Portland Police Bravely Defend Public From Homeless Woman Looking To Charge Her Cell Phone
from the real-american-heroes dept
Police: they have a job that demands respect, even if those doing the job occassionally do not. We talk a great deal here at Techdirt about some of the frightening uses of military grade equipment by local law enforcement agencies, about what sometimes seems like a neverending list of civil rights abuses, and so on. Still, as I said, I respect the job. It's my respect for that job that leads me to think that the Portland cops who arrested a homeless woman for charging her phone on a public outlet need a greater understanding of what it is exactly that police in this stupid country are supposed to do.
Now, if you're thinking to yourself, "There's no way police in Portland arrested a person just for plugging her cell phone charger into a public outlet," well, you're correct; they arrested two people for that in one trip.
In this case, the theft was first reported by Portland Patrol Inc., and two Portland police officers followed up to issue the woman and her co-defendant, a homeless man who was also charging his cellphone at the planter box outlet, citations to appear in court for third-degree theft of services — a Class C misdemeanor. According to the Electrical Research Institute, it costs about 25 cents a year to charge the average mobile phone. If the phone in this scenario had gone from zero charge to full charge, the cost would have amounted to mere fractions of a penny.Let's play a quick game. Pick out which part of the pull quote above is the most ridiculous aspect of this story. Got it? You picked the part where the homeless woman and a homeless man were charged with theft for plugging in their phones to a public outlet, didn't you? Well, you're wrong. That is ridiculous, of course, but any single police officer might be some asshole idiot capable of being this dumb. No, the most ridiculous part of the above pull quote is that it took four goddamned officers to respond to this request, and they still reached the conclusion that a citation was warranted. If these aren't verified to be the four dimmest officers on Portland's force, then the entire city has much larger problems.
“Jackie,” (who did not want her real name used), says she was shocked when four uniformed officers all agreed her actions warranted not only their response, but also charges and a court summons.
Oh, and should you be waiting to jump into the comments with some snarky question about why a homeless woman should have a cell phone in the first place, please keep in mind that phones cost less than houses. Also, shut up. Because strictly from the point of view of safety, not to mention the hopes of having any kind of future employment or way to communicate with social services, a cell phone at this point is so necessary for the homeless, not to mention everyone else, that the government should probably be furnishing everyone with some kind of holographic communciations and record-keeping tool that appears on your forearm when needed.
Pictured: a homeless person in President Geigner's America
Now, the Jackie in this story has never before been convicted of a crime, but she missed her court date after losing her citation because, well, where the shit is she going to put it? It's not like she's got a damned file cabinet stocked up in the house she doesn't own. Knowing she missed the court date, Jackie turned herself in to the police and ended up being booked into jail. Keep in mind, if you can, that this is all over "stealing" electricity at levels of "fractions of a penny." Jackie is on several waiting lists for assisted housing and might actually want to work someplace in the future, but, if convicted, she'll always have to be checking that "been convicted of a crime" box now on applications, thanks to a dumb law and four brave boys in blue.
And don't think that this is a completely isolated incident, either.
Jackie’s was not an isolated incident. Public defender Jane Fox says she’s seen similar cases.Only if you thought there was such a thing as common sense, which is clearly in short enough supply so as to no longer be common. As I said, I respect the job of the police, but I sure don't respect the job that these four defenders of the public good managed to do. And just to wrap a nice bow on how stupid this all is, how much do you think the public is paying in tax money to prosecute Jackie's fractions-of-a-penny theft? It seems likely that the paper the citation was written up on cost the taxpayers more than what she did, not to mention getting everyone in the court system involved. And, yet, Jackie's the one stealing from taxpayers? Please...
“It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it’s just insane,” says Fox. “The (case) that I had was somebody charging their phone by the Greyhound bus station. Don’t you have a reasonable expectation that an outlet near the bus station would be OK?”
