Eight charged with resisting officers during Punk Week gathering at Bandemer Park
A Punk Week gathering at Bandemer Park resulted in eight arrests for resisting police Sunday and claims by witnesses that Ann Arbor police officers cursed and were overly rough with people taken into custody.
Police say those arrested refused to leave the park, prompting what witnesses described as a heated exchange between officers and people who traveled to Ann Arbor from around the country hoping to have a good time.
This still image captured from the cell phone video shows a woman being arrested.
A woman used her cell phone to videotape the chaos, which broke out as people were barbecuing chicken, she said. She captured footage of a woman who ran from a police car before being tackled and dragged away in handcuffs.
The following people were arraigned Tuesday on charges of resisting and obstructing a police officer and disturbing the peace:
- Kolby Chase McMinn, 24, of Tularosa, NM
- Melissa Margret Lyon, 20, of St. Louis, Mo.
- Page Alexandra Callison, 22, of Oakland, Calif.
- Katherine Chandler Andaas, 21, of Lansing
- Spencer Christian Dilday, 21, of Lafayette, La.
- Elijah David King, 19, of Oakland, Calif.
- John Matthew Hoopes, 31, of Buffalo, NY
- Ryan Nicholas Walker, 25, of West Columbia, SC
All are being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on $2,500 bonds.
Ann Arbor police Sgt. David Strauss said officers responded to a report at 5:43 p.m. Sunday that people were smoking marijuana, “lounging naked,” and “having sex” at the Lake Shore Drive park along the Huron River.
The caller estimated 25 people were there, Strauss said. Police spokeswoman Lt. Angella Abrams said the caller was concerned children could potentially see the people. Several dogs were reportedly running loose, Abrams said.
When officers arrived, Abrams said, they told people to disperse.
“Eight of them did not comply and were taken into custody,” Abrams said.
Robert Levin, 26, of Baltimore, Md., said between 20 and 30 people were in the park, a couple of whom were swimming naked. Most were waiting for their chicken to finish cooking, Levin said.
Two patrol cars pulled up with three white male officers inside, and Levin says they got out and started cursing at people, ordering them to leave the park.
He claims officers used a homophobic slur to refer to people and directed a racial slur at a black man. "We were basically saying it was a public park and asking why we have to leave," Levin said.
Frederick Dukes, 45, of Buffalo, NY, who is black and can be seen on one video, said he was called a racial slur and cursed at by officers when he asked why they were there.
“I was trying to disperse it,” he said. “I was like, ‘Yo y’all, let’s go.' The cops were getting all amped up.”
Chloe Behrens, 20, of Los Angeles, said officers initially picked up Elijah King from where he was sitting in the grass and arrested him. Officers then grabbed Melissa Lyon and Katherine Andaas and took them to the ground, she said.
“The police officers threw them airborne and slammed them on the ground and put their knees in their backs,” she said.
People including Lyon and Andaas were making comments to the officers, Behrens said. Some cursed, she said, calling them "pigs" and "Nazis."
After the first three arrests, Marcus Gottsche, 28, of Buffalo, NY, said officers began “grabbing people at random.”
Katie Braun, 19, of Denver, took out her cell phone and started filming.
In one of Braun's videos, a woman she identified as Katherine Andaas can be seen running from near a patrol car before being quickly tackled by an officer and dragged away in handcuffs.
“She is blood-curdling screaming, ‘I can’t breathe!” Braun said.
Jamie Brown, 21, of West Columbia, SC, and her boyfriend, Ryan Walker, left the park and were more than a half-mile away when patrol cars pulled up, she said.
“Cops came out and grabbed only him and told him to get on his knees with three Tasers pointed at him and handcuffed him,” she said.
Lt. Abrams said she was not at the park and couldn't respond to specific allegations, including any language used by officers.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no complaints had been filed against officers involved, Abrams said.
The arraignments
The eight arrested were arraigned at the county jail in front of Magistrate Mark Nelson, who told them he wanted to set bonds to ensure everyone returns to court, given their lack of ties to the community.
An Ann Arbor police officer arrests a woman in the park Sunday.
Melissa Lyon said in court she has no home address, no income, no assets, has never had a job and planned to leave Michigan on Tuesday for Richmond, Va. She hitchhiked from Southern California to Michigan, she said, because “I wanted to see it.”
Page Callison told the court she's been in the area for a couple weeks after landing a job in Bloomfield Hills fixing up an old house for her friend’s father.
When Nelson asked Callison how she got to the Ann Arbor area, she said she took a flight from Albuquerque to Baltimore, then traveled in a motorhome to Chicago before taking a bus to Michigan.
Callison said she had prior police contact at a protest in San Francisco on May 1, but she wasn't more specific.
Nelson said he would appoint public defenders for all eight people. They are scheduled to have preliminary hearings on Aug. 25.
Resisting and obstructing a police officer is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison upon conviction. Disturbing the peace is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail upon conviction.
Thirteen people who know the eight attended the arraignments. The eight were in Ann Arbor for the ninth annual Punk Week, witnesses said.
According to a MySpace page for Punk Week, it was started by a small group of friends who “thought it would be a good idea to have a whole week of events just for the fun of it and to see what they could get away with.”
The event includes a shopping cart race. The city is considering cracking down on it next year, requiring people to obtain permits.
Levin, a witness, said he didn’t know what arrangements would be made to bail his friends out.
“I’m trying to think of a solution,” he said. “The problem is, most of us don’t live here. It’s very hard for us to prove assets and everything else.”
Warning: These videos contain profane language.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@anarbor.com.
Comments
shana
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 3:35 a.m.
I haven't attended a punk week event in 5 or 6 years, but I was at some of the first ones and knew some of the local people involved, and they did have "the right idea"...the workshops, etc..but that's all been said. I would like to touch on the subject of "traveling kids"- and their animals. I am a small business owner and mostly law-abiding citizen these days, but I spent a couple years hitch hiking, train hopping, and living in a van, off and on, in my late teens-early 20's. I did a lot of things that, in hindsight, were selfish and inconsiderate of others. So do most young people, transient or not. The "dirties" (not THESE particular punks, but probably the same sort) were my community, and some of them WERE total scum bags. Some of them were 35 years old and pissing in doorways and harassing innocent people. Some of them were thieves, junkies, thugs, but some of them are good people. Even if they're from out of town. Most, but not all of them drink too much, but so do the students. About the DOGS- I brought my dog with me nearly everywhere I went. Yes, there was a practical consideration: I was a girl and I traveled alone sometimes. I felt much safer with a dog. She was my constant companion, and I NEVER let her go hungry- If I didn't have dog food in my backpack, I shared whatever I ate with her. She is over ten years old now. She's getting crotchety and arthritic and I'm afraid I might have to put her to sleep in the next year or so. I've had her since she was 4 months old and I was 19. It's horrible to contemplate losing her after everything we've been through together. The only time I was ever jailed while I was traveling was for punching a woman who tried to take my dog out of "concern" (SHE was drunk and accosted me at a gas station and tried to put my dog in her friend's car) The cop was pretty nice about it. He let my boyfriend keep my dog (after looking at her and concluding that she was not skinny, just funny looking) while I spent the night in jail. I did hit her. There are punks who mistreat their animals. But I believe with all my heart that they are the minority. I can't agree with keeping cats or exotic animals tied to one's backpack, but a lot of dogs are really happy with that lifestyle. They get lots of attention, they're always around lots of other dogs and people who like dogs. If their owner has their best interests in mind, it's not always a bad situation. I got my dog from a shelter while I was living in Virginia, and she was already spayed, but when I traveled I would always make sure she had her shots and paperwork so she couldn't be taken away by a cop with a bug up his ass. I don't believe I was extraordinary in this regard. I knew kids who managed to hang onto a dog on the road for years. If your dog is the only real responsibility you have, you tend to take it seriously. Yes, people behave selfishly and they make mistakes, but to say that these dogs are abused pan-handling tools is just wrong. Most of the kids LOVE their dogs, even if they can't always give them everything they should have.
jernalyzt
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.
Catmi paints a disturbing scene. Okay, this has nothing to do with how liberal you are. This has nothing to do with being hypocritical, since many of us tested authority and challenged societal norms in our youth. It does have to do with how accepting you are...how accepting we should be as a society. Yes, we are living in a society. And as a society, while many of us feel badly for the 50-year-old chronic alcoholic pandhandling on the street, there's someting revolting about 20 yr old young adults panhandling, dragging around homeless pets, and generally acting like overgrown toddlers in need of a bath. Sure, acceptance of how people choose to live their lives is important, but also important is that people accept that a SOCIETY and COMMUNITY, no matter how liberal it is, had certain rights, too. Finally, have any of you spent any time in Haight Asbury in San Francisco. Not in the 60s, I mean in recent years. It still to this day is a haven for teenage runaways and drug addicts. They live on the streets and in the parks and pan handle aggressively. One time leaving a restaurant we literally had a kid demand our take out food container, screaming "I'm hungry, you have to give that to me!" So, Haight Ashbury became an acceptable place for kids to become homeless, who passed on the word to other kids. To this day, cabbies drive parents from the Midwest around the Haight looking for their runaway kids. Sounds like if we continue to look the other way at these young people as "just another panhandler on Main St.," our community could very easily become a mini Haight.
catmi
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 10:43 a.m.
Gotta comment on a few things here. 1-Re students. My husband works security on game days and on Friday and Saturday nights. They try to stop all the inappropriate activity they can, but there are just too many to talk to them all, so they try to address them politely, with courtesy and respect asking them to cool it down. Most comply. IF they suspect underage drinking they ask for ID, IF the students give it, they then only address those underage. If students refuse, they can't be forced, if they run, then they must suspect there is something wrong, and decide whether or not it is safe to give chase. I've seen cases where these have turned out to be felons who are wanted for violent behavior, but seemed just a nuisance at the time, until they ran. Give officers a break, there are thousands partying at games, which ones do you suggest only a few officers arrest without putting themselves in danger with a crowd of increasingly angry drunks? They do all they can but when they are outnumbered, safety is involved. 2-I agree, the "kids" are adults. And NOT all are poor. Many were seen at local cafes charging up i-phones and using laptops. I don't even own an i-phone due to the cost (over $300 to $500 dollars for pete's sake)! And they were clearly using public restrooms for bathing. Paper towels everywhere, body odor smell in the rooms, stepping out of the room with wet hair or arms, etc. There are places you should do this instead, like the shelters, safe house, or simply the YMCA. The city has lots of homeless who manage to be cleaner than these kids so it must not be that hard to find soap. 3-Re: "abuse" I watched police officers deal with them numerous from where I work downtown, and often stepped outside. If kids were just hanging out, not blocking sidewalks, dogs were on a leash, fine. But if the dogs were off leash they were spoken to. If they were panhandling, they were spoken to. One even saw a dog was seriously ill with an infection and told the girl she HAD to get it medical attention, he then pulled a card out of his pocket and wrote down a vet's name and location nearby so she would know where she could take it. Police were firm but always, ALWAYS polite and courteous. And more than once I saw the kids simply cross the street (literally!) and set up and panhandle again. This is blatant disrespect for the and the town when you where politely told not to do it. I saw this personally, I often stepped outside and heard the exchange to see if it was abusive. They also would step into a store's entryway and 4 to 5 would sit there filling it, blocking the door. I watched them do this to Selo Shevel Gallery, and when asked to move on, did it again at Occasionally Michigan (across the street!). An older woman owns this store and admitted later to being afraid to step outside and address them since there were more than 3 or 4. It's not difficult to know you can't all sit in a business entryway, blocking the door and camp out there. 4-re: "polite kids just behaving" I watched them grab chairs from Starbucks on Main Street and drag them halfway down the block so they could all sit there and pan handle when they were told they couldn't do it in front of the cafe. Where exactly is the respect for the community and businesses in that? You CANNOT tell me that someone with over the age of 6 thinks you can grab chairs from a store and drag them away to hang out? These kids (I use the terms regarding their maturity, not age) treated this city as an amusement park and camp ground. It's not, it's peoples homes and community and we are proud of it and take care of it. People think we were outrageous? I wonder how these kids would have fared in more stringent cities, Ann Arbor is more liberal than most. Those who have traveled know this is not an exaggeration, I've lived in 4 different states so speak from experience. So if you weren't there, and haven't done it, or been close friends or family to officials trying to deal personally with it, hands on, then please respect the statements of those who were.
Jim Clarkson
Mon, Aug 23, 2010 : 1:15 a.m.
Having grown up in Ann Arbor in the early '80's as a "punk" I am well aware of how awesome the Ann Arbor police can be when dealing with people that are different. But back then and even now I was well aware that if I got put into the back seat of a cop car and my friend let me out and I ran away and got caught in the act that things wouldnt be pretty. I am a supporter of punk week but I am not a supporter of these new so called "punks" that come to town to participate. I am guilty from my younger days of hanging around town listening to loud music and other such things. But what I did not do was sit around on the street with 6 or 7 of my friends and panhandle then verbally abuse people for not paying. This has happened to me several times this summer and I can say I do not appreciate it. Punk week used to be a cool social gathering and I still think it is to some extent, but there is definatly a new class of people participating that are NOT quality people. I have had my share of dealings with the local police as a "punk" and not many were great. But except for a few instances ( being picked up downtown then driven way out of town so I have to walk back ) I pretty much deserved them. And even then I was smart enough to know that when the cops showed up and said leave, you left. I think it is too bad that this event is going to suffer due to the actions of a small group of people.
Carly Rae
Mon, Aug 23, 2010 : 12:58 a.m.
And everyone seems to have the same charge tacked on, even others in the courtroom, non-related, taser victims. It seems to be a safe card.
Carly Rae
Mon, Aug 23, 2010 : 12:56 a.m.
Separate of my personal views on the comments of my friends, it sounds like your police department needs a hardy review. People are being tased to death, tasers are being used excessively, people are being pulled around, slanders made. Everyone seems to look the other way for now, but i like the quote from earlier that one looks the other way, then when they need someone to speak up there is no one there. And everyone seems to have the same charged attached, even others in that courtroom, non-related. Like its a safe card. Good luck A2!
Carly Rae
Mon, Aug 23, 2010 : 12:54 a.m.
Separate of my personal views on the comments of my friends, it sounds like your police department needs a hardy review. People are being tased to death, tasers are being used excessively, people are being pulled around, slanders made. Everyone seems to look the other way for now, but i like the quote from earlier that one looks the other way, then when they need someone to speak up there is no one there. Good luck A2!
g0ttin
Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 8:58 p.m.
Since everyone else has an opinion here are mine... A witness admitted that people had been swimming naked, as well as someone being chased by unleashed dogs, so the complaint calls had been correct and the police had every right to break up the festivities. It's just how it works. Groups get too loud, too naked, break the law, people complain, the cops come and you move along. No harm no foul. There are always a few in the group who spoil it for the rest. There were 20-30 people in the park involved and 8 arrested. Perhaps some were mistakenly arrested. Perhaps not. Of all the other Punk Week activities I haven't seen, though I may have missed an article, anyone being arrested; not at the Zombie walk, concerts, or shopping cart races. The cops had been called to each scene and there were far larger crowds involved. I know that given the accusations of the witnesses and those arrested a police investigation into the Ann Arbor Police involved is necessary. However, also considering their involvement with other recent punk week activities, numerous interactions with students, and lets admit it, locals too (students aren't the only ones enjoying football Saturdays) I find it hard to believe that A2 police are suddenly prone to cursing and mishandling arrests.
emlourei
Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.
so the hippies complain about the use of foul language coming from the police.... has anyone watched the video and heard what was coming from their filthy mouths? get out of our beautiful parks and go find a highway underpass or job or something.
Charles
Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 3:32 p.m.
I believe that this discussion board has redirected, from the case at large, to the disgust of transient activity and disturbing allegations (of which are incredibly valid). Why should we not gripe at other things as well, like date rape or fraternal hazing, bad marketing signs, potholes, Aggressive "mating" tactics? All of which have the same amount of clout pertaining to this case as panhandling. My question is; How can we stop aggressive panhandling without martyring those affiliated?
just a voice
Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
since we have gotten to the point of basically repeating ourselves, anyone want to deal with the fact that the harder you fight against this problem (as oppose to trying to work towards solutions with both parties involved) we are just going to make it worse.
Hemenway
Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.
I think this blog is a healthy debate. That said, I feel it is in accurate to disparage Ann Arborites for criticizing behavior that would be un welcome in many other cities in this country. The police action was not a capricious random act, the AAPD showed up for a reason. We are a nation of laws, let the courts decide what actions were appropriate.
a2me
Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 10:38 a.m.
