justaword

Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 4:39 a.m.

These folks also broke into a vacant house on Miller Avenue (800 block) and were squatting there. Police came and threw them out last Sunday, allowed them time to gather up and take all their belongings, but did not charge them or arrest them for anything. I've not seen any reporting on this.???????????????

ShadowManager

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 6:44 p.m.

People see what they want to see. See you punks in court!

Charles

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.

Arrest or any custodial interrogation, though not technically called "arrest" must be based on probable cause. 99 S. Ct. 2248. To be actionable in the event that such seizure is improper or unlawful, there must be an intent on the part of the arresting officer or agent to bring the suspect into custody. See 266 F. Supp. 718, 724. The seizure or detention must be understood by the arrested person to be an arrest. 94 Ohio App. 313. The elements are: (1) purpose or intention to effect the arrest under real or pretended authority; (2) actual or constructive seizure or detention of the person to be arrested by the person having present power to control him; (3) communication by the arresting officer of intention or purpose then and there to make the arrest; and (4) understanding by the person to be arrested that such is the intention of the arrestor. I do not see handcuffs on the young woman when she removes herself from the squad car. I myself do not know if she was under arrest. I do not see any retaliation towards the arresting officer once she has been arrested. I do see an officer of the law dragging a, compliant, arrested girl across a road. I do see a young boy's face being slammed into a car, by an arresting officer.

ShadowManager

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.

He "dragged" her because after being put in the car, she jumped out and tried to run. Don't forger that lil' ditty. It's crucial.

Observer

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.

When you are arrested by the AAPD, first you are handcuffed, then you are searched, then you are put into the back seat of the car. They never put anyone into the back seat who isn't under arrest. In my opinion, the officer that dragged her is liable for brutality charges.

StrongFire

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 7:31 p.m.

Here's the link to the MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/punkweekinfo

StrongFire

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 7:21 p.m.

Here's how Punk Week was described in another AnnArbor.com story: 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. Please note the part about "to see what they could get away with." If you're trying to push the boundaries of illegal activity, then you should not be surprised when you are arrested for participating in said activity.

Mertie

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 4:22 p.m.

It still boils down to a statement in the original article- punk week was to see "what they could get away with." This seems like an intent to do "wrong." Confiscate their poor dogs and give them a one way bus ticket back to where they came from. I don't think that this has anything to do with the elite folks of Ann Arbor. This would have happened in any city they chose to drop their bags in and they sure should not be able to profit from any frivilous lawsuits. Police need to be available to deal with more serious issues than a bunch of "punks."

Greggy_D

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 1:24 p.m.

It still has not been reported exactly what the officers saw or heard which led them to ask the individuals to leave the park.

ShadowManager

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 10:27 a.m.

" However, many states including Michigan now say that it is so dangerous to resist arrest that you can be convicted even if there was no justification for the arrest. Isn't it wonderful to live in a police state?" As David Byrne sang..."Same as it Ever Was". Nothing's changed. The first part about it being ok to "resist an unlawful arrest" might make good copy in an anarchist zine, but it's never been the law of the land in Michigan or any other U.S. state. Where are you getting this information?

trespass

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 6:17 a.m.

@Mike Kerby- It used to be a tenet of the law that "it is never unlawful to resist an unlawful arrest". In other words, if you were charged for resisting arrest, it was a sufficient defense to prove that the original charge upon which you were arrested was unjustified. However, many states including Michigan now say that it is so dangerous to resist arrest that you can be convicted even if there was no justification for the arrest. Isn't it wonderful to live in a police state?

Lee Higgins

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 5:53 a.m.

A private attorney met with four of the defendants on Friday: http://alturl.com/eb9pm

jcj

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 10:26 p.m.

@ Mike Kelly And what part of the park were you hiding in watching? Is that how you got Your facts?

Mike

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 9:42 p.m.

yes she had the right to be talked for resisting arrest but the arrest charges were bogus there was no point for initial arrest they were not tresspassing it was a public park

jcj

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 8:34 p.m.

trespass My mistake. However do we need to cite cases where people were found guilty? Or do we just assume that everyone that gets arrested was falsely arrested? @Mike Kelly It certainly bothers me immensely that we make you sick! Get a grip! Are there any circumstances that you can think of where a justified arrest occurs? @fremdfirma Where do I begin? "I am not a lawyer" That pretty much says it all on your end! "Not to mention the conduct and attitudes of the residents themselves has ever more firmly convinced me to stay away from there, I'm sorry" Don't be sorry I doubt the businesses will miss your 2 cents! Besides who do you think your kidding? Its like a child threatening to run away! Funny you decide to stay away and some of those arrested decide to stay and look for a job with the business owners you revile.

