HN PHOTOS: Act of hate causes off-duty Barnstable Police Sergeant to pull over and take action…
TOP HN PHOTO: A newly hired Barnstable Police Patrolman walks the suspect toward the backseat of his cruiser.
HYANNIS – [HN NOTES] – When an off-duty Barnstable Police Sergeant saw a guy painting a large florescent pink swastika on a snowbank facing the entrance/exit to the busy Cape Cod Mall, he immediately pulled over and notified dispatch.
The sergeant had been running an errand and the last thing he wanted to be dealing with on his day off is an act of hate. And being one of the majority of officers that take their oath very seriously, the one where a police officer is considered to be on-duty 24/7, with or without pay, the so-called “off-duty” (but not really) sergeant didn’t think twice about taking action, in spite of having to give up a hunk of his cherished free time to stop something appalling… a “tagging” act which many would find extremely offensive and upsetting.
It was right around noon today – Thursday, February 10, 2022 – when Sergeant Troy Perry decided he wasn’t going to let the suspect get away with painting a bright colored, easily seen hate symbol on mall property, in direct sight of busy midday traffic. So, he quickly notified his department’s dispatch center and put out the description and direction of the suspect’s travel on foot.
It didn’t take long for on-duty patrol officers to catch up to the man and take him into custody. According to sources on scene, the suspect is very likely looking at criminal charges. (The most appropriate charge related to painting a hate symbol on a snowbank is still being determined…)
On scene were a couple of rookie officers who witnessed one of their leaders take a stand against hate on his day off.
A member of the Sheriff’s crime scene investigation unit quickly arrived to take photos. Once documented, officers quickly destroyed the offensive image.
* All suspects are presumed to be innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by Bob Dylan… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT!]
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