Florida cops investigated for viral video of arrest of blind man:

[LetMyPeopleVote]

These cops need to be fired and prosecuted for violating this person's civil rights

Link to tweet

https://www.rawstory.com/florida-police-investigation/

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter has opened an investigation after a blind man spent 26 hours in jail after being hassled by deputies for jaywalking with a white cane walking stick in his pocket.

James “Jim” Hodges, 61, was arrested for resisting arrest without violence and received a $1,000 bail, The Daily Beast reported.

"According to an arrest affidavit, the incident began on Halloween morning when Deputy Jayme Gohde watched Hodges cross the street despite a crosswalk beacon indicating he should wait. Gohde tells Hodges she stopped him because she thought he was carrying a weapon in his back pocket," The Beast reported. "Hostility between Gohde and Hodges is present from early in the exchange. The deputy asked Hodges what was in his back pocket and the 61-year-old shot back that it was his walking stick, along with some choice words."

The body cam footage captured the interaction.

“It’s a navigational aid, what’s the problem, are you a tyrant?” Hodges asked......

The Beast reported, "Hodges’ request appears to strike a nerve with the unnamed deputy and he tells Gohde to arrest Hodges on a resisting arrest charge. Gohde then escorts the man to her cruiser and places him in the back."

Watch below or at this link.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. Oh for Pete's sake ....

[Midnight Writer]

2. "arrested for resisting arrest" with no other charges involved is hogwash.

[al bupp]

3. As unjustified as this is, it is an example of white male privilege

I feel compelled to point out that I imagine that the police might have acted a lot less restrained had their target been non-white.

[sl8]

4. "Columbia County Sheriff suspends deputies who arrested legally blind man with cane"

https://mycbs4.com/news/local/columbia-county-sheriff-suspends-deputies-who-arrested-legally-blind-man-with-cane-4th-amendment-body-cam-lake-city-police

Columbia County Sheriff suspends deputies who arrested legally blind man with cane
by CBS4Tuesday, November 8th 2022

[ga_girl]

5. Suspension isn't the proper action

The original deputy (female) should be fired. The second deputy (male sergeant) should lose his stripes.

There was no reason for the stop, other than an alleged crosswalk violation which is understandable due to the guys blindness. As soon as he pulled out his collapsible cane she should have said "thanks, have a good day". The refusal to provide ID is a legal response. The fact that the sergeant didn't speak up speaks to his lack of training. The fact that neither identified their selves shows their lack of respect to their citizenry.