After reading all of these comments it seems that many here try to make this an issue about race and income. I call the "Ann Arbor Copout". I see this more as a lack of respect issue. These folks coming in for punk week, have shown a disrespect for our town and its citizens. They are not kids. Those arrested were all over the age of 18. They are adults. Try going to a foreign country and acting this way. You most likely will be carted off a lot less carefully than our AAPD has done. What I am surprised by when reading many of these responses, is the total lack of pride in our town. Those of you who think it is ok for hordes of people to enter here and show disrespect is mind boggling. Would you let them do this to your home or yard? I don't hear anyone inviting them to stay at their place. Most of these so called liberal responses have no idea how a large transient population can affect our town in a very negative way. So quick are they to defend these peoples rights, that in fact they are giving up their own. I pay my taxes, and expect to feel safe when walking downtown. I have been accosted by these "punkers", who were very rude, intimidating and acted with a sense of entitlement that made me feel unwelcome in my own town. I certainly will not be taking my kids downtown for our usual walks. How these transients will be interacting with the U of M population as the college kids return is going to be another problem. Imagine your 17 year old, off to college for the first time, being intimidated and lured by these people? They have no ties to the community, no respect for others or the law, and are basically out for what they can get. Problems will increase once the students file into town as these transients will see their gullible niavety as fertile ground for their benefit. I am sending my kid back with pepper spray.
Charles
Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 1:42 a.m.
I believe you are missing the point miss "Rabbit". When you say "I've seen these kids" these "dirties," aggressively panhandle in court. Did you mean to say, "I have seen the individuals detained, aggressively panhandle me, mistreat their dogs, and am willing to testify in court,"Ma'am?
bunnyabbot
Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 11:40 p.m.
@jernalyz, it may or may not have been the same group of "nomads" as you called them, but that is the M.O. of a lot of them that we are all talking about. @Charles Shirley Foster, as stated in one of my previous posts, most people who have lived any amount of time in A2 have been emersed in cultural diversity, this isn't about accepting someone different sittin next to you, this isn't about class or hygiene. It's about the actions of some in this group, and if they were sitting next to you based on many of the stories people have listed you would be hit up for money or acosted in some way and likely would be near some terrible looking dog on a rope that you would be shocked at the look of. Hygiene certainly comes into play if it is a common thread in identifying for other poster which group of hooligans everyone is comparing stories about. and if anyone doubts the stories listed then you are lucky you haven't (yet) been downtown and been hit up for money agressively or been witness to a pack of sickly looking dogs belonging to these people. or the crow, don't forget about the crow.
Charles
Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.
Being ostracized because of cultural diversity, should be on ones mind when viewing this problem. It's my understanding, that an individual has the same rights as those around them. For anyone to think, you'll always be comfortable sitting next to someone, is unrealistic, but for someone to think you may inflict harm on them, immune to consequence, is childish and naive. I don't believe class nor hygiene has anything to do with civil rights.
jernalyzt
Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
Are these kids associated with the group of young nomads that have been hanging out on Main St. lately? Last night we had to walk over a group of unbathed kids and their dogs laying on the sidewalk on Main St. Last time we were out on the town, they were trying to sell something to passersby. My guess is the police have been having a lot of run ins with them around town.
ogel1209
Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.
GOOD JOB ANN ARBOR POLICE DEPARTMENT!!! Those people got what they deserved. Good-bye to them and don't come back!
ShadowManager
Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.
Ironic in that Mike K. accuses other posters of bias and prejudice when he openly admits that he himself is biased himself...in favor of the punks because they are his friends. That's NOT objectivity...that's seeing what you want to see and representing a side.
bunnyabbot
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 9:57 p.m.
@ Mike, Gee Mike, besides my own personal eyewitness accounts conserning the "kids" there are three videos posted with the article, I heard the cops being called names and not being respected, I saw someone running from a squad car after being handcuffed. I saw a bunch of "kids" not dispearsing. that looks like fact to me. (and more plausible than police brutality).
Mike
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 7:33 p.m.
my comments are based on what i have heard from someone who had just witnessed the event 15 minuutes before. so my comments are plausable than most. i would love to see a post and a fully story from someone who was there, punk or not. i would also love to see a post from all my frinds at the house on the corner of main and summit. everyone who lives there is extremely nice, respectable, smart, (except leonard) and giving. they are my favorite people in this world. they have showed me nothing but love and have always helped anyone they could. it really sucks that people dont see that and they just see what they want to see. look past your prejudice and see the facts
ShadowManager
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
Ok, basically that long long hippie-drippy digression about the "beautiful people" (i.e. the smelly punks who are cruel to their animals and who have been trashing downtown all month and making families uncomfortable...) can safely be categorized as "Too Long : Didn't Read" (that's TL/DR in internet-ese...), let's get back to some fun facts about the actual case: When are these kids gonna stand before a judge for their illegal activities, and what they gonna plead? That's the only info I care about now, not these limpid justifications for the deviant lifestyles of some transients who don't live here and contribute nothing to our local culture and commonweal.
bunnyabbot
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:19 a.m.
@carly rae, yes he smelled bad. worse than bad, like he hadn't bathed in months. Now I know all about not wanting to use chemical or (brainwashed) products. I have an employee and several friends that are either sensitive to smell or do not use perfumes and deoderant and they have never ever smelled like dirt/stinky sweat/doodoo. additionally, your comment "No big deal and certainly no ill will to the locals." doesn't speak well when the police who responded to a complaint are 1. citizens and 2. represent other citizens. Those not listening too, not compling with and not respecting them and hurling names at them certainly were showing ill will. and please, don't think constitutional rights are being violated with regards to "just" eating chicken in the park. If you act like a hooligan don't expect less than being labeled a hooligan and have others annoyed with your behaviors.
bunnyabbot
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
@shawdowmanager, that poor dog! if a dogs thirsty he's already dehydrated, how sad :(
Devin
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 10:52 a.m.
Facts: The People who were skinny dipping? Ticketed NOT arrested The People who were JUST COOKING CHICKEN got arrested. The People who are screaming in the Video? were doing so after some of their friends had been tackled and kicked in the head. The only witness? Mysteriously contacted and threatened. Some of the best comments on this article? Deleted. If these kids lose, Ann Arbor fails.
mike gatti
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 8:50 a.m.
I make no conclusion about what happened from video or story. I just wonder how many people who despise the punk people were on the other side of the issue in the 60's and early 70's. I have read that that was a turbulent time. It almost seems like a marketing theme some places around town. Always in the press, etc. Also seems to be a lot of folks around here love to wax poetic about those days. Yes, we have many intensely laid back people in the community, wistfully one upping each other with memories of those crazy, heady times as they sip $5 coffee drinks or $10 glasses of wine. Maybe someday the punks will be doing the same (prices adjusted for inflation of course)
Booradley
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
You break the law -- you suffer the consequences. Kids. When are they ever going to learn.
Mike
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 6:16 a.m.
yes Jef is right most of my post was about the event of punk week. I am not denying that most of the people who came to the events sucked. Everyy year the events are similar but the people who come to punk week get worse and worse. last year about half of the people were cool and the other half were in fact scumbags. This year it was about 25 percent awesome people and 75 percent scumbags. but the only part about these arrests that suck are that the people who got arestsed were good people. the people who should of been arrested probably were not. the cops did have the right to come up there, because there was a complaint made. someone complained that there were people skinny dipping. which there was. but the people who were caught skinny dipping were not taken to jail, only issued tickets. and the kids who were arrested were just cooking chicken or walking their dog a half mile away. was there any alcohol found on the scene or weed? id love to see the police report. id just like to know why its illegal to cook chicken in a park or to walk a dog. chicken is pretty much my favorite food so id like to know if its ok for me to cook my chicken outside of my house. i was also thinking about purchasing a dog in about 5 to 10 years. so if its cool to walk them in public i'll get one, but if its not i think about getting a turtle instead. p.s. to jef i now know why you guys stopped setting punk week up. thanks for doing so though. i had fun the last 2 years you set it up. and this and last years were pretty fun too. minus the bull.
Carly Rae
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:26 a.m.
Delete this one all you want: FUCK YA'LL, i stopped reading a bit ago, so many commentators are heartless rich fucks!
Carly Rae
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:24 a.m.
If there were nudity, drug use and sexual activities taking place (though that is not how it was going down) why where those people not dealt with as individuals and removed (if needed) being held accountable for their actions? Instead we were lumped together and treated ridiculously, called names and physically abused. i just wish there were more photographic evidence than the ending after it was realized that cameras needed to come into play and people were riled up from the injustices witnessed and felt alike. Not all were leaving waste, once again that is lumping. The krew i hung around most was actually very concerned about this issue and made sure that all trash brought in was taken out when we were around. A beer and wine permit was obtained for a different event in another park. The local police department was called on this event, witnessed it, then left and allowed us to gather peacefully and the event had absolutely no issues. BUT the incident in question was NOT a Punk Week event. It was simply a group of friend that chose to go to the local swimming hole and cool off while cooking up a bite to eat. No big deal and certainly no ill will to the locals. The video could have been edited so that it did not show one friend allowing another to have a chance at freedom, but it was not. We have nothing to hide. She was arrested for eating chicken in the park, literally. Friends are there to help one another stand strong. Though, in my opinion, the law needs to be adjusted so that the police and government officials do not have the right and authority to forsake our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS so that this situation does not come up again and friends wouldnt be tempted with the option of freeing one another from persecution. Our system is out of control if you ask me. i apologize, allow me to correct that. WE THE PEOPLE are being forced via manipulation and brute force into control and submission for the benefit of the rich, no matter the color, instead of uplifting one another with a sense of community and though utopia is unrealistic to believe we can obtain, what is the harm in striving for it in order to form a MORE perfect union? i am very pro American people and pro constitutional America, but i am not all for politicians and big money destroying OUR beautiful nation. A friend once told me that we are not required to live by the mistakes of our fathers, i like to believe that we dont have to live by ours either and we can all move forward positively and take responsibility for our nation and actions. Even the police; who should be protecting and serving, like their job description says, instead of harassing our nations citizens: no matter which city park they are consuming chicken in.
Carly Rae
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:24 a.m.
(i am beginning to feel like this is an audition for lowered expectations! im left trying to pinpoint pieces of me for rich folks amusement. Maybe we should just all blog about it!) i try not to stagnate my growth by being caught up in the same daily routine. On top of the pure pleasure of the existence in my life; friends that i met while staying in the last city i was in as well as others i have met all over in travel and prior (many of whom were present at this event) help me separate myself from taught behavior. They have also aided me in piecing together why my beliefs do not always match up with my actions and helped me become someone that is more secure in self. All has made is much easier to enjoy living the life that I was blessed with. Therefore my thoughts and opinions progress and though i am most certainly still misrepresent myself at times i doubt i will ever regret who i am becoming as i continue to grow up as one individual suggested i do as if he is unaware that is what we ARE in the midst of, even him. Thank you for your concern though. Maybe he just read an article on our growing pains (by this i am speaking of the pain that life can bring thru injustices and how we grow from that) and we are all reading comments made of them. i would hope that the local authorities and community would be more helpful in our nations growth as a people instead of what i witnessed that day.
Carly Rae
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:23 a.m.
It seems like the poor animals do most of "panhandling" work...at least that's why these punks keep them around...for the sympathy hand-out. Shameless. i do not feel as if Mal is my dog in a sense of ownership but instead he is my best friend. i dont believe in the ownership of any other living being yet i do recognize my responsibility, as a friend, to help him live in a people world. He eats before i do; he is tethered to me on a leash and does not have as many skills for gathering food in the city. He could very easily run away or destroy me if he did not care for my company, i take it as the biggest compliment i have ever received that he has not. i did not intend fully to have an animal companion when i found him attached to a free puppy sign. He was half starved, covered completely in scabs from nervously chewing at himself and a belly full of worms. (Many of Mal and my friends have similar if not far worse states that they found their animal friends in.) We have been side by side every since. He lays in the shade while i panhandle if its possible. He has a very separate relationship from mine with everyone he meets being that he is his own creature. He is with me because we are thick and thin, i do not wish for your sympathy, in fact i despise it. i have refused money on a few occasions because i was told that it was given to me for sympathetic reasons and i took the opportunity to explain myself more. i do not want pity, there is no reason for it. i have a beautiful life that i am thankful for and i can only hope Mal feels the same of his. i do not understand how any human could see themselves as high and mighty enough to rate life conditions, get over yourself. It is simply a life. i would much rather be me than a citizen with wealth and power or i would be striving for that. i am wealthy in so many ways but cash value is not one. On the annoyance of panhandlers; if you do not wish to contribute to my endeavors it does not bother me in the least, you are not responsible for me, only i am. i prefer peoples conversations, opinions and interactions so much more than their finances. Share a tidbit of your life, please and you are welcome to all i have to give. i have everything i need, money i dislike for every aspect besides its convenience and cheap thrills. And i am in fact quite shameless, thank you for noticing because i have nothing to be shameful of.
Carly Rae
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:22 a.m.
You say that a friend of mine simply walked past you three times and you found that offensive because of his odor, to that i say did you check your chest for your heart because i think it may have passed me floating down the gutter while i was eating a kind neighbor lady of yours left-over. i personally find the chemicals that you smear and spray on your skin offensive and the advertisement campaigns that teach American citizens that they are healthy when pure logic allows all to know otherwise. The brainwashing that is involved in making people believe that dulling down their natural immunities to OUR planets bacteria and organisms while making their bodies dependant on the products that dull down natural odor is in their best interest. The utter disregard for human emotion that results in making others feel insecure and the ability to sabotage your fellow mans emotional state with ease if they do not participate in money-driven, advertisement-determined personal hygiene habits and elitist views on such. All of these to me are offensive and they sicken me. i personally smell like a human being, natural and i have a healthy immune system. Desensitizing our sense of smell is detrimental to our natural ability to connect with one another and makes it more difficult to judge who we should be spending our time and energy with in order to grow as a being. It also encourages others to seek out our company that otherwise would not; i do not wish to attract these individuals with deceit and falsification of self. To be lacking in our senses hinders our ability to judge what is positive to have in contact with our skin and digestive system as well. Therefore it is against what i believe in to mask my scent because i do not have anything to hide and it saddens me that you have been made to feel as if you do.
Carly Rae
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:21 a.m.
Hello my name is Carly Rae; i am neither a number nor a dollar amount. Most of the responses to this article sadden me deeply and make me have to hold my faith in humanity tightly so that i do not lose it. All of the assumptions made, it does not seem as if many have actually talked to these beautiful people that have been such a positive influence in my life. i was there that day; though i was not arrested, i witnessed the events, but the comments here encourage me to rebuttal with my personal viewpoint seeing as they are irrelevant opinions that were posted on personal character more so than thoughts on the information shared. i am only one of all that gathered and i can only account for and express my person thoughts (which is an obvious statement, but i would prefer not to assume). The sense of community and desire for such that is expressed from the people that i know that attended punk week is one of the strongest i have ever known, (though, naturally we as an all are still developing in such matters incessantly) though, for me, this particular gathering did not focus on this and was more for enjoyment of one anothers company and (un)talents. It would be nice had the members of your community felt this vibrating off us, though it may have been misinterpreted as so much has. The word you is used as a general term and is not pointed at any one commenter, so dont take it personally and surely dont get it twisted. i generally am not one to share my beliefs unless specifically asked and even then i have trouble with words. One of many reasons i refrain is that i value learning about what others hold true rather than hearing myself repeat something i know in my heart, but these comments ache me and this seems like a good release, so...
AlaskasTops
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 1:40 a.m.
Reading the majority of the comments posted leaves me quite disappointed in those who feel it is their responsibility to determine what other Ann Arbor residents should or should not be doing with their personal free time. I have lived in Ann Arbor for my entire adult life. I work at a local business and take part in community activities. The main reason why I decided to move here was because of the cornucopia of events available. Every year I look forward to specific events held in town, one of my favorites being the shopping cart race. For years people have peacefully assembled and enjoyed this and other punk week events. To claim that these events should be disbanded just because some traveling people were annoying you is utterly ridiculous. Every summer travelers come to the cityevery summer they pan handleevery summer they squat around townevery summer a certain number of them will experience legal repercussions. Whether punk week existed or not they would still be here annoying you. That is just part of living in this town. Believing that there could be some kind of barrier to prevent you from having to deal with the situation is downright ignorant. Personally I feel like this whole situation is the product of people with little else to do or think about blowing a situation out of proportion. I see no reason to condemn the activities of your fellow (364 days out of the year law abiding) citizens because of the actions of a group of individuals (whose behavior should not come as a shock to anyone, given the lifestyle they choose to live) and no reason for attendees of such events to be deterred from having a good time just because some street kids got arrested. Displaying idiocracy over the internet accomplishes nothing.
