Woman Arrested for Eating Payday Bar

[MaryH]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22456-2004Jul28.html

This is in the unbelievable category.

From now on - don't get caught eating in public. The eating police are everywhere.

[lapfog_1]

1. I refuse to sign up (even if free) to online news sites

so could you post the first paragragh, or do your own quick
summary of the story? Thanks.

[mrboba1]

7. A woman was handcuffed for eating a candy bar

while trying to enter the transit system - where eating is a no-no.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. She had to finish eating her candy bar before

entering the metro station. She hadn't swallowed before she passed through the gates, so they nailed her. But she says it's because she cracked wise at the officer who warned her, and asked why they didn't go fight some real crime.

[redqueen]

18. Two ways around it

http://www.bugmenot.com gives user ids & passwords, and many sites are already registered with [e-mail] / dailykos

[Salviati]

50. you may want to look at www.bugmenot.com/

http://www.bugmenot.com/

It provides logins and passwords to all kind of free news sites...

[gmoney]

87. Try Bug Me Not instead of signing up

http://www.bugmenot.com

Gives you access to virtually any of these sites with a safe "community" password and username, so you can view the site without registering.

If you're concerned about cookies, then it may not help.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Stop the world. I wanna get off, or wake up, or return to my

dimension of origin!

--------------------------------------------------------
An open letter to John Kerry, John Edwards, and the DNC:
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/OpenLetter.htm

[swag]

3. In defense of the law

DC Metro is a great system for a reason. They studied the flaws of other major world subway systems and designed one that could do much better. Two of the key ingredients: no bathrooms in the stations, no eating or drinking in the stations or on trains.

They were right to arrest her.

Sorry.

[Fleshdancer]

10. fine, give her a ticket, but don't arrest someone for eating!

It doesn't make sense that people who run red lights or drive dangerously fast only get a ticket when a woman eating a candy bar gets arrested.

I understand they want to keep their trains clean, but this is ridiculous.

[Mike Daniels]

49. Apparently, she also refused to stop so they could give her a citation

I believe that if she had stopped and let the person give her the ticket it would have ended there.

Mouthing off to the cop didn't help her either.

BTW, there are police who's specific job is to ride and monitor the metro system. Her comment to go do something useful was inappropriate because the cop was doing his job. Not too much occurs in the actual platform areas of the metro.

[drdigi420]

76. Driving fast isnt automatically dangerous

speed limits are immoral

if you cant drive 90mph on the freeway, YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO OPERATE AN AUTOMOBILE! PERIOD!

[St. Jarvitude]

88. I don't think GloriaSmith was referring to freeway speeders

Do you have young children? Do you have to live with the possiblity that, despite all of your best attempts, your child can get out of the house and be hit by a reckless driver travelling 50 mph down your residential side street?

Driving 90 mph down the freeway shouldn't be considered reckless driving, as long as you are travelling at the speed of traffic. I'm sorry, but the issues of a speed limit for freeway driving and for normal city/suburban driving are totally different animals.

[bhunt70]

11. they also don't stay open all night.

we do have a great metro system.

[skygazer]

14. What is the reasoning

behind the ban on eating and drinking? I'm afraid I don't understand.

[swag]

25. I can think of a few things when I sit down on a Portland, OR bus

or light-rail car -

less trash
fewer sticky spills
fewer janitorial charges
cleaner environment
lower fares
lower taxes

I'll try to find the article I read on this about 15 years ago.

[depakid]

59. Funny you'd mention tri-met & light rail

I ride it all the time, and I don't see a lot of trash, sticky spills or people slobbing. In fact, the light rail cars are downright clean, compared to most cities' trains. The biggest irritant is unruly children and obnoxious cell phone users. While I'm sure that eating on the train is probably prohibited, I've eaten snacks and had coffee plenty of times-

I couldn't imagine anyone ever getting harrassed light this woman did- if it ever did happen, I suspect some of the other passengers would not take kindly to it....

[swag]

66. I guess you've never seen a fare inspector haul somebody off

the train, huh?

I agree light-rail is a dandy thing.

[depakid]

78. Actually, light rail is really good about security

I've seen rowdy and obnoxious people hauled off the train at the very next stop when someones calls them in. If there's a problem at a station, cops are there quick. It's impressive.

But I've never in all my time on light rail ever seen a fare inspector hassel anyone for something other than not having the proper fare....

[Romulus]

63. "lower fares"

that's a joke for the DC metro system.

It costs me over $6 a day to communte to work, they just raised the rates, and are talking about raising them again.

Meanwhile, I can go farther for cheaper in NYC.

