Denver Police officer under investigation for reported threat over bumper sticker

Denver NBC 9 News | 1/26/2005 | Paul Johnson

[Glacier Honey]

DENVER - A Denver police sergeant is under investigation for reportedly telling a young woman he'd arrest her if she didn't remove a bumper sticker that had a profanity directed at President Bush.

Shasta Bates, 26, says Denver Police Sgt. Michael Karasek approached her in a Denver shopping mall Monday and said that a bumper sticker on her truck, which includes the F-word and the surname of our president, had to be removed. While the message may be offensive to some, it's not illegal.

"He said that I needed to remove my stickers before I left, and that if I didn't and I showed up here again, and he saw me, he was going to arrest me," said Bates.

"He said my First Amendment (right) wasn't covered under profanity displayed on my truck," said Bates.

But Denver's city attorney has said he's never heard of the law that the sergeant was reportedly enforcing. So far, the Denver Police Department is only confirming that an investigation is underway.

[conservativebabe]

When it is warm, I take my 3 children down to Pearl Street to have lunch with my husband on Friday's(his office is on Pearl). It is a beautiful street, great view of the mountains, kids play in the fountain, however, on more than one occassion, they have seen people and things I wish they hadn't. Lots of pan-handling and people who look like they belong in a mental institution. The beauty of the street and the crazies who inhabit it are in great contrast.

[OldFriend]

The pan handling situation is out of control in Denver too.

My son lives in Cincinnati and it's ten times worse there. I wish I knew the answer.

Consider yourself lucky to be in CO.......and I am sure I don't have to tell you to keep a VERY close eye on your kids.

[KC_Conspirator]

Check into the background of this crazed leftist.

[Graycliff]

First let me say this, if JBT stands for Jack Booted Thug, you have already offended me.

Now to answer your question.
The officer can always just follow the rule of law and make the arrest. Under 42.01 in the TX penal code what she did is an arrestable offense. Whether you like it or the officer likes it thats the law.

The officer doesn't write the law, he enforces it. The law was written by the legislators.

It's not a freedom of speach issue, it's a profanity issue.

Now as for your JBT
I spent almost 30 yrs in Law enforcement. I consider your comment an attack on me and others in law enforcement.
I believe this site has rules on personal attacks. Just like the officer gave her a chance, I'm going to give you one. Edit your post and remove the JBT and i won't alert on your post.

[TheFrog]

Actually, this would easily pass the O'Brien test as a freedom of speech issue.

[Graycliff]

Question?

Is it just the reluctance of your DA to follow through with prosecution or is it the money involved in the prosecution? I understand some city's and county's have very limited funds. We had a DA that wasn't afraid to prosecute these type offenses, usually they ended up pleading out on lesser charges, but they were convicted. Please understand, I've been retired for almost 4 years now, so i could be some what out of touch. Good luck in your career and thank you for doing a job so many are reluctant to do. Stay safe.

[Graycliff]

"credibility and integrity means way to much to me."
So few understand how much that means to someone.

[Graycliff]

And better fishing!
MMmmmmmmm Fresh Walleye.

[MamaTexan]

At least, that is the BS I've been told right here on FR...

LOL!

You really should avoid engaging in a battle of wits with someone who is obviously unarmed!

:)

[Dead Corpse]

Sunfish. Bass. Perch. Heck, even Muskie. Walleye and Northern both taste too fishy fer' me.

And yeah... the fishing is a LOT better up there. However, still doesn't compare to salt water fishing off the Carolinas. Hook into a 30-40lbs Cobia or a 50lbs Sand shark will change your mind about that 5 lbs small mouth you were so proud of. ;-)

[Dead Corpse]

Hehhe... I guess my mother didn't raise me any better. ;-)

[Graycliff]

Have always wanted to fish off shore.

I've fished for reds outside of Venice La, thats about the extent of my saltwater fishing. Those Reds fight like no other fish I've caught.
Walleye to fishy?
I love them, and I'm not a big fan of fish.

[ChevyZ28]

I don't believe it will be the cost that makes the DA not want to prosecute. I think he just simply does not want the trial. This same DA will dismiss a domestic violence case in a heart beat if the victim refuses to testify. The inconsistency here is, NC law orders a LEO to arrest if there are ANY signs of assault. The Chapter 50-B of NCGS has removed the burden of charging from the victim and placed it on the shoulders of Law Enforcement. There have been a number of times I have gone in to court prepared to prosecute a domestic violence case only to have it dismissed because the victim will not testify, even though I have pictures and enough evidence I could confidently gain a conviction without the victim's testimony.

[Graycliff]

"dismissed because the victim will not testify"

Been there done that.
Sure gets old don't it?

[ChevyZ28]

The truly irritating thing is, most domestic violence situations aren't just dangerous to the combating parties, but to the responding officers as well.

[Dead Corpse]

I was stationed in South Carolina for a while. Did some fishing on the Board River down to the coast. Shrimp. Cobia. Shark. I even accidentally hooked into a Ray once. Felt bad about that, but he tasted good with lemon and pepper on the grill.

I'm not big on "fishy" fish. I prefer something with that nice clean taste to it with big white flakes of meat.

[Graycliff]

Only major injury i ever sustained was during a domestic.
When we arrived, it was clear she had been beaten severely. He was combative, and had to be taken down. In the process of cuffing him, she decided the left side of my rib cage was an excellent place to put about a 5 inch kitchen knife.
Let me add, i feel lucky.
I have a couple of friends, one was a close friend that were killed in the line of duty.

[the invisib1e hand]

the psuedo-intellectual deejays are all spouting off about the first ammendment on this one. at least we know they read their faxes (and do what their told).

[ChevyZ28]

I have been absolutely convinced the only reason I have not already been seriously injured is because God himself rides around in the patrol car with me.

These domestics are something else. Recently, in a neighboring county, a Deputy was lost due to a man who couldn't let a grudge over a property line dispute against this particular officer go. This deputy was shot to death in front of his 6 year old grand son by this man. The man followed him home, or was watching out for him. Just walked right to him and began shooting.