Gay Bashing Provincetown Polce Caught on Camera

[JohnHosty]

Here is the report from the watchdogs at http://knowthyneighbor.blogs.com/home/2007/07/alleged-p... ", word for word:

Provincetown Police Allegedly Brutalize Gay Celebrity DJ


Email Sent to Know Thy Neighbor Reveals Firsthand Account of Horrific Assault Last Night By Provincetown Police Against openly Gay Lost 45's DJ Barry Scott

Last night while DJ'ing a private birthday party in Provincetown, Barry Scott was allegedly thrown head first into a propane tank by Provincetown police which left him bloodied and with a possible broken nose. According to Scott, who is best known for his syndicated "Lost 45's" radio program, while he was DJ'ing a backyard party in Provincetown, police officers came to stop the music. Upon the officers' "first conversation" with Scott he told them that he would stop the music immediately. Scott then announced to the 50 people at the birthday party that the police wanted the party to end.

Scott then says in the email, "the police then rushed to arrest me saying that I was starting a riot." Even though Scott claims to have told the police "4-5 times" that he was not resisting arrest they did not seem to care. The police officers then allegedly "smashed (Scott) into the wall of the house head first and the propane tank" possibly breaking his nose. Scott then writes, "Blood was coming from the top of my nose where there was a large laceration and blood gushing from inside my nose as well."

The horrific event was witnessed by approximately 50 party goers many of whom took video and audio on their phones of the incident and many also signed a form for Scott with their names and telephone numbers in order to serve as witnesses.

Barry Scott's recount of the 4 1/2 hours that he and his friend Bryan spent in jail last night was equally frightening. Scott writes that his friend Bryan who was suffering from a previous injury of two torn vertebrae was left lying on the floor of the jail cell for over 4 hours and even with the constant alerting by Scott of his friend's condition and need to be able to take his medication, the police allegedly ignored him. Bryan was not allowed to use the mensroom and was forced to soil his pants to which, by Scott's account, some of the police "even smirked (at Bryan) during the incident." Bryan was never charged or told why he was brought to the jail with Scott.

Know Thy Neighbor placed a telephone call into Provincetown Acting Chief Tobias today and was told to call back first thing tomorrow for an official statement. We were told that it is Sunday and "no one is around." Well, by Barry Scott's report, some police seemed to be around last night.

Barry Scott must appear in the Orleans Court on Monday. He is charged with Disturbing the Peace, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.

Join me in contacting this police department and asking them what the Hell is going on in Provincetown:

[e-mail]
[phone]

Maybe the police there need to be reminded of their town's mandate:

Be it hereby resolved by the Provincetown Board of Selectmen that

1. Hate Crimes of any type will not be tolerated in the Town of Provincetown. It is the policy that the Provincetown Police Department shall investigate and seek prosecution of hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law, which shall include the use whenever possible of state civil rights statutes: Sections 37 and 39 of Chapter 265, Section 127A of Chapter 266 and Sections 92A and 98 of Chapter 272. The Town of Provincetown encourages the Office of the District Attorney, the Attorney General of the Commonwealth, federal law enforcement agencies, and the Courts to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law.

2. As used in this Resolution, a hate crime is any criminal act that manifests bigotry, bias, animus or prejudice against the victim on account of this victim's race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sex, sexual orientation or age.

Adopted June 8, 1992; Renewed June 9, 1997 and July 22, 2002.

[gaspee]

1. Fire every one of those

Fuckers. Hell, fire the entire police force. And all the "law and order" types wonder why people can't stand cops. I don't even like my own relatives who are cops. I know them well enough to know what dickheads they are. They get warped by the job and most I've met were warped before they went looking for a jopb where they held other people's lives in their hands.

People wouldn't hate cops so much if they weren't such dickheads.

[JohnHosty]

3. Proper Training

Is key if you are going to have a tolerant police force. My impression after talking to them directly is that this was no big deal to them. I think more people need to call.

[JohnHosty]

11. Here is the original email sent by the victim

While dj-ing a party, officers came to stop the music. It was their third appearance at the backyard party but my first conversation with them. I told them I would stop the music immediately. A witness or two will testify how nice I was about it. The music was never loud.

I announced to the 50 people at the birthday party that the police wanted the party to end. The police then rushed to arrest me saying I was starting a riot.

I said 4-5 times very loudly (everyone heard), "I am not resisting." They did not care. I was smashed into the wall of the house head first and the propane tank, possibly breaking my nose. Blood was coming from the top of my nose where there was a large laceration and blood gushing from inside my nose as well.