15crown00
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 12:20 a.m.
treat them like the punks they are.throe their sorry butts in jail for 30 days.
ShadowManager
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:02 p.m.
So...today I'm downtown, walking to the Y after parking on street, and right at Main and Washington is a band of our favorite visiting hooligans...and what did I see? A young man teasing the poor pet dog he had with him by holding out a dish of cool water for the dog to lap up (it was hot today, btw...), and then, just as the thirsty animal went to lap up some much needed water, the young man would pull away the dish, hold it over the poor animal's head, and then, with two fingers, flick a few drops at the wretched thirsty animal. He did this over and over and it was all I could do to just walk on. So, yeah, full on with punk rock....sigh.
Destroom101
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:52 p.m.
Was anyone else appalled at the way that officer yanked the "escapee" off the ground? She appeared to already be cuffed and was just torn up off the ground. Seemed to me that this was unnecsarily rough. I was also left wondering why none of the cops went after the person who let her out of the car. I must admit, clich as it is, letting your compatriot out of a cop car is as punk rock as it gets I live right in the middle of the area that seems to have been most effected by the visiting kids. Crusty Punks is the best term for them that I have ever heard. They have been going up and down my street for weeks now, to and fro to their campgrounds, houses, bbqs, parties, cars etc. Having lived with CPs in my wilder younger years, I have a soft spot for them. I dont give them money or try to hang out with them nowadays though. I believe that in America, they have the right to come and go as they please, and with that right, comes the responsibility to behave according to Federal, State and Local laws and ordinances. These kids are NOT REQUIRED to conform to local/societal norms. They are CITIZENS. Stinky or not, drunk or sober, they are still Citizens with all the rights/privileges and responsibilities that all of us have. If a law is broken, an ordinance violated, then by all means, the police should take action. But merely congregating in a park, is not justification for ouster, harassment or arrest. I have been told by the police many times in my life to move along or disperse I resent being ordered to go anywhere or leave anywhere whilst I am being a law abiding citizen. I believe that we have the right to peaceably assemble, regardless of number. I personally believe that placing a number on the total allowed number of congregants to be un constitutional (but Im no Barack Obama) I had several interactions with police and CPs over the last week. The police were courteous and respectful. Some of the CPs were and some were not. I caught one of the CPs looking into my open car window and I gave him a stern talking to. I had another CP (woman) half naked and drunk leaning on my GFs car one night. An officer arrived due to a call on another disturbance, spotted the woman and promptly ushered her away to sleep it off. Well handled in my opinion. No need for arrest, just get dressed and go sleep it off. I can say with some authority, that when you mix youth, hot weather and booze, things may become dangerous. It is for this reason that I keep my distance from wild, unconventional youth. I was dismayed to see so many of them walking up and down my street with un-bagged, open beers. I was also not a fan of the dogs off leash. This is a serious safety hazard. While I did not appreciate the open beers or off leash dogs, I find it sad to see people commenting that they are afraid of stepping on used needles or that they believe that the pets are mistreated, not vaccinated or mal nourished. Does anyone have any evidence of this? I for one have not seen a single used needle, and the dogs looked quite well fed and happy. Just because these kids defy your norms and convention does not mean that they all shoot dope and starve their pets. I am glad to see punk week end. I was glad to see it happen yet again. I am glad that these kids ruffled so many of your feathers and soured your noses. This is America. This is a City. Go buy a fenced compound if your nose is so easily offended. I am embarrassed that many of you, my fellow Ann Arborites were so joyously celebrating their being pushed towards city limits as fast as possible. What if I were offended by your HiKarate cologne and your Banana Republic popped collar and wished the police would kick you out of town? Remember that stinking is not a crime. As someone who was born and raised in Ann Arbor, I can say that a lot of lip service is paid to indie/unconventional/artistic stuff here. In actuality, I think people often are much less bohemian than they think they are (myself included) Long live Punk Rock. Long live people who offend other people. Long live our right to peaceably assemble. Long live the ability for us as Citizens to freely travel this vast beautiful country of ours. When a law is broken, enforce the law. When a law is not broken, deal with it.
Leah
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:52 p.m.
It baffles me that people are so quick to believe the police were justified in their actions. It's outrageous that nobody seems to acknowledge that cops have been known (in many high profile cases, even) to use excessive force, abuse power, and react to their own biases. I realize that Ann Arbor has grown to be a predominately white, wealthy, gentrified area (in short, yuppie) that for whatever reason believes these people are dangerous (one might thing about perhaps purchasing a dog leash), but from personal relationships with some of the people from the Ann Arbor punk scene, I'd put my life in their hands any day over a cop. If you can look at these kids or even smell these kids and use that to decide they're bad people, you need to reconsider the way you judge character. I don't even want to think about the biases a police officer might use against me if opportunity presented itself. The way I look, where I live, the people I know, the place I work, etc. I've never felt judged by one of these kids. It's sad a community that once encouraged creativity and subculture now rejects it. Artists create a community and rich white people move in and push all the artists out. Ann Arbor is too expensive for artists now. It's left no place for the people that made it once a beautiful place. I hope Ypsilanti becomes what Ann Arbor is not, fully aware Ann Arbor looks down on Ypsi as if it is less adequate. To me, it's a far more supportive community and it happily makes room for artists and subcultures.
Destroom101
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:49 p.m.
Looks like that last comment that was posted "28 minutes ago" has been saying "28 minutes ago"for over an hour now...
djm12652
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:27 p.m.
@bunnyabbott...exactly. One group of kids that play music on Main Street made me stay and listen to a song as their thank you, because I bought them a sandwich and fries...but there is a fraction of them that are in my mind dangerous...
bunnyabbot
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:39 p.m.
for those of you that think those on here are haters of "different" people I am sure along with myself most of us are not. I have lived in A2 my whole life and I have seen it all. this isn't anti punk, or even anti squatting/hippie/new punk or whatever they call themselves. We are complaining about a specific group of them who are rude, disorderly, messy (trashing parks etc) etc etc and as so many of them lack personal hygine even if it is their so called "life style" they are collectively known as the dirties, so that, yes, when speaking about this segment of participants in "punk week" or this unruly gang this is what they are called. The people of A2 will put up with and coexist with anybody who shows the least amount of civility towards their neighbors/strangers. I remember the shopping cart race ten years ago, we used to walk downtown, get an ice cream cone and then go watch the kids nearly kill themselves, it was hysterically funny and the police were there with no problems. This group of dirties most of the negative comments are about have given "punk week" a bad name. and yes, we do care about the animals they are keeping with them. These "kids" (young adults) have chosen their lifestyle but those animals are suffering.
hypsi
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.
Gutter Punks, is the term your looking for and they have been around for quite sometime causing issues in many cities. Ann Arbor has finally caught up with the Gutter Punk lifestyle that larger cities have been seeing since the late 90's. Either way A2PD handled themselves well.
GreenEggsandHam
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5:40 p.m.
I simply ask that Ann Arbor not send your problems to the gettos around your fine city..Thanks!!
Woman in Ypsilanti
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5 p.m.
re: "Maybe we can get the Humane Society to come out with some free food, vaccinations, and neutering for the poor animals carted around by the out-of-towners too..." This is really an excellent idea!
djm12652
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 3:23 p.m.
@James Raynr...your feeble attempt at humor disturbs me...while walking on Liberty night before last with my small dog, one of these fine young people harassed me, tried to scare me with very vile comments and made threats about letting his dog kill mine and eat it...I'm from the 60's, so believe me when I say I know when someone is mellow ad stoned vs high on acid, pcp, meth...whatever...if you find this behavior acceptable, please invite them to stay with you and keep them out of my backyard! I live downtown, a block from Main and Liberty, so please invite them to your house...I'm tired of all the canine and human crap in the downtown area...let them use your front yard for a toilet for a change. And boo-hoo to those that think the cops were so physical on the girl...could have hurt her sensitivities...because we all know that there were no items used in their cookout that could have been used as a weapon against the cops. Perhaps "excuse me miss, would you be so kind as to put on these lovely handcuffs and not entertain escaping custody and running from us?"
Lee Higgins
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 2:57 p.m.
Fox 2's follow up on the story: http://alturl.com/gojcv
ShadowManager
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 2:07 p.m.
The people defending these punks & defacto against the AAPD in this thread remind alot of the sort of people that come out to "counter-protest" Skinhead and Klan rallies. They unwittingly or ignorantly turn something that should be ignored and reviled into some sort of crusade...and in doing, turn it into a circus and give lots of publicity of the wrong sorts of people. The other half that defends the punks remind me of the sort that also show at the rally, to defend the skinhead's or klan's "right to free speech"...and they too just had to mayhem, and get in the way, and give, again, the wrong side too much publicity.
Charley Sullivan
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
So, if they're smelly, don't we WANT them bathing in the river naked?? hehehe OK, so joking aside, these folks have been a presence down on the docks near our boathouse recently, and the athletes we have in town have asked for guidance on how to handle it. And basically, although it wasn't a tension-free experience, we found ways to co-exist, even if neither group was particularly comfortable, and if some of the punk group down there was clearly more belligerent than others. Nudity doesn't particularly bother college guys, so that was remarked on more than it offended, and it's not like no rowers haven't ever changed quickly next to their cars after a workout. But, as I watch the video, and particularly the first one, no matter WHAT the young woman had or hadn't done (even if she'd kicked him in the nuts, or stabbed him), I am disturbed by the exceptionally forceful actions of the police officer after he has her in handcuffs. At that point, in fact, the officer could have said quietly in her ear, "OK, stand up now, please," and even if she refused, he could have gotten her up without that much power and pain. He is, after all, the "professional" in this situation, and should act accordingly. Things happen in the moment, I understand, but I hope the Chief of Police and the police review board (there is one here, right? we have committees for every other thing,) will look at this as an analyzable, teachable moment, and if there have been elements that are brutal, that they be clearly and swiftly addressed. We are only as good a community as we treat the least and most objectionable among us.
B. Jean
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
Those that engage in illegal behavior or speak and act in a threatening disrespectful manner to the police are knowingly risking arrest... dah!!!! I have no sympathy for them. A court of law will determine their guilt or innocence. Defending or making excuses for anyone that harrasses, intimidates, threatens innocent people, or breaks the law is just plain stupid and ludicrous. Describing such behavior as "cultural" is beyond moronic. I live on N. Main street, I too witnessed the actvities and behavior of this group all week. Obstructing traffic, drunk and disorderly, harrassing residents, loud obsene language rants all night long and purposly intimidating folks just passing by. I am sure there are some decent folks in the group, pity the others have forever tarnished their stellar image and reputation. Again... boo hoo! Cities that invite, encourage, and accommodate the kinds of groups that have a propensity for offensive and illegal behaviors do so at the peril of thier own citizens, with total disregard for their safety or their right not to be harrassed and fearfully intimidated in their own home or on the street. So yeah, no doubt the city of Ann Arbor will be "all over" granting permits and accommodating an event that has a history of attracting people that commit the long list of abhorent and illegal behaviors described here by people that actually had these horrible encounters. So city officials, lets get out the welcome wagon for next year! After all, why would the city deny a permit for an event has a track record of participants with dispicable behavior? One need only to observe this special group to see the great contribution they make to society and our community. Certainly this year they have proven themselves trustworthy, respectful, and well organized, not to mention gathering for SUCH a worthy cause. Yep, kind of makes you proud of city hall don't it?
jcj
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 1:33 p.m.
@Daniel Soebbing I take offense when it sounds like someone is suggesting I am a bigot because I expect everyone to obey the law! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! If you carefully read my comments you will find I did not castigate the whole punk populace. I did not at anytime say anything about how they look, smell, dress where they live or don't live. Please show where I resorted to calling any of the visitors names. (and the ones arrested were visitors!) Most of my comments were directed at those who are so quick to condemn some of us that expect a limited amount of self control and consideration. As far as I am concerned the punkers are less of a threat to this community than the ones I was directing my comments to. They are the ones that turn up their noses at any one that does not agree with them!
Speechless
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.
Utilizing the alleged antisocial behavior of a small number as grounds to condemn the larger group has long been a strategy favored by purveyors of social prejudice. We read seemingly endless examples in this discussion. The term "dirties" has been frequently employed as code, and one wonders how this word would go over if the slandered group were not so white; this sort of strategy was popular in the Old South during the Jim Crow years. It's also like judging 110,000 UM fans on the basis of some violent drunks. Earlier, I commented on how similarly the stereotyping and prejudice in many comments parallels mindless contempt once shown by "respectable citizens" for the antiwar-era hippies, beatniks and radicals who today form a popular, well-known piece of this city's heritage. This 'scourge' of yesteryear now constitutes part of the legacy that draws professionals to move here. The negative, broad-brush generalizations so generously applied to all of the so-called "dirties" are also analogous to dumb stereotypes, past and present, for other (often arbitrary) cultural subgroups including rave dancers, emo kids, mods, greasers, lowriders, bluesmen, zoot-suiters, hoboes, Okies and Wobblies. And that doesn't even touch on hoary clichés regarding immigrants, except to say that, as some of our ancestors would scornfully tell it over the years, most every newly-arriving immigrant group in American history has been comprised of lazy, stingy, ne'er-do-wells who take your money, don't bathe very often, and show loyalty only to their 'own kind.' And it's sad to think that the Ann Arbor City Council might dabble in related typecasting in an attempt to justify a crackdown next year on all activities related to Punk Week. I suppose, though, that taking a firm stand against alleged punks could help the city administration distract townies from the moribund level of action taken to maintain neighborhood infrastructure.
Dug Song
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 1:06 p.m.
I think @Zazyvan, @Jef, @Trevor, and @Pete totally nail it. Local punks do need to regulate. Police sometimes need to get involved. But let's not paint a vital, creative subculture as a problem to be eradicated - even the hippies had Manson. The kind of welcoming, Midwestern skate/art punk community I found here as a student was a large part of my decision to stay. While it wasn't nearly as organized or politically-active as DC's scene, Ann Arbor was as DIY and proudly homegrown as a subculture can be, with underground festivals, parades, fundraisers, art shows, etc. Like what's happening in Ypsi now. 10 years ago, shopping carts in the rain: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dugsong/44968549/in/set-982868/ 12 years ago, Food not Bombs fundraiser: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dugsong/sets/981725/with/44917541/ Nothing is permanent, and if Punk Week goes the way of the Naked Mile (and for similar reasons), we just need to make sure it's possible that something can take its place, and the cycle of creative destruction can continue. Better yet, we should actively celebrate, support, and promote the people, groups, and events that make Ann Arbor awesome - not just "tolerate" them. BTW - http://IgniteAnnArbor.com is coming up again - share your passion! @Stephanie, a lot of art can be considered criminal, by its very cultural transgressions. If the only thing that passes for public art here is advertising-as-bike-racks, we have totally failed as human beings. In 40 years, I'll be the grandpa dropping my drawers in public in the name of art: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dugsong/sets/981942/with/44927652/ Don't stop living before you die.
James Raynor
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:55 p.m.
I saw these kids earlier this week. I saw the degenerates smoking not just Marihuana, but they were huffing an unknown substance out of balloons that were covering jars that looked like they were filled with gasoline or fecal matter. As I passed them, one of their unleashed dogs ran over to my wife, daughter and I and it knocked over my stroller that I was pushing my 6 month old in. As my frightened little girl fell to the pavement, she looked at me as if she knew she would never see me again. The dog picked her up with his mouth and brought her over to the gang of so called "Punk Rebels". They passed my daughter a balloon and told her if she doesn't take a hit, she wont be cool. My 6 month old girl is very prone to peer pressure. So as I watched my daughter huff from a balloon for the first time, I started to weep at the thought that my girl at this age would fall into the dark world I tried so hard for her to avoid. Because of her choice, I gave her to the punks and shunned her from ever coming into my home again. It is good to see that these low lives got what they deserved and hopefully my daughter was put in jail along with them.
snapshot
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
I don't know anything about "punk" week or what hapened at the park but I did see an Ann Arbor officer lift a helpless,handcuffed girl in a manner that could cause serious injury when it was an unecessary maneuver. From the comments here we certainly have a group of "entitled" folks who have absolutely no empathy for others outside their "click". I have no doubt some of you would hold the arms of folks while your buddy chopped their hands off just "because they deserved it". You entitled Ann Arbor folks are scary people.
81wolverine
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:13 p.m.