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: charging, homeless, mobile phones, police, portland
Reader Comments
The First Word
“This is far more common that you might think
Having been homeless, I've seen a lot of this. Police and security guards routinely bully the homeless because they can: who's going to defend them? They're perfect targets for sadistic behavior, and believe me, there's no shortage of that.I've seen cops/guards steal coats ("that's too nice for you, you must have shoplifted it"), kick food away ("you can't eat here"), drag people out of bathrooms ("you can't wash your face here"), refuse transport to the ER ("you didn't get beat up, you just got drunk and fell"), steal money ("you can't beg here, give me all your cash"), demand sex ("blow me and I won't run you in"), and worse. Much worse.
Nobody sees. Nobody knows. Nobody cares.
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Oliver Twisted
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Oliver Twisted
It is as stupid as a computer. Never a consideration of the costs nor what the benefit of applying
a given law is this instance would be.
So we got judges to reign over zealous prosecutors and have "jury nullification" to fall back on when
both prosecutors and judges insist on a law being used against a particular defendant when common sense says it
should not be.
Still we get cases like this occasionally.
How noble the law, in its majestic equality, that both the rich and poor
are equally prohibited from peeing in the streets, sleeping under bridges,and stealing bread!
Anatole France [The Red Lily] (1894)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ahem.
The way society treats individuals it doesn't like or don't fit in their perfect bubble is despicable and this is yet another example. It's just that there isn't another Australia to send them too as all continents are occupied.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
The convicts sent to Australia were petty criminals (steel a half loaf of bread get 14 years transportation), AND politiIcals, (try to form a union etc.),
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
It went this-a-way
Anal Retentive LEO: That is an infraction of the most vulgar kind.
Homeless Egregious Scofflaw: Where the hell SHOULD I charge it?
Anal Retentive LEO: At home.
Homeless Egregious Scofflaw: I'm homeless!
Anal Retentive LEO: And your point is?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I'm just going to put this here - http://i.imgur.com/uOWK3Bp.png
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
and that pic: LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Can't we at least be grateful
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This wasn't about electricity
The local businesses wanted the homeless people to quit loitering near their shops. The stealing charge is just an excuse to not have to say, "We think you're ugly and might scare away our clientele. Please go away."
Here's an article about the Portland Patrol Inc - http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/trust-me-im-a-rent-a-cop/Content?oid=315932
It looks like their sole purpose is to shoo homeless people.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: This wasn't about electricity
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: This wasn't about electricity
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
That was a close one
/s
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
That is a small pack for US police officers.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
A technicality
Of course it's arguable that that's worse, because doesn't that then introduce an additional "do you want to press charges ?" step ? i.e. somebody else who could have said "this doesn't make any sense whatsoever".
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This is far more common that you might think
I've seen cops/guards steal coats ("that's too nice for you, you must have shoplifted it"), kick food away ("you can't eat here"), drag people out of bathrooms ("you can't wash your face here"), refuse transport to the ER ("you didn't get beat up, you just got drunk and fell"), steal money ("you can't beg here, give me all your cash"), demand sex ("blow me and I won't run you in"), and worse. Much worse.
Nobody sees. Nobody knows. Nobody cares.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: This is far more common that you might think
One's American-ness is measured by one's possessed wealth.
No money = person who is not an American citizen.
No money = person with no American Civil rights.
Its the balance point for the other end of the spectrum.
Millionaire = American Citizen who can get out of jail free.
Billionaire = American Citizen with a license to kill.
Since most Americans believe that they will some day become a millionaire or billionaire, there is absolutely no desire to change this national measuring-stick among the common people, and the mega-rich love the process as it is, so it is absolutely guaranteed to get worse over time, with absolutely no possibility of being changed, short of a national dissolution.
---
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: This is far more common that you might think
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: This is far more common that you might think
"...Democrat controlled city into a statement about Republicans."
You make it sound like two gangs of thugs laying claim to their captured territories... probably closer to reality than you intended.
For the record, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, are two sides of the very same fascist coin, and the only real difference between them, is their political labels.
The Republican Party is composed of millionaires bent on becoming billionaires, while the Democratic Party is composed of millionaires bent on becoming billionaires.
