Some say this story is ridiculous. Others say is a joke and cannot be happening in America today. But whatever your mind tells you about the story, we can only vouch that it is a true story and has happened in America today.
In January this year in the city of Sarasota-Florida, a homeless man was arrested by the police because he was charging his mobile phone at a public picnic shelter called the Gillespie Park in the city centre.
Police Sergeant- Anthony Frangioni made the arrest and Darren Kersey-the 28-year-old homeless man had to spend one night in jail simply because he used a public property. He was later charged with Utilities Theft and his bail bond was set at $500. Darren was arrested on Sunday that day.
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19 comments:
Isn't the former police chief of Ocean City now the
chief of this fine city?
I guess if Mom and Dad take the kids for a picnic and plug in a radio for the event, will this jerk haul them off to jail as well?
Same thing.
Public means public.
Where did this homeless soul obtain the cell phone? If it was one of those free Obama phones than the person is on some kind of aid so should not be homeless
In one of our local county parks people plug their phones into one of the pavilion outlets and then hide the charger and phone in the rafters.I have no idea why anyone would have an issue with that,but several homeless people have told me that deputies frequently check.
Sounds like "any excuse will do" to get homeless out of the park. This excuse is full of holes.
It is going to cost the city thousands now to arrest, jail, prosecute, supply him with a public defender and then possibly jail time. All for using 0.0007834 dollars worth of electricity! So in my opinion it was a very poor judgement on the officers part, he had a choice to tell him it is not allowed and let the homeless guy go or arrest him and spend a couple grand of taxpayer dollars to prosecute someone who you can not collect a penny from! You just can not fix stupidity!
It's done all the time. Using electricity without paying for it is stealing. Theft. Plain and simple.
It's not like he plugged into a private outlet and as far as theft that could be questionable on public property. There are too many variables to get deailed but if the city does not want people using those outlets then shut them off. As stated above is it really worth to spend thousands to prosecute a homeless person for what amounts to less than a pennies worth of electric? And I am sure you follow every law on the books right?
Why where outlets put there if they are not allowed to be used? That's just stupid....
08:02 do you ever use anything in a public area plug in radio cell phone WIfi pull your head out its a public park free to all if you have a problem with a homeless man using a little elect why don't you get on your government and have them spend money to provide housing for the homeless instead of giving bill's and bill's to other country's why don't we take care of our own before we give it to the people we really don't care about but it looks good. to our political party and to the ones stuffing there pockets with the money they don't need you have no idea why this man is homeless maybe you need to live a week in his shoes before you condem him
Maybe a family member so they can make sure he's not dead.
A total waste of resources.
Although, he did get a warm dry place to sleep, a place to shower and something to eat.
What are they going to do next, arrest them for using a public restroom (if such things even exist anymore) for using .003 cents worth of toilet paper (maybe!) and city water to flush (maybe!)
Crime must be REALLY low in that jurisdiction. Isn't there anyone not using their seatbelt down there? Jaywalking? Loitering? Tuning their radio?
He didn't pay for it so he is stealing tax payer funded electricity. There are no signs anywhere that I know of that say free electricity, come and get it.
Why don't you softies put signs on your outdoor outlets on your homes that say free electricity. Please invite all the homeless people to your homes.
11:44,
Just because he's homeless does not mean he doesn't file taxes or has no income. I know a homeless guy that doesn't keep a home on purpose. 3-4 days work a month pays his expenses, and the rest goes to savings/ retirement.
What part of "Public" don't you understand? He may be subsidizing that outlet more than you are! Public means everyone, no matter what you own or don't own.
And, FYI, that outlet on my outside wall is on Private, not Public property with a "No Trespassing" sign above it, so you just stay away from that or I'll have the police take YOU to jail!
Millionaire homeless man lived behind the steadman station super house " fire station attached to the giant clock you see at Camden yards in Baltimore" and didn't want a house. One Christmas he gave all the firefighters checks for 5k for Xmas. Nobody thought they were good. One day a guy cashed one for shits and giggles. The teller was weary because the account hadn't been touched in years and called police. They investigated and learned of the millionaire homeless man. And the checks were good. Turns out the mayor ordered the homeless cleared out and the firefighters refused to hose their boxes. They looked out for their cars while on calls etc..... This kindness from the firefighters is why the millionaire gave them the checks.
Jesus Christ - it's for people to be able to plug things in while enjoying the park. Things, including phones.
He had been asked to stay out of the park pan handling from people trying to enjoy their day without being harassed. Good arrest get a job stop begging to fuel your dope or alcohol addictions. Working people pay taxes. You answered your own question when one asked where did he get the phone. Professional pan handlers are criminals.
Its not a crime to ask people for things. There is ordinances that make it as such. But no state or federal crime is committed. It can't be. This is where government extends its grasp to suit people. Mainly you stuck up rich people. Your rights and freedoms are violated because of why? People are nice enough to give people money when asked for it? Christ sake some places you can't feed the homeless. Not law. Ordinances!
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