One arrest and little else to do for over a dozen cops
By Gabriele Fellows
Humboldt Sentinel
Clouds of smoke, whimsical drumbeats and the echo of playful laughter was absent this year at Redwood Park in Arcata.
In years past, the 4/20 celebration has regularly taken place in this spot. The annual celebration usually draws large crowds to the grassy knoll tucked between the trees in the Arcata Community Forest. But this year, the party was a bust.
“When it was sunny, there was like…the whole field was people, and they had like little barbeque pits,” one local woman said. “That was nice.”
A few people hung out underneath the trees, and some parents brought their children to play, but there was no one to pass the bowl to.
Despite the minimal stoner turnout, police officers were on hand, ready to make arrests if a crime was committed.
“Oppression” was one man’s reply when asked about the police presence.
The City of Arcata issued a press release four days prior informing the community that agencies would be increasing their enforcement of laws governing the park — especially pertaining to the ban on smoking.
Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman stated that previous gatherings had damaged the park, and that they intended to protect citizens and public property this year.
Although the turnout was skimpy at best, a minor was arrested for smoking pot just after 4:20 p.m. For this lone arrest, multiple agencies deployed over a dozen officers, along with roadblocks, traffic signs and even a mobile command center.
The Critical Incident Response Vehicle cost $370,000. The vehicle is to be used for public safety during natural disasters, emergencies and critical incidents — how the events at Redwood Park could be classified as a critical incident remain unclear (Chapman refused to answer questions from Sentinel).
Nice work filming and staying on camera during the minor struggle, handcuffing, and ‘detention’ that ensued at about 2:20 into the video!
Wow. What a huge waste of tax payer money. Over a dozen officers and a 1/3 of a million dollar EMERGENCY vehicle(not cop on a power trip) for one arrest of a minor for a crime that has become a misdemeanor. Reform of the local authority is in dire need.
The cops are the ENEMY of the Citizens!
whats a little bit of pot smoke going to hurt nothing every young kid tries it at one point and time so what does it matter if he smokes it its not hurting you people
I think that was the point of this story — calling out a riot control command center and dozens of personnel to arrest one teenager would seem to be overkill on its face.
i really do think that you guys just hate on pot and pot smokers or anything that has to do with pot/marijuana you all hate it because your not the ones who are making money off of it pot doesn’t lead to other things pills do
You’re right about one thing — we manage to scrape by without making any money off the marijuana industry. Whereas the North Coast Journal/KHUM cartel would collapse tomorrow if their hydroponic store, trim scene supply chain and head shop shack ads were all withdrawn.
yeah they probably would. i just don’t see anything bad in marijuana because it comes from the ground
Well cigs, most pills of abuse contain some form of opiates which come from guess where? da’ ground.
Cocaine, Heroin, tobacco (cigs), yeast, hops, sugar, corn; from the ground as well.
Nexxttt