bloodhound
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259155,00.html
Arrested a 7 yr old boy for riding bike on sidewalk?!
I don't even know what to say...
Arrested a 7 yr old boy for riding bike on sidewalk?!
I don't even know what to say...
WTH ??? Aressting 7 yr old boy...
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Bikepacker67
Ehhh HELLLO???!
The lil shyt was riding a MINI bike on the sidewalk.
I say they should lock up his rents as well for being stupid azzes.
The lil shyt was riding a MINI bike on the sidewalk.
I say they should lock up his rents as well for being stupid azzes.
IDeliverPitas
It was motorized.
kalliergo
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259155,00.html
Arrested a 7 yr old boy for riding bike on sidewalk?!
I don't even know what to say...
Well, we could start with: The people responsible for this outrageous behavior need to be fired -- all of them. Then, we can consider compensating the young victim of the police abuse and implementing policies and procedures to make sure this sort of thing stops.
Arrested a 7 yr old boy for riding bike on sidewalk?!
I don't even know what to say...
Well, we could start with: The people responsible for this outrageous behavior need to be fired -- all of them. Then, we can consider compensating the young victim of the police abuse and implementing policies and procedures to make sure this sort of thing stops.
zeytoun
It was a dirtbike and the motor was off... EDIT:in fact, he was just sitting on it.
The cop yanked the kid of his bike by his collar.
such arrests occur most often in poor, black neighborhoods.
The cop yanked the kid of his bike by his collar.
such arrests occur most often in poor, black neighborhoods.
IDeliverPitas
7 year olds shouldn't even have dirt bikes.
jeffremer
He allegedly rode a dirt bike on a sidewalk.
Okay, if he was buzzing down a city sidewalk on a dirt bike I would have taken out the little ******* myself.
But apparently...
Dinkins...was sitting on the bike with the motor off on a sidewalk near his home in east Baltimore..."
...so I'd say that cop is a little high strung. Don't know all the facts, or what the situation looked like to the cop, it could go either way.
Okay, if he was buzzing down a city sidewalk on a dirt bike I would have taken out the little ******* myself.
But apparently...
Dinkins...was sitting on the bike with the motor off on a sidewalk near his home in east Baltimore..."
...so I'd say that cop is a little high strung. Don't know all the facts, or what the situation looked like to the cop, it could go either way.
bloodhound
OOOhhhhhhh.... motorized... dirt bike... not bicycle...
I'm an idiot. Sorry for the post.
I feel differently about those things. They are a nuisance and safety hazard.
Kid probably wasn't even wearing a helmet...
I'm an idiot. Sorry for the post.
I feel differently about those things. They are a nuisance and safety hazard.
Kid probably wasn't even wearing a helmet...
jeffremer
Now that I think about it, if I was the cop I might have arrested him just because his name was Dinkins.
EnigManiac
Aside from the anti-authority sentiment oozing from the article, let's review the facts as presented: the cop arrested a 7 year-old for sitting on motor bike that was not in operation. A cop, not necessarily the arresting cop, claimed to have seen the kid, apparently a juvenile black kid, riding on the sidewalk and there is a zero-tolerance policy against such behaviour, so the kid was hauled downtown and interrogated after being handcuffed to a bench. Are the facts straight there?
There are effective ways of promoting law and order and enforcing the rules and there are ineffective ways. Which one was this? Was respect and dignity observed or was heavy-handed authoritarionism meted out? Was anyone endangered IF the kid was riding on the sidewalk on a motorized vehicle or was there no-one threatened? Was the kid in fact riding on the sidewalk? Why weren't the parents---who should have been responsible for the childs' conduct---arrested or at least made accountable?
As a journalist myself, I can determine from the tone and language of the story that the story is biased in its' presentation and incomplete in the facts. But, it seems to me that this situation has not addressed the issues confronting the neighbourhood, but driven yet another wedge into a community already beset by authority issues, Nothing was accomplished but greater acrimony, indignation and self-righteousness, further alienating the community from the police. Is that the way to encourage law-abding behaviour and positive community relations? Regardless of the laws, it seems the situatiuon was not handled tactfully or effectively.
