2009.05.17
Sunday's column: Armed without a sense of humor
Are you feeling safer yet?
Last week in the Roanoke Valley, the U.S. Attorney's Office wrapped up the final cases against a local heroin distribution ring that was selling at least 130,000 bags of heroin a year.
The FBI managed to maintain no-bail status for a small gang of young men alleged to have plotted fearsome kidnappings of women out of their Southwest Roanoke County homes.
The Roanoke Police Department created a Web site listing the names of 2,480 people wanted on outstanding warrants.
Meanwhile Thursday, a Roanoke police officer busted a woman for the subversive act of pretending to watch TV.
Did you get that? He protected the citizenry from performance art -- in the center of a town that desperately wants to be the "Arts Capital of the Blue Ridge."
Read the rest of the column here. And don't forget to post comments!
Please. This was totally preventable. The officer asked the young lady to move- she should have moved. Very simple. I feel sorry for this officer that the people he is asked to protect are now advising him on how to do his job. If this group had chosen a downtown location that was visible yet safely out of the way, no one would have cared. There are plenty of options- the grassy area on the back side of the market building, the bricked area across the street from Fire Station #1, or Elmwood Park. The point is, they specifically chose an area where setting up chairs and tvs would be in the way during lunch hour. Look at the pictures- there are people sitting in crosswalks, parking spaces, the street and on the sidewalk. All she had to do was move. Silly event, silly (27 year old) little girl.
Comment by art major in college — May 17, 2009 @ 10:32 am
I have commented over in the Roundtable section about this and think that the cop came on too strong for a situation that clearly was not worthy of his being so loud and, frankly, bullying. He clearly did not assess the situation properly at first and never stopped to re-think what was going on.
The officer's insistence on being hardcore about this was W-R-O-N-G. There could not have been any reasonable way to confuse this little incident with those who routinely cause problems on the City Market. Particularly for a veteran of the force like this officer. Yes, the law is the law, but each situation is different and law enforcement needs to handle each situation differently. And often they do (see: getting a warning instead of a speeding ticket).
However, my girlfriend had an entirely different reaction. "What if," she said, "he was in on this from the get-go and caused the stink in cahoots with the artists?"
I really doubt that was the case, but it would certainly put this whole thing in a different light.
Comment by Saintbridge — May 17, 2009 @ 11:27 am
I think what she did was amazing and I would do the same. If those few people were "impeding foot traffic" so much why doesn't he go after the restaurants that sit their seats out on the sidewalk on Saturday morning/all week when there are so many people? There you can't barely move while, where the "TV Watchers" were, the sidewalk is twice as wide! Did you see anyone annoyed at the "Watchers"? no. They were just interesting.
This is the way it has been for outgoing artists and such forever. I always think it is better to keep doing your art than stop for the so called, "law".
I'm glad she did what she did. But I also hope that she KNEW she was going to REALLY be arrested. I'm not sure she knew that according to her, "What did I do?" comment. Police officers will do what they want, on the side of the law. But in the eyes of art, there is none. So that creates some tension!
Can you tell I'm an artist?
Comment by artistinvain — May 17, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
Ok, so artists are supposed to get a pass from the law? If this group was a bunch of neo-Nazis (or neo-Cons?) blocking sidewalks, would the RT support the enforcement of laws or suggest that our police just laugh it away? Could the "performance artists" not have gotten a permit for their "performance"? When someone is hit by a car because they walked in the street to pass these people on the sidewalk, should we all just "develop a sense of humor" as Casey suggests the police do? Come on, Dan, let's think this through. The laws are on the books to protect citizens. Just because it's an arts group that decides to circumvent the laws does that mean our police should quit enforcing them?
Comment by Stuart — May 17, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
http://improveverywhere.com/2008/01/31/frozen-grand-central/
Comment by deda — May 17, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Maybe our Roanoke officer could learn something from this security guard!
http://improveverywhere.com/2008/03/09/food-court-musical/
Comment by deda — May 17, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Stuart,
There were other police downtown during this 5-minute-long slice of performance art. None of them was bullying, berating or arresting the participants. Are you suggesting that the nonbullying, nonberating officers were shirking their duty? Or is it possible that they merely exercised their powers a bit more judiciously?
