MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
Too far or were they just doing their jobs? Shouldn't they have been told this event was taking place on the campus and that people would be dressed as ninjas and pirates? Should he sue?
http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/13/443dd07e60128
"Having dressed up as a ninja for his part in Wesley’s spirit week event, Ransom was stopped by ATF agents who interpreted his clothing and behavior as suspicious.
The agents were on campus for Project Safe Neighborhoods, a training program they put on for state and local law enforcement. Tuesday’s program was hosted by University police.
Ransom was apprehended as he jogged from Wesley to nearby Snelling.
“One of the guys yelled I had a gun, tackled me and asked where my gun was,” Ransom said.
After telling agents he only had his keys, wallet and cell phone on him, Ransom said the agent pinning him to the ground responded that, being trained officers, they would not mistake any of those items for a gun.
The dialogue between Ransom and the agent went back and forth, with the agent insisting Ransom had a gun, and Ransom insisting he was unarmed.
Ransom said he explained to the plainclothes agents, that he was participating in an event, and that other costumed people were at the Wesley building.
“I told them, ‘There’s 30 other people dressed up as pirates and ninjas’,” Ransom said."
University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said he was unhappy with how the situation was handled, but later had a “constructive talk” with an ATF supervisor.
“I can see how as law enforcement officers, they interpreted what they saw as suspicious,” Williamson said, “but the police have to show a bit of due diligence.”
http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/13/443dd07e60128
"Having dressed up as a ninja for his part in Wesley’s spirit week event, Ransom was stopped by ATF agents who interpreted his clothing and behavior as suspicious.
The agents were on campus for Project Safe Neighborhoods, a training program they put on for state and local law enforcement. Tuesday’s program was hosted by University police.
Ransom was apprehended as he jogged from Wesley to nearby Snelling.
“One of the guys yelled I had a gun, tackled me and asked where my gun was,” Ransom said.
After telling agents he only had his keys, wallet and cell phone on him, Ransom said the agent pinning him to the ground responded that, being trained officers, they would not mistake any of those items for a gun.
The dialogue between Ransom and the agent went back and forth, with the agent insisting Ransom had a gun, and Ransom insisting he was unarmed.
Ransom said he explained to the plainclothes agents, that he was participating in an event, and that other costumed people were at the Wesley building.
“I told them, ‘There’s 30 other people dressed up as pirates and ninjas’,” Ransom said."
University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said he was unhappy with how the situation was handled, but later had a “constructive talk” with an ATF supervisor.
“I can see how as law enforcement officers, they interpreted what they saw as suspicious,” Williamson said, “but the police have to show a bit of due diligence.”