I repeatedly stated loudly "I am not resisting, what are you doing?" but the officer kicked me so hard, he knocked off my sneaker and gave me a huge welt on my leg. Then he stepped hard on my bare toes with his police shoes. He looked like he was in a steroid rage.

50 party goers watched me arrested, saying out loud it was police brutality. Some took video and audio on their phones of the incident. They could not believe what happened and how much the police over reacted and all signed a form with their names and numbers. In actuality, it was the police who could have incited a riot.

I was hand cuffed roughly (still have the marks) and thrown into the police cruiser. Bryan was also taken in for 4 1/2 hours with me and never arrested or told why. He has two torn vertebrae and they refused him his medicine for it. He laid on the floor on the cold metal jail cell for the 4 1/2 hours and they did not help him, even when he needed to go to the bathroom. They had handcuffed him roughly which aggravated his back and he couldn't even go to the bathroom. After hours when they wouldn't help him, he was forced to go in his pants. They were totally disrespectful of his condition and appallingly inhumane. Some of them even smirked at him during the incident.

I am hoping you will all help spread the word to the various gay/lesbian groups, the p-town police chief and anyone else you can think of about this brutality. I will file a complaint and a lawsuit will follow.

This behavior was disgusting. Some of the pictures are attached. The amount of blood loss on the chair alone, not to mention the house, the wall and the propane tank will tell you how bad it was.

Please help me fight this. I have to be in court on Monday morning in Orleans. I am charged with Disturbing The Peace, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly.

Like I said, 50 people or more watched horrified and couldn?t believe their own p-town officers were doing this to me.

Barry Scott
"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087561889847180738" />

[baby_mouse]

16. It's time to get rid of these people. NT.

[xchrom]

2. thank god for portable cameras and cell phones.

think how many incidents like these go unreported.

[JohnHosty]

30. Amen!

I am eager to see what they captured, but I suspect the lawyers will block things.

[Toasterlad]

4. Talk About Biting the Hand That Feeds You.

What's next...gay-bashers on Fire Island?

Has Provincetown decided they don't need gay tourists anymore? If not, I'd expect they'll do something REAL soon about their apparently out-of-control police force.

This is one story to watch.

[JohnHosty]

5. Here is an update

The Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project is
gravely concerned that excessive force was used, a fact which Scott's
injuries clearly establish. Given the disproportionate police
response, we immediately suspect that homophobia may have played a
role in the way Scott was treated. This possibility needs to be
seriously considered and investigated. "There can be no good reason
for force sufficient to bruise and bloody Mr. Scott. I can't imagine
him posing any physical threat to police officers whatsoever. This
sounds like something you would expect at Guantanamo Bay, and yet this
is Provincetown where the bashing took place" said Don Gorton,
Chairperson of the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.

[DeSwiss]

6. Goddamn assholes!!!

Those were not police, those were the PIGS. They're the same as I remember them from the 60s and 70s...

[JohnHosty]

7. After the Cops Realized

They arrested a man on no charges, they tried to make Barry Scott sign a paper that said his friend was drunk. Everybody knows his friend does not drink. I hope this gets people to call in and demand justice.

[va4wilderness]

8. I was there earlier this summer

For a day. Everyone seemed pretty friendly. Everyone seemed pretty mellow, including the cops. There weren't a lot of people there then (I guess. Haven't been there before that).

I kind of wonder how something like that could happen. Isn't the population of the town predominately GLBT? Don't they hire the police force?

[meegbear]

9. I read this a couple times ...

and I can't find where it shows that the police did this because he's gay.

Help me out here.

[JohnHosty]

10. The Man They Arrested

After breaking his nose is 5'4" and about 120lbs. His friend was arrested for simply saying, "Stop that!" and later they tried to say he was drunk, but he does not drink at all. The witnesses who have come forward have all said they are horrified at what they have seen, and have volunteered to be witnesses. If this were an all black party, would you be asking if the over-reaction of the police was racially motivated? The people who were there to see it think this was a gay bashing, and I am going to stick to that until someone comes and proves otherwise.

[meegbear]

12. But where in the writeup does it show that it was based on sexual orientation?

It does not and I am going to stick to that until someone comes and proves otherwise.

And no, if this were an all black party, I wouldn't be asking if the over-reaction of the police was racially motivated.

[DeSwiss]

13. I know you're asking a pertinent question....

....while also acknowledging that if this had been a black party that you wouldn't require further verification in the write-up that such an incident would have been most likely motivated by racially-based prejudice. P-Town is the east coast Mecca for many gay people. One of the few places where gay people may relax and be themselves - in the open. The police and the entire city government is aware of this and it seems to me at least, that they have something of a love/hate relationship with the financial success and prosperity gay people have brought to this town. This is an example of the hate part.

