07/08/1985 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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044 COUNCIL MEETING July 8, 1985 Page Five Mr. Seekon referred to an incident that occurred last week re- garding a police officer following him with flashing lights as he started to work about 2:30 A. M. The officer did not stop him and in fact turned on to another street. Mayor Benson explained the officer could have been responding to some emergency. Mr. Seekon said he did not think an emergency happens every day. This had happened to him several times late last summer. Mayor Benson noted that the Seekons live on Main Street which is the most traveled street by the Police Department in Lino Lakes. Mrs. Seekon asked why do the Police Officers constantly follow her son even though he is legally driving and not violating any traffic regulations? Mayor Benson said this should be monitored. Mrs. Seekon said that her son is constantly being stopped by the police officers who imply he is doing something wrong and she wanted this stopped. Mayor Benson noted three items brought out by Mrs. Seekon; 1) impli cation of warrants for her son; 2) incident on Friday involving Mr. Seekon; 3) officers following her son. He said these items will be checked. Mary Sundell - 7702 Lake Drive - Mrs. Sundell told the Council she felt she had been singled out by the Police Department for harrass- ment and felt alone but now find there have been other incidents. She said she was happy that other residents of Lino Lakes were stand ing up for their rights. Mrs. Sundell told of an incident in 1981 when she was taken to Anoka State Hospital, another instance when her father was stopped and treated as a criminal, her brother was stopped several times as well as her friends who were told they were out of their territory. Mrs. Sundell told of an incident that oc- curred this year where the police who had a warrant for her arrest broke down her front door rather than wait for her to open it. She expressed a concern of conflict of interest between the local liquor stores and some of the police officers. Two of the officers are related to one store owner and the officers have even been seen car- rying out liquor to customers cars while they are still in uniform. She said she felt this was inappropriate. Mrs. Sundell said she has not received any respect from the Police Department but since she has started to stand up for herself she has started to get more respect. Steve Helin - 890 Main Street - Mr. Helin now lives in Forest Lake. He stated he has seen a lot of favoritism from the Police Department. He related an instance he was stopped by officer Cliff Ross although he was not speeding or breaking any traffic regulations. It was determined Mr. Helin was driving after revocation of his drivers li- cense and Officer Ross issued a citation. About a half hour or so later, another Lino Lakes citizen was stopped by Officer Ross. This person was also driving after revocation but did not receive a cita- tion. Mr. Helin felt this was a clear case of favoritism. He also