There are so many situations that are not captured on video, it’s sometimes hard to prove the harassment a skateboarder has to endure for simply, well, skateboarding. This is one incident caught on tape of a clear overreaction by our men in blue. Skaters have become an easy target for cops. Cops don’t seem to care so much about the bicyclists and rollerbladers that ride by on sidewalks as they’re writing tickets for a skateboarder. I have seen cops giving a fair hello to folks on bikes riding on the sidewalk.
I have high regards for our law enforcement and respect the fact that they are out there. I realize they have a job to uphold the peace and all that, and that makes me feel safe at night. There is, however, such a thing as abusing power. Just because they face dangers every day does not give them a blank check to bully/harrass/endanger the safety of 13 year olds. There’s a right way and a wrong way to handle situations like this and clearly this was the wrong way. Watch the video and decide for yourself. Of course, in all fairness, there was no footage or lead-up to the chaos. Seriously though, how much pressure would a Hot Springs, Arkansas officer face from a 100 pound (if that) teenage girl? Enough to quantify this:
“I join with Congress in recognition of this dedicated group of individuals who tirelessly promote skateboarding, thus encouraging young people to move from behind their computers, to outside and exercise, increasing their cardio-vascular health as well as coordination skills. On behalf of our precocious youth, I am happy to proclaim June 21st “Go Skateboarding Day”.
Loretta Sanchez
Member of Congress - House of Representatives, Representing 47th District of California
I guess those words don’t mean too much when you are getting choked and harrassed by cops for skateboarding on NATIONAL GO SKATEBOARDING DAY!!! This is ridiculous. Even though one can never truely know what happens if you only see something on video, any skater that has been harrased by cops knows exactly what was going on here. Overzealous, militant, ex-jock, needing to compensate for hating his life takes it out on children, who were obviously not a threat and causing no harm. SKATEBOARDING ON NATIONAL GO SKATEBOARDING DAY!!!!!!!!
The following information is quickly spreading around myspace and youtube. Do with it what you will.
A dispicable act of police brutality was committed on Go Skateboarding Day by the Hot Springs, Arkansas Police Department. Video of the incident is below. After you watch it, we ask ALL of you to flood their phonelines and email address (below) with complaints regarding the main policeman involved, Officer Joey Williams. You should also contact your local news organizations to help spread the word. The more attention this officer gets, the better for us.
Hot Springs Arkansas Police Department
Phone: (501) 321-6789
Fax: (501) 321-6708
Chief of Police, Bobby Southard
Email: bsouthard@cityhs.net
641 Malvern Avenue
Along with a “go skateboarding day” they may need a “be nice to a skateboarder day”, course that day would fall on June 41st. So what did you do on Go Skateboarding Day?
Like they said on the vid, HAPPY GO SKATEBOARDING DAY
RECENT UPDATE:
On June 26th, McCrary Means spokesman for the Hot Springs police dept did confirm the incident that took place on June 21st, but would not comment based on an on-going investigation.
Hot Springs Chief of police has directed the Departments Internal Affairs Board to conduct an investigation into the incident. Williams has been placed on administrative leave with pay during the internal investigation. The current charge on him is excessive force, choking 3 teens. The investigation seems to be a direct action from the video on YouTube.
I don’t think this news does very well for tourism in Hot Spring which is what they market themselves for. We’ll have to keep watching to see what happens to Officer Williams.
Follow up to the story can be found here.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
As everyone knows, this is a violent and disturbing reaction to kids not understanding the authority police have. The officer definatley took things too far and was way too physical. He could not get things in control and became angry with the situation, taking everything out on the skateboarders. All skateboarders have seen this, been through this, and fear this. We can never win in these situations but i think it is great that someone is fighting back and hopefully this officer will lose his job. We need policemen and women you can be understanding and patient while protecting the rights of everyone. It is frustrating to see this happening on any day but of all days, National Go Skatebaording Day?
There is no reasoning with Cops, there is a difference with an officer, a police man, and a cop. Know which you are dealing with quickly and understand some fights are better brought to a court room than the streets.
An officer is a man who knows the rules and laws and understands the rights of people and what is worth enforcing and what needs a warning.
A police man is somebody who likes the job, the uniform, the benefits and will do what needs to be done when the time comes but will also turn a blind eye.
A cop is a militant S.O.B. who knows the rules and applies them to always benefit busting somebody, enjoys hassling, harrassing, and letting people know who is in charge.
this was an angry cop who hopefully will be working as a security guard on a night shift from now on.