Cops Just Protecting And Serving.

[a-train]

Just another example of how our society is protecting our children and promoting enviromentally safe and healthy transportation:

usatoday

I especially like how he treated the young lady. I feel safe knowing my daughter will be protected and treated well by law enforcement.

-a-train

[pam]

I hope you aren't lumping all police officers into this incident and that I am perhaps misunderstanding your sarcasm. I hope I am. This is a rare situation. I have known many many police officers during my life and most are great guys in and out of uniform. Even those that have had to deal with my own son have shown understanding and compassion. There will always be bad cops just like any other profession. I have the upmost respect for those that serve my community.

[a-train]

What people don't understand is the FACT that this scenario plays out daily all over the country. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT! This happens VERY regularly to skateboarders of all ages in all types of locations in America for nothing more than using a transportation that for some reason seems intolerable compared to bikes, motorbikes, cars, skates, scooters, trikes, etc., etc. Notice the bicycle helmet worn by the other officer. Should he be arrested, choked, and threatened for his choice of transportation?

-a-train

[pam]

I understand your comment and I know you have a passion for skateboarding etc. I'm not disputing that you would get more upset over something that happened to kids that have the same passion as you. I understand that. So what you are actually saying is you dislike the way people are treated over their choice of transportation. Okay fine. What I am disagreeing with is your insinuation that police officers are not there to see that our children are safe. THAT'S what I found offensive. That's where I saw a stereotype. If you want to voice your opinion on one type of issue concerning police officers then do that. But please don't lump ALL police officers into that same mold.

[FrankJL]

Not referring to this particular case, but in general I feel no sympathy for the skateboarders. They bring this on themselves. Bunch of ignorant teen and grown teen wannabes running around being ignorant on crowed city streets. If you wanna skate goto a skate park, but please stay off the crowded sidewalks, running into people, destroying pubic property, and just being a general nuisance.

Not saying all the skaters are like this, but far too many are. These towns and cites would not be passing ordnances against skaters if they weren't being so annoying to people.

[a-train]

Speaking of ignorant: Perhaps you don't know the city ordinances. Most city ordinances around the US limit skateboarding TO THE SIDEWALK!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES! That's right! But that doesn't stop gestapo style choking of your kids. Perhaps the death every 13 minutes from auto accidents in this country isn't enough of a nuisance. Perhaps wars over oil isn't enough of a nuisance. Perhaps no ozone is not particularly a nuisance. But a guy following the law and skateboarding on the sidewalk to go to the store should be cursed out, tackled, choked, and arrested because that is just downright annoying and, and those polyurethane wheels are destroying concrete (magic I guess), and he is bringing it on himself!

-a-train

PS, the intimation that skaters ride down sidewalks aiming for people's groin was a low blow! I have not seen that they intend to harm any pubic property.

[Guest Username-Removed]

The only thing I will add is back in the day, when I was 18 years old, me and my buddy went driving in his car (cruising) before it was illegal in my hometown. It was my buddies senior year, and his last night as a student of the high school because he was graduating the next day. We went driving, we turned around in a parking lot of a local bowling alley, and the manager (who aparently hated cruisers) came out, threw a temper tantrum, dragged me out of the car, then into the bowling alley, tried to do a sleeper hold on me and then called the cops who arrested me. Now, I was a good mormon boy who wouldnt hurt a fly! I got a lawyer, went to court and the citizens arrest charge of Trespassing was overturned. My lawyer then .... ahem, asked the manger of the bowling alley if he wouldnt terribly mind paying for my mission. He quickly sent the check the next day.

The cop that arrested me did his duty. In fact, encouraged me on the way to the slammer, to write down my story, as well as the other two youngsters in the car, so that we could fight it. I, personally, was never mistreated by the officers. If I had been, my lawyer would have had a field day - that is if I would have let him!

[BenRaines]

Here is some input from law enforcements side. After ten years in law enforcement this is what I saw during those years.

I saw 70 men and women in our department for a city of 75,000 who were willing to give their lives, if necessary, to protect and serve the citizens of their community. I saw men and women who cried as they tried to revive the baby found in the bottom of a pool. Men and women who tried to keep drunk drivers off the road so that you and your family could drive with a sense of safety that when you crossed a green light that a drunk driver was not running a red light in to you and your family. I saw officers who worked hard to keep drug dealing out of the community. Who patrolled areas where suspected activity as going on.