Comment by Dan Casey — May 17, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
The officer asked her to move because she was impeding traffic and she chose to ignore him and remain staring at a blank TV. She was smart enough to be a student at Hollins and smart enough to know what she was doing was ignoring a police officer who had asked her to leave. She made the choice to disobey!She IS NOT a martyr so let's not treat her as one. COPS-1 Artist(debateable)-0
Comment by CRS — May 17, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
This is by far my favorite ever, thus far, public artistic improvisation!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UE3CNu_rtY
Also, it has been said the officer claimed we were there to protest the 'crackdown on young folks' downtown. How absurd. Sorry, I cannot reveal my source here, but it is extremely credible!
Please remember the law official are never supposed to use undue force. If you will notice he begins shoving the young woman without physical provocation.
Stuart, it sounds like you were not there. So you know, there were no people walking in the streets to get around any of the participants. The greatest chance of being hit was when the Trolley pulled up and folks tried to cross Campbell from The Market Building. It routinely blocks the pedestrian crosswalk and makes it impossible to see oncoming traffic. Business men and women, families, homeless and all sorts block the sidewalks on any given day, especially on Saturdays. This is a heavily pedestrian area. Vehicles are supposed to always give right of way. A permit was not required by law. It is only required by groups of 6 or more. There were no groupings of that number or greater except for the 6 or 8 people leaning against the Market Building waiting for the Trolley. As for the Nazi's..... Hitler would display artists works for his followers to learn what was NOT art and destroyed countless numbers of the great artworks. How sad is that? Check out some of the improvs I have submitted on this page. You might enjoy one.
Comment by deda — May 17, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
Dan,
Your "journalism" leaves a lot to be desired. Sensationalism, maybe, but I can't call this journalism. The officer had already told the person arrested once to vacate the location she was at. They were assembled without permit (which is unlawful) and when he asked her to vacate, he made a round and found her to be in the same place (which was blocking pedestrian foot traffic - it's bad enough Roanoke parks a trolley blocking a motorists view of the crosswalk, but we'll leave that for another discussion on the sage wisdom of our local leaders). Once he found her to be in the same place, violating the law, he warned her, he asked for her ID and she didn't produce it - which is also against the law. Kudos to the officer for doing his job. If you want do something beneficial to society, get out from behind your desk and put your life on the line and see how well you handle being scrutinized in every situation you face.
Comment by jc — May 17, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Hi Art Major in College!
I majored in art at art high school and art college (not a liberal arts college) as well as studied art at 4 other liberal arts colleges. Just because we study art does not mean we are the authority. Also, i was there. The point was to be around the bustle of the lunchers and vendors downtown, not off somewhere behind a building where few go. Also, I am guessing the young woman remained because she was not blocking the side walk. She was no further in the sidewalk than the folks standing against the Market Building waiting on the Trolley. They were directly behind her. If you view the video of the officer that roanoke.com has posted with their article on Friday, you will notice the officer is speaking with the Trolley folks. While the he is, a woman in a wheeled chair is trying to get around him. Ironically, the officer is in her way but the young woman standing by her TV was not. The woman maneuvered around him. The Market parking spaces are available to vendors, horses, motor bikes and yes people. I have been unable to park in them when police and others have stood in them. It's just a market with pedestrian right of way.
One more note.... I have been hearing many stories about the behavior of this officer in situations of very minor infractions. The one commonality is how he yells frightening the people involved. Please remember there were two officers informed of the event and on the site. Good luck with school! It will be nice to have another artist out and about.
Comment by deda — May 17, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
Perhaps the city council should have removed the officer instead of his horse. I'd think as taxpayers we could all stop for five minutes on any sidewalk. And I hope Dan continues to follow this story to the end.
Comment by Webb Roberts — May 17, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
Good to see that someone has taken over the Shanna Flowers mantle as the RT's resident cop hater. Good job Dan.
Comment by Ed — May 17, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
The girl should have listened to what the cop said, but what he did was above and beyond the call of duty. And not in a good way. I was embarrassed for him, just watching it! How about going after the real criminals and using some common sense? Good grief.
I keep trying to lure my daughter into moving down here by assuring her there is plenty of culture and exciting things for young people to do. Isn't that what Roanoke is always saying? But if she ever sees this Barney Fife type of behavior, I'll never get her down!
Perhaps Roanoke needs some younger, more open-minded and progressive police officers who are not uncomfortable by something or someone who is different than they are?
Comment by Debi Kelly Van Cleave — May 17, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
I'm glad to see that people who have a difference of opinion with you have their comments deleted... It's no wonder newspapers everywhere are closing their doors if this is considered journalism.
Comment by jc — May 17, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
JC,
No comments on this thread have been deleted. Why don't you tell us why you (falsely) asserted that they had?