Mike

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.

all you people make me sick the people who where arrested had no reason to be arrested in the first place get your facts straight once again get off your high horse just because you have a different lifestyle doesn't mean you have any more rights than anyone else what happened to we were all created equal

trespass

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 7:31 p.m.

@sarcastic1- Both Dr. Catherine Wilkerson and Dr. Andrei Borisov were acquitted of all charges, so they were not breaking the law when they were subjected to brutal treatment by the police. @jcj- I was referring to the protester in the Catherine Wilkerson case. Dr. Wilkerson is a trained ER physician and she testified that the protester stopped breathing. In addition the protester was unconscious when the ambulance arrived.

pbehjatnia

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 5:11 p.m.

the doga are unvaccinated, malnourished. they do not see a vet ever. they are usually neither neutered nor spayed. remember unvaccinated means no rabies or heartworm care. they suffer miserable painful slow deaths. these people are self centered and cruel. i wish animal cruelty charges wpuld be brought.

fremdfirma

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 4:08 p.m.

If you run a business in Ann Arbor and pay taxes, you are at some point, responsible for the conduct of your police. Not to mention the conduct and attitudes of the residents themselves has ever more firmly convinced me to stay away from there, I'm sorry, but if my money is the only thing that makes me welcome there I would rather be somewhere else. As to the girl who bailed the police car, this is not medieval europe, citizens have every right to resist to the maximum of their ability a false arrest, see also John Bad Elk vs United States for more information regarding that - that isn't prejudging the situation since we should wait for the result of the investigation, it's simply a statement of fact that if the arrest itself was unlawful she had every right to do so. The authority of a police officer has limits, they cannot simply make a demand of you and then arrest you for "failure to obey" if they have no legal right to make that demand in the first place, nor is "resisting arrest" a sufficient charge of its own because in order for that to even happen in a legal sense the officer would have to be arresting you for another charge, which if not present, invalidates the resisting arrest since there was not cause for arrest in the first place. I am not a laywer, these are simply common sense reminders of the limits of what a police officer can and cannot do, since some people seem to have the idea police authority is absolute, which it is not.

jcj

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.

@ gibby76 What is it about some that see and hear only what they want? PLEASE read all of my post on this subject on this and the other thread! The only and most "disparaging" thing I said and it wasn't about "these people" it was about the female that jumped out of the police car and tried to run away. Was this "Just as she must have known she would not be allowed to run away. If she did not know this then they did her and her parents a favor because someone so unaware should not be out on their own!" You will not find any comment stronger than that concerning (your words) "these people". I never launched any personal attacks on "these people". Most of my comments were directed toward individual commentators. As I said before if you think the antic's of a few of "these people" is OK. I guarantee you I will not complain if you host them in your backyard.

pbehjatnia

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.

Bye bye. Can't say I will miss 'em.

ShadowManager

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.

I appreciate the context the last poster has added. The types of individuals and group gatherings that A2 witnessed in Punk Week are, indeed, a common problem in many urban communities that are SIGNIFICANTLY more progressive and, ahem, inclusive at times than dear old Ann Arbor can be, which is at heart a midwestern college town, and when places like Haight-Ashbury in SF, California, Portland Oregon, Seattle, NYC, and the like ALL have taskforces and street initiatives to deal with the burgeoning problem of idle disaffected and homeless street youth wrecking havoc in public parks and areas (i.e. hurting business, scaring away families, bringing drugs and violence into the neighborhoods, and wrecking the rest of the public's enjoyment of public places...), it should serve notice to those that want to lazily and self-righteously stand up for these punk provactuers "just because Ann Arbor is a welcoming community", it would be well-served if those people traveled a bit, saw what incidents and individuals like this have been doing to other communities, and then...come back see and saw the truth which is: Hurrah for the AAPD for standing up for citizen rights, public enjoyment of community spaces, and civic pride!

gibby76

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:32 p.m.

