Neighborly Ties Gone to the Dogs - News Article

Started by MikeS1 • 8 replies • 1329 views

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MikeS1
Posts: 668

Posted:

It's always about the 4 p's. It seems that this article might have already shown up in the HOA Daily News Feed for this website, but nevertheless, here it is. Enjoy this.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/10/AR2008081001943_2.html

MikeS1
Posts: 668

Posted:

Now we see that the plaintiff in this case is a Maryland State Police Sgt. and his wife. None of the articles really reflect all of what transpired, but it does sound like from some of the eye witness reports that the Johnson taunted the plaintiff.
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1457338

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

I dunno.

Sounds to me like the state officer abused his position and got some friends to do something that a regular civilian would not have been able to do.

"Johnson was charged criminally, not under Calvert's animal control ordinance, which would have carried a $50 fine. A single trespassing charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. "

"The next morning, state troopers showed up at her door, charging her with four counts of trespassing, one count of harassment and one count of disorderly conduct. They handcuffed her, shackled her legs and took her to the Calvert County Detention Center, where she was held for several hours until she was released on her own recognizance. The dogs stayed in her home during that time."

MikeS1
Posts: 668

Posted:

There's two sides to every coin and I'm sure that there are two stories here. The radio reports were much more detailed than the Washington Post article. It will be interesting to follow this.

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

I am sure there are two sides to the story. But to me a real question is:
Would this have happened for any other person then a state trooper?

I strongly suspect the answer is a resounding no. And if that can be established then the trooper's 1st sergeant should be arrested and charged with abuse of power. The trooper himself should be reprimanded.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Exactly my point.

They showed up at her house the next day and they showed up with multiple officers.

If that doesn't smack of intimidation, I don't know what does.

Was the woman childish to step on the property and say, "now what are you going to do?"

Most likely. But it appears that there was clearly an argument going on and both women got a little irate, and probably both said and did things that was a little immature.

I know if that had been me, and I would have called the state police to report a neighbor stepping into my yard (yet not causing any damage or vandalizing, etc), that I certainly could not have convinced them, even with a bribe, to come back the next day, en masse, and arrest the juvenile-acting homeowner.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MikeS1 on 08/12/2008 3:56 PM
There's two sides to every coin and I'm sure that there are two stories here. The radio reports were much more detailed than the Washington Post article. It will be interesting to follow this.

Mike,

Correction! There are THREE sides to every story -- mine, yours and the truth! A friend told me that many, many years ago and she was right on the money.

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

Quote:

Correction! There are THREE sides to every story -- mine, yours and the truth! ...

But perception is truth.

MikeS1
Posts: 668

Posted:

Mary, That's a good one. I'll have to remember that one. So true.

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