From Cleveland.com:
A Cleveland man faces federal charges after authorities say he threatened to kill Social Security employees after he didn’t get his emergency disability check.
Aharon Meir Michoel Schur, 39, went to a Social Security Administration office twice and called the administration’s hotline several times to get his October check delivered to a new bank account, according to court records.
When that didn’t happen, he made several threats— including threats to kill that he made on the phone and while he was at the Social Security Administration’s office on Waterloo Road in Cleveland, according to court records. …
On Sept. 30, Schur went to the Waterloo Road office to update his direct deposit information to a new bank account, according to court records.
He hadn’t received his check by Oct. 6 and called the administration. The call was recorded, and an employee in Arizona told Schur that he needed to go in person to an office and take steps to obtain a “dire need” payment.
Schur became upset during the call, saying that the delay put him and his son in dire need of money and that he may not be able to pay his rent, court records say. …
He said on the call several times that he was going to attack workers at the Waterloo building and burn the building down, court records say.
“Play with my m-------------g family, I will kill everybody over my family and their well being, ma’am,” he said, according to court records. “I don’t give a f—k if this is a recorded line.”
Schur made the threats while driving to the office, according to court records.
He told the employee on the phone that he arrived at the office, that he was going to kill everyone inside and wanted her to stay on the phone so she could listen to it, court records say.
Employees at the Waterloo Road office didn’t know of the threats until after Schur left, according to court records. A security guard stopped Schur after noticing he was yelling on the phone, court records say.
An employee ultimately reissued the payment to Schur’s new bank account. …
15 comments:
This administration has made federal employees one of its scapegoats. I commend my fellow coworkers for making the public their priority in difficult circumstances. 👏
It seems like a huge failure on the part of the teleservice center that they were told the person was heading to a specific SSA office and didn't contact the office, Federal Protective Services, or local authorities. What is the procedure supposed to be--does it need to be changed, or does it just need to be followed? Thank goodness nobody was injured or killed as a result of the lapse.
Trump and his party have spent decades conditioning the country to believe that public servants deserve to be treated the way this criminal did. Particularly public servants who are also people of color.
I understand his frustration, but threats will get one nowhere but behind bars. The best thing to do is to be super nice (regardless of how one feels). People catch more flies with sugar than vinegar. He did manage to get his payment though, it's terrible it took threatening the lives of SSA workers to do it. What he did was inexcusable, but certainly raises questions about his mental health.
They are supposed to contact the FO. At least that’s how it used to work. Had it done many times at our office.
This makes me really angry. I worked over 40 years at the Teleservice Center and I made sure that every threat received by my team was IMMEDIATELY documented in SAFE and the FPS, OIG and the targeted office were immediately notified!!!!
So threatening another individual is acceptable as long as the benefits are reinstated?
Unpopular opinion: SSA should cut the guy some slack. He was blowing off steam. Given how poorly we treat constituents you can understand someone losing it. Let him off with a warning and not to do it again.
So.., rule of law means nothing?
Assault resulting in bodily injury: up to 20 years in prison. Assault involving a dangerous weapon; up to 30 years. Threats without accompanying action: up to 6 years in prison for threatened assault and up to 10 years for threats of kidnapping and/or murder.
Insane comment. What happens when you "cut someone some slack" and they turn around and shoot up an office the next week? Sorry. If you make threats they need to be taken seriously.
Some threats seem manipulative. Show you are mentally unstable and we have to allow you
I feel horrible for the staff. There needs to be reproductions for the threats sadly. Using the mental health courts if the feds have it, So that the person can get treatment, Instead of pushing threats aside because they always happen and MUST be documented PER POMS.
I have never taken a threat or compliant lighbtly working with SSA,
@3:19 - Not even close to what was stated.
I think “unhinged opinion” would be more a more accurate assessment. I walk into the office every day and do my best to treat everyone with respect. In roughly 9 years, I’ve only seen one employee act disrespectfully, and they were gone shortly thereafter. Please don’t use hasty generalizations about how “we” treat constituents.
Yes, this problem is octopus like in that it reaches other areas. The employees should demand help from management. Clarify a plan for threats to employees (federal) and provide a written script of how to manage the threats initially, during and after the contact or call. Put employee safety as priority number one. Then, the "upperdeeups" need a plan to determine what the Commissioner's policy will be as far as punishment for the offender. Having a standing policy will mean peace of mind for employees and that no one is treated differently. Maybe even have safety drills for employees. Added benefit would be to help with employee morale. Maybe unions could join in the party, too!
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