Posted on 08/12/2005 3:10:14 PM PDT by NautiNurse
LAND O' LAKES - Three men dressed as escaped convicts for a 98 Rock contest terrified several people, including a pregnant woman who was driving her child to school,this morning.
More than 30 people called the sheriff's office, starting at 7:42 a.m., the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said. Shackled around their waist and feet, the men were picked up in the Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision by deputies within 30 minutes.
``Force could have been applied, resulting in injury or death, if officers had felt threatened,`` said sheriff's Maj. Maurice Radford. ``This is what caused our greatest concern.``
The object of the contest was for the men to make it back to the Tampa radio station after being dropped off in the subdivisions south of State Road 54 and east of the Suncoast Parkway.
Dressed in orange jumpsuits with ``County Jail`` written on the back, the men approached motorists and asked for rides, Radford said. The men were taken to the sheriff's substation in Land O` Lakes for background checks. No one was arrested Friday.
Officials with WXTB, 97.9 FM, known as 98 Rock, and its parent company, Clear Channel Entertainment, ``realized what impact it had on`` the sheriff's office, Radford said.
``But we're concerned because of the danger it [could have meant] for citizens, who were alarmed,`` he said. ``Our dispatch center was overwhelmed.``
Radford said the sheriff's office was investigating the incident. He couldn't say whether charges would be brought against the three men or 98 Rock.
Sheriff's officials said Friday they did not yet know how much time and money was spent rounding up the men.
No kidding - they * had * to know a stunt like that would start a s***storm.
BTTT
I have a brilliant idae. Maybe a radio station could try playing music.
And I'm talking Willie Nelson (and not his new CD either), not that Brittney/New Kids on the Block noise.
Just saw this story on the WFLA local news. They interviewed witnesses who were genuinely frightened when they were approached by the men in handcuffs, shackles, and orange jumpsuits. Radio station management has denied knowledge or approval of the stunt.
Missed the Darwin Award again ... dang ....
Common sense is not very common, it seems.
Please, some other singer, CW ok but not Willie!
Freakin' unbelievable.
This should read..........
They interviewed witnesses complete morons who were genuinely frightened, (because they are pussies to begin with - afraid of their own shadow type, etc.) when they were approached by the men in handcuffs, shackles, and orange jumpsuits.
Those people need to have the snot scared out of them - continuously.
LVM
I'll bet the DJs would have split their sides laughing if someone in reasonable fear of their life had dropped one or two of the 'contestants'.
These people live in a small quiet town--rather than Las Vegas, where living in fear for your life is a betting sport.
Interesting take--it seems the pranksters were approaching women, rather than men.
Exactly
Now that was damn ignorant on your part.
My point was that if you are just going to stand there - while three men - in HANDCUFFS and SHACKLES - approach you, and the only thing you do is "be afraid / shaken / upset", whatever - then you have a problem.
I've been in Las Vegas for 20 years and only once was I scared spitless....that was on the roller coaster on top of the Las Vegas Stratosphere tower.
Common sense says when one is threatened, one takes action. You either confront the threat or remove yourself from the situation.
This is like a "please pity me because they really scared me" party.
LVM
If they really want to have a contest, they should put the guys in a pickup truck with a sign that says "We're gay, We voted for Kerry and we're here to take your guns," and make them drive across Texas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.