@jcj "There is No proof silch, nada, zero that as you put it "the protester" stopped breathing." You can't prove that she didn't stop breathing. Sticking their foot in their back, that seems a bit extreme. what happened to just using rubber bullets. And talk disparaging of these people as much as you like, they're still people, from all over the country. maybe that's why you don't like them so much. I didn't know this town was soo provincial...

Sarcastic1

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 1:56 p.m.

Reply to trespass "How is the public supposed to know what violates police policy when they are not allowed to know the policy?" Obey the law and you won't have to worry about it.

jcj

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.

@ trespass I had intended to stay out of the fray on this thread. However some of the comments will not allow me to stay silent! "The full weight on a knee in the back is extremely dangerous. In the Linda Wilkerson case, the protester that she was trying to help stopped breathing while the officer had his knee in his back" There is No proof silch, nada, zero that as you put it "the protester" stopped breathing. Even if she had for a second (no proof)this is no more than any kid that gets off the couch has not had happen to them at some point. Just this afternoon I fell off a 6 foot ladder ( actually the leg on the ladder broke) and I had the wind knocked out of me. True story! Not pleasant but I did not blame the ladder. I knew it was somewhat shaky. Just as she must have known she would not be allowed to run away. If she did not know this then they did her and her parents a favor because someone so unaware should not be out on their own! @racerx "If it takes an internal investigation to determine the facts, so be it." Why do I get the feeling that if you did the investigating yourself and found the officers did nothing wrong you would not believe it and would call yourself a liar!

SemperFi

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 1:36 p.m.

Just because these "Dirties" have the right to congregate and celebrate their music, it doesn't give them any privilege to foist their depraved behavior(drug and alcohol abuse, public nudity and leud behavior, disregard for local laws, etc.) on the general public. They can be held to the same standards as everyone else. If they don't appreciate the response to their actions, then they're welcome to try their act elsewhere. Good bye and Good ridance.

Mary Catherine Smith

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.

Goodbye gutter punks....it wouldn't be too soon if you left today. You give hippies and real punks a bad name. This is not a problem only here - gutter punks have invaded and caused problems in many cities around the country in the past few years. We just haven't seen them here until recently.

gibby76

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.

wow so many judgmental people. regardless if you think Punks are "hooligans" they DO have a right to congregate and celebrate their music concert. If people were using drugs or being exposed outside, that DOES NOT give the cops a right to rough them up. I mean even if it was exposure, it wasn't like the guy that was driving all around the county flashing people. Just because things get out of hand, doesn't mean the out of town coppers need to lose their minds. THAT is what I hope the investigation will be about, but it probably won't materialize. Not that you suburbanites really care.

Dakotawoman1

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.

Trespass - "....How is the public supposed to know what violates police policy when they are not allowed to know the policy?" I guarantee you they knew that running from the police after already being cuffed and stuffed was WRONG....so really, your argument has no bearing.....

gibby76

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 12:44 p.m.

dang not on youtube :(

Destroom101

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.

"We should be able to check every out-of-towner's bank account before allowing them entrance to our lovely town; things would be much nicer for our families and children -- they shouldn't be exposed to THAT kind of lifestyle...if you can call it that!" This is a very disturbing comment. "out of towner"??? are they not American Citizens? when you hit the Ohio border, do you think the cops should call Experian for a credit check on you? When I get off M14 should I have to stop at a checkpoint and show my Citi morgtage statement and proof of payment of my property taxes?

Speechless

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 12:02 p.m.

I have little doubt that if local officers or county deputies were to treat heavily partying UM football fans or rural 'militia' members in this way, any number of annarbor.com's cheerleaders for police aggression against scruffy Punk Week visitors would switch gears very quickly. They would call out loudly for law enforcement to exercise only the highest possible standards of calm restraint, and demand that legal redress and financial judgments be given to any roughly-treated maize & blue drunks or camouflage-attired barbecuers.

boom

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.

The internal investigation should be over by now. All they have to do is check out the Youtube videos posted on here that were provided by the punks. Regarding the commenter who saw the punks walking South down State Street past I-94. I saw them last week walking North on State Street past I-94 setting up shop at the exit ramps on I-94 to ask for money. I have a feeling they are staying in one of the cheaper hotels near that area.

Roadman

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:35 a.m.