Having said that, this was a birthday party that was comprised of mostly all gay people. The officers were ostensibly summoned there because of a noise complaint. The DJ who was the victim here, was told to stop the music, to wit he complied. He then announced that the party was over. The reaction by the police to his announcement was that this constituted incitement to riot. Apparently the forced cessation of loud music at a party is seen as cause for rioting in Provincetown by the police. The result was the rough-handling of this man by the police who, obviously lacking in any sense of diplomacy or knowledge of the law, compounded their stupidity by handling a spiraling-out-of-control situation by treating him even worse by arresting him. The charge: "resisting arrest." Resisting arrest for what? Resisting arrest?

Let me say here now, that had this been a black party, those cops NEVER would have done that. They'd be scared shitless that they might not make it out alive. No matter how stupid such a thought might be, but that's what you get we you don't know people. You believe the stereotypes. In this situation it doesn't take much to conclude here that the police were overly aggressive and felt no compunction in using their heavy-handed tactics to get their point across. And once they were made into the bad guys by forcing an end to the music and thus the party, they took it out on the DJ. I'm sure they were concerned about complaints being lodged against them later. So an arrest justifies things -- instead of trying to defend the way they mishandled it. And then, why should they? They're just gays. Right?

Now I can say all this because I'm black. And I've seen this before. Its virtually impossible to PROVE to anyone who isn't black what its like to be discriminated against. After a while, people get sick of hearing about it, and they tune you out. But the hatred hasn't ended -- at least not by my reckoning. And its usually more subtle now. Except in the ghetto where no one gives a damn. That's where we are now in the country and the racial discrimination continues. Gay people present a different situation but they are suffering from the same prejudice. Ironically, even by many blacks (mostly the Holy ones). And whenever a gay person is discriminated against and/or brutalized, there seems to be little sympathy by the general public. "Well if you weren't gay," they almost seem to be saying. And given the history of the police in this country and their treatment of minorities, if there is ever a question of whom to believe, I'll always err on the side of the civilians. As long as they're not wearing sheets or living in caves waiting for the race wars to begin. Or expounding on why its justified to diminish the rights of someone because they're gay. Or kill them. They do that you know. And it doesn't make people respect gay people any more, particularly when they see their protectors beating them to a pulp.

When I was little, I was taught in grade school that the policeman was my friend. I believed that malarkey until at 8-years old I witnessed, what looked like a platoon of police in Cleveland Ohio, who came into our neighborhood in a slew of police cars and paddy wagons to arrest one drunk woman. They beat her senseless in the process. And they dragged her through the courtyard exposing her nakedness to all. While the other cops stood around watching and laughing.

I'm all for law and order. I'm also for justice. When you give someone a gun and tell them to enforce the law, you need to make sure that the people who are enforcing the law aren't breaking it too. Had this noise complaint happened in the Hamptons, the cops would have gone to the back door servant's entrance and asked if they could possibly turn things down -- a wee bit. They didn't feel they had to act that way here. Now I wonder why?????

[meegbear]

14. Ahhh, DeSwiss ...

as a gay man, I know P-Town is the east coast Mecca for many gay people. If I had the time and money I would have been down there last week for Bear Week.

I DO take hate crimes seriously and that is my reason for questioning. I see nothing that wold imply that the actions were based on his sexual orientation; I'll give the police the benefit of the doubt that they know P-Town has a large gay and lesbian population and tourist attraction. As a ex-bouncer at a gay bar, I also know that things can get out of hand and things can get rough. THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE ACTIONS OF THE POLICE IF THE PERSON(S) INVOLVED WERE OBEYING THEIR REQUESTS. We were not there, so we personally do not know what happened.

I will stand by my view until I know otherwise. If I am incorrect in my viiew, I will gladly post an apology.

[DeSwiss]

15. meegbear I knew that your point was a valid one....

....and that's why I tried to answer as I did. On the other hand, I never assume anything regarding someone's sexuality because I'm the best example how one might become confused given that I'm a radical het for gays (long and involved story). In any event, I agree that I'm projecting my own experience into this episode, but that has saved my butt on more than one occasion. Particularly when I was a totally naive northern boy who was thrust into the middle of the south in 1965. I doubt that I will ever come to trust cops again, even black cops. Cops turn blue once they join and for the most part we're all the enemy from what I can see.