There are effective ways of promoting law and order and enforcing the rules and there are ineffective ways. Which one was this? Was respect and dignity observed or was heavy-handed authoritarionism meted out? Was anyone endangered IF the kid was riding on the sidewalk on a motorized vehicle or was there no-one threatened? Was the kid in fact riding on the sidewalk? Why weren't the parents---who should have been responsible for the childs' conduct---arrested or at least made accountable?
As a journalist myself, I can determine from the tone and language of the story that the story is biased in its' presentation and incomplete in the facts. But, it seems to me that this situation has not addressed the issues confronting the neighbourhood, but driven yet another wedge into a community already beset by authority issues, Nothing was accomplished but greater acrimony, indignation and self-righteousness, further alienating the community from the police. Is that the way to encourage law-abding behaviour and positive community relations? Regardless of the laws, it seems the situatiuon was not handled tactfully or effectively.
deputyjones
It was a dirtbike and the motor was off... EDIT:in fact, he was just sitting on it.
The cop yanked the kid of his bike by his collar.
What actually happened is very difficult to ascertain from a 150 word article on a sham news service like fox news. Before we go saying "the cops" were out of line could we at least get an article with some details and maybe, just maybe give the cop the benefit of the doubt once?
The cop yanked the kid of his bike by his collar.
What actually happened is very difficult to ascertain from a 150 word article on a sham news service like fox news. Before we go saying "the cops" were out of line could we at least get an article with some details and maybe, just maybe give the cop the benefit of the doubt once?
Ziemas
What actually happened is very difficult to ascertain from a 150 word article on a sham news service like fox news. Before we go saying "the cops" were out of line could we at least get an article with some details and maybe, just maybe give the cop the benefit of the doubt once?
I think the mitigating factor in all of this is the fact that he is seven years old. Do you really think arrest is appropriate for a seven year old?
I think the mitigating factor in all of this is the fact that he is seven years old. Do you really think arrest is appropriate for a seven year old?
MrCjolsen
7 year olds shouldn't even have dirt bikes.
I didn't get mine until I was 8.
I didn't get mine until I was 8.
pj7
Correct me if I am wrong (someone from Maryland please?), but isn't it illegal to even posess a dirtbike within the city limits there?
cc_rider
Correct me if I am wrong (someone from Maryland please?), but isn't it illegal to even posess a dirtbike within the city limits there?
My first reaction was "wtf? no way!"
But after doing a web search I see that you are right. In 2000 the City of Baltimore made it illegal for anyone of any age to ride dirt bikes, atv's, mopeds, scooters, motor-assist bikes, etc (anything that doesn't require a state licence) within city limits, on public or private property. The police have a no-tolerance policy and according to their own website confiscate dirt bikes, atv's etc, whether they see someone riding them or not. In February the city council considered a motion to rewrite the law to allow mopeds and scooters (like Vespas), keeping db's and atv's illegal to ride, but nothing was decided.
I see from follow-up news reports that the mayor's office has apologized to the family and the police department is investigating the officers involved for improper conduct. I expect the city may soon be taking another look at the law and it's enforcement.
http://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/charterandcodes/Code/Art%2019%20-%20PoliceOrds.pdf
imo If the stated facts are correct, the police seem to have greatly over reacted. If they had caught the kid actually riding the bike, stopping him or even arresting him might have been proper. Seeing him on a stopped bike and stopping to talk to him would be fine, warn him not to ride. But arresting him seems to have been the wrong approach. Tosses all their efforts at "community policing" in the toilet. Makes them look ridiculous and thuggish.
I also have a problem with the city law. Keeping db's, etc off of sidewalks is a good idea, and keeping kids and teens from riding them in the street in an unsafe manner I agree with. But this law is BADLY written. Banning adults from using mopeds or scooters??? Banning them from being used by adults on private property??? And the law says nothing about owning them, only riding them. Where do the police get the authority to confiscate for mere possession of a dirtbike, or even a Vespa scooter???
