- Thank you for your inquiry on this matter and I certainly
appreciate the opportunity to respond to clarify some points.
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- In researching the details you provided, I believe I
have located the incident you speak of. The details that I am providing
are found on the record and are available if necessary, State v. Brian
Albarelli.
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- On September 20, the Burlington Police Department was
notified that campaign workers and supporters of Barak Obama were feeling
threatened and harassed by a particular person on the Marketplace who had
accosted them at the table they had set up in front of the entrance to
the mall. At one point, they felt their safety was threatened so they folded
up the table and left. The male was yelling at them and was argumentative.
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- On a separate occasion (September 19), the volunteers
felt as if this male was going to strike out at them. The male was continuously
yelling. The yelling was so loud that workers from inside stores came
out onto the Marketplace to see what was taking place. There were passerbys
that tried to intervene and protect the volunteers until the Police arrived.
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- When this matter reached its peak on September 21, the
male had again returned to the table which was now near Yankee Candle and
was again yelling at the volunteers, only inches from their face. The
police were summoned as the escalation was again threatening. When the
officers arrived, the male was told that he was going to be issued a citation
to appear before a judge at a later date for the culmination of his behavior
over the last 3 days, he refused to identify himself. When the male was
informed that he would then be placed under arrest for failing to properly
identify himself, he took flight. He ran several blocks before he was
apprehended by the officers. During this time the male was not complying
to the orders from the officers to stop, turn around, etc. An officer
did in fact display the taser and it was only then did the male finally
cease his flight and comply with the officers. He was taken into custody
without any further complication. The taser was not discharged.
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- The male was identified as Brian Albarelli. He was lodged
at the Correctional Center for $500 bail. A judge reviewed the charges
and found probable cause for Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.
He is not allowed to have contact with the victims in this matter.
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- First and foremost, I must assure everyone interested
in the matter that we do in fact have an obligation to protect the 1st
Amendment right to freedom of speech. It is not a responsibility that
we take lightly. I am confident that we take all measures necessary to
protect this most important guaranteed right. Additionally, we have an
obligation to protect the personal safety of individuals involved in expressing
their freedom of speech. There is certainly a manner in which to express
one's thoughts in a healthy fashion, but as you see here, that did not
occur in this case.
-
- The officers in this matter displayed great restraint
and patience with Mr. Albarelli. The officers had tried the least intrusive
action by issuing a citation, but Mr. Albarelli drove this to the next
level by escaping from them.
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- I would be glad to speak with you further should you
have any questions regarding this, or any other matter,
-
- With respect,
-
- Andi L. Higbee
- Deputy Chief
- Burlington, Vermont Police Department
- 1 North Avenue
- Burlington, Vermont 05401
- 802-540-2111
- ahigbee@bpdvt.org
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