Comment by Dan Casey — May 17, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
Apologies, but the comments were not showing up correctly earlier when i was reading. I didn't mean to "falsely" assert that they had, when the page wasn't displaying correctly it appeared as though some comments had been removed. I'm also man enough to admit my mistake and apologize.
Comment by jc — May 17, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
JC, apology accepted.
Fyi, comments only show up after I "approve" them, (which allows me to keep the spam and four-letter words off the boards) and today I was unable to approve many of them until late in day. But once they're up, they're up.
I would also suggest that your posts, and others', are evidence that everything I do in my job is scrutinized. I don't mind that at all!
Comment by Dan Casey — May 17, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
I am so glad to hear you go through the comments. Not because I think it is good to exclude things, but because I recently read a story about a missing girl on another website and the comments were frightening! People commented on doing violent and disgusting things to her if they could find her. Why is there so much ugliness? I am so truly grateful for the clean and positive things this group of participants is working so hard to foster in our valley. It is much more fun than going to bars or hangin' on the couch watching TV! Unfortunate as the arrest and confrontation was, there was something truly wonderful going on that day! Blessings to all who fight for enriching the atmosphere in our very special Roanoke Valley!
Comment by deda — May 17, 2009 @ 11:51 pm
Well, we all know that there are more horses' asses than there are horses.
Comment by Don Stanley — May 18, 2009 @ 4:57 am
Dear Dan,
As you can see, many don't understand what some people call art. There is nothing wrong with that, art is in the eye of the beholder.
But it is better to accept than to disrupt, and if the pedestrians were so blocked than you may have seen one or to being forced off the sidewalk (to be hit by cars)-which none were in the video.
I can understand that the officer was trying to protect, but I also think he could have handled the situation a different way. Maybe not as aggressive in his handling of the girl, or instead of instantly taking the harshest course and running straight to move away or arrest, he could have monitored the area until a pedestrian was really in danger (as in NO room to move on the sidewalk) I have seen musicians, homeless people, people just hanging out, bicyclists, vendors, etc...that have "impeded" pedestrian traffic. And yet, this is what makes our city great-its culture and art.
Also, we (Roanoke City) have spent an UNREAL amount of money on a huge art museum that, as far as I know, hasn't done very well. But it was created to keep art alive in Roanoke, and yet-artists performing on the street who technically don't have to have a licsese according to the number of people, cannot exist.
As I said, art is in the eye of the beholder/money holder. In some areas taking your own feces and spreading it is a new art form, just to name one.
And as long as no one is hurt-art is AMAZING!
Comment by artistinvain — May 18, 2009 @ 7:09 am
I wonder if someone stood there, downtown Roanoke, reading the Roanoke Times…would they too be arrested? What if 10 people did it on the same block? And just imagine if 50 people did it, all simultaneously reading an article in the Roanoke Times about a policeman having nothing better to do than to harass someone watching TV on a downtown street…This reminds me of the lines that Arlo Guthrie wrote for his song Alice’s Restaurant:
("KID, HAVE YOU REHABILITATED YOURSELF?") He looked at me and said, "Kid, we don't like your kind, and we're gonna send you fingerprints off to Washington."
Comment by jim — May 18, 2009 @ 7:30 am
Comparing what the cop did to anything done in Germany shows Dan's dislike for the police using an inappropriate analogy. There was no suppression involved, just enforcing the law. I am sure you will find every excuse as to why you were not calling the cop a Nazi, but that is what you did. Please don't cloak your hatred for cops and the Roanoke PD, come out and say it. By the way, if you should ever need to call someone for help, call a reporter, who can interpret the law according to personal beliefs.
Comment by carl rosen — May 18, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Dan,
I taught middle school children for thirty years, 27 in the lovely
city of Roanoke. I have heard many stories from students over the
years that show a similar "sensitive" side of Roanoke's finest. (I
taught at Fairview, Lincoln Terrace, Woodrow Wilson, and Stonewall
Jackson.)
This incident would not have drawn any attention if the victims were
poor kids in northwest Roanoke or even in southeast. What was unusual
in this case is that the officer reacted in such a way with people who
were not only on camera, but had the resources or connections to raise
a stink. Why not a similar reaction when kids are harassed for
skateboarding or arrested for smoking pot? (And yes, I do believe that
the war on drugs has been more disastrous than the drugs themselves.)