The whole thing makes the Baltimore city government and police look like idiots. Pisses me off because I like Baltimore a lot, and spend a lot of time there.
What worries me is that a city council stupid/incompetent/lazy enough to pass such a sloppy law could just as easily decide to ban bicycles from some or all city streets, or require bikes to use the mup's and bike lanes.
My first reaction was "wtf? no way!"
But after doing a web search I see that you are right. In 2000 the City of Baltimore made it illegal for anyone of any age to ride dirt bikes, atv's, mopeds, scooters, motor-assist bikes, etc (anything that doesn't require a state licence) within city limits, on public or private property. The police have a no-tolerance policy and according to their own website confiscate dirt bikes, atv's etc, whether they see someone riding them or not. In February the city council considered a motion to rewrite the law to allow mopeds and scooters (like Vespas), keeping db's and atv's illegal to ride, but nothing was decided.
I see from follow-up news reports that the mayor's office has apologized to the family and the police department is investigating the officers involved for improper conduct. I expect the city may soon be taking another look at the law and it's enforcement.
http://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/charterandcodes/Code/Art%2019%20-%20PoliceOrds.pdf
imo If the stated facts are correct, the police seem to have greatly over reacted. If they had caught the kid actually riding the bike, stopping him or even arresting him might have been proper. Seeing him on a stopped bike and stopping to talk to him would be fine, warn him not to ride. But arresting him seems to have been the wrong approach. Tosses all their efforts at "community policing" in the toilet. Makes them look ridiculous and thuggish.
I also have a problem with the city law. Keeping db's, etc off of sidewalks is a good idea, and keeping kids and teens from riding them in the street in an unsafe manner I agree with. But this law is BADLY written. Banning adults from using mopeds or scooters??? Banning them from being used by adults on private property??? And the law says nothing about owning them, only riding them. Where do the police get the authority to confiscate for mere possession of a dirtbike, or even a Vespa scooter???
The whole thing makes the Baltimore city government and police look like idiots. Pisses me off because I like Baltimore a lot, and spend a lot of time there.
What worries me is that a city council stupid/incompetent/lazy enough to pass such a sloppy law could just as easily decide to ban bicycles from some or all city streets, or require bikes to use the mup's and bike lanes.
deputyjones
I think the mitigating factor in all of this is the fact that he is seven years old. Do you really think arrest is appropriate for a seven year old?
No, I am saying that the media in general get the stories wrong about 99% of the time in my experience and that is when they are trying to get it right. Let alone when a "shock and awe" type media outlet like Fox news runs a story.
I was just asking for the benefit of the doubt for the Officer.
No, I am saying that the media in general get the stories wrong about 99% of the time in my experience and that is when they are trying to get it right. Let alone when a "shock and awe" type media outlet like Fox news runs a story.
I was just asking for the benefit of the doubt for the Officer.
pj7
No, I am saying that the media in general get the stories wrong about 99% of the time in my experience and that is when they are trying to get it right. Let alone when a "shock and awe" type media outlet like Fox news runs a story.
I was just asking for the benefit of the doubt for the Officer.
True, Fox News is known for creating news out of nothing. Their motto should be" You make up a story, and we'll report it as news".
I was just asking for the benefit of the doubt for the Officer.
True, Fox News is known for creating news out of nothing. Their motto should be" You make up a story, and we'll report it as news".
kalliergo
What actually happened is very difficult to ascertain from a 150 word article on a sham news service like fox news. Before we go saying "the cops" were out of line could we at least get an article with some details and maybe, just maybe give the cop the benefit of the doubt once?
Your point is well-taken, DJ, at least as it applies to reports like this, in general.
However, it is very difficult for me to imagine any reasonable justification for cuffing and arresting a 7-year-old for this behavior, even assuming it was in violation of an applicable ordinance.
Issue a citation? Certainly. Confiscate the dirt bike? Maybe that is reasonable under certain conditions. Haul the kid off to jail in cuffs? Nope. Civilized societies don't behave that way.
