The Observation Deck

Friend of mine apparently had a run in with a bicycle cop in Lakewood park. She was breast feeding her newborn under a blanket and was threatened with a ticket for indecent exposure.

Can anyone out there clarify the city's position on this type of matter?

That cop is barking up the wrong tree. Breastfeeding mothers have been harassed in the past but
the law has been solidly on the side of the mother's right to feed in public.

Perhaps the Lakewood Police need some additional training?

Here is a summary of state laws. Ohio law is clear:

http://www.ncsl.org/IssuesResearch/Health/BreastfeedingLaws/tabid/14389/Default.aspx

Thanks Grace,

will pass along the info to the mother.

Wow, that is terrible. This kind of ignorance really chaps my hide.

There is no 'city position,' nor should there be. That cop is clearly in the wrong. What Grace posted is right, she is protected under state and national law to BF her child in public. Indecent exposure? Even if she didnt have a blanket over herself, this would not be indecent exposure.

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3781.55

I asked if the cop rode his bike into the park to confront her, because in Ohio a bicycle is defined as a vehicle and operating it on the sidewalk is technically against the law.

I find the policeman's actions offensive. Not only is he in the wrong about the law, he is acting in a prejudiced manner against this woman.

With all the crap going on in Lakewood, including a shooting yesterday, he's going after a mother feeding her baby?

That's seriously screwed up priorities.

Grace O'Malley wrote:I find the policeman's actions offensive. Not only is he in the wrong about the law, he is acting in a prejudiced manner against this woman.

With all the crap going on in Lakewood, including a shooting yesterday, he's going after a mother feeding her baby?

That's seriously screwed up priorities.

Grace

The shooting was two days ago. Last night was the armed robbery by the masked man
who got away running into Metro Parks from Sloane.

Just trying to keep this crime spree correct and in perspective.

Mayor seems to be doing a great job keeping all of it out of the press.

.

Mayor seems to be doing a great job keeping all of it out of the press.

No, do tell!

I thought the FBI man cleaned up the city? Remember all the crime? Why, living on upper Arthur was like living in East Cleveland!

Surely, those shootings and armed robberies are a figment. Lakewood is tough on law and order. Just look at our daytime curfews AND we're cracking down - ridding the streets of dogs that might look like pitbulls and those salacious young women feeding those babies!

Grace O'Malley wrote:

Mayor seems to be doing a great job keeping all of it out of the press.

No, do tell!

I thought the FBI man cleaned up the city? Remember all the crime? Why, living on upper Arthur was like living in East Cleveland!

Surely, those shootings and armed robberies are a figment. Lakewood is tough on law and order. Just look at our daytime curfews AND we're cracking down - ridding the streets of dogs that might look like pitbulls and those salacious young women feeding those babies!

Speaking of the FBI they were raiding a house on Madison this afternoon.

But that is another story.

Like the guy robbing Subway Restaurants.


peace


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And the FBI, with weapons out, raided a house on Maile a few weeks ago, too. Drugs, I hear, and maybe guns.

But hey, we'll have pretty light poles on Clifton.

With regard to Mr. O'Bryan's comment: "Mayor seems to be doing a great job keeping all of it out of the press," the shooting was on http://www.cleveland.com both yesterday and today, and on all the TV stations.

I also read about the masked man you refer to on another Lakewood Website.

Do you think the police department is failing to report crime?

Jill Jusko wrote:With regard to Mr. O'Bryan's comment: "Mayor seems to be doing a great job keeping all of it out of the press," the shooting was on http://www.cleveland.com both yesterday and today, and on all the TV stations.

I also read about the masked man you refer to on another Lakewood Website.

Do you think the police department is failing to report crime?

Wow

Come out with both barrels firing.

uh no, I have the up most respect for the police department. Why just this weekend
to show our support this website stepped up and sponsored their week long event.
You know, giving back to the community.

But I do feel that City Hall is understating and glossing over many issues.

Which is to be expected in the era of non-stop campaigning.

OR

It could be as Mayor Cain explained to me one time as they were disarming a bomb on
my street. "Jim, it is also my job to protect our property values, and I am not sure this
would add to the interest of anyone looking at Lakewood."

A valid stance for a mayor as well.

Does not change my opinion.

Always nice kicking it with you Jill.

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With regard to the crimes, what is the city glossing over?

No barrels firing, but looking for clarification. Innuendo just seems like a cheap out.

Jill Jusko wrote:With regard to the crimes, what is the city glossing over?

No barrels firing, but looking for clarification. Innuendo just seems like a cheap out.

Well for one the robbery that happened during this administration at Convienent Store
about 9 months ago. Where the girls were beat up and rob.

The one girl has quit, and to my knowledge, nothing has been done and my questions
remain unanswered.

But why list them all here Jill?

You need more? Sapelle's?, Hidden Vllage, the guy nearly beat to death on Madison near
Baxterly.

Our police do an incredible job in tough times.

Are we hearing everything?

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Doesn't the PD and Sun have full access to the police blotter? Is it a Mayor's responsibility to report crime in his city to the newspaper? At what point would over-sharing become detrimental to the image of the community and harmful to property values, as you accused Crimewood.com of doing?