George Hunter
Comment by George Hunter — May 18, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
It was embarrassing to hear the audio of the officer's over the top yelling and berating of that person. To hear the militant screaming of the officer you would have thought this person was holding up an ambulance from getting to the hospital.
If someone is "impeding foot or vehicular traffic" then yes, a police officer should enforce the law.
But this was a 5 minute event and the person was evidently no more blocking traffic than a person who stops to talk to another person on the sidewalk for 5 minutes.
I hope the case gets thrown out of court for sheer ridiculousness.
Comment by Dylan — May 18, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
Wow, I just watched the video. That cop definitely let his anger get the best of him. He never even stopped to find out what was really going on. From the video, I couldn't tell how they were impeding traffic anymore than people who are normally there. (Maybe he should patrol around the bus station-- I would much rather walk around someone with a TV than a gun.) Would he have made such a fuss if they hadn't had the TV's and had just been talking? Probably not. He needs some anger management and PR skills! However, the girl did provoke him by not giving him her ID and running around the paper machine. She definitely could have handled the situation better herself. I felt more sympathy for the others who walked away.
Comment by Dana — May 18, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
In response to some of those stating the officer was doing his job, as she was blocking foot traffic, I'd like to offer the following:
Over the years, I've worked downtown on and off. I'm also a frequent visitor to the Market Building. There has always been a problem with individuals who panhandle and loiter outside the building and they are rarely dealt with by the police. Why did this officer feel it necessary to apparently make an example of this young woman, even after an individual explained to him what was taking place (you can hear it in the background on the video... the officer is told about the 'art project' and that there are only two minutes remaining)?
By inference, are we to conclude that it is acceptable to lounge about the building for hours requesting money from passers-by while a five minute artistic venture is considered a 'menace'? Perhaps we should start arresting the professional men and women who stop outside the building to smoke a cigarette, as they take up the same amount of space on the sidewalk as the artist did. Additionally, all those people waiting on the trolley are definitely impeding my foot traffic when I try to enter the Market Building. I call for our officers to ensure this is no longer a threat to my ability to walk in the shortest, most direct line to my destination.
Mind you, like some, I also debate the validity of the artistic nature of the experiment and, personally, would rather leave that definition to the artists and aesthetic philosophers. I would not, however, begrudge them five minutes to express themselves in a non-disruptive manner such as this. The officer reacted poorly to the situation and, in my opinion, engaged in an unnecessary display of authority and power.
Comment by Matt Forbes — May 19, 2009 @ 6:31 am
Lucas gave fair warning and the chick watching the TV acted like a spoiled brat. She had every chance to avoid the arrest. No big deal. Lucas did what he was supposed to do, the girl did not.
Comment by Arlo — May 19, 2009 @ 6:59 am
I agree that Katherine used very poor judgement and probably the best thing would have been to do what he said. But I was just remembering an incident that a friend described to me last week. She was in downtown New York City. They were in Washington Square Park. There was a band playing apparently without a permit. A policeWOMAN approached them and told them they had to move. They asked if they could finish their song. She said yes, waited til they did and they moved on. No confrontation, she & they got what they wanted and all was well. Lesson learned.
Comment by CARYL CONNOLLY — May 19, 2009 @ 8:19 am
Pre-planning by the art group could have avoided this. Since it is apparent the art group met to discuss how they would perform, it would have been beneficial to discuss how each person needs to cooperate if confronted by the police. It is apparent the young lady was focused on performing her art routine she set out to do and was not prepared to deal with anything else during the short time span. This is an unfortunate incident that has gotten out of hand. I hope the young lady learns that cooperation with police, as well as with any authriative figure will alleviate many problems in the future.
Comment by Steve — May 19, 2009 @ 9:31 am
I heard audio recorded during the incident on a news report as well as read the online news account of this story and I thought the police officer was out of line, yelling and such at the artists. Yes if they were impeding traffic that is a concern but a more civil response. And we have to wonder why there are not more cultural/arts events in town.