I'll be willing to revise this opinion if the kid assaulted or seriously threatened someone, or if some other extreme aggravating factor turns out to have been operative. Barring one of those, this appears to have been jackbooted thuggery, under color of authority, perpetrated against a child. One more reason for his community to distrust the police.
Your point is well-taken, DJ, at least as it applies to reports like this, in general.
However, it is very difficult for me to imagine any reasonable justification for cuffing and arresting a 7-year-old for this behavior, even assuming it was in violation of an applicable ordinance.
Issue a citation? Certainly. Confiscate the dirt bike? Maybe that is reasonable under certain conditions. Haul the kid off to jail in cuffs? Nope. Civilized societies don't behave that way.
I'll be willing to revise this opinion if the kid assaulted or seriously threatened someone, or if some other extreme aggravating factor turns out to have been operative. Barring one of those, this appears to have been jackbooted thuggery, under color of authority, perpetrated against a child. One more reason for his community to distrust the police.
bigpedaler
Okay, if he was buzzing down a city sidewalk on a dirt bike I would have taken out the little ******* myself.
But apparently...
...so I'd say that cop is a little high strung. Don't know all the facts, or what the situation looked like to the cop, it could go either way.
1st -- my child wouldn't be in that situation, so don't call me out on that, but if you "take out" my child, you'll deal w/ me.
2nd -- riding a dirt bike on the sidewalk is illegal everywhere i've ever been, so this is no surprise; BUT, you don't manhandle a 7-yr-old like THAT! impound the bike, fine the parents for contributing to deliquency, all that, but he boy didn't need to be cuffed and interrogated.
3rd -- against the law for the cops to interrogate w/o parents present!
last -- cop needs a new career..."hello...who's there? Security guard!"
But apparently...
...so I'd say that cop is a little high strung. Don't know all the facts, or what the situation looked like to the cop, it could go either way.
1st -- my child wouldn't be in that situation, so don't call me out on that, but if you "take out" my child, you'll deal w/ me.
2nd -- riding a dirt bike on the sidewalk is illegal everywhere i've ever been, so this is no surprise; BUT, you don't manhandle a 7-yr-old like THAT! impound the bike, fine the parents for contributing to deliquency, all that, but he boy didn't need to be cuffed and interrogated.
3rd -- against the law for the cops to interrogate w/o parents present!
last -- cop needs a new career..."hello...who's there? Security guard!"
JRA
The Baltimore police arrested, handcuffed, fingerprinted and interrogated a 7-year old kid who just happened to be black.
"The incident brought new heat on a department already under fire..."
And rightfully so.
This incident involved a mini-bike, not a bicycle but the lesson is clear. Laws against sidewalk riding, no matter how well intentioned, will almost certainly be, as they have traditionally been, selectively enforced. Don't get caught sitting on a bicycle on the sidewalk if you're black (or if you're white and exercising your right to free speech).
"The incident brought new heat on a department already under fire..."
And rightfully so.
This incident involved a mini-bike, not a bicycle but the lesson is clear. Laws against sidewalk riding, no matter how well intentioned, will almost certainly be, as they have traditionally been, selectively enforced. Don't get caught sitting on a bicycle on the sidewalk if you're black (or if you're white and exercising your right to free speech).
deputyjones
The Baltimore police arrested, handcuffed, fingerprinted and interrogated a 7-year old kid who just happened to be black.
"The incident brought new heat on a department already under fire..."
And rightfully so.
This incident involved a mini-bike, not a bicycle but the lesson is clear. Laws against sidewalk riding, no matter how well intentioned, will almost certainly be, as they have traditionally been, selectively enforced. Don't get caught sitting on a bicycle on the sidewalk if you're black (or if you're white and exercising your right to free speech).
well, disregard. obviously more going on in Baltimore than I expected.
"The incident brought new heat on a department already under fire..."
And rightfully so.
