New Questions Emerge As Steven Brooks Saga Takes New Twist (into California)

I guess this was bound to happen. Newly ousted ex-Assembly Member Steven Brooks found himself in trouble with law enforcement... Again. But this time, he ran into trouble with California cops.

Brooks, 41, a North Las Vegas Democrat, fled from police following a dispute with a tow truck driver on Lenwood Road near the 15 Freeway in Barstow at 6:11 p.m.

"Brooks continued to accelerate at a high rate of speed and was traveling in and out of multiple lanes in an attempt to get away from officers," Barstow police said in a press release. [...]

Brooks eventually got out of his car after receiving orders to surrender. Police said he was acting irrationally and refused to listen to officers' orders.

Barstow police released their dog, Buck, to take Brooks into custody, but before the dog could catch him, Brooks ran back to his car. Buck jumped through the back window of the vehicle.

Police said Brooks began choking Buck and hit him with a metal socket wrench. The dog suffered a cut to his left leg and above his right eye.

CHP and Barstow police officers tried to handcuff Brooks and then used a Taser gun on him when he continued to resist arrest.

A Victorville resident named Jennifer Simpson posted this video, shot by her husband Ken, of Brooks' arrest. But before you view this video, be aware that it contains violent actions and language. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.



I had a feeling this was coming. However, I had a feeling something like this would happen in Carson City. That's why the Nevada Legislature ultimately had the obligation to expel Brooks.

However with that being said, today's series of events greatly disturb me. For one, Brooks again displayed some very disturbing behavior. Wasn't he supposed to be receiving treatment by now? He very much needs immediate mental health treatment.

And were local police and CHP unaware of this? They may not have been familiar with the Brooks scandal, but they should have at least detected a 5150 (California's version of Legal 2000) here. Was that much force necessary to detain Brooks? Did they really need to punch him?

Sadly, this probably means the sad & sordid tale of Steven Brooks continues. But now, we face even more pressing issues as a result of this. When do police actions cross the line into police brutality? When must someone who's already been determined to be a threat to oneself & others be involuntarily committed into treatment? And do we have enough available mental health treatment?

We'll likely have to examine these issues further as this story develops.