[swag]

65. Well, if you had to pay a fleet of custodian to clean the trains

around the clock, I think your fare would be even higher.

Meanwhile, consider bicycling to work to express your dissatisfaction with Metro.

[JHB]

48. It cuts trash and reduces cleaning costs

If you allow eating and drinking on the train, you have louts leaving their trash for the train crews to pick up, and inevitably someone spills something, which means extra effort in cleaning it up. Failure to keep up with this extra trash/cleaning burden attracts vermin, in some cases sparks from an electrical contact (3rd rail) can ignite trash and cause a track fire, etc.

[bossfish]

15. No restrooms in the stations?

How does that help things?

[swag]

33. They examined other subway systems in the world

and found that bathrooms were a magnet for all sorts of problems, crime, drug use, etc.

Again, I'll try to find for you the study they did.

[Xithras]

74. Eliminates its use as a hangout

In many cities, homeless, gang members, druggies, and other people the transit systems would rather keep OUT of their stations often use them as hangouts. For a little pocketchange, these people get access to a place with a roof, running water, restrooms, and reasonable climate control.

Eliminating the bathrooms does two things. 1) It keeps people from hanging out all day. If you have to leave and pay for re-entry every time nature calls, you're much less likely to be interested in using it. 2) Since most bathrooms are unpatrolled and most areas have laws prohibiting cameras in bathrooms, they tend to be magnets for drug users, theives, and other criminals. Eliminating the bathrooms eliminates those problems and forces them to either perform those activities in public (exposing them to arrest) or leave the station completely.

It's a bit inconvenient for many, but overall it's not a bad idea.

[indigobusiness]

19. Right in a world where nazis rule, maybe.

A warning, or reprimand, would've sufficed in a kinder, gentler nation.

[redqueen]

21. .

:crazy:

[Boomer]

24. That was my reaction until...

...I read the details of the story:

The police officer warned Willett to finish the candy before entering the station because eating or drinking in the Metro system is illegal.

Willett nodded, kept chewing the peanut-and-caramel bar and stuffed the last bit into her mouth before throwing the wrapper into the trash can near the station manager's kiosk, according to both Willett and Curry-Hagler.

Curry-Hagler turned around and followed Willett into the station. Moments after making a remark to the officer, Willett said, she was searched, handcuffed and arrested for chewing the last bite of her candy bar after she passed through the fare gates. She was released several hours later after paying a $10 fine, pending a hearing.

Now obviously the woman was complying -- albeit grudgingly -- with the spirit of the law. She was thrown up against a wall and frisked because she sassed the officer; it was revenge for her attitude, not an attempt to enforce a law that was being flouted.

Public servants deserve courtesy, but they shouldn't be allowed to abuse their authority when they get pissed off.

[swag]

43. Granted

Cop went too far.

They often do.

I bet they get pretty sick of people saying dumb things like, "why don't you catch a real criminal?" though.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

75. If they wouldn't stoop to this kind of crap, they wouldn't have to hear it

[qanda]

28. They are very strict

I remember a metro cop making someone spit out their mint one day. I agree with their policy because it has helped the Metro stay very nice for everyone. I think arresting the lady is a little extreme, sounds like someone was just feeling their oats.

[pschoeb]

29. Sorry, but Chicago has great transit system, no ban on eating drinking

So whats the proof?

[swag]

35. I am happy for you

[Logansquare]

42. Au contraire my fellow Chicagoan

Eating, drinking and radio playing are strictly prohibited. And if you ever find a bus driver or engineer that actually does something about any of those three, I'd be surprised. For a truly stomach-wrenching experience, ride the Division bus some morning, i.e. Micky D. Express.
It's kind of like that law forbidding people over the age of 13 to ride bikes on sidewalks.

[swag]

45. Here's one paper that addresses the design of DC Metro

http://www.securitymanagement.com/library/visiblevigil.txt

I hope you find it both interesting and informative.

. . .excerpt

Key findings: Some of the factors found to contribute to
Metro's success include:

o High, arched ceilings that not only are architecturally
sound and aesthetically pleasing but also create a feeling of
openness that reduces passenger fears and provides them
with an open view of the station. Additionally, long and
winding corridors and corners were avoided to reduce
shadows and nooks that criminals and panhandlers could
occupy.

o A system that allows passengers to buy multiple-use
farecards in any dollar amount, cutting down the time
money is exposed to pickpockets and robbers. Farecards
also must be used on entry and exit from the system,
reducing the likelihood of fare evasion.

o Metro trains are equipped with graffiti- and
vandal-resistant materials to discourage potential offenders.
When graffiti artists or vandals do cause damage,
maintenance workers clean and repair damaged property
promptly.

o No public restrooms, lockers, or excess seats for potential
offenders to loiter. Fast food establishments are prohibited
because customers generate litter and provide victims for
robbers and pickpockets.

o Enforcement of "quality of life" violations, such as
smoking or eating on trains, and prompt reporting of all
vandalism and graffiti to maintenance personnel to ensure a
safe and clean environment.

o Continuously staffed entrance kiosks while Metro is open.
Station attendants are aided by closed-circuit televisions at
all unmanned entrances, tunnels, and platforms, and they
carry two-way radios to report crime and maintenance
problems.

