Courtesy DOD
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Categories - Copywriting - Shopping - Free Online Business Help - Telecommunications Services Articles: Self - Why You Should Dial 911 Because the people who come after you might be more gentle or timid and have their path blocked, be bullied, threatened, and feel fear and stress. There are many worthy causes and, agree with them or not, the law allows people to hand out leaflets supporting them on exterior public property, but it does not allow them to block your way, intimidate, or make you feel threatened. While vagrancy and loitering laws are against their presence, they usually are not enforced and panhandlers, street peddlers, and the homeless can also inflict these things on people who are elderly or easily frightened. All law-abiding citizens should be able to move about freely without fear. As a citizen, it is up to you to insure that everyone has this right.
As I approached the community center, I saw the people gathered with leaflets in their hands eagerly looking for people to hand them to, which was fine. As I moved closer, they began to call out their cause. A little annoying, but still fine. As I was passing, a number of them tried to hand me their leaflet. I said no thank you. Then the loudest woman in the group moved in front of me and tried to hand me her leaflet again. Not so fine. I said no thank you. Then she jammed it into my chest yelling that I could be part of the problem or part of the solution. California self-defense laws would have allowed me to knock her hand away, but my personal laws wouldn't. Besides, if I had of done this, I might have had to prove that I wasn’t the one who was guilty of assault. People who are this disrespectful of others are usually the first ones to claim victim status. I flipped open my cell phone and dialed 911. The woman said, "OK. OK.” and moved away, but it was too late.
When the four squad cars arrived about 10 minutes later, an elderly woman who had also been badgered and had watched my encounter through the window came out and confirmed my story. One of the members of the perp's group who was also disturbed by the woman’s actions confirmed it as well. She was handcuffed and taken away. Police are usually ready to arrest or run off these people who they view as troublemakers. I told the cops that the other people were doing nothing wrong and had the right to be there.
The old woman thanked me and the Community Center Manager who had come out thanked me saying that a couple of the women who had come for their book club tea had come in crying. I told her that the people had a right to pass out their leaflets, but not to badger or intimidate and she should have called the police earlier. She said she would the next time. I mentioned that my 80 year old mother's Anti-Utility Tax Association would be down there passing out leaflets soon and I might be with them. She said she would make some coffee. I said that I didn't know if that would be wise because it might actually be illegal. She said she would take her chances.
Fortunately, the woman who was arrested just paid a fine and I did not have to go to court this time, but I always have the time to do it. The woman now knows her limits and is better prepared to serve her causes. The handful of times I have had to go to court over the past three decades for things like this, I have found court officers and other people involved to be respectful, pleasant, educated, and supportive. Of those times, only one case went past the arraignment and then it was settled in about ten minutes on the first trial date. In every case, the fine, if there was one, was small, and the perp became more knowledgeable and a better citizen being able to better able to represent their causes.
When you think about it, police officers will put themselves at risk, the Court will convene, the People will go to a lot of trouble preparing your case, the Court will appoint and the People will pay for a Public Defender to make sure that your Constitution is upheld and the world is a better place. All you have to do is dial 911, show up, and tell the truth to receive full protection under the law for yourself and others. You and those around you get a lot for doing almost nothing. It's a pretty good deal.
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