Comment by Frank Doyle — May 19, 2009 @ 11:00 am
My feelings on this subject are really quite simple. There are a few topics to be concerned with. One is the definition of art. I believe whole heartedly that anyone can do anything any more and call it art. How can you place a TV on a sidewalk and call it artistic expression, especially when the TV was blank. I believe this is one of those definitions that seemed to have been stretched and stretched so far so that it can literally mean anything any more. But as far as I can stretch things, for the life of me I can not stretch this manifestation into an artistic event what so ever. Another thing that comes to my mind is that the officer was simply doing his job. The people on the sidewalk performing this idealistic experiment were not. They were simply trying to demonstrate their ideas, in a very poor manner by the way, which happened to conflict with the law. The fact that these people did not follow the instructions of the officer, especially after fair warning, does nothing but show a distinct lack of respect which I would consider embarrassing to their families. It seems to me that instead of arguing with the police and exaggerating their ideas of freedom of speech, they could much better spend their time assisting the elderly by volunteering at nursing homes or by helping the poor by assisting at area rescue missions. That might just teach them some respect, but of this I am not sure. To prompt conversation of the Arts in the Roanoke Valley is a wonderful idea, and one that needs to be addressed. However, breaking the law and calling it artistic expression is not an acceptable way to accomplish this. I have thought of all sorts of effective ways to begin communications about the arts while I was reading the article. Surely they could do much better than what they came up with. One of the participants stated that Roanoke needs to get with the times. Is breaking the law and watching a blank TV on a sidewalk a sign of the times we live in? If so, this saddens me deeply for the youth of today and makes me extremely glad I grew up in the “olden days”.
I started to respond to many of the bloggers above but I quickly realized that pointing out the absolute absuridty of many of their opinions would fall on deaf ears. And I am actually ver ysorry I am typing these few sentences. But all of this boils down to a simple point. The officer instructed someone to do something and the person decided that it would be in her best interest to argue with the officer. If the cop was wrong there is a time and place to address that. Instead, someone had to show their disrespect, immaturity and arrogance as well as a pound or two of ignorance to argue with the officer.
David Deel
Comment by David Deel — May 19, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Are we forgetting that art is suppose to convey some sort an emotion or feeling? Whether you thought it was interesting, loved it, hate it, whatever.. Though some don't get it.. I'd say it's doing a pretty good job of getting a reaction.
Comment by brian — May 19, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
another stellar example of an over excited "police officer" trying to be jack bower. is it just me or have these officers lost it. I watched the other day as one of roanoke's "finest" got out of his car at the shell station on melrose and did the robocop "i'm too sexy for my uniform" strut across the lot into the store to flirt with the young lady behind the counter.this was right after (about 5pm) I was almost run over by another officer zooming down orange avenue between 10th street and melrose doing at least 50, zipping in and out of traffic with no lights, siren, or even horn to warn the kids playing in the yards right beside this busy street.and we wonder why the young people in this area have such low esteem for the police. I watched the video of the tv incident and it's pretty obvious that this is police abuse of authority taken to the extreme.I wonder what it is in the city of roanoke's policies that makes them think they have to act this way? I hope this young lady sues this guy and the city. she was obviously man handled and assaulted. maybe she could buy herself a new car with a bumper sticker that reads "compliments of the roanoke city police dept, beating people up since 1973"
Comment by clyde roberts — May 19, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
I watched the video. If you want to play, you got to be willing to pay. If you are given an order by a law enforcement officer and do not comply then this what you should expect. You can tell it to the judge. You might prevail but the officer is going to do his job. What if he is telling you an instruction that is for your own safety. He is to debate the order with you or take the time to explain his request? This girl ignored the request to comply with his order. He is within his rights to arrest her. It is her right to defend her actions in court if they are not illegal. Cops are not always right but they are not the final authority, a court of law is. If she proves her case she will not be punished. The easy thing would have been to comply. She wanted to play chicken with the law and the law didn't blink. Tell to the judge he will decide who is right.
Comment by Mike — May 19, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
This officer just wanted to throw his authority around. He was not open to be enlightened about the project, he just started chasing people off. He needs to go chase the ones that hang out on the sidewalk and make the market a bit less comfortable. He needs to address the gatherings that make whole neighborhoods uncomfortable and unsafe. Not a group of artists who , were in fact, in no ones way, as compared to anyother day on the market. Maybe he should go address the width of the sidewalk where the farmers park, and chase the little old ladies off as they pick out there tomatos.........
Comment by John Price — May 19, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
I see several things from each party involved that could have been prevented.....BUT, in the video there were individauls standing around watching, talking, and blocking the area where people had to walk around them as well...but only those watching blank TVs were targeted. I think it is just like children, they act out to get a reaction....guess what, they got the publics reaction and now they are satisfied! I neither agree nor disagree with with either party's actions, reactions, or comments...I just simply laugh and shake my head.....thinking there were real crimes that needed that officer's attention...and to think that Rke City is taking away the Mounted Patrol b/c of financial difficulties..but is this sort of "unnecessary" attention Rke City would rather have....less officers, so they can play games in the streets with children...impeeding foot traffic...cracks me up! what about the unsolved murder of a woman in Rke about 6 mths ago, what about the drugs on the streets, I guess that doesn't warrant attention......cracks me up!