Trespass: That should be Catherine Wilkerson - not Linda. Dr. Wilkerson was acquitted of attempted obstruction of an officer. The entire criminal case was an embarrasment to the law enforcemnet personnel involved and the prosecution who tried the case - Margaret Connors. It is likely in this case the defendants will be offered plea deals and go on their merry way.

MRunner

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:19 a.m.

Trespass- I agree- the full weight of the knee on the back can be dangerous if applied incorrectly. But, if you pay close attention to the video, you cannot tell 1) Where, exactly, is the knee placed. Back, sacrum, hip? 2) How much of the officer's full weight is on the person trying to escape. Given that she is yelling through the whole event, and that she clearly was not asphyxiated, and that she was on the ground for a very short time, in this case, I would say that the amount of force to subdue the person fleeing from the officer was appropriate.

Mr. Tibbs

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.

Why izzit the police are always wrong? Ya know, I have to ask you "people" who ya gonna call to protect you when society breaks down? These "persons" who were only trying to enjoy the anarchy they wish for all of us to have, "IF" they get their wish, do you understand what it is they want for all of us? I have to say, the party is over. leave Cantcha? just leave. In more way than just this one, the party is over. it's over for the country as well. and guess who the police are going to coe for when this one ends.... I also have a question pertaining to the "alledged" name calling. Did they call these people bad "homophobic" names before, during or after their public acts? And let's just say they were in the "ACT" doesn't that constitute exposure? Or do the laws that cover the rest of us "become" homophobic, and thus non-applicable when applied to the protected species of these humans? one other question is why do you think they call 'em punks? if you ain't gonna act "it" all ya are is a wannabe.... but still the cops are at fault.

honeybee

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.

So often when reading the comments of a story such as this, or anything related to happenings downtown, multiple people will vow to stop patronizing downtown businesses. Please tell me why it makes sense to punish the business owners that are doing their part to make Ann Arbor the unique and enjoyable town that it is. If you think downtown business owners can (or even want to) survive solely on visitors that come to our city you are mistaken. It is the residents of this city that business want and need to see in their restaurants and shops. There is great value in the relationships between downtown businesses and their local patrons. Especially important in our current economic situation is to focus on spending dollars locally. Vowing not to patronize downtown businesses because of the actions of a specific group of people milling around town is ridiculous. Its not like the whole town has been taken over by punks and cant be enjoyed. This group is not a true representation of downtown but yes they are going to be a small part of the experience of being downtown. Please understand I am not defending this group of people and dont particularly care for their presence in town mainly because it contributes to the perception that downtown isnt what is used to be or is too much of a hassle to deal with or isnt safe. The reality is far from it. However keep in mind if you,and others that share the same philosophy as you, stay away from downtown and refuse to patronize businesses it really will become a place a that no one will want to be.

trespass

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.

@Mrunner & jcg- The full weight on a knee in the back is extremely dangerous. In the Linda Wilkerson case, the protester that she was trying to help stopped breathing while the officer had his knee in his back. The officers need to know what causes most of the deaths during arrests such as "sleeper holds" and asphyxia. The most common complaint against an officer is for excessive force but the Police Dept. will not release the "use of force" policy under freedom of information, supposedly because it gives away tactics. How is the public supposed to know what violates police policy when they are not allowed to know the policy?

Jay Allen

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 9:49 a.m.

Help! I need help, PLEASE!!! I need to know where to download the video that Ken watched! Why? Because the video provided in the article 2 or 3 days ago -AND- the video shown on the news outlets shows absolutely ZERO wrong with the way AAPD handled the situation. In a volatile situation, you run away from a Police Officer screaming and yelling, I would fully EXPECT to be tackled and subdued by the Officer. Geez, I am surprised she was not tazered and I would have AGREED with that. And as far as AAPD using racial slurs, where is the proof? The video shows quite the opposite. Remember, the other day I posted I was running through there approximately 45 minutes before this blew up. I have no idea what the Police witnessed when they got there but it does not surprise me this has blown up like it has. ***BTW Ken, your first post here was quite entertaining. Just have to love it when folks sign up, let off a bomb and run away.

jcj

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.

MRunner Brings up a good point about the only thing in the video that might appear to be excessive (I don't believe it was) and that is the lifting of the girl by the arms. Had the officer tried to lift her by the torso he would probably now be facing charges of fondling her. If any of you have tried lifting an uncooperative adult by the torso you know it requires you to get up close and personal. Not something most of us want to do with strangers.