I saw officers who stopped kids that were drag racing in hopes that they would learn a lesson and live beyond 18 years old. I saw officers who rescued women and children from drunken abusive men. I saw children taken from buildings, can't call them homes, where the mother was do drugged or drunk that the babies were filthy and unfed running around at 3 am.

I saw officers develop and implement the Police Athletic League, PAL, after work hours to give back to the community. I saw officers work long hours, oh yes they were paid overtime, to get back citizens stolen property.

I also saw property damaged by vandals, graffitti on walls and buildings, mailboxes busted just for the fun of it. Windows shot out by paintball guns with frozen paintballs and buildings railings and planter boxes destroyed by skateboarders skating and damaging private property.

All the churches in our area had to weld metal balls to the handrails at church to prevent skaters from scratching up the rails at church doing their tricks. This is more for those with rollerblades than skateboards. The cement and wood planters were chewed up by the skateboarders.

My son has three skateboards. One is a long board which he enjoys. He goes to the skate park to ride his. He used to go to the one in SLC or south of there. There are several in Las Vegas as well.

If a community has a large interested group of skaters then get a skate park developed.

The laws where I live it is against the law to ride your bike on the sidewalk. Bikes are classified as non motorized vehicles. That means they are for the road and should obey traffic laws. I believe it is that way inmost communities. Sidewalks are for pedestrians.

If we could just disobey the laws because we don't like them and not be punished for them then we would have total anarchy. Walk on to a car lot and take a car and drive it away because you think they charge too much for the car. Move in to an empty house because you think the owners want to much for it. Take what you want because you think you deserve it.

Damage private property because you think you are entitled to it.

I know this thread is about skaters but that is my feeling about any people who willingly break the law. Laws have a purpose. If you don't like a law and you have a large enough of a following change the law.

I have the greatest respect for law enforcement and those who serve in the military. They are willing to put their lives on the line every day so that we can live in a country like we do and have the freedoms that we enjoy.

Wishing that all could be perfect but knowing we fall far from it.

Former police officer and always a Marine, Semper Fi.

Ben Raines

[pam]

Thank you Ben. I am very passionate about the service our police officers provide. I know most of the officers in the town I live in by first name and as you know I don't live in a small town. Between issues my son has been involved in and in the business I manage I've needed their services on many occasions. One officer sat down with my son for over an hour and had a "fatherly" talk with him. No raised voices, no condemnation just concern. I was never more impressed with that officer than I was that night. Thank you for pointing out the good our officers do.

[FrankJL]

Speaking of ignorant: Perhaps you don't know the city ordinances. Most city ordinances around the US limit skateboarding TO THE SIDEWALK!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES! That's right! But that doesn't stop gestapo style choking of your kids. Perhaps the death every 13 minutes from auto accidents in this country isn't enough of a nuisance. Perhaps wars over oil isn't enough of a nuisance. Perhaps no ozone is not particularly a nuisance. But a guy following the law and skateboarding on the sidewalk to go to the store should be cursed out, tackled, choked, and arrested because that is just downright annoying and, and those polyurethane wheels are destroying concrete (magic I guess), and he is bringing it on himself!

-a-train

PS, the intimation that skaters ride down sidewalks aiming for people's groin was a low blow! I have not seen that they intend to harm any pubic property.

Did you even read the story you posted...

Hot Springs Mayor Mike Bush said Tuesday that investigators have talked with witnesses who saw the officer, Joey Williams, stop the skateboarders on a downtown city sidewalk last Thursday. Skateboarding is banned in the area.

I'm pretty sure these kids knew they were not supposed to be skateboarding in this area, it is kinda telling that they ran as soon as they saw the police...don't ya think?

I have to agree totally with what ben said, these people are out there everyday trying to keep us safe, and for them to be berated for having to arrest a bunch of little punk kids, who where resisting arrest and interferering with him doing his job, good for them. I saw nothing wrong at all in this video.

[a-train]

Oh,

Now Frank is talking about this case, but the first post was: 'Not referring to this particular case, but in general'. So the truth about Hot Springs is there is a small handfull of blocks scattered throughout the city wherein skateboarding is banned. These blocks are NOT posted. You can see a list of them on the city website if you dig deep. (Most teenagers enjoy spending time reading city code). So if they had been skating just a few blocks away, they would have been fine. Is there a sign saying 'no skateboards here to next block'? Nope. I've been there.