See the difference?
---
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: This is far more common that you might think
The Republican Party is composed of millionaires bent on becoming billionaires, while the Democratic Party is composed of millionaires bent on becoming billionaires."
Actually, both parties are controlled by billionaires, whose money is funneled through so many non-profit organizations that it becomes hard to quantify.
So exercising "democracy" means getting to choose between the party of billionaire Democrat George Soros or the party of billionaire Republican Sheldon Adelson (and if you don't like either oligarch, then you're obviously an anti-Semite neo-Nazi conspiracy theorist!), whose views on most things (for instance, foreign interventionism) are very similar if not identical.
Voters are of course allowed a few tiny, insignificant choices, like whether guns or abortions should be more regulated or less regulated, that are turned into major battle lines in every election, while all the truly important issues are never even addressed because neither party wants to change anything that might upset their moneymen.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: This is far more common that you might think
That's the reason that the Millionaires (politicians from either party) want to become the Billionaires.
They want to stop taking orders from their Masters, and start giving orders, as Masters, in the Ownership Society, because the lion's share of the profits go to the masters.
----
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This is simply another case where the homeless get charged with laws that don't apply to other citizens, such as how long you can stand in one spot or what businesses you can enter.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Yeah. It's called "bait".
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Complaining to the police costs nothing for the business, but they shouldn't even be able to complain about it. The police aren't free and hopefully have more important things to do, like stop or deter actual crimes. My issue is that using a public outlet shouldn't be a crime unless you've made it obvious that it's not for public use, and if it isn't a crime, the police should not be allowed to get involved.
This is a double standard and it needs to be exposed and forbidden. No regular citizen would be charged with a crime for using public outlets; in fact, using public outlets to charge phones and computers is incredibly common in coffee shops, book stores, and other small businesses. I've never seen anyone ask for permission or seen a sign allowing it, both indoors and outdoors.
The homeless have enough issues without adding ridiculous legal charges.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
I'd love to think that the complainant would be required to show up in court as a witness.
True, in this case the state got a default judgment, but at least the threat of having to show up in court might motivate them to do better. In this case, I'd probably want to try to vacate the conviction on the ground that there is no actual crime charged.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Portland
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Portland
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
All the applications I've seen ask if you've been convicted of a felony. Misdemeanor < Felony
Aside from that, f*ck the po-po
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Most of the one's I've seen ask if you've ever been convicted of any crime.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Try going somewhere you need a visa. (Or entering the US if you're not a citizen or legal resident). "Have you ever been arrested?"
That homeless person today might one day win the lottery or get a well paid job and feel like they might want to take a holiday abroad. Ooopsy. They will have trouble entering many countries if they're not 'famous' or 'very rich'.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Massive collections of scofflaws are found ...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Massive collections of scofflaws are found ...
needs to be an arrestable crime. I once pointed out a seat-hog to an airport cop, who did nothing. (maybe I have a low tolerance for assholery in general?)
Also in many newer public libraries, the tables and desks are all wired with electricity so people can plug in their computers or whatever else right there where they work, rather than hunting down some well-worn wall receptacle that was intended for the janitor's vacuum cleaner or floor polisher.
Homeless commonly use public libraries, but mainly just to sleep in.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Massive collections of scofflaws are found ...
We are drilling in from the lower floor baggage handling area to bring in tons of outlets in the middle of previously pointless floors to feed into power strip platforms and clusters of chairs with charging stations.. enjoy, traveling public.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Massive collections of scofflaws are found ...
Maybe it's a sign of the times. Christian and Jewish terrorists would plant hidden bombs (or park U-Haul trucks) and then skedaddle, while Islamic terrorists aren't afraid to blow themselves up along with their explosive-packed cargo.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Law and Order
This is obviously a hate crime, because police hate citizens with cellphones.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Law and Order
Especially cellphones with cameras.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Most important part
"the government should probably be furnishing everyone with some kind of holographic communciations and record-keeping tool that appears on your forearm when needed."