Marie

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 8:29 a.m.

I have witnessed first hand the havock and damage these kids can cause. I have seen them lure young girls into their group and get them hooked on the alcohol, drug induced life style they try to glamorize. Punk week is an opportunity for them to pretend they are happy and otherwise OK. In reality most are alcoholics and drug addicts who do not want to face or deal with their problems. A family member of mine fell to their lure and has been in and out of rehabs since then. They are trying to sponge off of the government and society to enable them to continue in their self-destructive life style. I know many of them get food stamps and other government funds and use the money for alcohol and drugs. Their pan-handling is bad enough but when they are stumbling around drunk and making lewd comment to people I feel they need to be arrested or at least escorted out of town. They may claim they have the right to be here. I have the right to walk through town without being subjected to their horrific behavior.

Heather

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 7:41 a.m.

I read the whole story because I had just one question. What on earth is Punk Week? I still have no idea.

vg550

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.

.... and why do you think they call it "Punk Week"? They are all a bunch of punks with nothing to do but act and do stupid things. The police department has a hard enough job without having to babysit and control a bunch of "punks". From the article: "smoking marijuana, lounging naked and having sex at the Lake Shore Drive park along the Huron River." Maybe they put up with that stuff in CA and NY, but we don't need to in A2. I say "Good Work" Ann Arbor PD :)

MRunner

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 7:20 a.m.

@Ken: What you witnessed on the video was not unprofessional- in fact, it was an extremely effective take-down of a suspect trying to escape from a police custody. This is not something most of us are used to seeing, so it is OK to be shocked when we see it. But lets distinguish between what is shocking, and what is appalling. If you are prepared to try to escape from a police car and run away, you better have high confidence in your sprinting ability, because at this point, you have demonstrated to the police that you cannot be trusted on your own volition. Therefore, the officer needs to effectively subdue you without you causing harm to yourself, the police, or others. The knee to the back immobilizes- the girls already demonstrated she was willing to run, so the officer uses appropriate force needed to subdue. Lifting by the cuffs is necessary- it minimizes bodily contact with the suspect who could have a weapon, needle, sharps, etc elsewhere on the body. It is unsafe to the officer and ineffective to lift a struggling, trying-to-escape suspect by the hips or torso. It gives the suspect a chance to use arms, elbows, cuffs as a weapon against the officer. What we didnt see in the video speaks highly to the officers professionalism. No one had to pull a baton. No guns were drawn. The officers responded extremely professionally to a suspect trying to escape, and her friends who released her from the car. It is shocking to see, but dont be appalled at what happens if you, of your own volition, try to run from the police.

Rasputin

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 7:05 a.m.

Not disappoint, but yesterday as I was leaving work, I noticed a group of these 'punks' heading out of town along State street towards I-94. I have a feeling, they're long gone by now or lounging around naked and smoking dope in an adjacent county or state. BTW, they had two dogs with them.

InsideTheHall

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 6:58 a.m.

Oh come on Ken, she escaped from a patrol car after being taken into custody. A haymaker or two to the kisser is definitely in order. Remember a policeman never knows if an assailant is armed or not. Yes, err on the side of caution we have seen enough cops blown away in this country.

bk1000

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 6:50 a.m.

Punks gotta go. These people are just straight up bad for our town. I love hardcore and punk music. I like going to the shows. I like drinking and getting rowdy. But these people don't care about anything but that. They are hedonistic to an extreme. They have no sense of place and don't care to. You all should take a walk through Bluffs Park as see what they've done since they moved into the houses on Summit and Main. The place is a disaster. Ok, the fire ring has been a mess for a while. But the "punks" have brought on a new level of destruction, especially during punk week. Broken glass, can, coolers, sleeping bags, litter, you name it. Disgusting. If they were hanging out doing their thing without bothering anybody, I wouldn't have any problem. But they are definitely making life uncomfortable or dangerous for a significant number of people in town. And I doubt they can't see it. Punks gotta go

Davidian

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 6:28 a.m.