Imagine if parking was NOT posted. When a cop rolls up and says: 'You can't park here.' You say, 'Well, it's not posted.' You are then choked, cuffed, and arrested for disorderly conduct. Does this sound right?

I personally have been wronged by cops before. I've had friends who were totally beaten by cops for basically being simply someone they don't like. I was once in huge trouble with the cops one night until they realized who I was and I was apologized to. One of my old employees is a fireman. He was violently handled for skateboarding until they realized he was a firefighter and he was immediately let go and apologized to.

Are ALL cops that way? Of course not. Most cops don't care about skaters at all. We skate at the police station in Kansas City. It's actually safe to skate there because no cop would dare get out of line right in front of the station where he could get caught.

If you look at the video. The kid who ran only did so after he told the officer that he had a photo of him choking the other kid. Then the officer totally left that kid cuffed on the street to chase that photographer. IS THAT PROCEDURE? CUFF 'EM AND LEAVE 'EM? How about leaving personal articles behind? He wants to leave behind the skateboard and hat of the arrested. Is that procedure? This cop is an affront to all that is police work and he is hiding behind the good cops out there.

Regardless of all of this. The only reason that girl was headlocked was because the officer didn't like what she was saying and attempted to grab her for it. She wasn't running, she was following him. She makes no attempt to flee until he goes after her physically. IS THAT PROCEDURE? Choke your suspects and use headlocks to get them to stop saying things you don't like? Freedom of speach right?

The regular penalty for skateboarding there is a ticket. Was he writing tickets? Asking for I.D.? Nope, choke and arrest. Those jay-walkers should get the same right? Those illegal parkers? This guy had something to prove and he proved that he should be FIRED.

-a-train

[CrimsonKairos]

Cop sounds like a weener. Get rid of him.

[Guest Emma Hale Smith]

Here is some input from law enforcements side. After ten years in law enforcement this is what I saw during those years.

I saw 70 men and women in our department for a city of 75,000 who were willing to give their lives, if necessary, to protect and serve the citizens of their community. I saw men and women who cried as they tried to revive the baby found in the bottom of a pool. Men and women who tried to keep drunk drivers off the road so that you and your family could drive with a sense of safety that when you crossed a green light that a drunk driver was not running a red light in to you and your family. I saw officers who worked hard to keep drug dealing out of the community. Who patrolled areas where suspected activity as going on.

I saw officers who stopped kids that were drag racing in hopes that they would learn a lesson and live beyond 18 years old. I saw officers who rescued women and children from drunken abusive men. I saw children taken from buildings, can't call them homes, where the mother was do drugged or drunk that the babies were filthy and unfed running around at 3 am.

I saw officers develop and implement the Police Athletic League, PAL, after work hours to give back to the community. I saw officers work long hours, oh yes they were paid overtime, to get back citizens stolen property.

I also saw property damaged by vandals, graffitti on walls and buildings, mailboxes busted just for the fun of it. Windows shot out by paintball guns with frozen paintballs and buildings railings and planter boxes destroyed by skateboarders skating and damaging private property.

All the churches in our area had to weld metal balls to the handrails at church to prevent skaters from scratching up the rails at church doing their tricks. This is more for those with rollerblades than skateboards. The cement and wood planters were chewed up by the skateboarders.

My son has three skateboards. One is a long board which he enjoys. He goes to the skate park to ride his. He used to go to the one in SLC or south of there. There are several in Las Vegas as well.

If a community has a large interested group of skaters then get a skate park developed.

The laws where I live it is against the law to ride your bike on the sidewalk. Bikes are classified as non motorized vehicles. That means they are for the road and should obey traffic laws. I believe it is that way inmost communities. Sidewalks are for pedestrians.

If we could just disobey the laws because we don't like them and not be punished for them then we would have total anarchy. Walk on to a car lot and take a car and drive it away because you think they charge too much for the car. Move in to an empty house because you think the owners want to much for it. Take what you want because you think you deserve it.

Damage private property because you think you are entitled to it.

I know this thread is about skaters but that is my feeling about any people who willingly break the law. Laws have a purpose. If you don't like a law and you have a large enough of a following change the law.

I have the greatest respect for law enforcement and those who serve in the military. They are willing to put their lives on the line every day so that we can live in a country like we do and have the freedoms that we enjoy.