This incident involved a mini-bike, not a bicycle but the lesson is clear. Laws against sidewalk riding, no matter how well intentioned, will almost certainly be, as they have traditionally been, selectively enforced. Don't get caught sitting on a bicycle on the sidewalk if you're black (or if you're white and exercising your right to free speech).
well, disregard. obviously more going on in Baltimore than I expected.
remsav
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259155,00.html
Arrested a 7 yr old boy for riding bike on sidewalk?!
I don't even know what to say...
:beer: commendation for job well done.
Arrested a 7 yr old boy for riding bike on sidewalk?!
I don't even know what to say...
:beer: commendation for job well done.
Dchiefransom
According to a follow-up article linked on another site, the arresting officer observed the kid actually riding the dirt bike.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.ci.arrest17mar17,0,3004651.story?track=rss
It wasn't a mini-bike, it was a smaller version of a full sized off road motorcycle. It also sounds like there might be a problem between the rank and file officers, and the upper echelons, as far as how to handle situations.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.ci.arrest17mar17,0,3004651.story?track=rss
It wasn't a mini-bike, it was a smaller version of a full sized off road motorcycle. It also sounds like there might be a problem between the rank and file officers, and the upper echelons, as far as how to handle situations.
gpsblake
I'm originally from Baltimore.
The reason they made mini-bikes, mopeds, scooters illegal is because they were being used by drug dealers. If you know anything about Baltimore streets, a moped or scooter can easily outrun a cop car there.
Arresting the 7 year old was too much.
But if the police had done nothing and the 7 year old got himself killed, the cops would be held to blame.
The question is, what responsible parent allows a 7 year old to ride a dirt bike in a crowded innner city in the first place?
The reason they made mini-bikes, mopeds, scooters illegal is because they were being used by drug dealers. If you know anything about Baltimore streets, a moped or scooter can easily outrun a cop car there.
Arresting the 7 year old was too much.
But if the police had done nothing and the 7 year old got himself killed, the cops would be held to blame.
The question is, what responsible parent allows a 7 year old to ride a dirt bike in a crowded innner city in the first place?
brokenrobot
Well, we could start with: The people responsible for this outrageous behavior need to be fired -- all of them. Then, we can consider compensating the young victim of the police abuse and implementing policies and procedures to make sure this sort of thing stops.
Exactly. One such policy might be public hangings of people who ride motorcycles on sidewalks - that ought to discourage this outrageous behavior, I should think!
Exactly. One such policy might be public hangings of people who ride motorcycles on sidewalks - that ought to discourage this outrageous behavior, I should think!
slowandsteady
I'm originally from Baltimore.
The reason they made mini-bikes, mopeds, scooters illegal is because they were being used by drug dealers. If you know anything about Baltimore streets, a moped or scooter can easily outrun a cop car there.
Arresting the 7 year old was too much.
But if the police had done nothing and the 7 year old got himself killed, the cops would be held to blame.
The question is, what responsible parent allows a 7 year old to ride a dirt bike in a crowded innner city in the first place?
It isn't that anyone thinks the police should have done nothing, but rather that they should have done things differently. A 7 yo simply doesn't know what the laws are. He knows what his parents tell him. The parents are the ones responsible here not the little kid. The parents should have been fined.
All that the police succeeded in doing is to forever alter a child's view of the police from being protectors to being abusers. Job well done. :rolleyes:
The reason they made mini-bikes, mopeds, scooters illegal is because they were being used by drug dealers. If you know anything about Baltimore streets, a moped or scooter can easily outrun a cop car there.
Arresting the 7 year old was too much.
But if the police had done nothing and the 7 year old got himself killed, the cops would be held to blame.
The question is, what responsible parent allows a 7 year old to ride a dirt bike in a crowded innner city in the first place?
It isn't that anyone thinks the police should have done nothing, but rather that they should have done things differently. A 7 yo simply doesn't know what the laws are. He knows what his parents tell him. The parents are the ones responsible here not the little kid. The parents should have been fined.
All that the police succeeded in doing is to forever alter a child's view of the police from being protectors to being abusers. Job well done. :rolleyes:
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