Abdul Hakim-Shabazz is confirming what folks over at IndyUndercover were discussing this past weekend. Indianapolis police raided a west side pea shake house where they found gambling devices, seized more than $5,000 in cash and made several arrests. Abdul says police were acting on a complaint from neighbors about a disturbance when they entered the establishment in the 1400 block of West Roche according to the police report.
An interesting aspect of this story is an item in the police report that Sen. Glenn Howard (D-Indianapolis) arrived while police were investigating and making arrests. Howard is quoted in the police report saying, "They don't hurt nobody, it's just a pea shake. I know it's illegal, but they don't hurt nobody." Is it possible to be in two places at one time? Sen. Howard was one of 45 legislators identified in today's Indianapolis Star as purchasing $600 tickets from the Indianapolis Colts to attend the Super Bowl game in Miami this past weekend. Legislators were specifically admonished not to resell or gift the tickets to anyone else.
There are reported to be several pea shake houses operating illegally in Indianapolis. Local news media reported on City-County Councilor Monroe Gray's frequent visits in his IFD-issued car to one such operation a couple of years ago. Neighbors near 32nd and Central have long complained about an illegal pea shake house in their neighborhood. Common complaints about these gambling parlors include increased traffic in primarily residential areas where they are located, drugs and prostitution. Some believe city police and Mayor Peterson have refused to crack down on the pea shake houses because of their ties to prominent African-American Democrats.
Speaking of Gray, the investors in 300 East at the Julia Carson Government Center are celebrating approval by the state's Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Commission for their alcohol permit. In addition to Gray's wife, investors include businessman Bill Mays and Ice Miller lobbyist Lacy Johnson. Look for the bar to open for business later this week. Neighborhood opponents may appeal the decision, but with Johnson's and Mays' political ties to the Daniels' administration, don't expect any different outcome.
35 comments:
What exactly is a "pea shake house" anyway?
Several years ago the GOP crazies on the Council were hollering about peashake houses. They really fascinate some white folk it seems. Some leading African-Americans pointed out that there are numerous illegal gambling operations going on all over Marion County, especially in VFW and Legion Halls. A veiled threat was made that if the Council moved on peashakes, letters listing ALL the illegal gambling locations would be sent to every law enforcement entity demanding action. Schneider, Bradford et al suddenly went silent. It seems that illegal gambling wasnt the issue but the complexion of the customers...
Wilson...How does anything in your post (if true) change the fact that pea shakes are illegal and are frequented by local and state law makers?
You're misinformed as usual, Wilson. There have been numerous raids of VFW and American legion halls in Indiana over the past several years for illegal gambling operations. Also, there have been lots of bars raided for having illegal poker machines. Former Teamster boss John Neal was just sent back to prison for operating illegal gambling establishments. See http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2006/09/former-teamsters-boss-busted-again-for.html#links
Illegal gambling anywhere is illegal, including VFW and Legion Halls. What makes peashakes fascinating to some white folk is the fact that the customers are overwhelmingly African-American. It isnt the illegal gambling per se that bothers some white folk, its the location where mainly Black folk are doing it.
AI scared off many commenters by being too friendly with LGBT voters and undocumented workers but now the usual clientele of rightwing crazies will come flocking back to decry the corruption of African-Americans...
Any recent busts for illegal gambling in VFW or Legion Halls in Marion County? Didn't think so! The arrests you cite are for Anderson, Indiana.
There have been busts in Marion County in the past. I distinctly recall Rex Early complaining about it on IWIR several years ago.
To the dumpster diver:
“The lady doth protest too much, me thinks”
Before you spout off again, Wilson, you might want to talk to Kevin Warren or Scott VanKirk about how they feel about the pea shake house in their neighborhood. As I recall, Carl Drummer lives in that same neighborhood.
The problem with these pea-shake houses is that you're more likely to get shot as opposed to the VFW. You would be surprised at what's found at these places. Not to mention, who's on the video tape.
Clean it all up. Regardless where it is.
Wilson has a mild (I heavily emphasize MILD) point. There has been somewhat selective outrage.
But the VFWs, Legions, etc., are licensed and regualted for just about everything else they do. So, there's little or no protitution, drugs, unsafe buildings, improper parking, noise, etc., or their alcohol permits or zoning status comes into question.
The pea shakes are illegal in every sense of the word, from the git-go.
I don't care the color of their attendees. They all need to be shut down.
