Through the Magnifying Glass: Police Brutality against kid skateboarders

Police Brutality against kid skateboarders

Skateboarders know that the annual Go Skateboarding Day is pretty much NO Skateboarding Day in the eyes of law enforcement. We’ve all had our fair share of testosterone-fueled police power trips, but sometimes luck’s on our side, and we have the video camera rolling while their dirty hooves are pushed against our backs.

Last week, a few kids in Arkansas were out skating for Go Skating Day and had a run-in with an officer. Unfortunately, the kids fought the law, and the law won. But thanks to a really smart videographer and Youtube, the skateboarders are about to really raise disorderly conduct.

If this angers you, then you’re a normal, red-blooded human being.

He chokes out the first kid, chases another, puts a girl and another guy in a headlock, and it's all caught on video.

Oh and just in case you were interested, the officer’s name is Joey Williams, and he works for the:
Hot Springs Arkansas Police Department
Phone: (501) 321-6789
Fax: (501) 321-6708
Chief of Police, Bobby Southard
Email: bsouthard@cityhs.net
641 Malvern Avenue,
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901

You know, just in case you were wondering.

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Comments

Posted by:
Posted on: June 27, 2007 10:50 PM

If the law is they cannot skateboard on the sidewalk, which is what is being reported, he had the right to take action. They decided to not listen to a cop. When I was a kid, if a copy told you to do something you listen and no physical action was needed. Now kids do not listen to authority anymore.

Posted by: James (Author)
Posted on: June 27, 2007 11:13 PM

Well, the video does not show the initial incident. Now it depends on whether the kids ignored the policeman's order not to skateboard or if the policeman just grabbed one of the kids off his skateboard and was holding him on the pavement.

Kids questioning authority depends on the situation. Now if a police officer asks you to stop what you are doing, I am sure most kids will do so. But if you see an incident where a kid is doing something wrong, and the officer just grabs the kid in a chokehold while reading his rights, is that proper procedure?

It would seem that the officer was intent on arresting the whole group of skateboarders even though they stopped using their skateboards after the officer started arresting the first kid. He was bent on using strong physical force. Note that they walked halfway down the block from the initial incident and the officer proceeded to arrest the rest of the kids. Imagine the bystanders' reaction when the officer was putting the two kids in a chokehold. You have to consider that to be an inappropriate use of force.

Posted by: Chris Caesar
Posted on: June 28, 2007 06:36 PM

Never get sick of people defending police brutality. You people are fucking idiots, frankly -- the kids were skateboarding (crime of the century, I know) and the cop flipped out and grabbed them and STRANGLED THEM. Are you really that high up on the F-scale?

Posted by: creedler
Posted on: July 2, 2007 03:32 AM

I found some more contact info:

Hot Springs Arkansas Police Department
Phone: (501) 321-6789
Fax: (501) 321-6708
Chief of Police, Bobby Southard
Email: bsouthard@cityhs.net
641 Malvern Avenue

The Chief of Police's email has been shut off..
you can email the cities elected officials at the following addresses

these are the District Directors

Peggy Brunner- Maruthur
(term expires 12/31/2008)
E-mail:
pege1947@aol.com

Elaine Jones
(term expires 12/31/2010)
E-mail:
direlainejon1@sbcglobal.net

Steve Smith
(term expires 12/31/2008)
E-mail:
srsmith12003@yahoo.com

Carroll Weatherford
(term expires 12/31/2010)
E-mail:
sable@hsnp.com

Tom Daniel
(term expires 12/31/2008)
Home:623-0682 Cell:627-8641
E-mail:

Posted by: Edmund
Posted on: July 2, 2007 03:21 PM

It's way too harsh. Can't imagine if one actually accidentally beat up their own children.

I say send the police to the gallows!

Posted by: RenttNT
Posted on: July 2, 2007 07:14 PM

Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona has appeared to have pulled a "Paris".
Kerry Katona appears in a video apparently shot by her husband as she pleases herself.
Although Kerry denies that the video is of her, even she admits that the likeness is strong.
After close examination the tape appears to be real.

Posted by:
Posted on: July 3, 2007 02:22 PM

Hot Springs (AP) - A Hot Springs police officer who appeared to choke a skateboarder in a video posted online has been cleared of any wrongdoing by an internal review board.

The Hot Springs Police Department Internal Affairs Board found the use of force was within the police department's policy on non-deadly force. The panel recommended no changes to the policy in its ruling released Monday.

Officer Joey Williams stopped a group of skateboarders June 21st on a downtown city sidewalk. Skateboarding is banned in the area.

