Articles Written in March 2007

Here's an interesting tid-bit from the news, with a tag line reading something like this: A Lawrence police officer is suspended with pay as his department works to determine if he illegally arrested a man who shouted profanities at him..

Long story short - The man (or youth, depending on how you look at it), shouted the ever popular "F*** the police!" and went about his way. The officer followed the man to his apartment, asked him to step outside, and that's when the "incident" occured - the officer allegedly (I'm assuming) grabbed the man, wrestled him to the ground and arrested him for resisting arrest.

It's all pretty hazy, since, according to the news story, the officer changed his report as to why he followed the man to his apartment in the first place, and why he then eventually came into physical contact which led to the arrest.

I do however like the bit where the man is being charged with resisting arrest, when at the time, he was not being arrested. How does that work? Also, as the news story states, cursing or making obscene gestures at the police is protected as free speech. I'd say that sums up the question of "did the officer illegally arrest the man". I'd think so.

http://www.theindychannel.com/video/11309526/index.html

Mike and I are in Austin, Texas attending the SXSW Interactive conference... and while we were exploring downtown Austin, we had an extended discussion comparing Austin and Indianapolis - and how Indy seems quite a bit behind on basic urban design and development. Last night, though, a related email landed in my inbox forwarded by my neighborhood association - a link to Indianapolis's website detailing their urban planning initiatives for downtown. There's a lot of interesting reading there, along with some discussion forums - so give them your two cents worth.

Also, if you'd like, take a survey on Indianapolis Rapid Transit - you know we need it; let them know.