I'm sure those cops were probably taking a lot of jibes and disrespectful comments from people enjoying themselves and yet I have to believe no one in their right mind would intentionally provoke a cop unless they were prepared to throw down or they were looking to make a splash in the news and prepared to take their lumps for the privilege. While I haven't seen any postings about this story beyond the above blogs, the crux of what occurred comes down to your point: if they complied with turning off the music, then that should have been the end of it. After all, that's what they came there for. Case closed.

If the DJ told everyone the party was over with the intent of generating razzes from everyone there directed at the cops they'd have a right to be pissed, but that's not illegal, and it sure ain't incitement to riot. And based upon the charges reported thusfar, none of that's in there. So I guess we'll see.

If I'm wrong about the cops (which I seriously doubt) I'll apologize as well (although I'm not sure to whom). But I still won't be buying any tickets to the policeman's ball....

[One_Life_To_Give]

17. Not sure about this

I think his choice of words was very poor.

Depending on "How" his words were said (tone, etc.) It could have been seen as "Inciting a Riot".
When they are heavily outnumbered the police response to a potential call for such must be swift and forcefull.

Not to mention that Provincetown seems a unlikely place to suddnely have developed Homophobic Cops.

[JohnHosty]

18. Let's Review the Facts

This DJ is famous for playing old music, he's not exactly Howard Stern or something. This was a gay birthday party, and we are talking about an approximate time of 9:30PM on a Saturday night. Many witnesses have come forward to parrot the same exact things Mr. Scott has said, and some of them took video on their cell phones of the attack. I use the word attack because of the unnecessary violence of the act. The man in question is tiny, and even if he were drunk and belligerent there would be no need for police to use excessive force. Plenty of people were arrested that night without an incident like this, and we haven't even gotten to the Guantanamo style abuse they received once at the police station. In my eyes it is not up for debate that the police went out of their way to abuse Mr. Scott, the only fact left to explain is why. Many people want to foo-foo away the idea this was hate motivated, so let's open the discussion for another motivation. Instead of saying "we don't know because we weren't there", give me a viable alternative, because the people who were there are calling it hate.

[romantico]

19. Is there a link to this story?

Not a blog but a real link? I emailed this to someone and they deny this happened. I am so angry! They feel I am being suckered and told them not send them any garbage without actual proof!

[JohnHosty]

20. Often, Blogs are First

To report issues such as these, and I cite the Larry Cirignano hate crime back in December as proof. For a while it was only the blogs that covered the story, along with the Worcester Telegram. Later, other news agencies reported on the matter, but as important as it has become, television stations refuse to cover it. Tom Lang and I along with a few other bloggers are the ones who broke that story.

If you want proof, I have given the names of the officers, and the telephone number to the police department. When you call, ask for Tom Dahil in the records department, and ask how you can obtain a copy of the arrest report. This story may also be in tomorrow's issue of Bay Windows, but I am not sure.

[romantico]

21. Thanks John!

I tried clicking the link with the original email but it wouldn't open. I get so pissed at people who think gay bashing is far fetched. Thanks for the information, its very helpful!I hope this story spreads and the police officers are fired!

[One_Life_To_Give]

22. Fear, Fear of an angry mob?

First lets examine the thought that P-Town might have homophibic police. Whatever the cops real feelings might be they know; P-Town Tourism depends on being not just tolerant or friendly but embracing GLBT's. The straights from all over New England flock to P-Town for among other things to sit on a public bench and watch two guys walking down the sidewalk arm in arm. That whole town knows exactly what put them on the map and where their money comes from. Nobody around there wants to kill the golden goose.

I find it much more likely that the cops felt intimidated by the crowd from the moment they arrived. Backup for them is likely very far away, probably Hyannis to get any real numbers.If they were already on edge the quoted statement of "The cops want us to end the party" sounds threatening, as opposed to "party's over, everyone go home".

Whats more before we all pile on and label this lets give P-Town a chance to respond. They have historically been very good to GLBT's I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt for now.

[JohnHosty]

23. I Think We Can Sum Up Your Opinion By Your Statement

"Nobody around there wants to kill the golden goose."

But that's simply not true. Plenty of people in town still hold homophobic views, and that came out when Selectmen Asher-Best brought the town to a national spotlight by exposing a firefighter leader who signed the anti-gay marriage petition. The woman who owns the P-Town Trolley is also on the list of signers. There are people who don't get it, and don't care about the golden goose.

