Comments on: Lansing sex-sting operation sparks FOIA fight

By: ToddAHeywood

ToddAHeywood — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:28:15 +0000

The issues here are about command and control in the Lansing Police department, councilmanic interference, the fact the city has no policies to prevent councilmanic interference, and the fact that law enforcement– including the city attorney– may have violated state law in releasing the HIV status of one of the men arrested. In addition, the stings have been called “entrapment” something even the City Attorney said he was wrestling with in attempting to determine whether to prosecute.

If police come across criminal activity, they should enforce the law. But since Lansing Police have said consistently that they have never had any proof of sex in the park– and frankly their own “sting” to catch people have sex in the park did not turn that up, it found men meeting in the park and going somewhere else to have sex– so again, why the use of what groups have called an unjustified sting operation?

By: snowdog99

snowdog99 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:11:51 +0000

And perhaps you should re-read my post more carefully, Todd.

By: ToddAHeywood

ToddAHeywood — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:28:15 +0000

By: snowdog99

snowdog99 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:11:51 +0000

And perhaps you should re-read my post more carefully, Todd.

By: ToddAHeywood

ToddAHeywood — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:28:15 +0000

By: snowdog99

snowdog99 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:11:51 +0000

And perhaps you should re-read my post more carefully before you condescend, Todd.

By: ToddAHeywood

ToddAHeywood — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:00:38 +0000

Perhaps you should read the entire series on this sting operation before claiming the police acted lawfully, or there was no abuse of authority:

Between the Lines, June 4 2009
Michigan Messenger, June 26, 2009
Michigan Messenger, June 30, 2009
Michigan Messenger, June 30, 2009
Michigan Messenger, July 1, 2009
Michigan Messenger, July 2, 2009

By: snowdog99

snowdog99 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:29:54 +0000

Well, it IS a violation of the law, so I would say that the police may and should use any lawful means possible to put a stop to it. So is doing a “sting” an “abuse of power” in your book? If so, I guess that means law enforcement needs to stop ALL sting and undercover operations, regardless of the target.

One doesn't get to pick-and-choose which techniques are “fair” to use with which criminals.

By: desha2

desha2 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:38:39 +0000

What is the point of a park without shrubbery or trees? Is it illegal to have sex in a park under a blanket. Is it legal to go about naked in some national parks. Men who frequent parks looking for love making need to police themselves.

By: snowdog99

snowdog99 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:34:11 +0000

Because indecent heterosexual contact in the park is minimal to non-existent. I used to like to eat my lunch there during the spring and summer, but was continually harrassed by gay men looking for “hook-ups”. The police are then forced to checkout everyone sitting in their car, whether innocently eating a sandwich or looking for a “date”. I finally became so utterly disgusted I vowed never to return, and haven't. That was a least 2 years ago.

It's a shame that people cannot confine their sexual conduct to private places. Some of us would just like to enjoy the park's truly natural elements and relax. The seedy “bathhouse” atmosphere that has been created at Fenner is far from desirable. Get a grip and grow up.