I never like to see things get to the point where police need to handcuff & arrest people like this. But, here it needed to be done. Bandemer Park is used by a lot of peaceful, law-abiding people - most of whom are residents of the Ann Arbor area. If this kind of activity was tolerated, no one would want to go down to the park any more. After all, who wants to go jogging and be attacked by un-leashed dogs or have their kids see naked people rolling around in the grass? Now if the police DID use unreasonable force or language, then that's another matter and needs to be investigated. But I didn't see anything in the videos that conclusively showed this happened. I'm glad to see the police were there to enforce the laws. Otherwise, this type of out-of-control behavior will occur more often in the city.
Basic Bob
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:04 p.m.
@glottic, Your payment of city property taxes does not buy you a right to dictate "community order". Maybe more police crackdowns would clean up the area, but this is bordering on fascism. So much for this being a liberal town, it is actually full of reactionaries.
leaguebus
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.
Talk about dejavu!!! Not much difference in those dirty hippies or those dirty punks. Back then it was those houses on Hill Street, now its those houses on Summit Street. We had (still have) the Hash Festival and now there is Punk Week. The big difference I see, were the hippies were pretty political and the punks don't seem to be. I was probably one of those dirty hippies a million years ago, and did basically the same things as the dirty punks are doing but we gave the police a pretty hard time and got it back just as hard or harder. As was back then and now, there are always a group inside any group that causes much of the trouble and people from the outside see them as being representative of the group as a whole. Obviously this was not true 50 years ago and it is not true now. Come on guys, there are always people that are "different" than we are, some by birth and some by choice. I try very hard to not "judge the book by its cover" because I was once on the other side. As far as what the Police did, I didn't see any mace or tasers, and the young lady that was tackled by the officer had obviously just been let out of the police car by one of her "friends". I noticed that she was not handcuffed so if she had set there for a while longer, she might have been allowed to go on her way. Obviously bolting the police car changed that.
ShadowManager
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:46 a.m.
Well, give it a week or so and...Civilization will still remain long after these punks are gone, gone gone down the road. Parks will be safe again in the daytime to take our children for a stroll; we'll be back to just the familar (and polite) bums panhandling on the Main street block, Football Saturdays will bring excitment, commerce, and spirit to our streets, the neighborhoods will crackle with the crisp leaves from our beautiful trees, and life, beautiful mundane life in this calming town of intellect, moderation, and civility, will contain gracefully just as it always has... Thanks again to the A2PD for standing the "real" Ann Arbor...not some punk mirage of civil disobedience, radicalism and anything goes anarchy...which is, and has always been, just an illusion of a few demented and unhappy individuals who seem to not like this town much anyway and might be better served leaving with the unwashed rabble of malcontents on the next bus out of town too.
treetowncartel
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:14 a.m.
I think the people of Ann Arbor brought this on themselves. "Ann Arbor, Doing Life Different, Come take a visit"
Mertie
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.
So punk week is to see what they "can get away with." They got away with nothing. Score one for AAPD; zero for the punks.
cook1888
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.
I wouldn't want the punks living or hanging out in my neighborhood. They appear to be self absorbed and inconsiderate. If they commit illegal acts, there should be consequences. However, I found the way the officer lifted the girl up by her arms while they were already secured behind her back unprofessional. It looks like he lost his temper and cared little if he inflicted unnecessary pain. Cops have a tough job, but it is disappointing to see videos like this.
InsideTheHall
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:26 a.m.
Why does the article mention "three white police officiers"? Punking the punks.....rock on AAPD! Great job.
djm12652
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:02 a.m.
@just a voice...What did I say about Punk Week? What is there linking these people to Punk Week, per se or are they indeed part of the "group" that hangs downtown? All of the people defending them [aka The Dirties], let me ask you if you would be in agreeance with them walking in front of your house blaring music from a [boom-box...which I thought was as dead as Sid and Nancy]late at night...or dancing circles around you on the sidewalk, getting in your face..I mean really getting in your face to see how scared they can make you...just a game with them. Do I call the cops? No, I'm a big girl and can make sure that same punk that got in my face won't do it again...nor the dirty that had no problem pissing on my car then taking a poop right next to it...yeah it's all about freedoms here...theirs, not mine! They all want to be soooo individual, they all dress alike...kinda like the brown shirts of WW2 who demanded everything be their way...
Sarcastic1
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
Do you really think the cops wanted to put their hands on these dirty, smelly, and naked people?
djm12652
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
Wow...152 comments...how many of you cared about the people that had semi-automatic guns shoved in their faces last week? I'd be interested in exactly how many of these compassionate posters would allow these unfortunate travelers to stay in their homes...
A2K
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
Ann Arbor Punk Week used to be a local showing of artsy high-jinks. Many young people in the punk scene are extremely bright and creative, but for whatever reason don't feel they have a community at home, and feel powerless in the current social/economic environment so they act-out. I don't condone the truly disgusting house conditions at some of the local properties...but I understand where these young adults are coming from, and likely most are in dire need of some care and guidance. *being that I'm a former Ann Arbor punk who now has a house, 3 degrees, career, husband, etc...I hope these kids find something in themselves/friends to harness their emotions and energy to a positive purpose*
Peter Baker
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9 a.m.
I am a neighbor of the punk houses on Summit (a homeowner to boot, since I know how much that means to commenters here), and the people staying in them are all decent and nice. When they've had late night parties, they've gotten permits (notice how the shopping cart race gets it's own lane on Main Street?), and rarely have I ever been inconvenienced by them in any way (unlike the gravel trucks passing by my house bouncing the whole street up and down every morning). In fact, the one time it was a little too late to be loud, I went over and asked a girl on the porch to turn the speakers down. She immediately ran around to the side of the house where the band was playing (to not much of a crowd, by the way), and they unplugged the amps and played acoustic the rest of the night. More than I'd have asked for. The next morning there was a six pack of beer on my porch, and they were building a fence along the yard to block most future noise. Most of these guys are nice and totally reasonable (especially the ones that do live here), they just don't have the lifestyle AnnArbor.com commenters think they should have. As many right wingers would say in just about any other situation you don't like it here, you can just get out.
glottic
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9 a.m.
I pay $6,500 taxes on my house in Ann Arbor. I have lived in this beautiful neighborhood for 12.5 years. Everyday I go to work I drive down Summit. I see the unclean, almost totally white, younger group everyday. I come home from work and see them again. I don't want to call them names or label them. I am describing what I see. And I know that is what visitors see when coming off US-23, too. Maybe colder weather will keep them inside. Maybe even out of scaring, intimidating our Park patrons. We need our A2 Police Dept to enforce order back to our Summit + Moore neighborhoods, before colder weather.
Tony Spangoni
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
I live on the west side of town and I've had to see these degenerate hobos increase in numbers by the day. I have personally witnessed them defacating in park trash cans, kicking every car while walking down streets and being all around disrespectful to our community. Their headquarters is the intersection of N. Main and Summit and everytime I drive by there seems to be a party no matter what time it is. I'm normally a tolerant person but I would really love to see these people leave town a.s.a.p. I don't get it, they're young and yet they just want to beg for hand-outs rather than work and when they get enough money they buy drugs and alcohol. How can there be so many young hobos that have given up on life already? And why do they have to come to our town? I hope the AAPD keeps an eye on them and I will certainly call the police next time I see these "punks" abusing Ann Arbor.
MiSola
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
This is one of the most outrageous pieces of journalism I've encountered. The author obviously has slanted the article to provoke suspicion and mistrust of the Ann Arbor police. As I read it these statements were made without any collaboration whatsoever. "Officers then grabbed" She is blood-curdling screaming, I cant breathe!" "started cursing at people" "claims by witnesses that Ann Arbor police officers cursed and were overly rough" "He claims officers used a homophobic slur to refer to people and directed a racial slur at a black man" "The police officers threw them airborne and slammed them on the ground and put their knees in their backs, she said." Does anyone consider that three (3) highly trained offices faced twenty five (25) unknown people and DOGS who I personally have seen and some were PIT Bulls. Question: Why would three (3) officers internally enrage 25 people and a unknown number of large dogs? Question: Does it appear that the only intent was to disperse an unruly, offensive and potentially dangerous crowd at a park that is used by many residents and their children on weekends? Question: Did three police officers successfully deescalate a unknown and potentially dangerous crowd of people at a well used and regarded park? Question: Who among us would like to face all that with only two others to help if needed? Question. Why would the author of this piece NOT point out these obvious facts and instead slant the piece to reflect allegations of abuse by officers when their isn't a shred of evidence, unless you consider statements made by unknown people of unknown reliability of truthfulness? I personally know, support and enjoy the punk week crowd, but to underhandedly slam the well regarded, supurbly trained Ann Arbor Police for simply proctecting the families and children who use that ark from, public nudity, pit bull dogs running loose, possible public sexual activity is OUTRAGEOUS.
frocioa2
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:32 a.m.
I live in the Main St./Summit area and think these kids are just fine. Sure the houses make look disorderly and have people scurrying about but take a look at South State St., football Saturdays and St. Patricks Day around the campus housing areas. Looks no different and those kids are not scrutinized in the same manner. I saw examples of inequitable standards of enforcement, back when I was a student of color at UM as well. If I attended a party hosted and attended by a majority of students of color, no matter the color, it was broken up very quickly. If I attended a party hosted and attended by a majority of white students, then no cops in most cases and they could be easily seen drinking among other things in the front of the house ad on the street. There is bias based on privilage in this town. So A2, STOP HATING!
ToddAustin
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
All the various comments about these visitors and their behaviors, level of cleanliness, etc., aside, I have to say I was pretty disturbed by the first video linked here. The way the officer yanked the young woman to her feet by her arms when they were bound behind her back seemed extremely inappropriate, at best. Is that really the way police are taught to treat detained members of the public?
Greggy_D
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
"The caller estimated 25 people were there, Strauss said. Police spokeswoman Lt. Angella Abrams said the caller was concerned children could potentially see the people. Several dogs were reportedly running loose, Abrams said. When officers arrived, Abrams said, they told people to disperse." What did the cops see or hear which caused them to ask the group to leave? That seems to be the missing link here.
Rasputin
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:16 a.m.
I disagree with some of the posts. The AAPD is pretty rough with rich college students and "punks" alike. The only thing that sets the two groups apart is that the drunk college students have strength in numbers.
Sarah
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.
To add to the list: these guys camped out in my neighborhood park, Hunt Park. I brought my youngest there to play. I had to pick up cigarette cartons and beer cans under the play structure. There was a broken toy in the sand area and bicycle tracks all over the sand and sand spread all over the picnic table and patio area. There was a HUGE pile of trash around the trash can. Cigarette butts were all over the playground. When I was riding with my 2-year-old daughter on my bike, and passed them, they commented to me in a way that was intimidating and decidedly uncomfortable. I am all for being in the fringes, but they are angry folks. They had a bumper sticker "keep your laws off my guns" on their truck--fine to have this opinion, but don't color them as peace loving hippies. Make your statement, be different (they are all dressed exactly the same--how unique is that?), but don't trash the world we all share--that's not close to a sixties sensibility.
Daniel Soebbing
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8 a.m.
@jcj I take offense at the bigoted attitudes of people who cast aspersions on a whole group of people who are attending punk week, the overwhelming majority of whom were not nude in the park. Your comments weren't anywhere near as offensive as some, but your general tone in many of your comments is suggestive of the overall trend. Rather than suggesting that a certain group or class of people should leave Ann Arbor and move to San Francisco, maybe you should considering moving elsewhere yourself. From what I can glean from what a lot of people have been saying in this comment section, a lot of people seem to think that the general appearance and lifestyle of the people that were involved in this case is as much of a crime as the nudity or other things that they were claimed to be doing in the park, and that is bigotry. I have not in any of my comments questioned the conduct of the police officers in the case described in this article. Based on the information presented in the article and the videos and photos displayed I can't make a judgment as to whether they acted within their rights or as to whether their was a legitimate complaint against the people in the park which brought the cops in the first place. I don't personally take offense at public nudity, nor do I think it should be a crime. But I understand that people can be arrested for such things, and that often times the police have to use a limited degree of force to carry out arrests. I don't have a problem with any of that, as long as the laws are being applied evenly to all people, and the cops aren't exceeding the amount of force that is absolutely necessary to carry out their work.
Steve Pepple
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8 a.m.
A comment was removed because of name-calling. Please make your point without berating other commenters.
Arboriginal
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Wow! That is a lot of comments. What I want to know is who is these kids tailor? I mean really!What a totally contrived "LOOK". Do they know they are conforming? Conforming nonconformists. HOOT! One last thing, poor people can't afford tattoos.
jcj
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 7:33 a.m.
@ fremdfirma "You know, reading this story has made me very thankful I do not live in Ann Arbor, and in the future I will be making absolutely sure not to patronize any business or spend one thin dime within the city limits even if that does mean I have to drive to Westland to find computer parts." See ya! With all the threats I have seen the last few months by persons who vowed not to shop in A2 I would have thought the streets would be empty. There seem to be a number of self proclaimed experts on the law in this town. I expect that some of you will offer free legal aid. @ Daniel Soebbing So a few citizens that object to nudity in our park is being "closed minded"? I do agree that A2 is a "generally tolerant community that welcomes a broad diversity of people" But while we are tolerant there are some things we do not have to tolerate. And eight kids from other parts of the country just got a lesson in civics's that they should have gotten in High School!
SonnyDog09
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:32 a.m.
I expect to see a resolution from the Phoenix City Council on this matter any day now.
Jan
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:30 a.m.
Gee, you leave town for a few days and miss all the summer fun! Commenting on "Punk Week" probably gives it more publicity than it deserves but here goes. From what I can see, the Ann Arbor police handled themselves very professionally in this situation. I'm OK with barbecuing chicken in the park but keep your pants on, sober up, and don't embarrass your parents with your foul mouth. The video certainly doesn't show anybody's civil rights being violated. A well executed take-down, though. What was she thinking? I can't think of any town in America that would tolerate this nonsense. Hopefully folks get the message and it doesn't become another Ann Arbor tradition.
racerx
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:28 a.m.
@Jef Porkins-so, A2 is now to make distinctions on individuals based on if they spend money or not? So, lets institute an Arizona type law and request a person who has ragged clothes, piecing, pull them over and asked for their AmEx card. If its not Gold, Platinum or Black, and just green well escort them out of town.
Daniel Soebbing
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:24 a.m.
@fremdfirma Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I hope that you don't take the comments of a few closed minded people in this comment section to represent the majority of Ann Arbor residents. We are a generally tolerant community that welcomes a broad diversity of people. Maybe if city council does move to shut down punk week next year, the same way they went after medical marijuana dispensaries it will be time to boycott Ann Arbor. But for now these comments just represent mean people running their mouths. Don't let them win by staying away. That's exactly what they want!
Awakened
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5:33 a.m.
Some have asked what authority the AAPD had to make these folks leave. Ann Arbor City Code Chapter 39 - Parks "3:5. Persons excluded from parks. Any person who, while in a park, violates these regulations or other ordinances or laws or engages in activity which unreasonably interferes with the peaceful use of parks or neighboring property by others may be barred from a park or parks by the Community Services Area Administrator, Public Services Area Administrator, or designee, or any police officer. A person so barred shall be informed of the time period during which that person is excluded from the park. An order excluding a person for more than 24 hours must be approved by the Community Services Area Administrator, Public Services Area Administrator, or designee. No person shall enter or remain in a park during the time when that person is barred from the park." And if they refuse: Chapter 109, Section 9:62 Disorderly "(16) Knowingly obstruct or resist any member of the police force or fire department in the discharge of the officer's lawful duties or fail to obey the lawful order of said officer, knowing the officer to be a member of the police force or fire department." As a matter of practicality it is NEVER wise to confront a group of organized and armed people in a volitile situation. Jail is one of the less disasterous outcomes possible. Instead leave, go to City Hall and lodge a complaint or endeavor to 'discover' the law. It might help to be washed and sober when you arrive. You will receive more information that way.
Jimmy McNulty
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5:24 a.m.
The only things I saw on those videos were 1) a woman resisting a police officer, fleeing, and then being subdued and apprehended, all while 2) scores of the unruly were cursing at police officers. If anything, the video supports the police.
marzan
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5:23 a.m.
I like the actual insight into punk week that some of the posters brought to the table. it sucks that it's being changed by a few bad apples.
huh7891
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 4:10 a.m.
Not sure why my post was removed as there was no swearing, insults etc...but here it is again: Great job AAPD and doing your job with professional demeanor, one that the average person could not handle. The only swearing I heard on the video was from the people being arrested and onlookers..racial slurs cmon....didn't hear any. Lee seems like you tried to spin the story with AAPD as the bad guys..kinda back fired on you didn't it....
fremdfirma
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 4:01 a.m.