And if the Glenn Howard stuff is true, maybe it's finally time to get rid of this gasbag. He's never been worth much anyway. Certainly, the African-American community can and does come up with articulate and smart public servants.
As Wilson is so fond of often saying, let voters decide if some reputable candidate faces off againsst Howard. What a disgrace he is.
And, why was this not reported in the mainstream press?
This town is the biggest joke. At least when the mob ran Chicago they had guys with a little class at the top, even if they were bloody murderers.
One of my cousins served on the Neal jury. Here are some salient facts:
This was his second racketeering and fraud trial. He was convicted a few years ago, and, I think served some time for the exact same activities.
His control of video gambling machines stretched from the southside of Indy, where he had placed over 200 machines, north to Muncie, Hartford City, Marion, Portland, Gas City and other towns.
Next, the IRS will go after him. And they're going to prosecute for something like a m ilion dolalrs in taxes. That much they can prove...imagine how much he pocketed if a mil is just the TAX due?
Bradford's attempt to crack down on pea shake houses was not the right approach. The fact is they cannot operate legally under existing law as anon 5:06 aptly puts it. Bradford's effort had the appearance of being racially motivated. No special laws are needed to address the problem with these establishments. Opponents of Bradford's ordinance noted the establishment often donated money for charitable causes. Of course, there are existing laws which permit charitable gaming events to be conducted legally--if they are properly licensed. These are not established for charitable gaming purposes.
A few years ago I was waiting in the teller line at the Key Bank branch at Illinois & Market when Sen. Howard and a young black man got into a heated argument. The young man told Howard he had forgotten where he came from and didn't care about people in his neighborhood. That sent Howard into a profanity-filled tirade against the guy. A bank employee threatened to call the police. The young guy left and Howard calmed down after he flipped the guy off as he was leaving. Howard turned to other people looking on in disbelief for solace, and he got none. I turned to the lady behind me in the line and told her that was my state senator. She just shook her head.
"Any recent busts for illegal gambling in VFW or Legion Halls in Marion County? Didn't think so! The arrests you cite are for Anderson, Indiana."
Last year MCSD raided a poker room off of Lynhurst. $10,000.00 in cash 2 late model autos 5-6 new poker tables ($2500. value) $4000.00 worth of professional chips. And much more. White guy’s game and $50k in money and goods confiscated. Get over it Wilson, has nothing to do with race.
White guy arrested for poker by a Black Sheriff. No tickets, arrested.
Gambling?
Let me count the many ways to;
River Boats have every form of card games, slot machines, crap games, roulette wheels; horse races, dog races for the rich, lotteries, pull tabs, state controlled, the Catholic Church controlled bingo parlors and a pool for years.
Every form of gambling has been legalized in Indiana except "pea shakes." If the General Assembly changed the law, they could collect taxes on the winnings.
Could it be that our gambling laws discriminate, since African Americans in Lake and Marion Counties control and benefit from the games economically?
And no game was being played at the time of the bust.
What Wilson failed to notice is that the neighbors in the area complained about the pea-shake and all the crime that comes with it. And, if he wasn't so short-sighted, he would have noticed that that area (N Harding and W Roache) is almost entirely African-American. The good people of the neighborhood got sick of the ILLEGAL activity and did something about it. Take your bullshit about race and shut up Wilson.
There is no bigger racist than Wilson.
They reason peashakes are not legalilzed is because those that are running them will not qualify as owners after the state regulates them. "Owner's must not be criminals with felony convictions, etc."
Therefore, the black legislators refuse to introduce a bill to legal them.
also, upon legalizing the peashake houses, the black legislators can no longer fleece them periodically.
Howard say's they contribute to non-profits? Yes, to Glenn's so-called non-profit agency.
By the way, the neighborhood organization Senator Howard Chairs, UNWAU, received hundreds of parcel of land from the city to develop, well, Glenn sold them to the peashake owners who are now some of the wealthiest blacks in the midwest. One owns a semi-pro basketball team and hundreds of lots, some with homes on them. Can anyone spell racketeering and money laundering. Check it out...the owner of the 32nd Central peashake house now owns property taken from Glenn's constituents by our mayor and given to Glenns organization. So much for developing his community.
Thank you Glenn for your big fat mouth...
Try a little civility, Martin Yates. Rudeness is so uncouth, even online. Issues of race bring out the worst in some folk it seems...