The video shows Williams apparently choking one of the skateboarders after forcing him to the ground, then later chasing and wrestling two others while holding them in a headlock.

Police Chief Bobby Southard told The Sentinel-Record newspaper that the use of force was minimal and that Williams engaged in hand control techniques and handcuffing.

Southard said Williams, who had been put on administrative leave, will return to bike patrol downtown on Thursday. Six skateboarders--two adults and four juveniles--have court dates pending.

Posted by: Edmund
Posted on: July 3, 2007 02:26 PM

Administration Leave? He should be locked up for investigation and fired!

Posted by: David
Posted on: July 3, 2007 03:56 PM

I can not belive (well I guess I can)
That that type of force was needed to stop a skateboarder. I hope that there is an investigation by someone out side of the force and that action is taken agianst all involved in this.

Posted by: Edmund
Posted on: July 3, 2007 11:06 PM

Hi David,

I agree. We should get someone outside to conduct the investigation. Getting somebody from the inside to investigate will result in a Cover Up!

Posted by:
Posted on: July 4, 2007 11:24 PM

If someone does not cooperate, which they did not, it does take more force. Police would need no force if people just listened when asked to stop doing something illegal!

Posted by: Edmund
Posted on: July 5, 2007 11:27 AM

Yes, co-operation is required. But let's not forget kids are kids. You make it sound easy especially when that's not your kids!

Posted by: Suzi Enders
Posted on: July 9, 2007 07:17 PM

If it were possible we would skateboard here for sure.

Posted by: rjekolod
Posted on: July 12, 2007 05:04 AM

Hello

Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!

G'night

Posted by: Edmund
Posted on: July 13, 2007 09:22 AM

It seems that children have lost their rights in this instance. :-(

Posted by: kburd
Posted on: July 18, 2007 05:56 PM

dude its go skateboarding day were just doing what we love whats the problem with that it's a sport why should we get tickets , or arrested i dont see swimmers or golfers getting arrested for playing there sport!! so why does every body judge us ??? if there so mad at us and hate us so much well i like to see them flip a board with there feet!!!!

kburd
13 years old wow im 13 and thats just messed up!!!

Posted by: Internet Marketing Singapore
Posted on: July 21, 2007 01:43 AM

Yes, they should ban the sport if they want to continue to discriminate the people involved in the sport. Otherwise, please give the necessary respect for skateborders.

Not all who do skateboarding are thugs!

Posted by: Jason C. Waite
Posted on: August 12, 2007 03:43 AM

Heres the offical PETITION TO RE-INVESTIGATE Officer Joey Williams Onces Again!!!!!!!!!!!!

petitiononline.com/hspd123fowardslash)petition.html

visit myspace.com/unitedaid to see how you can help and even learn more about this incedent.

petitiononline.com/hspd123fowardslash)petition.html

visit myspace.com/unitedaid to see how you can help and even learn more about this incedent.

REPOST THIS EXACT MSG IF YOU SIGNED OR WILL SIGN THE PETITION! TAKES 30 SECONDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Squat 2P
Posted on: August 24, 2007 12:16 PM

There are laws still forbidding married couples to have sex on Sundays or to give oral sex. Just because it's a law doesn't necessarily mean that it's right. Slavery anyone?

Posted by: Jared Straight
Posted on: October 14, 2007 12:14 AM

Holy god, thats not even normal, okay, its SKATING, alright, what about the drug addicts, the cops should be worrying about something othert than this. skating honestly doesent even destroy property, so whats the big deal, they wont get hurt if they know what they're doing. The cop CHOKED not JUST a guy, but A GIRL! Officer Joey Williams, you are one of the most mental issued people ive ever seen, and you should be one of the most hated people from the youth perspective. I hate to say it, but your so messed up, you honestly have ISSUES....go get fixed man, go get mental help

Posted by: CAM
Posted on: November 24, 2007 02:35 AM

Why didn't he just write the kids a ticket if it was an infraction? What was the point of arresting these kids? Did they cause bodily harm to someone, or damage property as they were skateboarding? I am disgusted by the poor judgment of the police in this instance. I don't think this cop should have a gun, spray, or any type of weapon since he has little self control. Rarely have I seen an adult behave so childishly. He's a very bad role model. Don't think the kids will learn anything of value from this experience.

Posted by: auto parts mom
Posted on: November 28, 2007 02:55 AM

Oh...Oh...Oh... If I were the parents of those kids I will knock on the face of the police, I don't care what stupid charges will he give me. Because that is totally ridiculous and terrible. As if the kids were caught with a cocaine or something. And the police are humiliating the kids in the face of the crowd. I hope this police is somehow charged for his wrong actions.