Post by WaTcHeR on Jan 24, 2007 14:09:14 GMT -5
01.24.2007 - Hartford — The police chief of Hartford defended the arrest of a political activist at the governor's inaugural parade Tuesday and told lawmakers that Ken Krayeske was only arrested after he acted aggressively.
“He was arrested not because of what we did, but because of what he did,” Chief Daryl Roberts told members of the legislature's Public Safety Committee. Roberts said his officers didn't know who Krayeske was until after he was arrested.
Krayeske, the campaign manager for last year's Green Party gubernatorial candidate, has attracted much attention for his arrest on Jan. 3. Some state lawmakers have questioned whether his arrest was politically motivated. They've also raised concerns about whether police authorities have lists of people considered to be threat risks.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Leonard Boyle said police typically compile information about potential security threats before any major event. Krayeske's name surfaced when a state police intelligence unit officer noticed comments Krayeske made on his Web journal about possibly protesting Rell's inaugural ball. The day before the parade, police learned that Krayeske had been arrested years before during a Groton protest.
State police then put together photos of Krayeske — collected from the Department of Motor Vehicles, a physical description of Krayeske, a description of his car, statements from his journal and information about his prior arrest.
That information was shown to members of Rell's state police security detail on the day of the parade.
Boyle said there was no decision to arrest, detain or frisk Krayeske.
Roberts said his officer saw Krayeske enter the parade route after throwing down his mountain bike. He said Krayeske then acted evasive toward the officer, and later refused to answer officers' questions at the police station.
Krayeske, 34, did not attend Tuesday's hearing. He has denied acting in a threatening manner toward Rell. Rather, Krayeske, who works as a freelance journalist, has said he was only taking photographs of the governor.
Police found him with camera equipment and Krayeske has posted pictures from the parade on his Web site.
Rell, who has raised questions about the arrest, has asked Boyle to provide her with a report on the incident.
“She's going to wait for that report,” said Rell spokesman Chris Cooper. “The issue really doesn't have anything to do with the governor's office or her, but certainly if Mr. Krayeske was not treated appropriately, that is the last thing in the world she would want for anybody, particularly on inauguration day.”
Rep. Christopher Caruso, D-Bridgeport, said he doesn't believe Krayeske should have been arrested. He said there are witnesses who counter the Hartford Police Department's description of Krayeske's actions on Jan. 3.
Caruso said Krayeske did not pose a threat to Rell and questioned why police would consider someone who might protest the governor to be a threat. He predicted the arrest will have a chilling effect on lawful protests.
“I'm sorry, this is about trampling on the constitution and the rights of individuals,” he said.
www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=bc56e1e8-10dd-49a3-95d0-e6d5433df0fe
“He was arrested not because of what we did, but because of what he did,” Chief Daryl Roberts told members of the legislature's Public Safety Committee. Roberts said his officers didn't know who Krayeske was until after he was arrested.
Krayeske, the campaign manager for last year's Green Party gubernatorial candidate, has attracted much attention for his arrest on Jan. 3. Some state lawmakers have questioned whether his arrest was politically motivated. They've also raised concerns about whether police authorities have lists of people considered to be threat risks.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Leonard Boyle said police typically compile information about potential security threats before any major event. Krayeske's name surfaced when a state police intelligence unit officer noticed comments Krayeske made on his Web journal about possibly protesting Rell's inaugural ball. The day before the parade, police learned that Krayeske had been arrested years before during a Groton protest.
State police then put together photos of Krayeske — collected from the Department of Motor Vehicles, a physical description of Krayeske, a description of his car, statements from his journal and information about his prior arrest.
That information was shown to members of Rell's state police security detail on the day of the parade.
Boyle said there was no decision to arrest, detain or frisk Krayeske.
Roberts said his officer saw Krayeske enter the parade route after throwing down his mountain bike. He said Krayeske then acted evasive toward the officer, and later refused to answer officers' questions at the police station.
Krayeske, 34, did not attend Tuesday's hearing. He has denied acting in a threatening manner toward Rell. Rather, Krayeske, who works as a freelance journalist, has said he was only taking photographs of the governor.
Police found him with camera equipment and Krayeske has posted pictures from the parade on his Web site.
Rell, who has raised questions about the arrest, has asked Boyle to provide her with a report on the incident.
“She's going to wait for that report,” said Rell spokesman Chris Cooper. “The issue really doesn't have anything to do with the governor's office or her, but certainly if Mr. Krayeske was not treated appropriately, that is the last thing in the world she would want for anybody, particularly on inauguration day.”
Rep. Christopher Caruso, D-Bridgeport, said he doesn't believe Krayeske should have been arrested. He said there are witnesses who counter the Hartford Police Department's description of Krayeske's actions on Jan. 3.
Caruso said Krayeske did not pose a threat to Rell and questioned why police would consider someone who might protest the governor to be a threat. He predicted the arrest will have a chilling effect on lawful protests.
“I'm sorry, this is about trampling on the constitution and the rights of individuals,” he said.
www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=bc56e1e8-10dd-49a3-95d0-e6d5433df0fe