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| WOOD-TV photo |
Last night, Kathy Gray of the Detroit Free Press reported
that there was a heavy police presence in East Lansing after the Rose Bowl
ended and that the city and MSU campus were quiet – even in the infamous Cedar
Village Apartment complex.
that there was a heavy police presence in East Lansing after the Rose Bowl
ended and that the city and MSU campus were quiet – even in the infamous Cedar
Village Apartment complex.
No rowdiness. No fires. No couches burning. I found that
rather astounding — even though the students are on holiday break and the
weather was nasty — until I read this press release (below) posted on Facebook
by Kelly Dyer of Lansing.
rather astounding — even though the students are on holiday break and the
weather was nasty — until I read this press release (below) posted on Facebook
by Kelly Dyer of Lansing.
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| An arrest following Big Ten title game |
It’s a warning to the public – highlighted by
several (possibly) unconstitutional attempts at law enforcement — that was posted on the
city’s website on New Year’s Eve.
several (possibly) unconstitutional attempts at law enforcement — that was posted on the
city’s website on New Year’s Eve.
Apparently, the ELPD has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for rowdiness and revelry after things got pretty wild after the MSU win in December’s Big Ten conference championship game.
Here’s the release (bold type is my emphasis):
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Spartan fans are encouraged to keep
the following in mind for the Rose Bowl Game:
the following in mind for the Rose Bowl Game:
*
If a large gathering occurs, plan not to attend
or leave the area immediately. Large gatherings are dangerous and oftentimes
result in assaults, fires, destruction of property and large/blunt objects
being thrown (in the case of the civil disturbance in early December, rocks,
bottles, frozen beer cans and other items were thrown at police and people in
the crowd).
If a large gathering occurs, plan not to attend
or leave the area immediately. Large gatherings are dangerous and oftentimes
result in assaults, fires, destruction of property and large/blunt objects
being thrown (in the case of the civil disturbance in early December, rocks,
bottles, frozen beer cans and other items were thrown at police and people in
the crowd).
*
Those who fuel fires, destroy property or remain
within 300 feet of a fire are subject to arrest. The East Lansing Police
Department (ELPD) will also actively arrest individuals for indecent exposure,
MIPs (minors in possession of alcohol), open alcohol and other illegal behavior.
Those who fuel fires, destroy property or remain
within 300 feet of a fire are subject to arrest. The East Lansing Police
Department (ELPD) will also actively arrest individuals for indecent exposure,
MIPs (minors in possession of alcohol), open alcohol and other illegal behavior.
*
If a large gathering is declared an unlawful
assembly, anyone in attendance can be arrested, whether they are inciting or
just observing.
If a large gathering is declared an unlawful
assembly, anyone in attendance can be arrested, whether they are inciting or
just observing.
“We wish the MSU football team the best and encourage
everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly,” said ELPD Capt. Jeff
Murphy.
everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly,” said ELPD Capt. Jeff
Murphy.
ELPD Continues to
Investigate Post Big Ten Championship Civil Disturbance; To Date, 24 Warrants
Issued, 21 Arraigned
Investigate Post Big Ten Championship Civil Disturbance; To Date, 24 Warrants
Issued, 21 Arraigned
ELPD is continuing to investigate the Post Big Ten
Championship Civil Disturbance.
Championship Civil Disturbance.
To date, warrants have been issued on 24 individuals and
21 have been arraigned. ELPD will be seeking charges on several additional
individuals who have been identified. ELPD has turned the names of all MSU
students who have been charged with a crime over to the university to be
reviewed through its judicial process.
21 have been arraigned. ELPD will be seeking charges on several additional
individuals who have been identified. ELPD has turned the names of all MSU
students who have been charged with a crime over to the university to be
reviewed through its judicial process.
ELPD is still seeking tips and distributing reward money. Several informants
have already come forward and ELPD is in the process of distributing $500 in
reward money to each individual. If anyone has information regarding criminal
behavior during the civil disturbance, call …
The "Gestapo?" That is a little over the top, isn't it? Read Edward Crankshaw's "Gestapo" (1956) which was written while the Nuremberg Trials were still fresh to understand tyranny of a modern police state, before NSA spying, drone assassinations, and the Patriot Act.
The authority for this is found in Part II, Chapter 10 of the East Lansing Code of Ordinances, which was enacted pursuant to PA 390 of 1976, MCL 30.401 which grants broad authority to the state and municipalities to declare an emergency, and from my read of the statute, pretty much do whatever they think needs to be done during the emergency. It is actually a little scary when you read it…..but it's there.