You know, reading this story has made me very thankful I do not live in Ann Arbor, and in the future I will be making absolutely sure not to patronize any business or spend one thin dime within the city limits even if that does mean I have to drive to Westland to find computer parts. The senseless bigotry and sheer nastiness I am seeing here, and often have seen in Ann Arbor is downright shocking, if young rowdy people offend you so, then close the college entire, why don't you? I might also point out that collective punishment is not justifiable legally or ethically - arresting a specific lawbreaker is one thing, arresting everyone within reach because you don't like the way they look, or their attitude, or their lifestyle is a spit in the eye of everything that america stands for, what's next, restoration of sumptuary law? Also noteworthy is the tired old saw of "arrested for resisting arrest", which seems to be the case here, and frankly, that is a laughable charge used to cover police misconduct for fifty some years and more, as is "failure to obey an officer", since it being a public park the police had no right to order them to leave barring a specific, individual, allegation. And as for the language, if I was cookin some burgers in a public park and some officer of the law took offense to my presence without probable cause, ordered me to leave and then arrested me when I blew him off, you'd hear far worse than anything in those videos, I assure you! How you FEEL about someone does not determine what the LAW is, and if you think it should, then perhaps you should consider what the end result of that might be when someone took offense to your own appearance, lifestyle, or what have you - this country was founded on an end to aristocracies and social classes, and it seems Ann Arbor is desperate to bring them back. That being the case I shall take my business, and my money, elsewhere, and encourage others to do the same.
Jef Porkins
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 3:13 a.m.
@racerx: the difference in the football crowds and the transient "punk" crowds are numerous, but mainly this - while the football crowd is a nuisance, they come here to spend money which helps our local economy and allows the residents to pay rent and live and so forth. The transient "punk" crowd comes here to try to make money by bumming it off people on the streets. There doesn't seem to be any pros to go along with the cons. I witnessed one of them trying to use his food stamps to buy his mixer for the booze his pal was buying with a handful of change. His card was declined so he borrowed his friend's food stamp card. This is a chosen lifestyle they lead, being homeless and jobless. What are they doing with Bridge Cards? Food stamps should be a last resort when you are down on your luck and can't get it together, something to keep you afloat while you get your life back together, not your chosen source of income. It's insulting. I've personally known transients in these circles to hop from state to state whenever they couldn't re-up their food stamps anymore. And my earlier comments about shoplifting are not unsubstantiated, I have friends in this social group, there are people that pride themselves on shoplifting everything they can. They rationalize it by only doing it to "big corporations" that they feel have somehow wronged America by being successful enough to have a chain or franchise. I honestly appreciate seeing the folks on the street busking, playing music to make money. That's one of the things that I love about Ann Arbor. But, pan-handling because you're "Traveling and hungry" and buying booze with the change, pissing on my front lawn and passing out on my neighbors lawn (these things I've witnessed) are not positive events in our community. When the football crowds exhibit the same behavior, I hope that the cops catch them in the act so their lily-white asses are seen in front of a judge next to these gutter punks that they would normally have no association with.
racerx
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 1:44 a.m.
@justwondering-so whos next? Blacks? Jews? Mexicans? Some people are/were personally offended by these people too. So do we arrest them? As you put it, you did not see these people. If you did, you would have found them objectionable. Good grief. Crawl back into that 1950 cave youve been living in.
racerx
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 1:39 a.m.
@usty shackelford-a voice of reason prevails once again. Excellent questions. Just because we dont like the looks of some people, is this a reason to arrest them? Did the AAPD arrest a few to send a message for the whole group? It just amazes me how intolerate some of these comments are. What crimes were committed? Where is the proof? Does the AAPD have any? But, just because they (the punks) looked menacing, dirty, whatever, we arrest them. Still, this reaction by the AAPD is pretty typical of the department that doesnt really deal with a lot of crime, so whenever the opportunity for them to act they tend to go overboard. @claire. Good point. Each and every fall, football Saturday. The only difference is those kids on Saturday are in Polo shirts.
just a voice
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:43 a.m.
its late, my last comment got lost somehow, so here it is summed up; if we try and get rid of punk week, it will only get worse. If you ask them not to come, the best elements will respect your wishes and the worst elements will come in droves. Just reality people.
just a voice
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:31 a.m.
eric cooper - re-watch the video, the girl was saying 'get the keys, the car is about to be towed', or something similar, I think they were trying to get the keys to a private non cop-car to move it before it got towed, though nice assumption that they were trying to get the cop car keys.
ypsicalling
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:11 a.m.
IMO the folks who comment here saying things like "those kids were a stinky menace" and such are the people who are making Ann Arbor so unpalatable. This town had character in the past, which has been priced out of town to make way for expensive housing for folks like that. I always enjoy when summer comes and the skateboarders come out and interesting/odd outta-towners visit; it all contributes what I consider "life" into this town. I won't throw around inflammatory terms like "gentrified" or anything, but folks who can't deal with a strange-looking/smelly young person walking past them on the street should move to Bloomfield Hills or Brighton; I'm sure you'd be much happier in one of those character-free towns!
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:42 p.m.
@LMSWconcernedA2resident No doubt many of the persons here for punk week are fine young people with a different outlook on life. That does not excuse the actions of those that saw fit to draw attention to themselves by acting as they did. I will give you this it may be wrong to generalize about them. BUT is it any more wrong than the generalizations that have been hurled at the residents of this city? Do we turn a blind eye to the type of actions of some that have been alleged? If so where do we draw the line at what we see? If only the ones that saw fit to challenge authority had been considerate enough to respect others around them this town would not have paid much attention to them. And therein lies the problem. Draw attention to yourself if you must but obey the laws of your host.
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:33 p.m.
I actually have met these sorts of kids before myself, in San Francisco, in NYC, and growing up punk myself in the mean suburbs of Detroit in the 80's...that last part's a joke, but what I mean to say, is I know what "punk" actually looks like, and what a down their luck young person looks, acts, and talks like, and can tell good from bad in those regards, and the type hauling their poor abused animals around on filthy ropes and chains (they use the animals to protect their belongings when they squat, and yes, they are more an accessory than a "friend")...and these kids, the one's arrested and charged? They are the worst of the lot. Even the bad apples have bad apples...and there's a reason the original generation of creative types that invented and originated Punk Week disowned it this year...and that's because it attracted the worst of the worst. The street buskers and creative ones were the good ones...those weren't the ones arrested and rightfully charged for going over the line. I'm proud of my town and proud of the A2 PD for standing up for what's right and just and caring about the commonweal and a happy community for EVERYBODY...not just some "misunderstood kids". But relax, they were pulling the wool over your eyes if you thought they were really that poor...they all probably have trustfund credit cards buried deep in their Dr. Marten's for that emergency trip home to Mom and Dad. Don't be fooled. They chose this lifestyle. Their abused dogs didn't though.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:28 p.m.
I don't think they've been stereotyped. They are exhibiting a behavior that's uncommon to Ann Arbor. They have been aggressive and hostile at times. They have infringed on others' rights without any regard. I'm sorry that you've had a rough life. Perhaps the abuse you've faced has helped paved the way so that young gay people never have to endure what you've endured. I understand why you want to paint a specific picture of the punk week problem. But I don't think you've painted an accurate picture.
LMSWconcernedA2resident
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:19 p.m.
I'm a semi-retired licensed clinical social worker. One of my hobbies is doing street photography. A few weeks ago I began noticing some very interesting, unusual people showing up on the streets of Ann Arbor. Most were buskers and I very impressed with the quality of their performances. Much of the music I had never heard before and I realized that I had been missing something. I began to talk with the guys. Most were young men. The last time I'd heard music like they were performing was in a small town in Arkansas where fine musicians come down from the Ozarks on weekends with their instruments, gather in many groups in the very very large town square, and play their stunningly beautiful music. Because I couldn't find guides to basic services such as free housing, food, medical and mental health care, laundry, HIV/Aids counseling, etc., I made a three fold pamphlet and distributed it to over 250 young people. This group of young people is comprised of college graduates unable to find work, many of whom have exhausted their resources and are traveling to find jobs, high school graduates who have a very small probability of finding employment these days, young people caught caught in the web of an economic disaster hardly caused by them that will produce a jobless recovery, structural unemployment that will take the greater part of a decade to improve. Many of these people believe and feel that their economic situation is hopeless. Many are very depressed, some I met extremely depressed because of the situation they find themselves in. Certainly some may have chosen not to work, and live a "punk", "anarchist" life. But by far, not the majority. I haven't met one of the people who have chosen that path who isn't aware of the implications of what they have chosen. I respect their point of view, the decisions they make, though mine differs from theirs and they respect that though some wonder about my motivation to help them. I'm motivated because I learned that these are by and large--and I mean it--exceptionally talanted, very bright people, determined not just to survive during these terrible times for the invisible poor, but to hone their talents and thrive as well as they can. These people are survivers. Many write very well. Practice and play great music skilfully, with heart and soul, because it is an authentic expression of who they are. Because they travel, they've mastered how to meet and get to know, sort good from bad--people & situations, and live well as well as they can in caring ways with friends and strangers of all persuasions, races, creeds, nationalities, from the richest of us to the poorest. During the depression masses of unemployed men traveled the rails looking for work. Some, many became depressed, drank, became hobos. There just was no work. Many had families. Wives, little children. So do many of these men. They haven't run away. They are you without money. Without money for a long time. Long without work. And you know its true that if you ever become one of the unlucky out of work for 99 month, a 99er, your chances in this economy of finding work are very very small indeed. I'm a gay man. I'm 65. I've been "out" for 50 years. I've been fired from jobs, refused housing, beaten, ostracized, hated by many, denied my full rights as an American citizen, denied an opportunity to serve in my country's armed forces, refused all of the legal and social benefits of marriage, on and on and on. I know exactly the sort of civil disobedience I'd engage in should a police officer or anyone else scream "faggot" in my face. I would do everything I could to draw as much attention to that behavior as I could despite anything that would be done to me. Anything. Not after what I've had to endure as an American gay man for 50 years. Having gotten to know dozens and dozens of these young people over the course of the last month, listened to them with the acuity that comes with years and years of experience as a clinical social worker, I like them as a group and I like and care for so many of them as individuals. I'm very sorry that you all haven't had the opportunity to get to know them as well as I have. Its shameful that the town has treated them with disrespect out of ignorance. Stereotyped them. I'm ashamed for the town.
LMSWconcernedA2resident
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:19 p.m.
I'm a semi-retired licensed clinical social worker. One of my hobbies is doing street photography. A few weeks ago I began noticing some very interesting, unusual people showing up on the streets of Ann Arbor. Most were buskers and I very impressed with the quality of their performances. Much of the music I had never heard before and I realized that I had been missing something. I began to talk with the guys. Most were young men. The last time I'd heard music like they were performing was in a small town in Arkansas where fine musicians come down from the Ozarks on weekends with their instruments, gather in many groups in the very very large town square, and play their stunningly beautiful music. Because I couldn't find guides to basic services such as free housing, food, medical and mental health care, laundry, HIV/Aids counseling, etc., I made a three fold pamphlet and distributed it to over 250 young people. This group of young people is comprised of college graduates unable to find work, many of whom have exhausted their resources and are traveling to find jobs, high school graduates who have a very small probability of finding employment these days, young people caught caught in the web of an economic disaster hardly caused by them that will produce a jobless recovery, structural unemployment that will take the greater part of a decade to improve. Many of these people believe and feel that their economic situation is hopeless. Many are very depressed, some I met extremely depressed because of the situation they find themselves in. Certainly some may have chosen not to work, and live a "punk", "anarchist" life. But by far, not the majority. I haven't met one of the people who have chosen that path who isn't aware of the implications of what they have chosen. I respect their point of view, the decisions they make, though mine differs from theirs and they respect that though some wonder about my motivation to help them. I'm motivated because I learned that these are by and large--and I mean it--exceptionally talanted, very bright people, determined not just to survive during these terrible times for the invisible poor, but to hone their talents and thrive as well as they can. These people are survivers. Many write very well. Practice and play great music skilfully, with heart and soul, because it is an authentic expression of who they are. Because they travel, they've mastered how to meet and get to know, sort good from bad--people & situations, and live well as well as they can in caring ways with friends and strangers of all persuasions, races, creeds, nationalities, from the richest of us to the poorest. During the depression masses of unemployed men traveled the rails looking for work. Some, many became depressed, drank, became hobos. There just was no work. Many had families. Wives, little children. So do many of these men. They haven't run away. They are you without money. Without money for a long time. Long without work. And you know its true that if you ever become one of the unlucky out of work for 99 month, a 99er, your chances in this economy of finding work are very very small indeed. I'm a gay man. I'm 65. I've been "out" for 50 years. I've been fired from jobs, refused housing, beaten, ostracized, hated by many, denied my full rights as an American citizen, denied an opportunity to serve in my country's armed forces, refused all of the legal and social benefits of marriage, on and on and on. I know exactly the sort of civil disobedience I'd engage in should a police officer or anyone else scream "faggot" in my face. I would do everything I could to draw as much attention to that behavior as I could despite anything that would be done to me. Anything. Not after what I've had to endure as an American gay man for 50 years. Having gotten to know dozens and dozens of these young people over the course of the last month, listened to them with the acuity that comes with years and years of experience as a clinical social worker, I like them as a group and I like and care for so many of them as individuals. I'm very sorry that you all haven't had the opportunity to get to know them as well as I have. Its shameful that the town has treated them with disrespect out of ignorance. Stereotyped them. I'm ashamed for the town.
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:14 p.m.
Punk Guide to Punk Week: Skillsharing Workshops offered: "How to Score a Free Meal 101" "How to Scare an Old Lady into giving you her free change 101" "Scare a straight into giving you a ride whereever 101" Animal Care and Husbandry: "How to Feed a Dog on.02 Cents a Day." "How to get your animal to get you handouts: The Pity Factor" "Capture Local Wildlife and Use it to Make a Statement" Personal Care and Hygiene: "Baths are Unnecessary: A Rebel's Guide to Beauty" "Facial Tattoos = Sticking It to the Man." Child Care Forum: "Use your ill-begotten progeny to scare up big hand-outs on the street." "How to Raise a Kid on the Interstate: A Hitchhiker's Guide to HomeSchooling." "To Squat or Not To Squat: A Vagrant's Home School Experience" "If They Are Too Much Hassle, Leave Em in the Last Town: The Easy Fix for Troublesome Kids on the Road." Yep, punk week...it's educational!!!
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:13 p.m.
@ Just A Voice "I do deplore the condition of many of the animals and think we should have humane society out to ID animals of abuse and arrest people for that (let them be naked and smoke pot, but don't harm the animals!)" More concern expressed over the dogs than people. You might say that the dogs can't defend themselves and I won't disagree. But when the citizens of this town try to defend themselves against the disruptive behavior in our public parks of a small group of inconsiderate individuals they are berated.
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 11:06 p.m.
Pigs 1 Freaks O. And for once, I'm glad the right side won. What did these punks contribute to the Ann Arbor community during their short stay? Let's do a tally: Disorderly conduct? Check. Property Destruction? Check. Indecency and public nudity? Check. Public Intoxication? Check. Cruelty to Animals? Check. Child Endangerment? Check? Lowered property values in the Depot/N. Main area? Check. Vagrancy and aggressive panhandling? Check. Running from police? Check. Sure, let's invite 'em back, ask 'em to stick around, stay awhile, after all, isn't this Ann Arbor? Anyone who defends these ruffians hasn't been paying attention or hasn't encountered them. Would you let a motor cycle gang or house of prostitution set up shop on Main just to protect an mirage as an open come one come all society?
Daniel Soebbing
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 10:57 p.m.
@bunnyabbot when is someone going to do something about these smelly beasts that are squatting in our National Parks? The moose are menacing our wilderness areas with their unpermitted gatherings. They travel great distances to graze in areas near which I choose to sleep. I paid good money to sleep there, while the moose pay nothing...
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 10:45 p.m.
Resisting arrest, smelly punks disgust, disrobe, dogs bark approval.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 10:39 p.m.
@pbehjatnia, this is a new dirty house I did not yet know about. and yes, you see dirties walking around with their lattes and cellphones, however what they really need is scrub brush, soap and a hose down. Someone asked if being smelly was against the law. this is worse then smelly, there is a clear lack of personal hygine, these people choose NOT to bathe like its the "man" forcing you to and they will fight the power. You can smell them coming and going before you see them. I thought the moose that showed up at our tent to graze while camping out west smelled bad, but the kid that walked by me last week was worse and the smell lingered.
Daniel Soebbing
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 10:38 p.m.
