Violated in Wilkes-Barre for open-carry!

[38SnubFan]

I'm sure this sounds like a broken record; but welcome to PAFOA, and best of luck in your upcoming legal battle against the WBPD. One would think that in that county, after the DCPD incident, that local Law Enforcement there would've learned some lessons by now.

Obviously, that hasn't happened yet.

A good friend of mine posted on another forum a few years ago about the mentality of some police officers, his thoughts coming from being a veteran (and still currently) LEO himself: There's becoming way too many officers who are stepping on the wrong side of the Thin Blue Line and making a bad name for what the "Police World" is really all about.

My part-time job (Bail Enforcement) has me working directly alongside that Thin Blue Line frequently. So far, all the officers I've worked with have been more than accomodating and I've never seen one over-step his authority while assisting me with a warrant - they're outstanding persons who go out of their way to protect and serve their communities.

Fortunately, the JBTs are only a small group, and don't make up the majority of LEOs out there. This is refreshing news to me as I plan to be deputized next year as a PA State Constable when the other deputy retires.

It's unfortunate that the JBTs in Law Enforcement are able to do the damage they do and (most of the time) get away with it, since members of the Thin Blue Line feel obligated to "protect their own". However, in any field of work, there are going to be a small percentage of those in a position of power and authority who will use that power and authority to their personal advantage to push their personal agendas and personal opinions among the common-folk.

That being said, it doesn't make it right. Both the Dickson City and Wilkes-Barre officers in question in their respective manners should be disclipined appropriately, up to and including being stripped of their badges and banned from serving in public service ever again.

As a part-time public servant, and soon to be certified LEO, I'll give to you this piece of "relief", if you can call it that: I WILL NEVER ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND SOMEONE WITHOUT KNOWING FOR AN ABSOLUTE FACT THAT WHAT THE ACTOR IS DOING IS INDEED ILLEGAL. If I'm unsure, I'll call my supervisor. If he cannot cite criminal code or case law to back up his decision, I'll get on the phone with an on-call Asst. District Attorney for clarification. Either way, I'M NOT GOING TO DO MY JOB, EVER, ON HUNCHES AND PUT MYSELF IN A POSITION THAT COULD COST ME MY JOB, OR WORSE YET, COST ME EVERYTHING I OWN BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS SMART ENOUGH TO SUE ME FOR BEING STUPID AND WIN IN CIVIL LITIGATION!

(Rant almost over)

I have no tolerance for the actions of officers who cannot follow proper procedure OR THE LAW. I would sooner go against my fellow officers and turn in a bad cop for prosecution, than to see innocent citizens wrongfully persecuted for legal acts just because that JBT disagrees with it.

(OK, rant over now)

Please keep us posted.

Sincerely,
38SnubFan

[4XLT]

first off welcome to PAFOA
second wtf is going on up in the north end of the state ?? are these people ( police) for real ???

thirdly, dont stop at just getting your gun back, personally i thnk you shoudl go for the jugular and get some people fired and maybe bring some charges against them !!!
then start sueing the city for inadaquate training !! and then and then and then.....

grrr this pisses me off

[BenningBoy]

I've been looking forward to meeting many of you. Any ideas for dinner?

[King 5.45]

Originally Posted by 4XLT

first off welcome to PAFOA
second wtf is going on up in the north end of the state ?? are these people ( police) for real ???

thirdly, dont stop at just getting your gun back, personally i thnk you shoudl go for the jugular and get some people fired and maybe bring some charges against them !!!
then start sueing the city for inadaquate training !! and then and then and then.....

grrr this pisses me off

The hell with the jugular, it's a vein.

Try the carotid -- it's an artery, and much more spectacular.

[TaurusGuy]

WTF....this is just getting out of hand.

[thelemite]

I am so sorry this happened to you. If there is anything i can do to help support please just ask.

[Skuggi]

What the hell anymore it's like I can't go to sleep and wake up and someone not have had their rights violated by police! Jesus I'm getting sick of this!

Guess it's +1 to Skuggi's pissed off meter already and it's only 5:30am

On a side note you have good people there in P.A. Patriot helpin ya out. I'll offer anything that I can do though I'm rather limited to being a body and a voice atm.

[normanvin]

Sorry about you getting harrassed. Welcome to the forum...

[Damage control]

The word is getting out! People now have a place to go for help. We working as a united front can/will put an end to this abuse and the " I AM THE LAW mentality". I who have been abused 2X by the powers that be am very thankful for this site and fine members who helped me through my first issue of "mistaken identity" and are now helping me through my current issue. Ask yourself If they are doing this kind of stuff to LAW ABIDING citizens, what are they doing/capable of doing that we don't even know about!

Keep up the great work people! Keep on keeping on, we are moving forward but its like getting a train moving lots of hard work to spin those wheels but once its at full speed you can't stop it!


DC

[ThomasJ]

Originally Posted by mystery_man

Hello everyone! I'm new to this board but have been posting over at opencarry.org for a little while now. I wanted to share with you what happened to me in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

I was out for a walk after dinner (open-carrying).
Wilkes-Barre City police stopped me because someone called 911.
My firearm was taken from me.
I was cursed at and insulted.
Then I was told that open-carry is not allowed.
That only police officers can open-carry.
And that Pennsylvania doesn't recognize any out-of-state concealed carry permits.
They gave no legal reason for the seizure of my firearm.
And if I wanted my firearm back I would have to go down to police HQ on Monday with a lawyer.
I have contacted an attorney and am following his instructions.

Your thoughts, comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
A.J.

I hope you got some names and badge numbers.

Just a general question for the board, but where does your attorney general stand on the 2nd amendment? Would he be considered friendly?

Originally Posted by Damage control

The word is getting out! People now have a place to go for help. We working as a united front can/will put an end to this abuse and the " I AM THE LAW mentality". I who have been abused 2X by the powers that be am very thankful for this site and fine members who helped me through my first issue of "mistaken identity" and are now helping me through my current issue. Ask yourself If they are doing this kind of stuff to LAW ABIDING citizens, what are they doing/capable of doing that we don't even know about!

Has pafoa.org thought about advertising venues, such as billboards? Are y'all partnered with the NRA at all?