Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 19 August 1999 — Page 1

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Vol. 9, No. 14 Also serving Anderson, Marion, Richmond and New Castle communities August 19, 1999

Lang asks PSi to investigate Muncie police

By T. S. Kumbula As controversy continues concerning recent police actions, a local pastor has asked the FBI to undertake a “top to bottom investigation” of the Muncie Police Department. In an exclusive interview, the Rev. Karen Lang of Trinity United Methodist Church told The Muncie Times: “About 3 weeks ago I sent some stuff about the Muncie police to the FBI. I sent more stuff last week. So far there has been no response from the FBI. There have been many allegations in the community about alleged police misconduct starting at the top. “We are asking the FBI to investigate the Muncie Police Department, starting at the top. We need that investigation to prevent the situation from getting out of control. It is too much to expect the police to investigate themselves. An

“We need that investigation to prevent the situation from getting out of control It is too much to expect the police to investigate themselves. An outside investigation would restore confidence and deal with concerns people have raised. ”

Rev. Karen Lang Trinity United Methodist Church

outside investigation would restore confidence and deal with concerns people have raised.” Lang, whose church has been the sight of vigils and meetings about police behavior, is a former attorney. Before coming to Muncie over a year ago, she was a rookie pastor in Gary, Ind., where she was also the attorney for the Gary Police Civil Service Commission, a civilian group established to investigate external and internal complaints against

the police. She said a similar group would be a plus for Muncie. She said she is concerned about the dangers of a serious confrontation between police and civilians, hence her call for federal intervention. “We have had the Kevin Wallace beating incident at Munsyana Homes. On the same day as the Wallace beating, one of our outreach persons, a Caucasian who lives at Munsyana Homes, was also See FBI, page 6

Rev. Karen Lang, Trinity Methodist Church

Indiana NAACP to hold

INSIDE

convention in Muncie

By The Editor For the first time in 41 years, the Muncie NAACP chapter will host the Indiana State NAACP annual convention Oct. 22 to 24. Muncie chapter NAACP President Edward McNeary said Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP national board of directors, will be the keynote speaker

at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Presidents’ Dinner at the Horizon Convention Center, Muncie. “We are elated that the Indiana NAACP has chosen to come to Muncie. It will be the first time the state convention has been held in Muncie since 1958. “The Muncie branch and members are elated

See NAACP, page 6

McNeary

Editorial page 2 News briefs page 4 They Had a Dream page 8 Civil Rights Journal page 16 Black Expo officers page 17 Guess Who? page 19 Making a Difference page 40 Entertainment page 26 NAACP awards page 29 Poetry. page 31 Obituaries page 41 Religion page 44

“Whatsoever you do, strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet born could do it any better. ”

BSU President Worthen to retire June 30, 2000

Ball State University President John E. Worthen has announced he wall retire as the university’s 11th president on June 30, 2000, after 16 years in office. The 66-year-old Worthen said the timing was right to retire after four decades in higher education. “This seems to be a good time for my wife, Sandra, and me to leave the presidency and for the trustees to appoint a new leader for Ball State,” Worthen said. “The

university is in an excellent position to move forward into the 21st century. “Academic programs are strong, the faculty Worthen is outstanding, the board is cohesive and effective, finances are sound, the administrative team is very solid, the student affairs program is excellent, the See WORTHEN, page 7