I find it hilarious that Ann Arbor folk are so open-minded...until the sex, drugs, filth, noise, and trash begins to affect them personally. All of this sounds strangely familiar: self-induced poverty, angry protests, be-ins, open use of drugs, and "sex in the streets" (Hello John Sinclair!) during the 60's. The "punk week" issue is on a TINY scale. Image thousands of them. That was a typcial SDS rally in the 60's. Not so cool or "hip," is it? I'm not defending the punks in any way. I'm just trying to point out the incredible hypocrisy that I have witnessed since coming to Ann Arbor in 1982. "Diverse like me." I love you Ann Arbor.

Awakened

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 5:35 a.m.

I second racerx's call to wait for the investigation to finish. The incident withthe teacher resulted in the officer being disciplined as I recall. Police are not uniforms, they are people. Just as flawed at times, just as heroic at times, as we all are. It is not impossible that in the chaos and confusion an officer over-reacted of shot off his/her mouth. The hope of complainers is that a mistake by an officer justifies their behavior. It does not. Either way we should not pre-judge.

ypsicalling

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 2:54 a.m.

The past week was made very unpleasant by these traveling dirties. We should be able to check every out-of-towner's bank account before allowing them entrance to our lovely town; things would be much nicer for our families and children -- they shouldn't be exposed to THAT kind of lifestyle...if you can call it that! And why couldn't the stinky masses have their "naked party" in Dolph Park where the rest of the undesirables belong??

racerx

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 1:47 a.m.

@trespass-thanks for the reference for those non-believers who thinks the AAPD can do no wrong. Or, how about the police officer that pulled his gun on a teacher and students who were walking along Packard road, and when the officer responded he pulled his service issued weapon, order them all to the ground because one of the students fit the description of a person of interest the police were looking for; on the other side of town no less. Despite the teacher informing the officer who she was, why they were walking, and where they were coming from. As Ive said before. There isnt much real crime in A2, the police has a tendency to over react at times. If it takes an internal investigation to determine the facts, so be it. Dont just dismiss the allegations simply because some feel as though the punks are underachieving brats, load of hockey pucks, hooligans, low-lifes, these type of people, punks, hippy wannabes, vagrants.

a2me2

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:24 p.m.

snapshot: you have obviously not seen or interacted with these folk. Their clothing is clean and well fitted, backpacks, brand names, shoes like new. The guitars I have seen them carry, are pristine and expensive. They wear jewelry. They are kids who are slumming for the summer. They use pen markers on their legs, arms and faces to simulate dirt. They are not the homeless. I know the homeless folks downtown and when I see them will take them into a resturant and buy them food. The real homeless do not hold up signs, such as these kids, that indicate they want money specifically for pot and beer. Your comments indicate you have not viewed the situation for yourself. It must be very freeing to give opinions without the burden of facts. Go downtown, stroll around, and see that these kids are the ones that act entitled. They seek no work, no education and seem to have no purpose other than to get high. Sorry, but your comments make little sense.

ShadowManager

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:08 p.m.

I made that up...but in a perfect world, there's karma, even for the animals. Let's hope there's enough left over in our imperfect world to see those cops get off, and those hooligans get the book thrown at 'em.

ShadowManager

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:06 p.m.

Oh dear, oh wait. One more... "In other hypothetical news, the Michigan Humane Society has opened up a fullscale investigation to determine the extent and severity of the maletreatment of the pet dogs the visiting participants of Punk Week brought with them to town. "someone complained" said a representative, "and it does appear that those dogs they all have with them are underfed and maltreated. We'd like to open up a case, but, well, there's nothing that can actually be done..."

treetowncartel

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:55 p.m.

Please, please, please do not even give consider them the equivalent of a hippy, a dead head, a punk rocker or any of the like. These peopel, and I do refer only to the outliers of the punk week festivities and perhaps some a few people making their abode in Ann Arbnor, are not making any contributions to society.They have the attention this week, but there are other genrtes of society who do not contribute either. I suppport being different, but I do not support sponging off society and never wringing yourself out to give anything back.

snapshot

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:54 p.m.

A2me2, you must be one of the entitled feeding at the public troth with that isolation attitude to persecute anyone who doesn't conform to your silver spoon standards. You condemn while taking food out the mouths of the needy who still have to pay taxes to support you and your kind. These kids are part of the "have not" society that you and your kind are creating.

ShadowManager

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:54 p.m.

I said most of everything I was gonna say on this subject in the other thread on the original arrests, so let's just say: Godspeed on the full exoneration of the AAPD police officers doing their job protecting the community...and good riddance to punk week and the hooligans.

