

From the Livingston Daily:

Andersen, 19, was hanging out with friends on April 11 in a parking lot next to the downtown pavilion and Imagination Station play area when he became upset that a friend, who had been ticketed for skateboarding, was told by police to leave. He said he swore under his breath, saying “This is f------ bulls---.”



He said no children were around or heard him swear.



A Brighton police officer ticketed him for disorderly conduct. The officer wrote on the ticket that Andersen was discussing his dislike for his friend getting a ticket for skateboarding, using vulgar language in a city parking lot near the Imagination Station where kids are and using the “f bomb.”



Andersen challenged the ticket in court and lost; he was fined $200. The mayor pro tem celebrated the ruling:

“The Brighton Police Department does an excellent job protecting the citizens and visitors of our city,” [Brighton Mayor Pro Tem Shawn] Pipoly said. “As a councilman and mayor pro tem, I stand behind and fully support them.”



Pipoly said his father wouldn’t have much sympathy if he had done something similar as a young man.



“If I was the young man in this situation, my father would have told me to grow up and take it like a man,” Pipoly said. “And then he would have spanked me thoroughly.” Cursing, including cursing directly at police, has been repeatedly ruled to be free speech. Based off dozens of similar cases in the past, odds are this case will end with taxpayers being fleeced to pay out a hefty settlement and the police and city will face no responsibility for their own negligent actions.



[Pictured: Colin Andersen posing with his $200 ticket. (Source: GILLIS BENEDICT/DAILY PRESS & ARGUS)]







