huh ? Against the law to sit on a public Bench in a park ?

[jeff of pa]

WILLIAMSTOWN - An 18-year-old Williamstown man was arrested by state police at Lykens and charged with criminal trespass after an incident at the Williamstown American Legion, 123 W. Market St., in this Dauphin County community about 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Troopers said Christian S. McNeal will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

McNeal entered the posted memorial park and loitered on public benches, troopers said.

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

They can arrest you for anything. Whether or not it can be proven in court is an entirely different matter, although regardless how ludicrous the charge might be, if you show up for court without legal representation you will be convicted for sure. Like I stated in a different thread, I was once charged with disorderly conduct for saying the word s*** in public once. The charge was later dropped but I still had to pay legal fees and the arrest remains on my "permanent record".

Back in the day, they used to have a charge called "mopery".

From Wikipedia:

Mopery is a vague, informal, and usually humorous name for minor offenses. The word is based on the verb to mope, which originally meant “to wander aimlessly”; it only later acquired the overtones of “bored and depressed”.

In 1970, in Columbus, Ohio, mopery was defined as “loitering while walking, or walking down the street with no clear destination or purpose”, and was used by police to harass counterculture “hippies” who were regarded as unsavory. Some of those arrested were aggressively prosecuted by public prosecutor Karl T. Chrastan. In discussions of law, “mopery” is used as a placeholder name to mean some crime whose nature is not important to the problem at hand. This is sometimes expanded to “mopery with intent to creep” or "mopery with intent to gawk".

[jeff of pa]

well knowing of this kid, & most likley
I went to school with his Gradfather.
& Possably know his Dad.
he (They) is no stranger to Questioning authority
Which I Definately Respect him for.

I'm going to guess he was told to leave
because of a complaint from one of the local
Busy Bodies, who hates or fears Kids.

& He probably asked why.
saying it's a park & a bench
& the cop didn't like that

Still why not something that will stick ?
unless the cop is Hopeing he can get off.

[Felinepeachy]

Or maybe we just don't know the whole story.

[minton7]

criminal tresspass is way different than just being somewhere you shouldnt be... it means he had been warned before.... could have beena stalking thing.. a guy starin at kids... or any host of things.... it may also mean he had been convicted before of regular tresspassing....

[thrillathahunt]

Different places ....different laws I quess. In Austin, TX homeless people (and bums) can wander around any place they want, sleep on park benches, even beg for money on the street corners. BUT, no one can metal detect in the city parks!!!

[savant365]

The story says "posted memorial park" does that mean posted for "no trespassing" and isn't a memorial park a cemetery? I think there is more to this then the article covers.

[jeff of pa]

The story says "posted memorial park" does that mean posted for "no trespassing" and isn't a memorial park a cemetery? I think there is more to this then the article covers.

no it's not a cemetery

Yes there may be a no trespassing Sign.

Yes there is a Memorial there.
Probably Vetran Memorial.

But I doubt they would chase or arrest a 80 year old.
from sitting on the Bench.
so why a kid ?

If no sitting ? why are the benches listed as Public Benches ?
Why are they even there ?

[savant365]

It doesn't make much sense, that's why I think they left out some details.

[piegrande]

It might help understand this if you realize that the US has the highest percentage of its citizens in prison of any nation in the world. Higher than China; Libya; Russia; you name it. With 5% of the world population, the US has 25% of the prison population of the world. Our legislators, local; state; and Federal, seem to be working full time making up reasons to toss people into jail and prison.

In case anyone thinks I am making this up, do a search. This is not a joke.

[diggemall]

Do the incarcerated get counted in the unemployment figures ? Would be one way to get the numbers lower than reality.............................

Diggem'

[Felinepeachy]

China; Libya; Russia; you name it. With 5% of the world population, the US has 25% of the prison population of the world

Just how many people do you think even survive a prison sentence in those countries. Of course their prison population is low, they kill em off more than they throw them in prison.