Metro's crime rates have been stable and are a fraction of
those experienced by the subway systems in Atlanta,
Boston, and Chicago. Applying Metro's design,
maintenance, and crime prevention strategies may help new
or existing systems reduce crime in their subway stations.


. . .

[JHB]

46. That's a load of dingo's kidneys!

The purpose of "no eating or drinking" regs is to minimize trash. The PATH system in NYC/NJ is the same way. She threw her wrapper in a trashcan outside the station. THAT should have been the end of it.
Further action by the police was simply ridiculous! No arrest was warranted.


And the lack of bathrooms and the "no eating/drinking" regs aren't necessarily a "flaw" of other systems; some of those other systems are just too big and too heavily used to avoid having services and facilities available. DC Metro is "great" because it's a toy.

[swag]

47. Oh, gawd, whatever.

Think what you want.

[JohnLocke]

53. Singapore-style fascism is great, ain't it?

:eyes:

[swag]

56. Yep, Right up there with leftist Limbaughesque hyperbole.

Beautiful World.

[JohnLocke]

57. Nice non-answer.

So being against policy brutality, sexual assault, and fascism is now "Limbaughesque"? Fascinating.

[swag]

60. I'm against police brutality, sexual assault, and fascism

none of which came into play during the incident under discussion. Not even the arrestee is alleging any of these things.

I called your hyperbole "Limbaughesque," not your beliefs. I've gotta stand by that assessment.

[JohnLocke]

67. Get your facts in order or you are exposed as a fool.

"She said Curry-Hagler patted her down, running her hands around Willett's bust, under her bra and around her waist. Two other officers appeared, and the three took Willett to a waiting police cruiser."
That's not sexual assault?
----
"Next thing I knew, she pushed me into the cement wall, calls for backup and puts handcuffs on me," Willett said. (...)
"At the D.C. police 1st District headquarters, Willett said, she was locked in a cell with another person. At 9:30 p.m., after she paid a $10 fine, Willett was released to her husband."
That's not police brutality?
---
By the way, she wasn't even disobeying the officer. She asked him if he had any real crime to stop and then she stuffed the rest of the candy in her mouth. She wasn't even eating, she was chewing. What the Cheney was she supposed to do? Spit it out? The arrest and assault was purely revenge on the part of the officer.
Also, you are apparently unaware at the fascist actions of the DC metro police in the past, like when they ARRESTED and DETAINED a 12-year-old black girl for eating ONE FRENCH FRY:
----
"Ansche Hedgepeth had practically never been in trouble, let alone arrested. Then the officer clicked the metal cuffs on the 12-year-old's wrists and pulled the laces out of her tennis shoes.
She had been eating French fries in a Metro station, and now she was questioned, searched and taken away.
"We really do believe in zero tolerance," said Metro Transit Police Chief Barry J. McDevitt, who is unapologetic for such arrests.
(...)
And, he said, it is department policy to handcuff anyone who is arrested, no matter the age. "Anyone taken into custody has to be handcuffed for officer safety," McDevitt said. Youngsters "can kill you, too."
Ansche well remembers Oct. 23, the first day of the crackdown.
The seventh-grader at Deal Junior High School said the Tenleytown-AU station, where she was nabbed, is "just a place where a lot of kids go. There's a hot dog stand and Cafe Med, where I bought my fries."
She said she took the elevator to the station with a friend. As the pair passed the station kiosk, a man stepped in front of Ansche.
"He said: 'Put down your fries. Put down your book bag,' " Ansche said. "They searched my book bag and searched me. They asked me if I have any drugs or alcohol."
Ansche, who keeps her science fair trophy next to her bed, said she has never been asked those questions or searched like that before.
"I was embarrassed. I told my friend to call my mom, but I didn't tell anybody else," she said. She said she never talked to the officer, although Metro police insist that she was asked whether she knew eating was against the law and that she said she did. They said anyone who doesn't know about the law usually is given a warning first.
The youths were all taken to the detention center, where they were checked in, fingerprinted and held for their parents to pick them up, McDevitt said.
Ansche now must perform community service and undergo counseling at the Boys and Girls Club, one of the sentences Metro has chosen for underage snacking scofflaws."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A28074-2000Nov15¬Found=true
----
Handcuffed and arrested for eating French fries in a Metro station, 12-year-old Ansche Hedgepeth may now be kicked off her double-dutch jump-rope team or even suspended from school for her snacking infraction.
Administrators at Deal Junior High School set up a conference for next week to discuss those punitive options, said Ansche's mother, Tracey Hedgepeth.
"I couldn't believe they want to punish her even more," said the mother, who questioned how the school's jurisdiction over her daughter's behavior could extend to a Metro station hours after the school day ended.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A36208-2000Nov16¬Found=true