@pbehjatnia Culture is what you make it. Events that include skill sharing workshops, music and athletic competitions are annual elements of punk week. That's not culture? You claim that people that visit Ann Arbor for punk week are spending money at local businesses. So you are contradicting yourself when you are justifying the people that attend sporting events based on the $$$$ that attendees spend to come here, but are deriding the punk week attendees. If you have a beef with your neighbors on Summit maybe you should bring it up with their landlords. I don't know about the house that you claim is being squatted in, but the other houses that have been mentioned at Summit and Main are being rented legally, and the condition of those houses has as much to do with landlord neglect as it does with the people that are paying to live there.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 10:10 p.m.
@bunnyabot- the house on miller/Brooks I referred to is a new squatting by a Dirty couple with their dogs. It is about 3 houses in from the miller/seventh intersection. This is not a cultural event. This is a series of illegal events and accompanying behaviors which the residents of Ann arbor are expected to just live with. The people who come to town for sports events can be pains, but they are coming for a real event and paying real $$$$s to be here. They are not aggressively panhandling, harassing, stealing, squatting. This is not about elites vs. poor either. A good number of the Dirtys come from educated homes. They carry cell phones(and not cheap ones), they go to sip lattes and hang put inside star bucks, they maintain a web presence, play some fairly pricey instruments ( think harp), drive some good cars, own RVs, have lots pf $$s to spend at the summit part shop., eat at the fleetwood, buy weed and other drugs. Guess they aren't quite as poor as a few people here would like them to be. Sorry, this is about obnoxious, selfish, dumb behavior and it needs to be stopped.
Eric Cooper
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 10:07 p.m.
Is smelly illegal?
Eric Cooper
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 10:06 p.m.
Perhaps they were unruly, even foul. Perhaps taking the keys from the patrol car was not a good idea. Still, the yanking the handcuffed girl up by her hands was harsh. I am 48, law abiding with no police record, and I see most cops as evidence collectors with the intent of ruining my day. I do not trust them. Punk is a natural expression that arises out of mixture of hopelessness and overly oppressive societal mores.
Anna Potter
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:53 p.m.
It's unfortunate that all of the awesome people who came into town and all of the awesome events that happened at Punk Week this year have been overshadowed by the disrespectful crowd that showed up too. The minority has managed to redefine a much larger group of productive, creative, talented, cooperative people and have them labeled as smelly, alcoholic, abusive scum. For those of you who aren't aware, that's not what Punk Week is about and that's not what most of the attendants of Punk Week are like. The idiots were just more visible, and obviously more memorable, for now. The sad part is that they are gone, or will be gone very soon, and we who live here will be stuck with an image we didn't earn.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
someone mentioned the house near Miller and Brooks. The location (or another one) is actually to the left of Miller Manor, 2 houses in a row on Miller across from Minor? Both houses are boarded up, that is because for several years people (dirties) were squating in them or renting them with additional "guests" staying there. They've been boarded up for quite a while, but today I drove by and you could clearly see the boards on the door were down, meaning someone had been inside. I will tell everyone as well that a Police Officer friend of mine told me that when the cops did go to the Dirties "house" the smell was overwhelming inside and several officers nearly vomited at the stence (in this heat!) of human and animal waste, body odor and rotting food. Additionally people, these dirties don't all come for and leave for punk week. Many stay for months at a time living this "life style". Many panhandle for food yet have cellphones and laptops, spreading the word to other dirties to come visit ann arbor.
kulse012
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:22 p.m.
Very glad this video was shot. Shows the police acted just the way they are supposed to. What did that girl think would happen, the officer just tap her on the shoulder and ask her to come back to the crusier? Only people yelling are the literal punks. If they had half a brain and cooperated with the police, I bet they'd be free to panhandle and do whatever else they do without any charges hanging over their heads. Honestly, "the cops just pick on us" song and dance is really old. They'll have their day in court, but the video speaks for itself.
just a voice
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:19 p.m.
I am so conflicted on this, there is so much to say, and right now I'm limited on time, so; (no spell check tonight, sorry ahead of time) 1 - its really sad to see so many people who would support police brutality, I am not saying that there was, but to so many it doesn't even seem to matter. First they came for someone else and I didn't speak up, then when they came for me no one was left to speak up. 2 - as for the video as evidence, we need to keep in mind that there was less than 5 minutes of video and things took much longer than that, we are seeing a small amount of what happened. Also, the camera was a cell phone, so the audio sucks and you can only hear people very close to the camera or yelling very loud, so it is possible the cops said stuff, as it may simply not have been captured. And while yes the woman who ran from the cops should have been chased and tackles, the way the cop held her up was brutality if you ask me. Cops are starting to be trained to not be brutal after a chase, they often go into hunter mode/instinct and get violent after a chase or in high stress situations. Now, sure she was yelling 'i can't breath', and if you yell then you can breath, but we can't be mad at her bad use of english, she should have said 'I'm having problems breathing'. 3 - I often walked by homeless people this summer with dogs that would bark at my dog, but that happens when its not punk week. I do deplore the condition of many of the animals and think we should have humane society out to ID animals of abuse and arrest people for that (let them be naked and smoke pot, but don't harm the animals!). 4 - oh yah, someone was smoking pot at Bandemere? wow, I bike through there all the time and think if I asked a couple of disc golfers I could probably get someone to smoke me down 5 - djm - the dirty smelly people all summer ART NOT the people who came for punk week, so your point is invalid, there are smelly punks in ann arbor all year, so your problem is not with punk week, but punks in general from the sounds of it. 6 - Robert M, I like your point about harvey, its a good contrast of when people want law inforced, i'm pretty sure i commented on that article saying he should be arrested. Stefanie, was your attitude about public nudity ever expressed when your reporter got naked in public with harvey? it isn't off topic (robert's comment) its a valid contrast of two situations (along with the comparison to football saturdays), the simple fact is we arrest people based on who they are, not just the crime they commit. and you never responded to the quesiton about your reporter, why not? gut reaction are over, I have to run, but I will try and comment in a bit about how this will continue in the future.
kevin riley
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:12 p.m.
Punk is dead and has been for quite some time. Its time to realize that.
L'chaim
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:59 p.m.
Punks not dead. That was police brutality and gross misconduct/overreaction. They were having a bar-b-que for crying out loud.
kevin riley
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:45 p.m.
In the immortal words of Edmund E. Torcellini "You bring your liar, I will bring my liar and we will see which one lies the best." See you in court.
annarbor
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:34 p.m.
Curious, have previous "Punk Week" events generated this much comment, or did something happen this year that changed the opinion in the community? Just asking...
Daniel Soebbing
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:29 p.m.
The claim of shoplifting is unsubstantiated. Bumming money isn't illegal. Punk week is a cultural event that is attended by lots of people who belong to the Ann Arbor community. If they find enough value in the various punk week events to attend them I think it can only be viewed as a positive thing.
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:18 p.m.
Jef Porkins My comments were not directed at what happened at the park. I was referring to the behavior that other posters witnessed during the week. And I do put just as much stock in what those that recounted their 1st hand experiences during the week had to say as I do those that were at the "picnic". Especially when, unless one is blind and deaf the video makes pretty clear part of what was going on. I tend to believe what I see! Not what anyone tells me. I never said a word about the planned activities. Some of what I understand was planned I have no problem with. You seem to discount what two previous organizers had to say about how things had deteriorated and that there was always a group that did not feel it necessary to obey the law or show any restraint. You believe what you want. I will believe what the punkers themselves videoed. Or were the videos doctored by the police?
Jef Porkins
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:15 p.m.
Daniel Soebbing: Art Fair brings thousands of people who spend money and boost our economy during the summer when 2/3 of our population leave. Football weekends bring in thousands of people who spend their money and boost our economy as well. These people come in, eat at restaurants, drink at bars and shop in our stores. Their tips give waitstaff and bar-staff alike a good reason to hold those jobs. These events help the workers in this town pay their rent, buy food & gas, pay bills and live in this capitalistic country. The transients that come in for Punk Week do nothing like this. They bum money from people downtown, they shoplift from the gas stations, they get drunk in public and cause problems along the way. People on here talk about the juxtaposition of game crowds and Punk Week crowds as if it's "all about wealth" as if we're just fattening our pockets with game day cash so we can use it to light our cigars and keep it away from the unwashed masses of the hopeless underclass. I hate those crowds of jerks too, but at least I derive the ability to provide for my family because they happen. In what way does the Punk Week crowd positively effect our community?
Jef Porkins
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:58 p.m.
"Very interesting that your version of what goes on during the week is so much different from the version a number of posters here have given." "Doesn't sound tome like he was Just defending the weeks activities." Well, Kerby was actually there to witness the picnic and the arrests, so he's in a better position to defend what happened than anyone that commented, even the guy who called the cops because of the dog attack (who already said he left to call the cops). Everyone else seems to be speculating what happened at the picnic, while he was there to witness it, so give him a little credit. You specifically sited (unless my sarcasm detector is off) that you didn't believe that Kerby's version of what goes on during the week was plausible, not his version of what happened at the picnic with the arrests. That was a single incident, not the whole week. Not that they weren't jerks the whole week. What he's saying is that the scheduled activities of Punk Week are not destructive, but instead that the activities of some of the attenders of Punk Week outside of Punk Week events should not reflect on what Punk Week is about. Even the Zombie Walk, what a commenter posted as a parade of people in scruffy clothes not obeying pedestrian traffic laws, can be an enjoyable event for the town as a performance art piece. Besides, pedestrians not paying attention to traffic laws are nothing new to Ann Arbor, in fact it's rumored to be part of U of M orientation.
Daniel Soebbing
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:34 p.m.
I find the tone of the majority of the responses to this article to be despicable. I am ashamed of the blatant bigotry that has been voiced in several comments. If the people that are commenting on this article and bashing the people that were visiting our city over the last week are residents of Ann Arbor you represent the ugliest element in this city. If you don't like the way somebody smells that's your problem. If you don't like the fact that smelly people are in your city maybe you should be the one to leave. I know I try to stay as far away from downtown as possible during art fair because during that week my city is clogged with people that I would rather not spend my time around. Rather than trying to shut down art fair, which is an event that I do not enjoy or want to be associated with, I simply avoid it. Maybe the holier than thou bourgeois people that are so offended by the punks and traveling kids should stay away from downtown and punk week events while they are going on. I know a lot of hard working, productive Ann Arbor residents that have been going to various punk week events for years. Though employment is not in any way a requirement for people to be able to express their right to gather in public places, nor does employment or economic activity grant people special rights, I thought I would point out that that many people that attend punk week have jobs to those who would suggest that punk week only attracts people who do not have jobs or wealth. I didn't read anything that was in any way conclusive in this article as to whether or not any laws were actually broken by the people in the park. So whether or not they deserved to be arrested or harassed by the police is still up for debate. But I do take offense at the people who have used this incident to voice their intolerance of other people in this forum.
Rasputin
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:31 p.m.
Ah, Summer fun in Ann Arbor. As a regular to Bandemer & Bird Parks, I see people gathering all the time to walk dogs, go for mountain runs, or just casual drum circles. These 'hoods clearly were clearly up to no good if someone called the cops on them, huh? And one can surmise from the video(s) that they are quite unruly and loud. As for the 45 year old and the "n" word, give it up and get a job!
annarbor
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:25 p.m.
Isn't this like the issue of Hash Bash? Every year, a few hundred folks show up that are basically law-abiding folks that come to town, promote their agenda and cause no serious problems for the citizens or the police. All is fine until a few out-of-towners start puking and fighting and trashing the town, giving the Hash Bash organizers a bad name? It's really not that hard to figure this scenario out. A complaint was made to 911 about folk swimming in the nude, drinking in the park and having sex out in the open in the presence of children in Bandameer Park. The police show up, ask the punk group to leave and they lash out at the police. Some decide to act out and the police are forced to arrest eight of the 30 or so people in the park. The police have been dealing with calls like this for over a week and need to let the group know that their behavior has reached the point of arrest. A "snap shot" of the interaction with the police is captured by the group at the park and now the assumption is made that the police used excessive force and profanity. Based upon the video provided, I would say that the police were more than tolerant in their approach to the violators. No tazers, no batons, no rubber bullets, no gas and no mace was used. For those that have been comparing this to the U of M football game crowds, I have to agree with the poster that stated that 100k vs 20 unruly folks in a park is a poor comparison. Four or five cops vs 20-30 people could have easily articulated raising the level of force to deploy force other than handcuffs and verbal warnings. I hope, at some point, that A2.Com can obtain the police cruiser video that shows the ENTIRE event, not just snippets from a guy with video capabilities on his phone. For the record, I too have witnessed the worst side of this group and a serious review of this yearly event is much needed so as not to have a repeat of this problem next year.
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:10 p.m.
"The 2 kids who were actually breaking the law by being naked in public weren't arrested. The only kids arrested were the ones cooking chicken. Yes, the girl should of been tackled for resisting arrest but she had no reason to be arrested in the first place." Doesn't sound tome like he was Just defending the weeks activities. "The only events i would even consider destructive are the mud wrestling and the monster wrestling" There is destructive and there is disruptive! Lest some of you high and mighties think A2 is looking down on the "poor" Here is an excerpt from the goings on in Sam Francisco from change.org (a homeless advocate)February 28, 2010 Despite advocates marching on San Francisco a month ago to raise awareness of issues affecting the homeless, the City by the Bay is currently considering a measure to outlaw sitting and/or lying on the famed Haight Street sidewalks. Or, possibly, any and all sidewalks citywide. In an unfortunate development, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that he will personally introduce an ordinance to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Proponents complain about a new breed of "street punks," "thugs" or "road warriors" antagonizing citizens with especially disruptive, menacing misbehavior and unlawful acts. Unfortunately, as is too often the case, these are being equated with "the homeless" more generally, despite reports acknowledging that there have been very few problems from homeless individuals in the past. I could care less whether you take a bath, have a job, own mangy dogs! But keep your foul language and dogs away from other citizens! Don't like our attitude? Move to San Francisco!
GreenEggsandHam
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
I say we must join forces now to protect the city!Run the crime back east of Carpenter.Build a wall around the city,then a moat,sniper towers. Rid our kingdom of all lower class scum. I'm sure our king would approve!
kevin riley
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:53 p.m.
Well maybe the orginaizers of Punk Week might consider sharing the festivities with a different community every year. Like maybe a community where some of the out of town participants are from. Starting with 2011 Punk week.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:45 p.m.
@dark dichotomy:the ads for the concerts at the unzoned and unlicensed venue located at 111 west summit, aka the meat mansion, clearly ask for e.g., $4 or $$ donations or ' don't forget to bring money for the band'. This blind pig is charging. It doesn't matter if you get the alcohol just inside without a bar or a service or a specific charge for the alcohol. I am so glad you attended a concert in an illegal venue in my neighborhood. I appreciate that you have no respect for me or my family or my neighborhood. I want this illegal concert venue shut down for good. I want these jerks and their trash and drugs gone. I want their animals taken into the shelter to see if they can be salvaged and provided with medical care and proper food. I hope no one posts bail for the eight arrested. Oh, and FYI - just yesterday I saw a couple of Dirties after they were chased out of an empty and boarded house on miller nears Brooks. Yep. They just thought they would make themselves at home. Jerks. Anyone who thinks these jerks are great should invite them into their home and pay for their sorry manipulative lazy arises. Just get em outa here.
Jef Porkins
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:40 p.m.
What Kerby said doesn't go against anything that anyone else said. He defended the Punk Week events as benign and enjoyable. What everyone else has a problem with is that the people that come in from out of town to attend Punk Week are smelly (not just messy looking as Miss Bukowski takes issue with), they beg for money aggressively, they're drunk in public and keep unhealthy dogs when they seemingly can't give them proper care. Kerby was defending the Punk Week events, not their audience. What I think he's failing to see is the effect these people have on the town during the down time. Which is something anybody working hard throwing Punk week events could easily miss.
kevin riley
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:30 p.m.
And the video clips show nothing but the police dealing with a group of hostile foul mouthed youg adults.
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:27 p.m.
@Mike Kerby Very interesting that your version of what goes on during the week is so much different from the version a number of posters here have given. I don't know what motive they would have for trying to smear the good reputation of a few punkers. If I were you I would be disgusted enough to hold punker week in some other town next year.
MSU0284
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:26 p.m.
Thank you Ann Arbor Police Department!! Bandemer is a family-friendly park, and I hate to see such crude people taking it over (even just for one week). There is seriously no need for Ann Arbor to become known nation-wide as the party town for homeless, drugged out, and disorderly.
kevin riley
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:18 p.m.
Wherther or not she deserved to be arrested remains to be seen. When will she be in court?
MissBukowski
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:17 p.m.
First, let me just say- how do you get off calling them "dirties" or "stinky menace"? Does it matter if they have "unkempt looking dress"? Mentioning people's clothing in a disparaging manner- that's really mature. The problem isn't Punk Week. The problem is the people who degrade Punk Week.
