Letter to the Editor (from Jail)

by | Sep 25, 2011 | 58 comments

Ian Freeman

[Ian sent this letter to the Keene Sentinel editors from jail via Mail-to-Jail]

Ian Freeman
825 Marlboro Rd.
Keene, NH 03431

Letter to the Editor (from Jail)

More Police Will Not Stop Robberies, Violence, and Theft in Keene.

Many Keene inhabitants are rightly concerned with the recent incidents of real crimes like robberies, thefts, fights, and even murder. It is understandable that  typical response amounts to, “We need more police on the streets!”

Unfortunately, this only provides the illusion of security. The police cannot be everywhere at once. Even they will tell you they usually arrive on-scene after a crime has already ben committed. If they manage to find the money to hire another officer or two, the politicians can pat themselves on the back and pretend they have done something about crime. At best, more police only addresses a symptom – not the root cause of most of these crimes.

What is the root cause? Drug prohibition. Don’t believe me? Any honest policemen will tell you 80% of them want money to buy illegal drugs. The recent tragic murder in Keene wasn’t some random fight between friends, as has been suggested here in the Sentinel. The fight was over $100 in cocaine and the victim was attempting to collect the debt. (more…)

Jason Talley’s Arrest; Update

by | Sep 23, 2011 | 73 comments

This morning (September 23, 2011) around 8:40 AM, Jason Talley, Cecelia, and I went to the Superior Courthouse in Keene for Ian Freeman’s habeas corpus hearing scheduled for 9:00 AM. At the ‘security’ checkpoint, Jason checked his bag of recording equipment in exchange for a receipt. He then walked through the metal detector and was immediately questioned about the device attached to his belt. Jason replied, “That’s my personal camera,” then expressed that he was walking to the window a few feet away to fill out a form asking permission to film the proceedings upstairs.

As Jason approached the window, the bailiffs began touching him. At first it appeared that the bailiffs were patting down his pockets, but they then attempted to steal his camera from his belt. Jason held onto his property while the bailiffs were grasping his wrists, very tightly it appeared, and trying to pull his hands away from the camera. Jason was told he was under arrest and put into handcuffs. Although he did not resist, Jason did not assist the bailiffs in his kidnapping. One of the bailiffs grabbed onto the handcuffs, in the center, and dragged Jason, backwards, into the elevator.

The bailiff, when questioned, stated that Jason was going to be seen in Keene District Court on two misdemeanor charges, including resisting arrest. He would not state the specific charge for which Jason was arrested, only that it was in relation to walking through security with a recording device. Cecelia and I went to the Keene District Court to inquire about when Jason would be seen by the judge, but the clerk was not able to provide any information.

At the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department (located in the Superior Courthouse), we were informed that Jason would be seen by a judge this afternoon. We then spoke with the County Attorney and learned that Jason will be seen “sometime after 1:30 PM” this afternoon at the Superior Courthouse.

City Council Votes to Ban Bars from Advertising Drink Specials

by | Aug 5, 2011 | 31 comments

Last night at a council meeting, Keene’s city council voted unanimously to continue prohibiting local bars from advertising their drink specials in a way that would be visible outside their business. Based on the comments of one city councilor, they don’t want anyone to think that Keene “condones” drinking. I would like to know how many of the city councilors are active consumers of alcohol.

Seems to me that the city really doesn’t want businesses to come to this area. They seem to do everything they can to restrict their freedom to offer goods and services to willing customers. Recently, they jacked up property tax valuations by 30-40% on many commercial properties in town. That will result in higher prices for customers in addition to businesses on the edge of profitability going under.

The city council has chosen death over living free. If they keep this up, Keene will end up like Berlin – a dying town.

UPDATE: Apparently people in Claremont were upset I called it a dying town. I’m glad to see there is life there. Does anyone deny that Berlin is dying?