WBZ-TV’s Report on Robin Hood Lawsuit

WBZ’s Michael Rosenfield was first to contact me today, and also first to post their report. I have one major critique of this package:

They show Alan, the meter maid, complaining that my friends and I watched him and his family at the park on Sunday and tried to make it sound intimidating. They did not show my rebuttal to his claim. Here’s what really happened:

Every week, activists gather for Social Sunday. This last Sunday we went to Robin Hood park (yes, really – it’s called that). While there, I walked from our picnic area to the bathroom, hundreds of feet away from our gathering. On my return walk I saw someone I thought to be Alan at the playground. When I returned, I asked the Robin Hooders who have more street time and familiarity with Alan if that was Alan, so people were looking over there to confirm or deny it was him. That’s all! He acts like we stalked him at the park, when I’m pretty sure we were there before him!

Anyway, here’s WBZ-TV’s piece from Boston, and the text:

KEENE, NH (CBS) – Robin Hood is being sued in Keene, New Hampshire.

And it is all over parking meters.

Six men and women, part of the Robin Hood of Keene, routinely drop coins in parking meters that have run out of time.

“It’s really just a goodwill gesture,” said Ian Freeman, one of the people named in the lawsuit.

The members of Robin Hood are part of Free Keene, an organization dedicated to limiting government involvement in people’s lives.

In court documents, city officials say the group has “…taunted, interfered with, harassed and intimated the Parking Enforcement Officers…”

The parking enforcement officers say they have been physically bumped. Some say they are considering leaving their jobs.

One officer says, “I have begun to suffer physical effects due to the stress…and having dreams related to this activity.”

The Robin Hooders typically track down the parking officers, and fill the meters before tickets can be written.

It can sometimes lead to contentious encounters.

“I think it’s unfortunate that they’re choosing this tactic,” said Robin Hood member Garret Ean about the lawsuit. “I haven’t witnessed anything that I would consider harassment on a consistent behavior.”

City officials tell WBZ-TV the lawsuit is not about lost revenue from all the potential parking tickets. Rather they fear someone is going to get hurt.

“It’s a very unsafe situation,” said City Manager John MacLean. “It’s harassing behavior.”