TIMOTHY GEIGNER 2016!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Depressing
And you wonder why four fucktards decided to use the system to beat on the homeless.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Depressing
And the cop will probably be paid more than either of the other two, as well.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Wise choice in spending public funds!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I can see the police telling them to move on, but they deserve the ridicule for actually running them in for this.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
WTF
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No, no she obviously missed the court date because she put it in her cell phone calendar and her cell phone died because they wouldn't let her charge it so she didn't get the reminder.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Proud to be an Americ... nevermind...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Proud to be an Americ... nevermind...
Of course we care. We even *like* it. (Or course, for the sake of political correctness we deny it, but our actions speak much louder than our words).
Hit 'em again! Bravo!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
How will she get her welfare check?
Of course you're first concern is that the welfare taker keep getting their loot.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: How will she get her welfare check?
Are there no workhouses?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: How will she get her welfare check?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
She should demand a jury trial
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: She should demand a jury trial
It's a very sad statement on our society.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: She should demand a jury trial
Whether a juror would be sympathetic to the outcasts of society depends on whether their knowledge of them comes from the liberal media or is from hands-on contact with these people. Many of them have severe mental and social deficiencies. You never know if saying "hello" as you walk by will make the guy shudder in fear or explode in an obscenity-filled screaming fit. I used to be sympathetic, but now I definitely believe that authorities should make every effort to remove these people from the streets, starting with the obviously deranged ones. Short of that, at least have authorities try to "manage the herd" by providing facilities and services. Rather than, for instance, keeping all the park bathrooms locked up (except during ball games) so they won't sleep inside ... which creates a second, far worse problem.
Off-topic note to park restroom architects: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop designing washroom buildings with a wrap-around 'privacy' wall OUTSIDE the entrance door, ESPECIALLY when the entranceway is covered by a roof. It's as if nobody on the building design team ever had the brains to realize that when the bathroom doors are locked, people are likely to empty their bowels in the nearest private place -- which in this case is in the [dark] hallway right outside the locked door!!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: She should demand a jury trial
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Correction needed
Not that this makes one iota of difference in the monumental stupidity of the situation, but it was only TWO 'officers' responding to a 'request' made by two MALL COPS (Portland Patrol Inc.). Therefore, for all of the (well-deserved) ration of shit you are heaping on the city's legal system, a big old helping of "Fuck You!" needs to be placed on the assholes who called the cops to begin with.
Hey, Portland Patrol Inc.! You are the first in a long string of assholes in this story! Even Paul Blart would be ashamed.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Worse, they were probably four of it's brightest.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What exactly is a "public outlet" if the public isn't allowed to use it?
Or are homeless people not considered "the public"?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Nor are they allowed the only other alternative.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
Of course, they're not allowed to do that either...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Their job does not demand respect
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I'm sorry for Portland and Jackie
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stealing is only a crime if you NEED the thing you steal.
"If we let one person get away with stealing .005 cents worth of someone else's electricity, then in no time at all, there will be thousands - perhaps tens of thousands - of homeless and poor people charging their phones and Lord knows what else, at public and private power outlets. It is best to nip this kind of criminal behaviour in the bud."
---
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I wonder what this fiasco cost the taxpayers of Portland, or worse if by four officers wasting time harassing homeless people, did any major crimes take place at the time any preventable loss of life because bullies with badges have no real police work to do?
I would be very interested to see the call logs for the area these officers were responsible for at the time of this incident.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
We cannot release that information because to do so would allow master and petty criminals, terrorists, rapists, muggers and various miscreants world wide, to easily determine our very super-secret police investigation methods and thus harm the ability of law enforcement to respond effectively to crime and because children would die horrible deaths and kittens too.
Police State Police
---
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
My PPI story
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Heads on Pikes along Main Street USA
Perhaps the only way that this awful situation can come to a head and be eliminated, is if the governments continue to escalate the processes they have secretly put into action for their own protection against us, until the whole world reaches its limit of frustration and rebels against the machine.
---
[ link to this | view in chronology ]