Posted on 06/03/2004 4:21:58 AM PDT by ForeverPure
Off-duty deputy having a beer videotaped
Staff report Last update: 03 June 2004
BUNNELL -- A videotape submitted anonymously to a local television station shows the Flagler County sheriff's chief deputy drinking alcohol off duty in a public park where drinking is prohibited.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Debra Johnson said Wednesday the 90-minute tape showed Mark Maronski in civilian clothes drinking one beer at the Flagler County Fairgrounds with other adults after an adult softball game and driving home in his personal vehicle.
She acknowledged the park doesn't allow drinking.
The official Sheriff's Office response was short and direct:
"Sheriff Manfre has counseled his personnel concerning appropriate off-duty behavior. At this time we are concerned about the mental well-being of this person in our county who is apparently trying to secretly videotape activities at the county recreational areas."
-- Michael Reed
ping
The dude was drinking a beer in a public park! GASP!
This is the same as reporting an off duty officer getting a speeding ticket or having an expired registration. Its just a misdemeanor.
Do you think that they are worried about people accusing their officers of being careless drinkers?
Isn't it wonderful we have so many busybodies who strive to keep us safe!
"Sheriff Manfre has counseled his personnel concerning appropriate off-duty behavior. At this time we are concerned about the mental well-being of this person in our county who is apparently trying to secretly videotape activities at the county recreational areas."
This videotaper sounds like an anti-alcohol zealot.
It sounds like Carrie A. Nation wants to come back and re-establish Prohibition, doesn't it?
Next, we'll find out that he was also picking his nose.
LOL. This holier than thou anti-beer culture has gone too far.
Meanwhile, Flagler County is expanding its program of using hidden cameras to nab drivers running red lights.
Orwellian surveillance.
Sad, isn't it?
A beer after a softball game. This is series.
Nope, probably not.
To me, the real issue is the law that says drinking a beer in the park is illegal. The tea-totaller mentality of our rules say that because some people can't control themselves in public, nobody is allowed to drink. It's pervasive. Look at what's happening with cell phones in cars.
Actually, I find this very humorous. Note that the Sheriff is more concerned about someone videotaping his deputy performing what is honestly an illegal act (drinking where prohibited) than the illegal act itself. Not to mention that it has been ruled in numerous courts that, Gee, if you are going to be in a public place with other people you don't have the right not to be photographed or videotaped.
Personally, I'd like to see more of this happening to public officials and LEO's. Let them know that they aren't the only ones watching everyone. The actions of these people that we put our trust into must be above reproach. The deputy in question should be reprimanded and should give a public apology for his disregard of the same law that he is supposed to uphold.
Mike
Sad, isn't it?
And what people seem to miss is that it is the Left that is trying to institute it. The Left always howls that the Right is infringing on our rights (and a lot of folks on this forum actually seem to agree - perhaps it's a lack of perspective) but it is the Left that is the dangerous one here. If that person doing the videotaping was a Republican, I'll donate $10.00 to the Kerry campaign and that will be a nightmare for me...
Good for them...that's the idiots who kill innocent families, which could include yours someday God forbid.
Being spied on having a beer at a ballgame doesn't even compare.
Only Carrie A. Nation fans would find having a beer serious after a ball game.
Of course, I would be concerned seeing someone drink a quart of alcohol before driving.
To many older women, drinking is the worst crime there is.
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