Mike
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:03 p.m.
The 2 kids who were actually breaking the law by being naked in public weren't arrested. The only kids arrested were the ones cooking chicken. Yes, the girl should of been tackled for resisting arrest but she had no reason to be arrested in the first place. learn your facts be fore you go off on rants. The only reason the "dirties" were here is because every year me and my friends set up a week long activities for our culture. Nothing destructive to property or to other. Mostly the activities consist of D.I.Y. workshops and games. Yes permits were gotten for certian events. The only events i would even consider destructive are the mud wrestling and the monster wrestling (which was a small town made out of cardboard boxes where participants dressed up like monsters and wrestled). Sometimes things do get out of hand but not anymore than they get out of hand at any bar in ann arbor. The meat mansion does throw shows (usually free) and does not serve alcohol whatsoever. Alcohol is consumed but not purchased or served inside the house. There is a liquor store across the street. punk week is offically over as of today. the majority of the people attending are already or will be gone within the next few days. Everybody needs to lighten up, And get your facts straight.
Jef Porkins
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6 p.m.
I have been to many Punk Week events as I was an organizer for the first 7 years of Punk Weeks. Whenever the cops busted an event with a lot of people - people that were drinking in public (sometimes under age), smoking marijuana and yelling taunts and curses - they were steady and firm: we needed to leave. And leave we would without leaving anyone behind. They were always reasonable and even nice at times and we did our best to be the same. Having seen this scenario played out tens of times, I can imagine (and have heard anecdotes from eyewitnesses) that these 8 were the belligerent few that wouldn't leave, because "they have a right to be in the public park". The cops roll up, see people drinking, smoking weed and being naked and tell people to get out rather than tediously writing tickets and harassing people that are willing to comply. It's an unwritten agreement. You get off scott-free if you're cool when you're busted. These kids weren't cool, they were jerks, so it went the other way. I hate these kids that would sooner stick their hands out than work for what they need. They ruined Punk Week for me 2 years ago and it's only gotten worse. We never had fights at Punk Week when I was involved, now that's all I hear about. When Punk Week started it was made to be an inclusive community event, despite the name (you don't have to be a Blues man to go to a Blues Festival). The folk tale of the Little Red Hen was always sited as we all needed to pitch in and help make it go. We were trying to see "what we could get away with" without permits, without shelling out ton of money, without corporate sponsorship and without problems, just to say "See, you don't need all that crap if you can just work together." Then it started being all the traveling kids that wouldn't work with us at all. They wouldn't leave our yards when we asked, they got into fist fights over senseless things ("Did you drink my beer?") and had no respect for the surrounding community. Other people picked up where my friends and I left it and didn't bother regulating the transients. Now you have Bum Week. 1 out of the 10 that I encountered didn't ask me for something. 1 of them apologized for "pan-handling me" once he found out who I was. I guess he knew what they were doing was a nuisance. I also dislike the rowdy football crowds. I do see the police out there enforcing the laws, but there are a lot more people, 110,000 or so in the span of a day, rather than 60 in the span of a week, so the comparison is a little unfair. I also don't see the police harassing these traveling kids without warrant, only when called upon to do so by one of the citizens, just like football weekends.
kevin riley
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:52 p.m.
I think if you watch the first video closely you see the girl being let out of the patrol car by a friend. She wasnt just tackled for no reason. She was tackled for attempting to escape police custody. I hope they caught the person who let her out also.
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:41 p.m.
@ cash Maybe you could post their bail. The poor little misguided creatures. Invite them over for supper too. It is one thing to spout off on this site about how people in this town only want rich white folks. It is another when it comes to inviting one of these unfortunate ones to YOUR house! Talk is cheap. At least some of the posters here are honest enough to admit they don't want them in their yards. The argument that A2 does not want poor folks in this town does not hold water. What most of us do not want is a city full of freeloaders. And yes there are plenty of freeloaders that would not take a job if it was offered to them. Now before you get on your high horse I know there are also lots of people through little fault of their own that now find themselves homeless. But this town was full of homeless when their were all kinds of jobs.
gene tracy
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:38 p.m.
Wow Lokallsierung, that was heavy.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
The police do not have the right to arrest someone if they are not doing anything illegal. If you're mowing your lawn the police to not have the right to come and arrest you because as stated, you then have the right to contest it with a lawyer. I'm just responding to a blanket statement made. Whether I believe they had the right to arrest these people is not at issue, nor do I have enough facts enough to make that determination. I'm assuming some of them did, it is possible all of them did or only some of them did. It's ticky tack I know, but it is in response to a ticky tack statment IMO. The police do have a right to arrest someone that is resisting arrest, which maybe what you meant. Furthermore putting "ethics" into it confuses things even more. Perhaps in this situation, a mass of people some of whom are yelling insults etc., the have the legal ability to just grab anyone and start arresting them. Ethically I'm not willing to make that leap.
JPLewis
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:17 p.m.
@Lokalisierung: In what way is it not true?
Lokalisierung
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:06 p.m.
"The police have the right to arrest someone." Well let's not get ahead of ourselves here. That statement is not exactly true.
Speechless
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5 p.m.
In relation to community events that draw visitors from other places, the most danger that I've felt on the streets of this town has been on the night before a home football game and then late in the evening after the game. Talk about "a mass of rude traveling kids who drink excessively!"  But, hey, this is all about time-honored tradition, not hooliganism. Around game time, being rude is a public right — it's a feature, not a bug! The biggest difference, of course, between Punk Week and the MSU game is money. Lots of it. Since enough local merchants can profit from the presence of big game crowds, police will focus their attention on the more obnoxious of the stumbling, vomiting scofflaws, mostly ignoring the rest. When football is involved, rude boys & girls face only limited intervention. St. Patrick's Day doesn't present the same degree of risk, since a respectable number of folks become incapacitated by 9:00 p.m. after more than 12 hours of steady drinking.
stevek
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:59 p.m.
@Robert M--You seem to be obsessed with the word "white". Why can't there be a discussion or a difference of opinion that doesn't have a race spin on it?
JPLewis
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:59 p.m.
@ Speechless: Sure there was ethical justification for the actions of the police as seen in the videos. The police have the right to arrest someone. They in turn have the right to a lawyer. They do not however have the right to resist or run away.
JPLewis
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention the condition of their animals. Deplorable, as has been stated. Dogs living outside with likely no veterinary care, probably have a heartworm...a slow and painful way for a dog to live and die. Keeping a crow captive or as a pet is a federal crime, and a serious one.
dairy6
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.
The simple fact is that Ann Arbor has always been this way. It has always attracted weirdos and freaks and generally people on the fringe of society. It has a big university and will always have college students and football games in the fall that attract tens of thousands of people. The art fair will happen every year and 1000s of people will come for it. This is what goes on here and are some of the things that make the town unique. It used to be that people liked Ann Arbor because of this but now it seems all residents do is complaining about it. Overall, reading the comments over the past year or so about various events it makes me wonder why some of you choose to live here. The art fair brings too many people, football games are annoying, college students get too drunk, and the hippies smell! Sure it may inconvenience you but its all part of what makes Ann Arbor Ann Arbor. In my 20+ years living here its always been this way. I hate to be the guy that says this but if you don't want to deal it then maybe you shouldn't live in a college town. You are going to be inconviecnced, you are going to be offended and you are bound to be upset by something that happens here. Sorry to break the news to you but I doubt its going to change much. This is part of Ann Arbor and always will be. If you dont like it then you shouldnt have retired here, taken a job here or stayed here after you were born here. Frankly, I like it so Im staying and if any of my comments offends you, oh well, tough luck, thats life!
Speechless
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:48 p.m.
"... a mass of rude traveling kids who drink excessively...." Sorry to hear from a few different sources here that among Punk Week's neo-hippies and quasi-punks there were some number of rude boys mixed in. While the severe police behavior at Bandemer still remains without substantive ethical justification at this point, I can well understand, at least anecdotally, why some locals have been turned off by encounters with some of the week's visitors. Nonetheless, reading many of these comments is, as they used to say, vaguely reminiscent of the '60s. Forty years ago, upright & responsible Ann Arbor citizens (whose pants would never smell) always knew that the Stooges and the MC5, along with all their grimy and uncouth fans, rightly deserved a jail cell with the key thrown away. How could any normal person debate such basic common sense?  Well, once more it's déjà vu all over again.
GMC
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:45 p.m.
Thank you A2 police. I took my kids to Hunt Park on Sunday and was immediately attacked by two vicious-looking dogs running loose that belonged to these characters. A crackdown can't come soon enough.
JPLewis
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:42 p.m.
These punks have vomited in my yard, pulled up my flowers, left trash in my yard, trespassed on my property looking for whatever, carried on loudly outside my house in the middle of the night.... Please run 'em out of town. I don't know what kind of liberal 60s fantasy world some of you live in, but this town is mostly populated with residents who work hard, raise their kids, enjoy and respect their neighbors, and desire a decent place to live. We are not right wing nuts, nor are we left wing losers. Ann Arbor is a moderate, progressive town, but we are not gonna take crap from nasty people.
gene tracy
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.
These losers would not be true punks without making a scene and provoking the police. They then scream police brutality and all the A2 libs jump on board in support of the low lifes. My suggestion for next year is for all of you Ann Arborites who think a festival like this adds to the ambience of the city is to host these low lifes at your homes and neighborhoods. Let them party and have sex in front of your kids. Just keep them out of the parks we pay taxes for.
uawisok
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:20 p.m.
AnnArbor has become a myth in living off it's past politically active youth of the 60's and is filled now with self centered yuppies who call themselves "progressive democrats". They say don't bother me I'm too busy trying to buy a foreclosed property and make a buck off someone elses misfortune. What I have read here reminds me of the movie "Chocolat" I'm sure the rah rah police state we are moving towards will make those opposed to different folks seem trifle as they proclaim " let them eat cake"
Jay Allen
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:15 p.m.
@atnaap: "p.s. Unleashed dogs owned by middle class white people I have seen within city limits today? 6." Yes, you are dead on. I run up in AA 4-5 days per week and the remainder of the week here in Saline. I do see many dogs daily that are not leashed and yes that is against the law. But that makes it right? Ann Arbor is mostly white and mostly middle class. Agree? Thus the majority of unleashed dogs will be owned by guess who? Middle aged white people. This is the law of probability. What you are stating is the obvious. I have stated here on AA.Com that I have been bitten by a dog and it occurred in Gallup. This is why I take mace (hidden) everywhere I go on a run. I stated what I saw running through the park and I stated what upset me. If the owner had said "sorry" as 90% of folks do, then it is nothing, no big deal. But because he cursed at me and slandered me and THEN set the dog loose on me, that is a big deal. Smoking hippie lettuce? Their choice, not offending me, look the other way. BBQ'ing. Let'em eat what they want. Loud music. So be it. As long as it is not country! LOL Swimming nude. No. Not right, too many young kids. But trying to undermine the law, hindering and opposing, making accusations that cannot be substantiated, I hope that they are charged accordingly.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:15 p.m.
"These people are not all the same, come from any different backgrounds and places and to call them 'punks' as a general term is not really accurate." First of all, let's not get into the whole "what is a punk" endless discussion. It is being used as a general term of people that are here for "Punk Week."
Jacob
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:58 p.m.
I've seen these people all over the place, and it really doesn't bother me at all. I saw the police following them around and being somewhat overly suspicious a lot. Of course the police were being rough with the people. They are police. These people are not all the same, come from any different backgrounds and places and to call them 'punks' as a general term is not really accurate. I'm glad that they have the balls to be different and make noise and dress weirdly, because I'm pretty sick of the norm, because the norm is very boring, albeit tidy and quite and docile, maybe what some people would prefer. A backyard concert or a shopping cart race are interesting ideas. Whoever was mentioning zoning and permits was hopefully meaning to restrain further free actions? "A2's finest?" These 'finest' example appear as some of the worst examples of people I've seen. But it's ok because they are allowed to do it. I fully agree with others comparing these people to U of M college students. Well....humans are animals. Our unrealistic expectations of politeness and cleanliness are foolish. Maybe this is why these people appear 'dirty' to some.
boom
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:57 p.m.
I think the A2 Police did a great job disbursing the crowd and had to smile at A2Roots comment. Yeah, Doug Harvey and company wouldn't have been so nice.
snark12
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
Where's the idea come from that these are "poor" people? I doubt they're personally wealthy, given their age, but I suspect they come from poor families, middle-class families, and wealthy families, just like the rowdy, obnoxious, and equally-qualified-for-arrest Saturday football fans.
Cash
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
Yes all. Let's keep the poor people out of Ann Arbor. Let's let the wealthy ones come in on football weekends and rowdy up the place, vomit in the streets (witnessed), urinate on the sidewalk (witnessed), insult police with no repercussions (witnessed), blast music throughout neighborhoods, park where ever and whenever.... These folks would have blended in if they had waited a couple of Saturdays.
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
Maybe we can get the Humane Society to come out with some free food, vaccinations, and neutering for the poor animals carted around by the out-of-towners too...
Trevor Staples
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
Anyone who was at the shopping cart races last night knows that the police in this town are not just "out to get" anyone who looks or acts differently. Hundreds of people showed up, got rowdy, took over Ashley, then Main St. from Ann to Depot, and not a cop was in sight. It was a great event, unsanctioned by any authorities, and went off without a hitch. After all the crowds had reached the bottom of the hill on Main, they gathered in the street, celebrating. The police actually blocked off Southbound Main, so that cars wouldn't come off the highway and cause problems with the crowd. After ten or fifteen minutes, the police walked and drove slowly down the street asking people to get on the sidewalk and traffic resumed. The police didn't harass, even though there were many illegal aspects to the race (and *ahem* activities of the spectators). I gotta say reading about city council wanting to clamp down on punk week left a bad taste in my mouth. Punk week is about pushing the limits. However, when you push the limits of anything too far, there are going to be problems. And, if you push the police too hard, guess what? You'll get arrested. Hopefully punk week can be resurrected next year and continue to happen. Problem is, it takes self-policing. There's a lot that goes on in this town that's illegal, and we all know it. But when you rail against ALL rules, laws, and policies, things are going to get tough for ya. Gotta choose your battles wisely.
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:14 p.m.
It seems like the poor animals do most of "panhandling" work...at least that's why these punks keep them around...for the sympathy hand-out. Shameless.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
A week or so ago I passed the corner of Depot and Main heading out of town, there were two of these people sitting at the curb of this busy intersection with 3 dogs, strung together with ropes, all of which looked nervous and a crow, yes a crow sitting on top of there hobo backpack, the only way that crow was there is because they had it tied or had clipped its wing to keep it from flying away. All three dogs looked bony and unkept, I felt sorry for them.
treetowncartel
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:55 p.m.
I think it is high time for Mr. Kinsey to write an article on following the instructions of a police officer and challenging the officer's instructions at a later time.
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
How many of those in favor of these transient punk kids are animal lovers? You'd probably be sort of against them like those of that are if you saw the condition most of them keep their animals in. Almost to the last...and it seemed every group of kids had one or two...the dogs were malnourished, lame, with unkept coats and mangey sad-eyed abused-looking appearances. Many, many of these youth cart poor defenseless dogs and cats around the country on their adventures, and don't feed or care for them properly. There's no oversight or protection for the dogs and cats these punks put through misery in your chosen homeless lifestyle.
andy
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:43 p.m.
the world is sick and tired of these "kids" who don't contribute to society in any way and just lay around and get high all the time claiming they stand for some huge liberal movement when all they really want is to complain about everything. I can't stand it
Jody Durkacs
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:31 p.m.
Punks are dirty, smelly, disrespectful and use drugs? That is impossible! What is the world coming to!?!?!
andy
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
Are you kidding me people!! you can clearly see in the video someone letting the girl escape the cop car and try to run. Damn straight she got tackled. These kids are not welcome here. we have enough trouble dealing with the drunk college kids trashing this town.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:22 p.m.
Stefanie, Robert M seems to be making an accusation that aa.com staff were involved in this lawbreaking incident you are both refering to. I doubt this is true, but either refute it or delete the post for making accusations. "And local blog newspapers send out reporters to get naked and join in the 'cute' fun."
neel125
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
Since there was such a large response to a gathering maybe they should next year get together to build a house for Habitat for Humanity, volunteer at a soup kitchen (they like to cook), pick up trash along the river (they like to swim), host a concert for under-priviledge kids (they like music), put on entrepenurial workshops for teens (they seem to know how to make $)or a geography lesson (they travel the country).
