FILLMORE : Protesters Allege Brutality in Arrests

About 20 people protested Friday in Fillmore against alleged police brutality in the arrest of three youths last month, one of whom was bitten four times by a police dog and another of whom suffered a fractured arm from a baton blow.

The youths’ family alleged that Ventura County Sheriff’s Department used excessive force against five family members during the arrests on May 22.

The force came in the form of punches, kicks, blows by the baton and dog bites, said Maria Barajas, 24. Three of her brothers, ages 15, 18 and 19, were arrested during the incident.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Kipp denied the allegations, saying that he and his 12 deputies acted professionally as they broke up a party at the family’s house where 300 to 500 youths had congregated.

By the time the deputies arrived, Kipp estimated 40 to 70 party-goers were still at the house, though the Barajas family said only 10 people were left, waiting for rides home.

“The least amount of force that was necessary was used, and any forced used was well within department guidelines,” Kipp said. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene after a neighbor complained that the party was disturbing the peace.

Friday’s protest, organized by Padres Unidos del Condado de Ventura, a countywide Latino support group, was staged in front of Fillmore City Hall, home to the sheriff’s substation.

Maria Barajas, whose 15-year-old brother, Agustin, was bitten by the police dog, said she believes the incident was racially motivated.

“I don’t think they would treat a white family the way they treated us,” she said.

The protest was the fourth in two months organized by Ramona Ayala, a Camarillo Latino community activist. Ayala, who recently filed her own complaints against the Sheriff’s Department, claims that the agency can be blamed for a pattern of brutality against minorities in Ventura County.

Officials for the Sheriff’s Department have denied the allegations.