[FarmerChick]

hmmm...aren't the Legion parks private?
I didn't think they were public actually?

I know our Optimist Park down the road is private. Must be a member so it isn't public domain.

just wondering cause there seems to be WAY MORE to this story than just sitting on a 'public' bench I am sure.

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

It might help understand this if you realize that the US has the highest percentage of its citizens in prison of any nation in the world. Higher than China; Libya; Russia; you name it. With 5% of the world population, the US has 25% of the prison population of the world. Our legislators, local; state; and Federal, seem to be working full time making up reasons to toss people into jail and prison.

In case anyone thinks I am making this up, do a search. This is not a joke.

Your numbers are correct, I read an article that stated at the current rate, by the year 2075 half the US would be locked up and the other half would be getting paid to guard them.

The prison system is an industry unto itself.

[jeff of pa]

hmmm...aren't the Legion parks private?
I didn't think they were public actually?

I know our Optimist Park down the road is private. Must be a member so it isn't public domain.

just wondering cause there seems to be WAY MORE to this story than just sitting on a 'public' bench I am sure.

As I said earlier, he's most likley not a Butt Kisser.
a little bit of a Rebel, if he takes after his Family.

& Probably got the Ticket for Questioning Authority.

I take it the newspapers usually copy pretty
much word for word from the report, & Usually
don't scrimp on details. (Drama & all sells papers)

My guess is still that the Officer felt
them pushing it was overkill, so to
satisify the complainer he charged him with
sitting on a public bench

[piegrande]

China; Libya; Russia; you name it. With 5% of the world population, the US has 25% of the prison population of the world

Just how many people do you think even survive a prison sentence in those countries. Of course their prison population is low, they kill em off more than they throw them in prison.

Good point, but not the one you wished to make. A lot of people try to rationalize our high prison population with this exact argument and others. But, those countries do not kill 80% of their prison population, which would have to be the case for your theory to explain it.

Yet, New Zealand and England and Australia have very similar cultures also based on English law, but do not have the extremely high prison rate we have. Nor do they kill their prisoners. No cigar on this one.

No, our culture has gone sour, and we tend to toss people in prison for almost anything that offends us, even if it is only vulgar, and not criminal.

[Felinepeachy]

When you say "our culture" are you saying that as an American because I see you're displaying the flag of Mexico?


And btw, what do you consider a vulgar crime?

[piegrande]

Unfortunately, Feline, you have given good reason not to debate you on anything. You should know at a glance I do not display anything. The software of this URL notes where the IP is, and displays the national flag. This is a common software function and is automatic. Anyone who attempts to question anyone's credibility based on where they chose to retire, has major credibility problems themselves.

Likewise, if you do not know the long list of things which get men tossed in prison in large numbers, but only in the US, and do not know the difference between vulgar acts which have been criminalized, then it clearly would be a waste of time arguing with you about it. We do throw people in prison for things which are not punished by prison elsewhere. Our citizens are overall much more civilized and law abiding and orderly than in most countries, excepting perhaps only China and Japan. It is one of the first things foreigners note when they come to the US. Yet, the US imprisons people at five times the average rate of other countries.

[Felinepeachy]

Our citizens are overall much more civilized and law abiding and orderly than in most countries, excepting perhaps only China and Japan. It is one of the first things foreigners note when they come to the US.

That's because we separate those who are not civilized from the rest of society.

[diggummup]

Our citizens are overall much more civilized and law abiding and orderly than in most countries, excepting perhaps only China and Japan. It is one of the first things foreigners note when they come to the US.

That's because we separate those who are not civilized from the rest of society.

Civilized by whose definition? That is the real question. I for one do not agree with many laws that are on the books. As far as society is concerned I say hock pugh. In any society when you get enough people together it becomes "mob rules" anyway, and how civilized is that? America's Oppressive Laws Are Destroying Americans and there are many examples that prove this point.