Davagator
01-23-2007, 04:17 PM
:reallymad WTF!!!
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- - City officials are being criticized after a raid in which police slashed and tore apart tents at homeless camps near downtown.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker said he was not aware that the city's police chief and one of his deputy mayors had planned Friday's raid.
"What we saw on Friday night was an embarrassment for this city," St. Petersburg City Council member Jamie Bennett said.
Authorities were concerned a fire, started by residents cooking and smoking in tents, could spread quickly through the camp. They said a new, bigger camp has addressed their safety concerns.
"I was aware that the fire marshal had identified a very grave concern," Baker said. "I did not know the specifics to the solution."
Police Chief Chuck Harmon, Deputy Mayor David Metz and other city officials decided to cut up tents if the residents refused to take them down.
"In hindsight we didn't discuss the actual property issue, and we probably should have taken that into consideration," Harmon said. "I think the perception was not good of how and what we did. I hope there's no need to ever do that again."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LrPdZmPB36U
:reallymad What the hell right do they have destroying someones personal property like that? Its bad enough that they are in that situation and then have someone thats supposed to serve and protect come in and destroy what little you have. Disgusting!! I hope the city gets sued off their asses!!
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- - City officials are being criticized after a raid in which police slashed and tore apart tents at homeless camps near downtown.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker said he was not aware that the city's police chief and one of his deputy mayors had planned Friday's raid.
"What we saw on Friday night was an embarrassment for this city," St. Petersburg City Council member Jamie Bennett said.
Authorities were concerned a fire, started by residents cooking and smoking in tents, could spread quickly through the camp. They said a new, bigger camp has addressed their safety concerns.
"I was aware that the fire marshal had identified a very grave concern," Baker said. "I did not know the specifics to the solution."
Police Chief Chuck Harmon, Deputy Mayor David Metz and other city officials decided to cut up tents if the residents refused to take them down.
"In hindsight we didn't discuss the actual property issue, and we probably should have taken that into consideration," Harmon said. "I think the perception was not good of how and what we did. I hope there's no need to ever do that again."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LrPdZmPB36U
:reallymad What the hell right do they have destroying someones personal property like that? Its bad enough that they are in that situation and then have someone thats supposed to serve and protect come in and destroy what little you have. Disgusting!! I hope the city gets sued off their asses!!