The DJ was asked to stop the music, and gave the perfectly logical announcement that the police wanted the party to conclude. I have been to parties where the same exact thing happened, and the police did not arrest the DJ, or break his nose, or deny him (his friend) the bathroom until he shit his pants. Nope, the inciting a riot accusation doesn't explain the abuse, and in my eyes is not a viable answer. It also does not explain why the police tried to lie and say his friend had been drinking when everyone knows he does not drink. That more sounds like a lie to cover the fact they know they did something wrong.

How threatened could the police have felt when they were playing the Partridge Family?

[One_Life_To_Give]

26. Link, Provincetown Banner

provincetownbanner.com

I think in part he cops are CYA. But this happened on the third visit that night to ask the volume be lowered. They had already been fined $50 on the second visit. And while it doesn't justify their actions. What most likely sett the cops off was a "Lack of Respect". They don't take it well when you disregard them several times in a row.

[One_Life_To_Give]

27. Re: Homophobic Locals

Never said they weren't homophobic just that they would maintain appearences. They didn't anticipate Knowthyneighbor publishing that they had signed the petition. Had they known they likely wouldn't have signed it. Also just because they don't support gay marriage doesn't mean they aren't happy to receive gay money.

(Statistically I guess there had to be a couple even in P-Town.)

[terrya]

24. Provincetown. Massachusetts. Gay bashing police.

I don't necessarily dispute this. But I'm stunned that this would happen in Provincetown, of all places.

[JohnHosty]

25. Me Too

And that is the whole point of getting this story out there. If it can happen even in Provincetown, it can happen anywhere. As a gay rights activist, I see this all too often, and have had to personally intervene at times. In Boston, there was an incident that is now on YouTube.com where a man taunted a gay man until he reacted, then viciously attacked him, leaving him knocked out on the pavement. The Police watched him walk away, and it wasn't until I said something that they took his information. That man got away with it, and no charges were filed. Look under Aaron Toleos to find the video, or go to knowthyneighbor.org.

[DeSwiss]

28. I have just one word to inject here:

"BOYCOTT"

I'm sure that'll spur an immediate investigation into the truth of the matter.....

[JohnHosty]

29. Acting Chief Tobias Speaks Out

“I will be speaking to the officers personally. From the extent of his visible injuries, I don’t see signs of excessive force,” Tobias said.

That is the biggest load of bullshit yet in this case. Can you believe he is trying to say that this man was NOT brutalized? I think "officer" Tobias needs a permanent vacation in the form of "YOU"RE FIRED!!!"

Maybe then the next chief will act swiftly and caringly when some of the officers in the department go overboard. Like I said, in my eyes the brutality in this attack is without question, only the motivation lingers.

[JohnHosty]

31. Bay Windows has some more info

Acting Provincetown Police Chief Warren Tobias said that based on his reading of the “numerous and detailed” police reports of the incident, “I would have to say that I do not believe the police overreacted.” Tobias declined to make the police reports available to Bay Windows, citing the ongoing legal proceedings related to Scott’s arrest.

To my knowledge it is illegal to withhold public documents like the police reports, and this should be immediately be called out by everyone. [phone]

When police are withholding there reports, it says very ugly things about what is going on, and their intended level of cooperation.

[JohnHosty]

32. more news

http://knowthyneighbor.blogs.com/home/2007/07/provincet...
http://innewsweekly.com/innews/?class_code=Ne&article_c...
http://bluemassgroup.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7942

[JohnHosty]

33. This just in

The Edge reports that the house that made all three complaints about
the noise was over a half a mile away.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&...

Take a look at the map and notice how far apart these two houses really are. There is no way this house was calling in a legitimate complaint, so something is very fishy here.

[DeSwiss]

34. This map should Exhibit "A"

...when the trial starts. And I think it would be prudent to measure the sound decibels between the source and the complainant's address. Then, the "legal" aspect of the complaint would have to be thrown out the window....

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DeSwiss

[JohnHosty]

35. LOL,

That illustration put a smile on my face for the first time since I heard all this shananagins. Witty, and your point is correct too.

[tomcwa]

36. This is but One of THREE recent incidents in Provincetown

In the wake of three recent Provincetown cases of violence against gays(two of which involve the Provincetown Police) a travel warning has been issued.

Here are the other two cases:

The Provincetown Police Chiefs' LACK OF ACTION allowed a lesbian to commit suicide (the Chief received 3 days off without pay - note: he already had the days off).

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/n1riw/ptnchief.htm

And yet ANOTHER gay bashing in Provincetown (The victim was discovered unconscious at around 3 AM, lying on the beach covered in bruises, dried blood, and lacerations.)

http://livelovelearn247.blogspot.com/2007/09/another-ga...

[JohnHosty]

37. A New Article and Update

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...