Ken

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:51 p.m.

I cannot believe what the AAPD is allowed to get away with these days. Sure, the group was unruly and those that disrupted the peace should have been arrested if they did not vacate, but come on... the AAPD could have handled them a whole lot better. From what I saw in the videos from the previous article, they were basically taking out their frustration in a very unprofessional way on those being taken into custody. For example in the first video, after stopping the girl who had escaped the car, was the full body weight of the officer on the back of her neck really necessary to subdue a woman of her size? Also after the officer had cuffed her, was it necessary to lift her up by wrenching upward on her arms behind her back? He could have easily lifted her by her torso instead. From what I saw, it was downright cruel and unprofessional. I hope an internal investigation brings about at least some reprimands on those officers.

a2me2

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:37 p.m.

These "punks" have been downtown all summer. Blocking sidwalks as they sit with signs that demand money to purchase beer and pot. They take over the parks, that we, the taxpayers are paying for. They huddle in groups over on the quad, drinking beer and smoking pot. They yell out to passerbys. The only purpose they appear to serve is to convince people like me, not to bring my kids downtown. We use to enjoy walking about, stopping for ice cream on a hot summer day. Now I don't go down there. I do not patronize the stores and do not want to subject my children to these arrogant hippy wannabes. Where did this horde of people come from? Why are their complaints when the police are attempting to evict them? I am a resident and taxpayer, and I want to be able to enjoy my town without being accosted by vagrants who come into town on a lark, and then when they have sufficiently "expressed themselves" return home to rich mommy and daddy. I support our police department 100% for a job well done!

djm12652

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:06 p.m.

Oh my, poor little punks...boo hoo. I have faith in the actions of the officers, but am so curious as to which one of A2's bleeding hearts filed a complaint...doubt any of the punks did.

Sarcastic1

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:44 p.m.

Who are these witnesses this writer refers to in this story? My guess they are part of the group of "punks".

Davidian

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 7:33 p.m.

They have nothing to lose by doing this investigation, because they know that they have already been vindicated by this video.

InsideTheHall

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 7:02 p.m.

B ig big waste of taxpayer money. The AAPD did their job and bunch of underachieving brats are ginny up some allegations. When it is shown the police were doing their jobs the punks should pick up the tab for time, energy, and money wasted.

trespass

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:58 p.m.

The favorite tactic of the police is to tack on additional charges anytime someone files a brutality charge. Just wait and see. Look at the case of Linda Wilkerson an ER doctor who tried to help an injured protester. After she filed a brutality charge, they charged her with resisting/obstructing and assault of a police officer. She was aquitted of all charges. The result of the internal investigation will be retaliation against those filing the protest. Just wait and see.

Hunterjim

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:52 p.m.

When someone makes a complaint, A2PD will do a complete investigation even if it seems unsubstanciated. It is the practice of these type of people to make false accusations to defer their wrong doings. A2PD is a top notch professional agency and will with stand these false accusations.

justwondering

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:45 p.m.

My goodness, what a load of hockeypucks this group of hooligans is. More taxpayer money wasted on an investigation of a bunch of low-lifes getting arrested. Geez!

d_a2

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5:42 p.m.

Ann Arbor PD shouldn't even honor these complaints with an internal investigation. These kind of baseless complains are the reasons officers can't do their jobs properly without worrying about being fired or sued.

Cash

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5:33 p.m.

Internal investigation? Gees, I wonder how that will turn out.............

huh7891

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.

Witnesses alleged officers used homophobic and racial slurs and were overly rough with people being taken into custody. A woman used her cell phone to videotape some of the action. One video appears to show someone climbing over a guard rail and letting a woman out of a police car who runs before being tackled by an officer. What video were they looking at? The video I saw on the prior article clearly shows a bunch of hooligans screaming, swearing at the police and someone letting a person that was arrested out of the police car. Another example of police doing their job and someone cries foul and more taxpayer money wasted. Despicable

Lokalisierung

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 4:34 p.m.

Ha nice. Head down to Elmos and whipe up a batch.

5c0++ H4d13y

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.

I'm taking orders for a t-shirt that reads "Free The Punk Week 8" (copyright).

Lokalisierung

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.

She must have an old cell phone. Haven't seen one that accepts videotape in a long long time.