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
If one has so much faith that a wrong has been done to these young people then there are other ways to express your support for them I just offered a couple suggestions. I find it strange that some would trust the word of "unknown people" before the word of local law enforcement. But unwilling to show support in any way other than insinuating that the police were in the wrong. I have not expressed an opinion one way or the other as to the alleged activities myself. I merely offered a way to show your support. I have GROWN UP in Ann Arbor.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
"@lokal...I'm pretty sure that being naked in public is one of those "old timey" laws that may have been broken." Obviously public nuidty is a crime, that's is well known. This article doesn't mention anyone was charged with it, nor does it show the person who made the claim down there pointing out which people were naked, therefore breaking a law. I imagine the cops went there to investigate reports of illegal activity, they were somewhat rude which isn't a crime, and the punks started calling them "Nazis" and it escalated from there. That's how these things usually go. Police need to use "force" in a crowd of poeple, half of which are running, the other half yelling and screaming; makes sense to me.
win
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:02 p.m.
@Claire I like the way the AAPD handled these clowns and would support them handling the idiots at Michigan football Saturdays the same way. Those who don't follow the law or behave in an orderly manner should be arrested.
Dark Dichotomy
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 2:02 p.m.
@pbehjatnia - They don't serve alcohol, you have to bring your own. Which they drink on private property. They also don't charge admission, they ask for donations for the bands. I am not involved but I have been there.
rusty shackelford
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:48 p.m.
Zazyvan, it's sad. What you're describing could go for much of the punk underground in general. It sounds like your story would make an excellent profile if there were a competent news organization in town. As for certain other commenter who makes the same point time and again, there is no logical connection between questioning authority based on the available evidence (i.e. this news story) and personally posting bond and allowing unknown people to camp in my non-existent backyard. Grow up.
theodynus
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
You don't have a right to go through life without being offended. Dirty pants aren't a crime. I'd be interested to know if the police have had an uptick in violent or property crime lately. I'm guessing not. I feel a lot more threatened at the tail end of game days than I do walking past the houses at summit and main every day. I've personally never heard any of the kids there yell at people walking by or act threatening towards people in the neighborhood, which is most certainly *not* the case on football game days. pbehjatnia, you must have a great nose, because again, I walk past those houses every day and I can't say that I've ever smelled dog or human feces. We can meet out front and put our noses to the test if you like, though. If you can find a pile of poo blindfolded, using nothing but your nose, I'll give you $50. p.s. Unleashed dogs owned by middle class white people I have seen within city limits today? 6.
Bpf
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
I couldn't care less about anyone smoking herb in A2. Neither do the police. It's a civil infraction here. I'm more concerned with quality of life issues like littering, noise, etc.
OldRUSHfan
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.
I heard no epithets from the police, the yelling seemed to come from the 'punks' and so-forth. I wouldn't trust the person who said her male friend was taken from the vehicle half a mile from the park? The police don't do that kind of thing without proper cause. These people mostly don't believe in authority, and I'm glad the AA Police showed them that breaking the law in Ann Arbor isn't tolerated. I'm NOT Republican, I'm NOT liberal, I just believe law breakers should be PUNISHED. And Rusty? You should've been a public defender, if you're not one already! :D
Bpf
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
"before the event becomes a pariah to local residents and law enforcement." Too late. Shut it and the houses on Summit down.
djm12652
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
@claire...I'm sorry you've had troubles with people trespassing and harassing you, did you call the police on them?
Claire
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:36 p.m.
OK, I've changed my mind. We, the people of Ann Arbor, do not need a bunch of hooligans that do not to obey the law, gee golly. Therefore, we should get rid of those awful stinky polluters destroying homes on state st and beyond with their beer pong and keg stands, throwing beer bottles and harassing girls. Oh wait, those are U of M students... nevermind, carry on.
jcj
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
@ rusty shackelford, claire, robert M, speechless I would suggest you guys take up a collection to post bond for them. Then you can pitch tents in YOUR backyard so they will have a place to stay while they are awaiting trial. That way you can set up video camera's to document the next time the police come around to harass them. But then I doubt they will mind the accommodations at the jail considering where they normally "live". Shoot you could even invite your kids or grand kids and the neighbor kids over to witness some of their preferred activities. Then when all is said and done you can post an opinion piece about your experiences!
Zazyvan
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.
Unfortunately, Punk Week has degenerated into a mass of rude traveling kids who drink excessively, and have poor attitudes. When I first became involved with the planning of Punk Week several years ago, it was meant to be a series of positive and creative events meant to build community among people in a segment of the arts community. We hosted events such as a free theatre production, a swap meet, several concerts held in various locations, one at The Blind Pig, and art workshops featuring stencilmaking and chain mail production. There was also a mudwrestling event held out of town on private property. It was something done in fun, and with a light heart. "What we could get away with" was meant to be a jesting comment, much like people talking about "how much they can get away with" on their diets. Today, a different group of young people have been handed the torch, and they don't seem to have a sense of respect for our town. I see too many unleashed dogs, and too much drinking and drug use. The even is planned by locals, but people come from all over to participate. I am saddened that the pleasant atmosphere of excitement and mischief has been replaced by lewd acts and disrespect. While I would like to see the festival continue, I think it has gone in entirely the wrong direction. I do not have any qualms with the traveling kids as a group, but I do wish that they would find more legitimate lodging, not trash the parks, behave civilly, and respect local law enforcement while they are in town, so that they do not draw legal action and negative attention to an otherwise worthwhile event. Just because the police show up, this does not mean that there has to be an arrest. Cooperation is possible through mutual respect. I'm very disappointed in the new generation handling these events. I hope we can see some improvements before the event becomes a pariah to local residents and law enforcement.
rusty shackelford
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
Interesting, theannouncerman007, thanks for sharing.
Jay Allen
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:22 p.m.
On Saturday I started running from Mitchell. To Fuller, Riverside, into Argo, up Longshore, along Barton and into Bandemer. And out and back with a loop around the pond. I went through +/-about 5:00pm. I will say I do know what hippie lettuce smells like and folks were "burning down" BIG time. There were many younger people swimming in the river, however I did not see any nudity. Shucks! LOL J/K Now what does upset me is I was chased by a dog that was unleashed. I like animals, but I like my extremities more. I got my Mace out and was about to let it go when the dog's owner used a dog whistle and the canine stopped. The owner cursed at me calling me a old xxxxxx xxxxxx. I stopped dead in my tracks and began to walk towards him and he let the dog go. I sprayed the dog and suggested we call AAPD. He continued with his obscenities, I thought better of it and I carried on. Rusty and et al, I have no idea what the officers did or did not see. I do know it was pretty out of control as I ran through.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:19 p.m.
I am a homeowner on West Summit in A2. I have seen my neighborhood overrun with the Dirties. They have the houses at 735 N. main as well as 111 & 113 W. Summit. The houses and properties are falling to pieces. The trash and MVs and bikes and dogs and cats and people and dog poop and small of human feces and urine are stomach churning. 111 W. Summit is used as a blind pig concert venue complete with front door signage, prints ads as well as Internet advertising at www.myspace.com/meatmanison. These are not house concerts. These are admission charged and alcohol served concerts. Houses there are not zoned for this use and there is no liquor license posted anywhere to my knowledge. Let's also take about their use and abuse of public spaces like parks and sidewalks or how about the aggressive panhandling and harassing of pedestrians -preferably women. In fact, a male friend of mine was assaulted Sunday at 11 a.m. downtown because he dared to intervene when three Dirty men (shirtless, of course), surrounded a snuggle woman and demanded her money while she clutched her bag in terror. Or how about the drinking drug fueled bashes at Wheeler and Hunt parks? I stopped walking my dogs down my street a long time ago. Why? Because none of the dogs at the Dirty houses is tagged? Why? Because they receive not veterinary care. I.e., they have not been vaccinated. Not to mention the possibility of getting a used discarded needle in one of my dogs paws. Oh, yes. And some have children with them. Minor children. I do not see any behavior in the videos attached to the article which could indicate that the AAPD followed an unacceptable procedure in dealing with these troublemakers. In fact, I hear a woman saying to 'get the keys from the car.' As the only car in the picture is a police car, I kinda think this was dumb to submit. The woman screaming like a banshee is just making a scene. What a load of crap. The Dirty M.O. Is to get you engaged. To question you, as if you are somehow wrong, for being unhappy with their socially and legally inappropriate behaviors. That is all this about. I say thank you AAPD for doing something and not treating the disgusting behavior like a cavaliers delikt and actually making arrests. I pity the intake officers at Hogback Rd. They should be given 14 months of pay for having to smell these jerks.
rusty shackelford
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
They outlasted their stay and good bye. Ironically, by starting legal proceedings against them, the town has actually compelled them to stay here longer than they were likely to have stayed on their own initiative.
a2roots
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:14 p.m.
@robertm...Why does this have to be a rich white thing? It is about a bunch of hooligans or punks that have no regard for others and apparently choose not to obey the police. They outlasted their stay and good bye.
treetowncartel
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:11 p.m.
Mystery solved. I saw three people at the exit ramp on US-23 south and Plymouth Road Monday evening with signs asking for money saying they are a long way from home. They did not look like the usual cast of charecters that employ this method around town so i was a bit perplexed. It is too bad Jerry Garcia isn't around anymore, following the "Dead" while trying to figure out your lot in life is a lot better than being a hooligan.
Bpf
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.
AND, I have been involved in and broke up seperate altercations involving and initiated by these clowns. So yes, it got personal.
a2roots
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1:01 p.m.
@speechless...come on if you can go back to Doug Harvey you certainly know there would have been some busted heads and a bus ride out of town. You know what, having witnessed some of the mess these fine young imported punk citizens left in their wake I am thinking it would have been nice to have Doug around for this party.
justwondering
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 1 p.m.
Yeah, I was around in the sixties. That was also 4 decades ago. I grew up. I suggest these people do, too. I think they'll regret having these phone videos showing their "persecution" and "innocence".
rusty shackelford
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:58 p.m.
It's still unclear to me what if any actual illegal activity the officers witnessed. If people were in fact merely having a barbecue, the order to disperse was an illegal one and (peacefully) resisting an illegal order is not against the law. Typically cops and prosecutors do anything they can to smear defendants in advance--if they have dirt, they almost always make it public right away. So the fact that no one is alleging that the cops witnessed any illegal activity is telling.
Speechless
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
A crowd of up to 30 mostly stood around roasting the carcasses of mass-murdered birds who probably never even knew the meaning of "free range" during their short, brutish lives. This really happened within our city limits??? At least two persons, thankfully, had the decency to go off and bathe in the river while this travesty took place; I'd want to wash off that acrid smoke, too. Forty years ago, students rioted through Ann Arbor streets because they were scared of Asian jungles. Now it's gotten much worse. I am so glad the AAPD saw fit to show up and brusquely tell this grisly crew to go fly the coop. Anytime anyone witnesses fowl being roasted or burned anywhere in public, law enforcement should never, ever refrain from swinging clubs, spraying pepper, or generally using any means necessary, just to make it all stop immediately! Our city's officers should look to local history and always follow this fine inspiration from the 1960s:  What would Sheriff Harvey have done? Save the Birds!
djm12652
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
@Ed...so is what you cut and pasted the law in Ann Arbor?
snoper
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
If the videos are supposed to help those arrested I don't see it. The only vulgarities heard are the loud ones being yelled at the police. The poor young woman who gets tackled appears to be escaping from the back seat of a patrol car after another of her compatriots opens the door to free her. Anyone who has been the houses at the corner of Summit and Main have seen these people as they congregate and trash the area. My heart goes out to the neighbors who have been putting up with this.
justwondering
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
Just my two cents, but I think these comments DO represent the population of Ann Arbor and I don't exactly see a groundswell of support for these bums.
a2roots
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
@claire...Per the story these "kids" are all adults and of the 8 only 2 are younger than 21. I particularly like where they are from...all out of the area. Why don't they go hang in Lansing? I'm sure they would be loved there.
anti-thug
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
so much for liberal Ann Arbor.
Megarz
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
Claire- are you kidding? Kids get in trouble all the time on campus. Not sure where you have been...
justwondering
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
@Claire - Apparently a number of the people posting on this site WERE personally offended by these people. And so what if they weren't? If someone is breaking the law (and yes, resisting arrest IS breaking the law) then I want them dealt with, whether I see it happen or not! Clearly you did not see these people. If you did, you would have found them objectionable. If you didn't find them objectionable, well then, I guess I have to stop writing.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:40 p.m.
well claire, I was personally offended by one when he walked by me last week, not once, but three times, dear God, his body odor was the WORST I have ever smelled!
rusty shackelford
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:39 p.m.
Claire, thankfully these boards are not representative of the Ann Arbor (city proper) population as a whole, although I do agree with you that they are quite dispiriting in terms of the direction the civic discourse in our country is headed. (e.g., you don't like being tased for no reason? Too bad!!!)
djm12652
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:38 p.m.
@lokal...I'm pretty sure that being naked in public is one of those "old timey" laws that may have been broken. I'm sure if there were racial slurs, the cops waited until the filming was done....because they are that conniving!?! Yeah right...the Dirties have been in town pan handling and leaving dog waste, and garbage on the sidewalks all summer.Last week they had the zombie walk of about 150 crazy-acting people. The upside of this whole thing is that at least two of them went in the water...closest thing to a bath they've had all summer. The stench when there is a group of them is unbearable. I'm glad the cops got them and I, for one, am tired of having to deal with all of the "outside" transients who love Ann Arbor because all of the do-gooders that will give them money.
Claire
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:34 p.m.
I can't say I'm shocked to read these comments, just another example of why I am beginning to despise this town. "good job a2pd" "f'em" "these kids are awful" really? How have any of "these kids" personally offended you? So a bunch of kids were hanging out in a park smoking pot and swimming. And? What about the 1,000s of drunk kids running around during football season? I don't see any of them getting slammed into the ground and arrested.
rusty shackelford
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
Two questions here: 1. Does the AAPD claim they actually found anyone "smoking marijuana, lounging naked, and having sex?" If so, why have none been charged under those statutes? It doesn't seem appropriate to include this accusation by an anonymous caller if the AAPD itself doesn't make that claim. Finally, if AAPD does not claim any of these activities were in fact occurring, it did not have legal grounds to require peaceably assembled citizens to disperse. In other words: grilling is not a crime. 2. How does AAPD justify arresting Walker, who was not in the park and was fully clothed when arrested? If he was 1/2 mile from the park, he was undoubtedly "dispersed" and doing as they had demanded of other park dwellers. Why was he arrested? How did they know he was even at the park? Was he targeted because he "looked like a punk"?
a2roots
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:27 p.m.
Got to see the punks in action Friday evening. They marched on the sidewalk and street west on Liberty to Main then headed north on Main St. I thought it was a reenactment of the Night of the Living Dead. Lots of noise, unkempt looking dress, somewhat rowdy behavior and general disregard for traffic and pedestrians. Pretty much a good laugh for one and all and wonderment how you get that many silly looking people together to do anything. But you know punks, there is a fine line from being a punk and being a dumb punk. Dumb is running from the police and not obeying police when requested to do so.
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:27 p.m.
The reason no one heard any slurs or racist remarks from Ann arbor's police probably can easily be explained because there weren't any said. These "gutterpunk" (that's another title) kids are most likely expert liars just out to stir up trouble by spreading false accusations and rebelling just to rebel. They showed no respect for our town, our community, and its citizens when they "visited" during Punk week and need to be promptly and aggressively shown the quickest and most efficent way out of town...be it in a cop car or on Greyhound.
justwondering
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
Oh, these poor kids. Some of them came 2000 miles just to eat chicken and got arrested instead. Nonsense. If you come to Ann Arbor, wear clothes, leash your dogs, respect others using public spaces around you, and also respect the members of the community at large. What a spoiled bunch of narcissists (sp?). Well done Ann Arbor Police Department!!! Please keep up the good work!!! We support you!!!
Bpf
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
Oh, I also do not support thuggish, fascist or bigoted cops. If they did drop an N-Bomb or use excessive force, there should be reprecussions from the A2PD.
annarbor
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
Is it me or did I NOT hear any racial or homophobic slurs? I fail to see how these videos help the folks that were arrested.
A2liveandwork
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
Well done PD, these kids are awful--good riddance and don't come back
ShadowManager
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
Those kids were a stinky menace all week all over town. I'm glad A2's finest cracked down hard.
Hunterjim
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
Good job A2PD...Good bye to "Punk Week".
Lokalisierung
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 12:01 p.m.
Well I hate to see this kind of thing happen, but running from the police will probably get you tackled and arrested. We have so many "old-timey" laws that can be pulled out so cops can arrest you. I'm sure there's swearing going in the presence of women, whcih is somehow illegal. I'm glad it was recorded, although a phone camera does not involve videotape or film.