[swag]

69. Thanks for the smiles

Adios.

[JohnLocke]

72. Well, that was incoherent.

Now, would you care to respond to my post? :eyes:

[Romulus]

80. gee, who would have guessed

a black teenager roughed up and arrested in the most lily-white and wealthiest parts of DC - for eating a french fry..

"They searched my book bag and searched me. They asked me if I have any drugs or alcohol."

<sarcasm> Why else would someone like her be in that area!?! </sarcasm>

[HootieMcBoob]

58. You know what would make it even better

than no bathrooms and no eating. What about no people! Then it would be really clean! This ridiculous. The woman threw away her wrapper before she entered. Was she supposed to spit it out? I hope she sues their asses off for taking her into custody. I can maybe see writing her a ticket but even that's nuts, but handcuffing her and locking her up? Damn.

[swag]

64. I agree that no people would make it still better, but my view

is, by definition, and unpopular one.

But really,

The head of Metro acknowledged that the officer went out of bounds.

Now why don't you read the little study that was posted about why the subway was designed the way it was and what advantages it has accrued as a result?

Or don't.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

79. I rode Metro for several years when I lived in the DC area...

...and I NEVER saw anyone arrested for eating or drinking anything while on Metro grounds or riding the trains. I also never saw ANY Metro guard or employee who was disagreeable or rude to any of the people using the system.

The REAL problem is that a bunch of border-line thugs have been hired for additional Metro security after 911. Those folks get off on having the authority to push people around...unfortunately, the lady ran into one of the thugs.

You know, if FratBoy wins, you might consider applying for a job with Homeland Security...you might fit in real well.

[AspenRose]

4. I don't know what's more nutty...the candy bar or the story

eom

[bloodyjack]

86. very nice, very nice.

:thumbsup:

[bhunt70]

5. is this the young girl that was arrested on the metro about 2 years ago?

that was a silly circumstance.

[redqueen]

23. Are you referring to the 12 year old girl the police handcuffed

for eating a single french fry?

Those cops are nuts.

[MaryH]

34. No - different case.

[shoelace414]

6. would you get arrested for a payday bar?

[kodi]

16. no way, it would to be a mighty fine snickers bar

.

[Hutzpa]

9. your link does not work, asking for e-mail and I'm not a kin.....

Washington Post fan. eom

[MaryH]

17. Spokane

The link works fine for me.


My family all lives in Spokane. What part of toen are you in.

[Hutzpa]

44. Im not from Spokane, just love the name thats all n/t

[napi21]

12. I heard this early this morning. It's a standard thing on the DC Metro.

I heard this started in 2000 when there was a big fuss about a 12 yr old girl who was arrested for eating one french fry on the metro in DC. There is a "NO EATING" regulation once you enter the terminal. If this would have been someone who was from out of town, I'd understand, but it wasn't, she was from DC. You may disagree with the regulation, but I must admit, the shot I saw of inside the terminal looked a lot cleaner than any others I've been in. Sorry if that's what it takes!

[indigobusiness]

13. Hi Mary...welcome to DU

Would you cut and paste the dirty parts for those of us that refuse to sgn up?

I'm supposing somekind of profane simulation.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

20. Try this:

www.bugmenot.com

Works great.

[indigobusiness]

32. WOW Thanks!!! Take Back The Web

This deserves its own thread. Cool

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

38. You're welcome

My work here is done!
Goodbye DU!

(just kidding)

[MaryH]

30. Mouthful Gets Metro Passenger Handcuffs and Jail

Stephanie Willett is a 45-year-old scientist for the US Environmental Protection Agency from Bowie whose skirmishes with the lasw had largely been limited to a couple of speeding tickets.

Until she was caught chewing inside a Metro station.

About 6:30 pm July 16 Willett was eating a PayDay candy bar while riding the escalator from 11th Street NW into the Metro Center Station

snip

The police officer warned Willett to finish the candy before entering the station because eating or drinking in the Metro system is illegal.

