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Smiley is frownie because, in February of 2008, he got arrested for jaywalking. That's right! I was thrown in jail for trying to use a crosswalk without pressing the little button. As ridiculous as that sounds, it's true! I'm Smiley, and this is my story.
If you're familiar with downtown Dover, NH, you've probably encountered the "chirping" crosswalks. They have lots of lights, make chirping sounds, and have numbers that count down like they're about to launch the space shuttle. You've probably seen them, but do you know how to use them? Probably not! Most people don't. In fact, I didn't even know how they worked... until February 9, 2008.
February 9, 2008. People were walking all around downtown Dover, doing whatever it is that walking people do. I happened to be walking on the sidewalk which runs along the downtown storefronts. When I reached the Cafe on the Corner, I prepared to cross Third St., just like any other walking person would. I looked both ways and was about to cross the street when - suddenly! - a police officer called to me.
The cop explained to me that he had stopped me because I didn't press the crosswalk button. At first, I thought he was joking. Much to my dismay, however, he was serious! The officer detained me -- and then arrested me -- for attempted jaywalking.
During my arrest, the police used excessive force, sprained my wrist, and violated many of my civil rights. They never even read me my Miranda rights. At the police station, they denied me medical treatment, stole belongings of mine, and wouldn't even let me pee. For real. The Dover police wouldn't let me urinate the whole time I was in their custody.
To top it off, bail for my arrest was set at $1,000.00.
Yes. They set bail at $1,000.00 for an arrest as trivial as this!
Sounds nuts, doesn't it?
Now, you're probably thinking to yourself, "This couldn't possibly be true!" "The police couldn't really be such boobs!" And normally, I wouldn't blame you for your skepticism. But I assure you, this unbelievable tale is absolutely true! You can even view photos and X-rays of my injuries on this site.
After such absurd an arrest as this, you'd probably think the police would be too embarrassed to bring this case to court. Think again! The Dover Police Department, indeed, decided to prosecute the case!
On April 22, 2008, I had my day in court. The police officer who arrested me testified and -- to add insult to injury -- lied on the stand! (For those of you who don't know, that's called perjury, and it's illegal.) Of course, the judge believed the cop, found me guilty, and sentenced me to:
Really. This is the Dover Police Department's idea of justice.
As it turns out, I'm not the only person that this kind of thing has happened to. After getting arrested, I began talking with other people about my experience. Gradually, I discovered that many other people have had their civil rights violated my members of the Dover Police Department. The problem, it seems, is far more widespread that I'd have ever expected.
Police corruption stories are like UFO stories. You frequently hear them, but never really pay them much attention. That is... until it happens to you. Truthfully, I probably wouldn't have believed that the Dover Police were so corrupt unless I had experienced it, firsthand, myself. Unfortunately, I did. I got abducted (arrested), brought to their mothership (the county jail), and returned, injured, to Earth. The experience made me a believer.
It also made me an activist....
In response to the atrocities which I experienced during my arrest, as well as reports of similar incidents, I founded the Seacoast Liberty Police Anti-Corruption Campaign (abbreviated "SEAL PAC"). To make a long story short: we're all getting together, demanding that the police department address this problem, and going to sue the navy blue pants off them if they don't.
SEAL PAC has held a number of public events to raise awareness about the problem of police integrity. You may have seen our "STOP POLICE CORRUPTION" sign in downtown Dover. You are, of course, welcome to visit the SEAL PAC web site to learn more about what we're doing to effect this change:
Together, myself and other victims of police misconduct will make the police force clean up their act.
Now that's a reason for Smiley to be Smiley again!
Learn what you can do to help!
