Police keep public in the dark(OR)

Every year during Sunshine Week, newspaper editorial boards take pains to explain that open records and public meetings laws are important not just for news organizations but for every member of the public. It helps when we have a high-profile example.

On Thursday, the city of Medford obligingly handed us one, by refusing to release records that could explain why a SWAT team took a man into custody last week and seized his legally obtained firearms without a warrant or any criminal charge.

Medford is not the only entity dragging its feet on informing the public. Oregon State Police told the newspaper its reports weren't ready, and to check back in two weeks. The county also has yet to provide any information.

On March 8, police surrounded the Medford home of David Pyles, who had been placed on leave from his job with the Oregon Department of Transportation. ODOT officials had reportedly told police they were worried about Pyles' reaction to losing his job.

Police said they were "extremely concerned" that Pyles might retaliate against his employer, based on information gathered by Medford and Roseburg police, Oregon State Police and the Jackson and Douglas county sheriff's departments. We don't know why they were so concerned or what information they gathered.

After watching his house overnight, police took Pyles into what they called "protective custody" early on March 8 while he underwent a psychiatric evaluation, and they seized several of his guns "for safekeeping."

Pyles was released after the evaluation, and last Friday, police returned his weapons. No criminal charges were filed against him.

In the wake of this incident, many local residents questioned how police could deprive an American citizen of liberty — he was handcuffed after agreeing to submit to an evaluation — or his legally obtained firearms if

More information on the Pyles Medford Oregon case.

1 posted on 03/27/2010 7:29:23 PM PDT by marktwain

Here is a website with some of David Pyles experience and writing. He looks like a pretty reasonable guy to me.

http://www.classcreator.com/South-Charleston-WV-1989/class_profile.cfm?member_id=1196729

2 posted on 03/27/2010 7:59:14 PM PDT by marktwain

If he was in custody why was there a need to confiscate the firearms?

3 posted on 03/28/2010 5:34:40 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)

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