Peashakes are a big concern to some outside the African-American community. Don't assume it was the "good neighbors" that called the police - the crazies at IndyU have been ginning up this issue for some time now...
"Try a little civility...uncouth.....crazies at IndyU..."
You ARE good for cheap entertainment, Wilson, but very self-serving in your practice of discourse. Try and smile,and find something to be happy and positive about, instead of being so self-loathing.
Dayum, they raided the Gypsy House? I know Mr. Howard (not the state senator). He's a good man. I grew up with his sons and we attended grade school together in Butler-Tarkington.
Years ago, he and other proprietors of pea shake gambling houses complained that they often were forced to pay money to black elected officials, like then-City-County Councilman Glenn Howard and others for "supposed" protection from being shut down by local law enforcement. It makes sense, as vice rarely ever raided the places and city police allowed them to operate with a wink and a nod. But every so often, the joints would fall back on IPD's radar and there would be a radi - which would piss the owners off.
And that was your Black History lesson for the day.
I know it was one of good neighbors who alerted police, because they are relatives of mine. As an African-American I find it disgusting that people like you Wilson try to make race a part of this story. It is about crime and all that comes with it. We don't want pea shakes in our neighborhood, regardless of the color of skin of those who run or frequent them. This includes Howard, Gray, et al, who bring shame to the African-American community of Indianapolis. Once again, you make no valid point, yet never learn when to shut up.
The African-American community votes repeatedly and overwhelmingly for Glenn Howard, Monroe Gray and others that Martin Yates seemingly despises. Some folk just appoint themselves as spokespeople and leaders - others prove it repeatedly at the ballot box and in community organizations. A small clique hollers about the Ghetto Mafia but the Black voters massively prefer them over the whiny alternatives...
"A small clique hollers about the Ghetto Mafia"
The roar from this small clique is getting louder and louder, they are being heard.
Hallelujah, hollaback!
Wilson, your correct response should be:
"Anyone who is responsible for this reprehensible illegal activity--anywhere--should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
Instead, you resort to the race card. Time and time again. It's getting old.
One of the most overlooked components of these peashake houses is safety.
Because they operate illegally in (mostly) former residences, there are not adequate fire escapes/exits. The places, when loaded up with revelers, could turn into death traps.
And then, it'd be the city's fault for not enforcing zoning and safety ordinances.
The city's zoning ordinances are in disarray due to 300 East and Savoy, among other issues. But they still exist for the protection of property owners and consistency. As well as safety.
If there were ever a fire in one of these peashakes, all the cars parked on sidewalks and streets would make it difficult for safety gear to get close.
I get tired of 1. someone pulling out the "race card" (the dumpster diver) and 2. being called a racist (the dumpster diver).
I DO NOT care what color you are. Illegal, is illegal, is illegal. Period. Let's do a poll in Center Township: Do you want a better life for your children? The answer would be a resounding YES.
What have the illustrious elected officials doing for the people? NOTHING! All they care about is lining their pockets and if that means hurting the community - oh well. They troll the streets and rule by intimidation which is exactly why they are called the ghetto mafia. Too bad they don't take a page from the real mafia, because at least those neighborhoods (Little Italy in NY) is safe and clean.
And on top of this, Bart Peterson is silent. What a crime. Bart must go. The citizens must wake up.
Why raid the homes? Let these idiots continue to visit these illegal businesses. Of course don't be surprised if those same "leaders" end up suing the city for "failure to protect" because they end up getting shot!!
Why don't they legalize pea shakes. Regulate it just like the games in the state. I can remember when the Father Strange of St. Rita's Catholic Church had his weekly numbers pool. Nobody said anything about that, and they ran the bingo parlors. It is time to make pea shakes legal.
Bart has also been silent on Monroe Gray's ethics (or lack thereof).
FYI - the person who called in to police on the Friday of the raid was a forty year resident - a black neighbor who was fed up with the ticket house. We don't know if that is what prompted the raid but it was the same day. Most of the residents in this neighborhood are sick and tired of this place. They just want it gone for too many reasons to list. The neighbors have just begun to go after this house and anyone who is involved with it.
The government needs to check out councilman Grays affiliation with Howard and the pea-shake parlors. On IFD he is known as someone who never saw a pea-parlor he didnt like.They might also want to check out his time card with IFD. Ghost employment is something councilman Gray and Brown are well known for.
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