that I needed to hear about every detail of his journey home or that he is recovering nicely months later in my old home town.

On January 3^rd, 2007, the first Caller Times article reports that a manatee was found swimming in the Corpus Christi ship channel, in the waters near a CITGO dock (poor little manatee). The following day, two articles inform the public that the manatee had been rescued and was doing well. On January 5^th, 2007, the Caller Times reported that the manatee was rehabilitating. Two articles appeared on January 8^th, 2007; one article talks about CITGO’s generosity in funding the transport of the manatee to Florida while the other article describes the trip for the manatee as uneventful. On January 9^th, 2007, the Caller Times expands on the manatee’s trip to Florida.

The news media coverage did not wan after the manatee left Corpus Christi however. On January 11^th, 2007, an article expresses concern that the “Manatee faced death in cool local waters”. On March 10^th, 2007, the Caller Times made sure to let the public know that, “Well-traveled manatee improves in Florida digs” and that his name is Texas (poor little manatee). On September 13th, 2007, the Caller Times reported that the "Rescued Manatee will be set free today" and on September 14th, an article stated, "Texas Independence: Manatee likes warm waters in Florida Refuge".

CITGO’s involvement in the rescue and transport of the manatee was well documented. Is it possible that CITGO was responsible for the manatee's rare appearance in the ship channel? What a fabulous opportunity for some good animal rescue PR before the criminal trial!

Only two or three articles should have been devoted to coverage of the manatee's rescue, transport, and well-being. Please don't get me wrong. I LOVE animals but in this case, eleven news articles was overkill especially in light of the lack of coverage of the criminal trial. Instead of the article entitled, “Manatee faced death in cool local waters”, I imagine the headline, "Hillcrest residents face death in shadow of local refineries". Or instead of reading “Well-traveled manatee improves in Florida digs”, I would read, "Residents of Hillcrest respond to CITGO's guilty verdict" or "Local schools will not accept donations from CITGO, citing concerns over the criminal conviction". Rather than, "Texas Indepedence: Manatee likes warm water in Florida Refuge", I would read, "Hillcrest Independence: Residents like breathing clean air in Corpus Christi".

Instead, the Corpus Christi community knows all about how Texas, the manatee, is doing in Florida. But we don't know anything about how the residents of Hillcrest are doing, after being victimized by CITGO for over ten years.

Community Justice

The concept of “community justice” brings together citizens and the criminal justice system to solve community problems. The community justice model is based on collaborations between citizens, criminal justice agencies, other government agencies and social service providers and emphasizes community-focused problem solving. The community justice movement emerged in the 1990s as other criminal justice agencies followed the lead of the police (community policing).

Community justice as it pertains to criminology has focused most of its attention on traditional forms of crime. For example, community justice focuses mainly on street crime. The problem with this model is that it ignores other forms of crime, which are often responsible for a great deal more harm to the community. The prevailing model of community justice, by focusing its emphasis on traditional forms of criminal victimization, is dangerous in that it draws attention away from macro victimization.

The current model of community justice assumes that crimes are committed by individuals and assumes that the collaboration of efforts will involve an equal impact. It assumes that community leaders and criminal justice agencies believe in the same thing as the community. It does not talk about what might happen if the criminal justice system and local leaders do not perceive the community problem as a problem. Why might this be?

Take environmental crime in Corpus Christi, Texas. The oil refineries are responsible for a great deal of pollution, some of it is legally permissible; much of it is the result of illegal pollution. Many citizens see this as a major problem. They have formed grassroots campaigns and have tried to get the local government involved as well as the state government and federal government. The local government does not want to deal with issues of environmental crime and justice. The oil refineries donate a lot of money to politicians and spend a lot on advertising in the local print and news media. So the local government and the media do not perceive this as a problem.

To date, criminologists have played a very minor role in the environmental justice movement. Criminologists have been active in other community justice movements as researchers and activists, but aside from a dedicated few, the presence of criminologists in the EJ movement is lacking. Why? Environmental crime, as many forms of corporate crime, is an ignored and neglected area of research. The EJ movement needs criminologists more than other movements because issues of power, inequality, etc. are nowhere more apparent.