Arrested For Playing Chess?

The NYPD arrested a group of men for playing chess in a park with stone chess and backgammon tables. This was next to a children's play area and signs posted made the area off limits to anyone unaccompanied by children. The NYPD defended the actions of the officers. Read the story here.

First in all fairness, the officers were trying to clean up an area that has a drug trafficking problem. This occurs next to a children's playground. Okay. Fair enough. I think we can all get behind that.

However, this was a PUBLIC park and set up specifically for that purpose. The chess area is separated from the playground by a fence. Little children are not known for playing chess and backgammon. Adults are. Adults with small children do not have time to play chess while their little one's play in the park. They have to watch the kiddies.

These men are not bothering the kids. Based on the reports, they are not dealing drugs. They were simply playing chess in a public area. Why would anyone want to harass folks doing that?

Shame on the NYPD. Do you agree?

Naked Woman Escapes From Psych Eval

I am just going to post two quotes from the story. You can read the full details here (and its worth it).

"A woman was undergoing a mental evaluation Tuesday after police say she stole two vehicles, including a police cruiser, and led officers on a chase through two Salt Lake City suburbs — all while naked."

So, I'm thinking that the evaluation results are pretty clear.

But the police weren't so sure. "It appears there may be mental issues involved."

Hmmmmmm . . .

Cop Beats Up Special Needs Student For Untucked Shirt

The title says it all. A Chicago police officer broke the nose of a special needs student for not having his shirt tucked in while at school. (Read the story and see the video here.) The school has video of the altercation.

Besides the obviously disturbing actions of the officer, the school did NOTHING in response to the incident. Their statement was that "the physical restraint of a student sometimes becomes necessary. In such instances, AFL and its staff are committed to employing techniques that are safe, effective, and which conform to best practice standards."

Do safe, best practices include slamming a child against a locker and breaking his nose?

What do you think?