Primary Recipients -
- Mayor John Engen: mayorstaff@ci.missoula.mt.us
- Chief of Police Mark Muir: PDwebmail@ci.missoula.mt.us
With cc to local paper -
- Missoulian: newsdesk@missoulian.com
Send any message you wish or you can copy and paste this:
Subject: Do Not Harass Occupy Missoula
Dear Mayor Engen and Police Chief Muir:
On November 19, 2011, a woman who was extremely drunk and belligerent was dropped off at the Occupy Missoula occupation by Officer Kasey Williams of the Missoula Police Department, Badge #348. This extremely intoxicated individual headed directly into the occupation and was immediately belligerent and threatening. This is a tactic of harassment that has been used by several cities. It is unsafe for the intoxicated person as well as the occupiers and should not be tolerated.
* * *
So, here's the story...
I had heard from several of the 24/7 occupiers at Occupy Missoula that the police have dropped off drunken, belligerent people at the occupation. I happened to be there when just that happened. A woman who was extremely drunk and was belligerent was dropped off by Officer Kasey Williams of the Missoula Police Department, Badge #348. She headed directly into the occupation and was belligerent and threatening. This very small occupation was forced to handle this on their own (which, by the way, they did very well).
As soon as I left I called Sgt. Jerry Odlin to speak to him about it. I informed him of the situation and informed him that the occupation has rules prohibiting intoxication. He denied that anything had been done to create disruption at the Occupy Missoula occupation.
For those of you who may not have seen the post regarding the authorities' backhanded eviction attempt of Occupy Missoula - here's that link. Occupy Missoula is still in dire need of funds and supplies to re-establish and Winterize the occupation - list here.
18 comments:
I commend the folks at OccupyMissoula for effectively dealing with a belligerent drunken individual. It is a tough spot to be in. Intoxicated people who get obnoxious are not at all easy to reason with. Combining diminished capacity to think clearly and lowered inhibitions can make for a potentially explosive situation. Good luck, stay warm & stay strong. Thank you for occupying Missoula.
Thanks for sharing, Taryn. I just called and left a very polite message on Odlin's voicemail. I told him I was concerned to hear about this situation, and also let him know that the occupiers are not against those in uniform. In addition, I told him that it is important that we have productive and positive conversations with one another.
The woman who answered the phone told me that Odlin is on duty, so I also let Odlin know that I hope he was safe while on duty.
-Cryn
Founder & Exec. Dir.
All Education Matters
It's only going to get worse, I'm afraid. But I think the approach that Cryn outlined is the right one: stay focused, non-violent, and understanding. Remain the adult in a very volatile situation. Goes against every fiber of my being and sense of outrage, but it's the right thing to do.
Take care and continued best of luck in an unfortunate situation.
-G
my email sent.. this was also done by NYPD cops and used as an excuse for one of the many raids.. we stand with you in solidarity! Never give up!
I was not there and don't know what happened. But I do live in Missoula, and would like to point out that the Occupy Missoula camp is right in front of the county courthouse and 1 block away from the police department. It's in the very middle of Missoula.
Isn't it possible that the dropping off of the drunk individual at this location had nothing to do with OM? Unfortunately, the police have to put such people off somewhere. Maybe they have been using the front of the courthouse as their dropping off spot since way before OM. I know I have been seeing drunk people down there forever.
It's too bad that drunk individuals have to be anywhere public, but isn't a location right near the police department better than, say, a residential neighborhood or an elementary school?
This location also happens to be very close to our local homeless shelter and place where people can get free food (the Poverello Center). Isn't it POSSIBLE that the police were acting out of a sort of decency for the intoxicated person and it had nothing to do with the Occupy camp?
Resident of Missoula who also supports Occupy
So the choices are occupation, residential neighborhood or elementary school?
This person was dropped off at the occupation and in under a minute was provoking physical confrontation - it wasn't safe for the intoxicated person or the occupiers. If they had to drop someone off at Courthouse, they could've done so well away from the occupation - they know that the occupation prohibits intoxication and yet they dropped an intoxicated person off directly at the occupation. Additionally, I was informed she was being dropped off because her brother was there - given the level of her intoxication, volatility and the presence of other people, I suggested a police officer escort her to find her brother and not just send an intoxicated, volatile person to wander directly into the occupation (which - for obvious reasons - prohibits intoxication).
