What happened today when I went in to deal with the ticket from the Pink Ruler Boys and why it was further proof of corruption

by Katherine Denison on Monday, July 18, 2011

I took in my somewhat crumpled ticket. It's taken me awhile to decide how to handle my anger over this petty bullying. Finally, with some good advice from Rochester Police Accountability Coalition friends, I pleaded not guilty and asked for the supportive deposition in the case so I could see how the cops had written their complaint. A hearing time was set for this afternoon and I was surprised to be called up in a matter of minutes. As you can see on the paper they handed me, the case was dismissed. "Good news!" the clerk exclaimed. Not because it was unjust. Not for illegal selective reinforcement. Not because the chief understood that his men were scoundrels, intimidating citizens doing nothing more than questioning injustice.

But because they wanted to hide the truth.

You can see here that the ticket clearly indicates a code for the charge, parking further than the requisite twelve inches from the curb. As the Indymedia video clearly shows, the Pink Ruler Brigade boys boasted that we were violating a VTL – a NY State Vehicle Traffic Law. They claimed they'd had countless neighborhood complaints over that very violation. The code number is clearly written right where it goes. The officer filled in every detail.

But my case was dismissed because, get this, there was "no description of violation on summons."

Only they didn't know I'd copied the ticket at high resolution before I took it in. And there, clear and crisp, is the violation number.

So the court is protecting the police, pretending that he concern we've all expressed (in national and international press) didn't exist. They tried to deep-six our case and our anger by denying the ticket was filled out.

Except that I have a copy. And now you do too. (You can have it larger if you send an email address.)

This dishonesty is not, you see, limited to a rogue cop or a band of four brothers or a couple of immature officers. It is systemic. The chief, who lies and evades, is tainted. The union president is a dissembler worthy of Murdoch, full of trashtalk and fantasy. The traffic court whisks away the charge, disappearing it like the Sticky Lips magician. Except not so cute.

It smells like garbage can cod. Let's work together to police the police.