This is a few days old, and a search didn't turn up any threads about it.
From KATV, the local NBC affiliate.
Hot Springs (AP) - Video from the popular internet web site YouTube that was posted by one of six people arrested for skateboarding in downtown Hot Springs is causing quiet a stir.
Hot Springs police say the skateboarders were in violation of a city ordinance. Now three minors and three adults are facing charges, and the officer who arrested them is on administrative leave.
The video--which was shot by one of the skateboarders, and captured almost the entire incident--was posted on YouTube Monday, and has already gotten more than 30,000 hits.
The kids who were arrested say they were just celebrating National Go Skateboarding Day last Thursday, but police say they were breaking the law.
(Matt McCormack, Arrested for Skateboarding) "He grabbed a kid from around his back by the neck and took him to the ground and choked him."
(Skylar Nalls, Arrested for Skateboarding) "The kid didn't know that he was coming after him. He kind of just grabbed him from behind and took him to the ground and started choking him."
Skylar Nalls first ran toward his friend, snapping still photos, before the 19-year-old Nalls is seen on the video running away from the officer.
(Nalls) "He looked up at me and pointed and he said, 'hey you, come here." And then out of instinct, I just ran."
Officer Joseph Williams gave up on chasing Nalls, but held on to the 13-year old.
Now that so many people have seen the incident on YouTube, the Hot Springs Police Department is being forced to take a strong look at one of their own.
(Officer McCrary Means, Hot Springs Police Dept.) "There is a flood of phone calls and emails...right now there is an investigation of the officer involved in the incident."
Two of the juveniles are under house arrest because it's their second time skateboarding on city sidewalks.
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The video all this fuss is about:
To be totally fair, I do work for the Sheriff's department in my county. I don't do patrol, I do rescue, but this is a really big deal here. Legally speaking, the officer did not break any of OUR policies or procedures. Now, I don't know how they roll in Hot Springs, but that's just here. The kids were breaking the law, and had they not run, they most likely would have gotten misdemeanor tickets. Instead, they ran, they mouthed off, and they got arrested.
As to some more backgroud, Hot Springs is a vacation spot and a retirement community. Skateboarding on the sidewalks is illegal, as it is really dangerous. 80 year old women with fragile hips don't need to be fighting for the sidewalk with skateboarding teens, let alone the danger to the teens skateboarding entails.
How do you feel? Were the officers within their rights? Did the one shown overstep his bounds morally/ethically even if he didn't violate procedure?
Anyone who just comments only to disparage the police gets an asswhoopin. I want real, constructive debate here. Not drivel.
From KATV, the local NBC affiliate.
Hot Springs (AP) - Video from the popular internet web site YouTube that was posted by one of six people arrested for skateboarding in downtown Hot Springs is causing quiet a stir.
Hot Springs police say the skateboarders were in violation of a city ordinance. Now three minors and three adults are facing charges, and the officer who arrested them is on administrative leave.
The video--which was shot by one of the skateboarders, and captured almost the entire incident--was posted on YouTube Monday, and has already gotten more than 30,000 hits.
The kids who were arrested say they were just celebrating National Go Skateboarding Day last Thursday, but police say they were breaking the law.
(Matt McCormack, Arrested for Skateboarding) "He grabbed a kid from around his back by the neck and took him to the ground and choked him."
(Skylar Nalls, Arrested for Skateboarding) "The kid didn't know that he was coming after him. He kind of just grabbed him from behind and took him to the ground and started choking him."
Skylar Nalls first ran toward his friend, snapping still photos, before the 19-year-old Nalls is seen on the video running away from the officer.
(Nalls) "He looked up at me and pointed and he said, 'hey you, come here." And then out of instinct, I just ran."
Officer Joseph Williams gave up on chasing Nalls, but held on to the 13-year old.
Now that so many people have seen the incident on YouTube, the Hot Springs Police Department is being forced to take a strong look at one of their own.
(Officer McCrary Means, Hot Springs Police Dept.) "There is a flood of phone calls and emails...right now there is an investigation of the officer involved in the incident."
Two of the juveniles are under house arrest because it's their second time skateboarding on city sidewalks.
________________________________________________________
The video all this fuss is about:
To be totally fair, I do work for the Sheriff's department in my county. I don't do patrol, I do rescue, but this is a really big deal here. Legally speaking, the officer did not break any of OUR policies or procedures. Now, I don't know how they roll in Hot Springs, but that's just here. The kids were breaking the law, and had they not run, they most likely would have gotten misdemeanor tickets. Instead, they ran, they mouthed off, and they got arrested.
As to some more backgroud, Hot Springs is a vacation spot and a retirement community. Skateboarding on the sidewalks is illegal, as it is really dangerous. 80 year old women with fragile hips don't need to be fighting for the sidewalk with skateboarding teens, let alone the danger to the teens skateboarding entails.
How do you feel? Were the officers within their rights? Did the one shown overstep his bounds morally/ethically even if he didn't violate procedure?
Anyone who just comments only to disparage the police gets an asswhoopin. I want real, constructive debate here. Not drivel.