Also, I can't confirm this yet, but I believe she was picked up by the cops because she was causing a disturbance - this person was really unbelievably intoxicated and was trying to start physical confrontation in less than one minute (and that is not an exaggeration).
Finally, if they wanted to drop a person off at the Poverello out of decency why drop them two blocks away? The answer is the Pov doesn't allow intoxicated individuals - well, neither does the occupation.
I don't believe any of these requests are unreasonable. If I had gotten a better reception from the Missoula Police, I wouldn't be asking for the public's help.
And believe me, when I heard these reports from Missoula and from other occupations, I had a hard time believing it. But I happened to be there to witness it first hand this time and it was an obviously dangerous situation to anyone with any sense at all. They could'ave dropped her off near the Pov and at the Courthouse even without sending someone that volatile and that drunk directly into the occupation. Also, the occupiers had reported this happening before and, immediately after the situation was handled, said it happened all the time.
Irrespective of the motives, it's a terrible practice and its dangerous and there are plenty of other options. I tried dealing with the police on my own and didn't get support. I'm asking for the community to help so as to ensure the safety of the occupation and the individuals (out of a sense of decency).
I guarantee you if kids were camping out for iPhones police wouldn't send volatile drunks into the crowd. So why do it here?
Also, isn't is POSSIBLE that the motives were bad? If so, should we stand by and just let the occupiers safety be compromised? Shouldn't we err on the side of safety, particularly when we're just requesting that practice be changed.
Bottom line, all the is-it-possible-their-motives-were-good stuff is irrelevant and show a lack of concern for the occupier's safety. If you can't support the safety of the occupiers, I don't see how you can say you support Occupy.
so they drop off a wildly drunk individual. My understanding of police procedure is that drunk people starting fights get arrested for public intoxication and sleep it off in jail. Am I wrong? I guess the police only enforce the laws when it's in their own interest....I dunno, America.
@sallymandy. Those are some nice rose-colored glasses you're wearing. The police wish only well for the Occupiers. Their employers wish only well for the Occupiers. Any disruption is just a coinky-dinky. It could have happened that way, right? And it could have been all a big accident that 1% of the population controls the economy and the government. Just another coinky-dinky. Just the way things shook out. It's all good.
It's called Public Intoxication, the woman should have gone directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 and DO NOT dump this person off ANYWHERE but jail. It simply is not common practice for the police to pick up an intoxicated individual only to dump them off elsewhere.
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Come chat with #Anonymous about whats going on.. we want to know
Show me where in Montana law it is illegal to be drunk in public. And dropping off a drunk person with family? That's a bad thing? Are you proposing arresting everyone for every infraction of law in all cases? Or do you just want a law-breaking exception for the Occupy movement?
I talked with the FBI this morning, and they are interested in hearing more details about this specific thing. It just so happens to be a "FELONY" for a police officer to take someone into custody and then release them into a crowd for the purpose of harassment. The specific charge is "Official Oppression" and is serious enough that a police officer, convicted of the offence, can receive a number of YEARS in FEDERAL PRISON. Please contact the Head Agent in Charge of the FBI, setup a meeting with the witnesses and proceed with a formal incitement.
I work for the Missoula PD (Civilian), and I would be surprised if this was anything but a coincidence. The Missoula County Courthouse lawn is the only 'legal' place downtown where these serial inebriates are allowed to loiter. The mentally ill drunks have been occupying the Courthouse lawn for the last couple of years, ever since the City Council began cracking down on loitering and public drunkenness in front of downtown businesses (the pedestrian interference law). The MPD decided to take a ‘hands off’ approach regarding the occupation, and I have heard that the downtown beat officer (Franke) has checked in with folks regarding the camp’s security, particularly after bar closing hours. Not sure what to make of this allegation.
@BigBrother - I was there and saw it happen; I have reported what happened. As for motives, that's unknown. Regardless, it shouldn't be happening.
So as cops roll up, at any time, you start filming. From multiple angles.
Yes, we've asked occupiers to film, but it is a very small occupation and only 2 people have cams so, in this case, both were in tent.
I certainly hope thet the MPD takes this seriously. Missoula's Police Chief is politically astute, and I am sure that he would not condone this officer's actions.
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated." --Thomas Paine, "The Crisis"