Comment by Confused — May 19, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
I can't believe this police officer had nothing better to do than harrass someone who didn't seem to be in anyone's way. Gee, hasn't there been a big story about a HEROIN RING in the Roanoke Times lately? This officer clearly overreacted from the beginning and frankly, I feel less safe with him on the streets. Officers who write ridiculous tickets should be removed from the force. I've always said that police should be required to have at least a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice from an accredited university, and pay to match. They have a huge responsibility to public safety and before you give someone power and a weapon you have to be sure they will use them both with good judgement. As for the former Roanoke Times photo editor who called Officer Lucas a "hillbilly cop", you gave him far too much credit. Officer Lucas obviously doesn't have the educational level or common sense to make it to "hillbilly", and I'd rate him quite a few steps lower on the evolutionary scale. Perhaps something that makes a braying sound.
Comment by Madison — May 19, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
I think we have a pretty cool art scene around here, do I agree that all of it is "art"? ...ummm no. But the point of my post is that Gwaltney should have had the sense that God gave to most rocks to produce an ID for the officer, or walk away like the others on the street did. Great idea (artsy fun), bad implementation (no permit), even worse judgment call by Gwaltney. The point is they were there without a permit, given chances to leave without an arrest, and didn't. If you witnessed the same thing happen to someone else for a similarly harmless (in most peoples eyes) infraction, like a harley-rider was parked on the sidewalk in the same place at the same time and was asked to move, and he reacted the same way Gwaltney did, would you feel differently about the arrest?
I thought so...
By the way Dan, get out from behind the desk, cleanup these streets, with your life on the line for less than you make now...
Comment by MWSj — May 20, 2009 @ 6:43 am
Almost daily I either read an article in the newspaper or see a news story on TV about events/happenings/'goings-on' in Roanoke that reaffirm my decision to move to Salem.
Comment by Sharon — May 20, 2009 @ 8:49 am
Outrageous that this "officer" of the law is permitted to instigate a public disturbance with a subsequently full endorsement of his stealth chief.
Roanoke, a cultural backwater notwithstanding, is further removed from experiencing both creative freedom and public safety through the antagonistic exercise of arbitrary police authority by personnel with nothing better to do than harass those whom they can't possibly understand.
This kind of neurotic, authoritarian showmanship incident illustrates the same cultural repression familiar to witnesses of every historic rise of police states everywhere. Unless political leadership in Roanoke very publicly denounces this Gestapoesque display of disregard for public freedom, it can forget about a cultural or commercial renaissance.
It can also forget about liberty and justice for all.
Comment by Ralph Davis — May 20, 2009 @ 10:00 am
It might be good for all of us to know under what circumstances we're required to provide ID. Here in Massachusetts, we're required to give our (correct) names to an officer if asked, but not to provide ID. You don't need a driver's license to be on the sidewalk, even if a police officer "gives you an order" to produce one. It might be helpful if one of these news articles spelled out the Virginia requirement.
Comment by Tom in Boston — May 20, 2009 @ 10:18 am
C'mon Ralph...Gestapoesque? Give me a break. Sounds like the opening statement for the ACLU's defense. Oh, and how about we wait for it all to play out before you write off liberty and justice.
Comment by CB — May 20, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Performance art and happenings both had their orgins in the 1960s and have een a part of the art world since, in colleges, univerisities, museums and in actuality since that time. Perhaps the problem lies more in the lack of arts education in this region rather than the actual events of Must See TV.
Comment by sl — May 21, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
Was the officer a little "heavy handed" in dealing the the young lady (I won't go so far as to call her an "artist")- perhaps, but the Roanoke Times editors and Dan Casey keep tossing this incident up in ours faces. Enough already!!! We know that you all have a strong dislike for the Roanoke City Police Dept - you prove that every chance you get. Aren't there more important stories around Roanoke that deserve more attention than some spoiled little Hollins brat showing her a** and getting put in her place? Why don't you have daily editorials on Alfred Dowe and his disgraceful behavior. Bet if it was a City cop in that situation you would. They say most communities get the kind of police dept they deserve - the way you treat yours you're lucky to have one at all. Give it a rest.
Comment by mike — May 25, 2009 @ 11:00 pm