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My Criminal Adventure
May. 22nd, 2008 10:35 amNow, normally, I do not post about my life much but this was an odd episode that happened this morning:
I was on my way from the UGA Library to Tyche’s Games, as I usually walk over when the weather is nice, and, as I often do, I stopped in Dean Rusk Hall to use their facilities because it is barely out of the way and they are pretty clean. I said hello to the cleaning staff person I passed, again, as I usually do because their rounds seem to coincide with the time I stop in.
So, I was using the facilities when there is a knock on the stall door, which is odd in itself, and the person announces that they are from Campus Police and can they talk to me when I am done. I reply “Sure” and finish up. It is not a large restroom and two UGA policemen (who, like all UGA police, were armed) are waiting for me as I get out. They take me into the hall outside the restroom to talk.
So, I have been reported to the police for frequently “washing up” in the men’s restroom by someone. Now, sometimes, I stop as often as twice a week at this bathroom, as I said, it is on my way. And, yes, I do wash my hands there. I show my ID: first my student ID, my State Issued ID card, my Faculty/Staff Dependant ID, explain why I am there, that my wife works at the library, how it is on my way and so on.
The primary officer, L. Blake, is fairly apologetic and just wants to get it over with and let me off with a warning. His partner, whose name I did not get, obviously thinks I am a villain as he keeps asking leading questions and makes me open my backpack to show its contents “because there have been a string of laptop thefts lately”. But the Lieutenant in charge, contacted via unstable mobile calls, insists that I be issued a barring notice and I am photographed by suspicious partner.
The end result, I am barred from Dean Rusk Hall for the next 30-Days for “Criminal Trespass (Washing Himself in Men’s Bathroom)” and I will be charged with Criminal Trespass if I am found on said building in that time. Yes, apparently it is a criminal offense to use a restroom on the publicly funded UGA campus, who knew?
EDIT: When I was given the Barring Order, I asked Officer Blake, "You are giving me this even though I am not guilty of anything?" He did not reply but did not seem pleased with the situation. And suspicious partner implied that I should plan on never visiting the Dean Rusk building ever again even after the 30 days were up.
I was on my way from the UGA Library to Tyche’s Games, as I usually walk over when the weather is nice, and, as I often do, I stopped in Dean Rusk Hall to use their facilities because it is barely out of the way and they are pretty clean. I said hello to the cleaning staff person I passed, again, as I usually do because their rounds seem to coincide with the time I stop in.
So, I was using the facilities when there is a knock on the stall door, which is odd in itself, and the person announces that they are from Campus Police and can they talk to me when I am done. I reply “Sure” and finish up. It is not a large restroom and two UGA policemen (who, like all UGA police, were armed) are waiting for me as I get out. They take me into the hall outside the restroom to talk.
So, I have been reported to the police for frequently “washing up” in the men’s restroom by someone. Now, sometimes, I stop as often as twice a week at this bathroom, as I said, it is on my way. And, yes, I do wash my hands there. I show my ID: first my student ID, my State Issued ID card, my Faculty/Staff Dependant ID, explain why I am there, that my wife works at the library, how it is on my way and so on.
The primary officer, L. Blake, is fairly apologetic and just wants to get it over with and let me off with a warning. His partner, whose name I did not get, obviously thinks I am a villain as he keeps asking leading questions and makes me open my backpack to show its contents “because there have been a string of laptop thefts lately”. But the Lieutenant in charge, contacted via unstable mobile calls, insists that I be issued a barring notice and I am photographed by suspicious partner.
The end result, I am barred from Dean Rusk Hall for the next 30-Days for “Criminal Trespass (Washing Himself in Men’s Bathroom)” and I will be charged with Criminal Trespass if I am found on said building in that time. Yes, apparently it is a criminal offense to use a restroom on the publicly funded UGA campus, who knew?
EDIT: When I was given the Barring Order, I asked Officer Blake, "You are giving me this even though I am not guilty of anything?" He did not reply but did not seem pleased with the situation. And suspicious partner implied that I should plan on never visiting the Dean Rusk building ever again even after the 30 days were up.