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
After 1 beer? So you're in favor of zero tolerance and no one should have a beer or a glass of wine outside of their home if they are driving?
I am not in favor of zero tolerance for anything except idiots. I have a very low tolerance for them.
He was off duty.
The tea-totaller mentality of our rules say that because some people can't control themselves in public, nobody is allowed to drink.
Or someone who recieved a traffic ticket.
Glad to hear about your stance on idiots. Just wasn't sure why his driving after having one beer during a 90 minute videotape should change the equation.
There is something really strange about that story tho. I don't see how anyone can drink one beer for an hour and a half.
I can remember trying to enjoy a picnic at a park with my wife and baby and being unable to because of scum of the earth types who think they are entitled to get drunk, scream at the top of their lungs and generally make a nuisance of themselves.
Amazing how many people don't obey either.
You ever meet any Straight Edge kids. They have been known to beat up on other kids who become intoxicated and carve "X"s on the victims' foreheads.
When I was 16 a couple of undercover cops watched my buddies and put a case of beer in the car at the grocery store. They pulled us over and after talking to us determined our lives would probably end if our parents found out. Instead of taking us home or to jail they made us pour each can into the gutter.
While there are a few jerks who would cite you for picking your nose in public, the blues in my circles would never stoop so low as to "harrass" good people for sipping a beer in public (Hail Mary....); they have real crime issues to deal with. Their motto: do unto others... don't drown in a teacup. I hope this backfires on the ass-hat with the new digi-toy.
"Probably thinks he can do whatever he wants because he is a cop."
Yep - bet he drives around without a litter bag in his car, too (required in our state). What a scum - take his badge.
"He did get in his car and drive away though." Not illegal; he'd have to have blood acohol over the legal limit for the state he's in. I doubt one beer is going to do that. Nevertheless, let's make an example of him.
It's human nature to ignore unreasonable laws.
A call to the cops for rowdy behavior in public will usually put a stop to it.
- Thus, it is unreasonable 'law' to prohibit drinking a beer at a picnic in a public park, solely to prevent 'bad' behavior. -- Reasonable people scoff at stupid laws.
They shouldn't be on the books.
You may be onto something there as to the real motivation. In which case, I agree. If it came from a neo-prohibitionist, I think it's petty.
I was being a little facetious but as a matter of fact I do agree there are too many laws. I don't agree that not allowing drinking in a public park is one of them.
"I always enjoyed the irony of the Jack Daniels distillery being located in a dry county."
Imagine all those thirsty workers!
OH, THE HUMANITY!!!! =)
I can [barely] understand a 'no eating, drinking, or picnics' rule for some parks, but, -- if you allow some people to eat & drink, how is it reasonable to specify what they drink, as long as they don't get 'rowdy'?
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.