So she stuffed the last of the bar in her mouth but kept chewing. The end result was that she was searched and handcuffed and taken to a police car - spent several hours in jail and got out by paying a $10 fine. According to the law chewing is eating. Seems to me like getting searched and handcuffed and taken to jail is a little steep.

[indigobusiness]

37. The ACLU should take this case

and kick their nazi ass.

[MaryH]

31. I had to just type some of it out

I don't know how to cut and paste. Flunked kindergarden.

[sniffa]

22. see what happens when there's no crime to stop?

we need more crime!

[redqueen]

26. Aren't you paying attention?

Cleanliness is important! It's so important that handcuffing kids and arresting people who threaten such cleanliness is gut! ... oops ... good!

:eyes:

[indigobusiness]

41. LOL...that's good.....Did I spell that right?

You slay me.

[demnan]

27. Ok, let me be the devil's advocate here

Those who take those metro trains every day prefer that they not be trashy pigstyes. Everyone can plainly see the rules posted. The D.C. metro system has limited funds with which to keep everything running, thanks to the confusing 3 state jurisdiction it is in.

Another thing, this woman mouthed off at someone, or she would never have been stopped. She's a grown woman with a college degree, she knows better than to be a wise ass.

I say she deserved the $10 fine, but not the handcuffs.

[indigobusiness]

39. Bull, she complied when admonished, just didn't swallow fast enough.

That is a crime?

In America?

keeeerist.

[noiretextatique]

40. she finished the candy bar

or at least had it in her mouth. there is no law against being a "wise ass" as far as i know. the cop should have shown some restraint and let it slide since she did comply with the request.
this is a trivial example, but thin-skinned cops can cost TAXPAYERS millions of dollar in brutality (or death) settlements.

[Mr.Green93]

36. it is for her own good

doesn't she understand the dangers of obesity?

[Gin]

52. thanks for the info on the METRO...have not ridden it but have family in

northern VA...when I do ride it..I will be forewarned..and keep my mouth shut.....as for trash....

I am on a condo board and ignorant people who drop the wrappers of whatever they are eating and drinking are a real hassel...fast food wrappers (with some food)...soda cans and bottled water are dropped anywhere and everywhere...people are worse than anyone!


too bad I can't have condo police... :)

[JohnLocke]

51. America had become like Singapore (nt).

[Speck Tater]

54. People who eat candy should be arrested wherever they are!

Don't they realize what that is doing to the health insurance rates for the rest of us folks who take proper care of our health?

[JohnLocke]

55. Sexual assault?

"She said Curry-Hagler patted her down, running her hands around Willett's bust, under her bra and around her waist. Two other officers appeared, and the three took Willett to a waiting police cruiser."

If I were this woman, I'd contact the ACLU immediately.

[Ithuilwen]

61. Curry-Hagler is a female, it seems.

Not that sexual assault couldn't be filed against her, I'm sure. :)

[swag]

68. I bet you call the ACLU a lot, don't you?

[JohnLocke]

70. My response

[swag]

71. Good one.

[bloom]

82. have you seen the movie "the Terminal" yet?

You would probably like the guy in charge of security. Like he the hero or something....

[bloom]

81. i wonder what the hell they were searching her for anyway

More candybars?????.... ARRRGGh


I think this is nuts.

[Bluebear]

62. "They hate us for our creamy nougat center."

[ThePhilosopher04]

73. I say protest!!

I wonder how they would handle it if hundreds of people walked through the station at one time eating candy bars?! That would be a real hoot!!!

[Xithras]

77. Spraypaint the walls

If they're that anal about keeping the place clean, f***ing it up should be protest enough. :)

[Aftershock]

83. Forget arresting terrorists, murderers, and rapists...

let's go after people who chew food on the subway! After all, they're the most dangerous people in society!

</sarcasm>

This is the stupidest shit I've ever read. :grr: :mad:

[JohnLocke]

84. Black 12-year-old girls are, obviously...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A28074-2000Nov15¬Found=true
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A36208-2000Nov16¬Found=true

[Mrs. Venation]

85. The Woman Who Was Arrested Was Wrong

"The police officer ordered Willett to stop and produce identification. "I said, 'For what?' and kept walking," Willett said.

In a report, Curry-Hagler said she wanted to issue a citation for eating on the Metro but the PayDay lover refused to stop. "

If Ms. Willett had stopped, as she was instructed to do, she would have been given a citation and that would have been the end of the story.

Metro has signs everywhere, in at least two languages and with pictures that spell out the rules. Some people think they shouldn't have to obey the rules. Sometimes they get caught, and then they raise a big stink about getting caught.

I have no pity for this woman. The transit officer was doing her job, nothing more.