Wishing that all could be perfect but knowing we fall far from it.

Former police officer and always a Marine, Semper Fi.

Ben Raines

Ben,

I have a question. How do you not let all the sad things you see get you down?

I also have the greatest respect for you for what you do.

Emma

[Dr T]

Should he be arrested, choked, and threatened for his choice of transportation?

This should not, in any way, be taken as supporting being choked. They should not be choked. I'm willing to guess that when choked, it is not usually just because of their choice of tranportation.

[a-train]

Your right Dr. T. The young lady was not assaulted for her skateboard, but for her speach.

Just so everyone is aware, the same ordinance in Hot Springs that bans skateboarding on that block also bans bicycles. The ban includes both the street and sidewalk. Imagine if you were bicycling to work and had to either bypass that block with other routes or walk your bike through the area (if you were even aware of the ordinance). Imagine you are not aware and are then faced with the cop in the video.

I personally skateboarded through that exact block many times as we stayed in the hotel the photographer runs past in the video. I was never stopped by police or security in the area.

This is what our kids are dealing with. They could skate down that street one day and get a wave from a friendly cop and the next day deal with what you saw in the video.

Why does this happen so often? Because so many of the public side with the idiot with a badge who is nothing more than a street bully getting kicks on violence. He is then put right back to work doing the same only with a more bitter attitude.

Our local news has run videos like this before. We have one video where a local wearing a cast on his arm was bullied. He had no skateboard at all, but he was at the scene where another kid was skating. There was NO ORDINANCE AT ALL against skating at the location. The officer actually asked: 'Who wants to fight me?' and turned to my friend with a cast literally nose to nose (he was the oldest in the group). Then standing in this position, the cop said: 'Don't be eyeballing me!' My friend replied: 'You are standing in my eyeballs.' The cop then twisted his cast and threatened to arrest him cursing and saying; 'Fight me! Fight me!'

They were eventually let go with no citation whatsoever, the cop just wanted to fight, but nobody obliged. I have had cops in my family. There is a cop in my Ward. I have officers who shop in my skateshop. These are not bullies, they are good guys. We need to make certain that a clear distinction is made and bullies are dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

-a-train

[BenRaines]

From the pages of CNN.com

(07-03) 08:48 PDT LITTLE ROCK, (AP) --

A police officer who appeared to choke a skateboarder and put two others in a headlock in a video posted online used appropriate force when making his arrests, an internal police investigation found.

The Hot Springs Police Department Internal Affairs Board found the use of force was within the police department's policy on non-deadly force and recommended "no changes to this policy." The decision was released Monday.

Officer Joey Williams confronted a situation that "would have overwhelmed any single officer" when he stopped those breaking a Hot Springs city ordinance by skateboarding on a downtown sidewalk June 21, the report said.

However, Williams was faulted for leaving a handcuffed suspect unattended while chasing another youth in the resort town's historic Bathhouse Row.

Williams has been on administrative leave since the video hit YouTube on June 25. Police said he would return to active duty Thursday in the city's downtown.

"I think it was fair," City Manager Kent Myers said. Witnesses "consistently supported the actions of the officer and his efforts to control the situation."

Video from a business' security cameras shows 10 skateboarders rolling down the city sidewalk at a good clip, followed by Williams, who sprints past the last skater.

A video taken by skateboarders and later posted on YouTube shows Williams on top of one of the skaters, apparently choking him. The video also showed Williams putting another two skateboarders in a headlock, and the officer can later be heard threatening to use pepper spray on a skateboarder lying on the ground.

Police said they arrested Matthew Jon McCormack, 21, and Skylar Nalls, 19, both of Hot Springs, and four juveniles. McCormack faces a misdemeanor battery charge accusing him of pushing or striking a 67-year-old city employee during the melee. Nalls was cited for skateboarding and faces misdemeanor charges of fleeing and obstructing governmental operations.

McCormack has previously disputed many of the police allegations, especially his battery charge. He has said he pulled on the city employee's arm after the man lifted a girl off her feet in a choke-hold.

Hot Springs is a resort town about 50 miles west of Little Rock.

Ben Raines

[FrankJL]

A police officer who appeared to choke a skateboarder and put two others in a headlock in a video posted online used appropriate force when making his arrests, an internal police investigation found.

Big surprise there..

[pam]

I agree Frank.