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Maker/Camping
First off, my apologies for throwing away the print edition of the LDN, and not remembering the names of the people involved in the unfortunate and thoughtless act at the hands of one of the local police officers.
The letter was written to the open forum by a gentleman that was visiting Ludington with other family and friends while participating in the Maker. He then went on to tell how he and his friends were confronted, for drinking beer at Cartier Park.
If all he stated in his letter were true and the events and conversation were as he printed, he is dead on the money with his disgust, judgement, and ridicule of the local police. The judgement of this officer was horrible at best. At worst, and realistically (if what was printed is true) the officers judgement is egotistical, authoritative, self serving, and just down right bad.
We has local tax payers should be up in arms about this. Especially those of you who require visitors to keep your lights burning and payrolls paid. This sort of misjudgement, and heavy handed police tactics could be you next time you and grandma decide to go to the beach and have one cold beer while watching the sun go down.
The argument that the law is law is the only one here. The actions of this officer are unbelievable. We can only hope he was taken to the wood shed on this one behind closed doors. That is the best we can hope for here, because he will be supported by his superiors in front of the cameras and press.
This should not stop us from filling this forum, and the editorial page with support for freedom, judgement, respect, and service from those whom we employ.
If the local law enforcement community wants to protect us from dangers, then I suggest they take all available resources to U.S.10 and enforce traffic laws to the letter, (remember, you will hear the law is the law). Make sure each driver uses the proper lane, turns into the proper lane, does not use the left turn lane for a merge lane, while using the left turn lane make sure the whole vehicle is in the lane, not one tire still in the through lane, watch for those coming off the express way heading east on U.S.10, so they completely stop. These items are also law, and much more dangerous and live threatening than grown white collar professionals having a beer in a campsite.
Please do your job law enforcement, protect and serve us.
The letter was written to the open forum by a gentleman that was visiting Ludington with other family and friends while participating in the Maker. He then went on to tell how he and his friends were confronted, for drinking beer at Cartier Park.
If all he stated in his letter were true and the events and conversation were as he printed, he is dead on the money with his disgust, judgement, and ridicule of the local police. The judgement of this officer was horrible at best. At worst, and realistically (if what was printed is true) the officers judgement is egotistical, authoritative, self serving, and just down right bad.
We has local tax payers should be up in arms about this. Especially those of you who require visitors to keep your lights burning and payrolls paid. This sort of misjudgement, and heavy handed police tactics could be you next time you and grandma decide to go to the beach and have one cold beer while watching the sun go down.
The argument that the law is law is the only one here. The actions of this officer are unbelievable. We can only hope he was taken to the wood shed on this one behind closed doors. That is the best we can hope for here, because he will be supported by his superiors in front of the cameras and press.
This should not stop us from filling this forum, and the editorial page with support for freedom, judgement, respect, and service from those whom we employ.
If the local law enforcement community wants to protect us from dangers, then I suggest they take all available resources to U.S.10 and enforce traffic laws to the letter, (remember, you will hear the law is the law). Make sure each driver uses the proper lane, turns into the proper lane, does not use the left turn lane for a merge lane, while using the left turn lane make sure the whole vehicle is in the lane, not one tire still in the through lane, watch for those coming off the express way heading east on U.S.10, so they completely stop. These items are also law, and much more dangerous and live threatening than grown white collar professionals having a beer in a campsite.
Please do your job law enforcement, protect and serve us.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by NORTON on -
If what was printed was true? I only see one side to his letter. I am sure there was much more that happened than the "violator" revealed in his letter.
Ludington has been around for years without the money from the guy from Jackson and will still be here for years to come without him.
It is not right to bash the guy working (OBIE) at the camp enforcing the rules because the violator was " on vacation" or "we were quiet" or "it's just an empty beer can" No excuses.
The big sign at the gate and the paper signed by each camper said NO ALCOHOL period. It did not say it was ok if you were quiet, if you had kids, or if you put it in a plastic cup, you can drink all you want.
If you dont like the rules, don't go. If you think the rules are unfair, go to the City Council and try to fix it rather than hang the messenger(OBIE).
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Permalink Reply by ab on -
Norton,
I do agree with you 100%, the law is the law, and rules are rules. It just appears to me that we had a misuse of power, and perhaps some intoxication with authority.
Let me ask you this one. There are speed limit signs up and down every highway. How livid would you be if you were stopped and sighted for driving 56 in and 55? This would probably cost you 80 to 100 dollars. No excuses, it's the law.
I am not saying the campers were blameless, I am simply saying, I believe the officers arrogance and ego made this situation something it didn't need to be. I am sure the campers would have been happy with a simple, " hey guys no beer in here, you know the rules, drink up the one your on and that's it, I'll be back in a hour to check on you, if you don't comply then it is out with you". That's the way to keep a peaceful situation peaceful.
Just like, " hey, I know your on your way to work, but slow down to 55, next time I have to give you a ticket for going 56". No excuses.
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Permalink Reply by kelly on -
As you say Ludington has been around for year without the money from the man in Jackson, but how long will Ludington and the surrounding areas be around without the man and his friends and their friends and so on.. Sometimes word of mouth is the best or worst advertising tool.
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Permalink Reply by Diann Neil Engblade on -
As none of us were there, I don't think passing judgment on the officer involved is appropriate. I do think that it would have been a good thing had he simply told the campers what the situation was and then allowed all of them to stay unless there was a repeat of the behavior. I feel badly for the child that was woken up out of bed and told by his father that they had to leave and, therefore, couldn't participate in the Macker the following day. Rules are rules but sometimes rules can be enforced much more gently.
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Permalink Reply by Phil on -
It is a shame the LDN printed this letter without checking facts. There was much more to this story then the man from Jackson lead us to believe. The rest of the story is that these "white collar" people that seemed to be so innocent was they had 7-8 cases of beer with them. They were told the rules when they checked in and decided the rules didn't apply to them. They made the decision to leave because they didn't like the rules. For the record the officers involved patrolled the entire campground and did give warnings to others that were more well behaved. These men from Jackson weren't behaving as he said. Please LDN check the facts on situations like this before printing one side of the story. You allowed someone to bash this wonderful city with no fact checking.
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Permalink Reply by ED on -
Like Jen said... it's nice to see the other side to the story....(and you don't think the guy that wrote that letter would possibly make it out to be any of his fault right?...there was a hint of sarcasim here) maybe the LPD was on an "ego" trip as you claim...OR...maybe he was just doing his job?... The park made it clear NO ALCOHOL. he should have gone someplace else to do his drinking. I personally appreciate when the parks enforce this rule when I'm camping.
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Permalink Reply by Bethany on -
How about setting a good example for the kids that they brought up to the Macker. Teach them how to follow the rules, and that they can have a good time without alcohol over Macker weekend, and do this by being a good example. The rules are set at the campground for a reason, we have a problem with people too young to drink and old enough to drink on Macker weekend and it takes all the Law Enforcement the Ludington Police Department has to keep this city safe and orderly during this time. I wasn't there so I don't know how this oficer handled the situation, but it sounds like he did his job by enforcing the rules. I would like to hear his side of the story, unfortunately he isn't afforded that. So can we please give him the benefit of the doubt?
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Permalink Reply by Todd M. Matson on -
I am kind of surprised that Alcohol is not allowed only on the Macker Weekend. I grew up on Abrahamson RD and it is right across Lincoln Lake and there were many, many nights when they "campers" (I prefer FUDGIES)were up at all hours partying away keeping people up that had to work the next day!!
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