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Haymarket Traffic Stop Sparks Month-Long Ordeal

Submitted by Webmaster on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 8:02pm. Washington Post

Haymarket Traffic Stop Sparks Month-Long Ordeal
(Click above link to read full article.)

Heated Call Leads to Warrant for Motorist's Arrest

By Theresa Vargas
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 11, 2006; Page PW01

Dennis Fusaro admits he wasn't the most docile person when Haymarket police pulled him over twice. And maybe he shouldn't have mentioned an officer's past troubles when he called the police station to complain about the stops.

But, he said, he never expected it would result in a warrant for his arrest.

The warrant against Fusaro was issued in May, and although that case was dismissed this month, Fusaro said what happened to him is indicative of a bigger problem in Haymarket. The case has fueled criticism against the police on a controversial Web site about the town, and a council member estimates that he has received 100 e-mails about the incident, the latest to involve the town's police department.

"It's kind of an eye-opener for a guy like me," Fusaro, 45, of Stephens City said. "There seems to be an attitude there that they are not going to take any criticism."

Haymarket police described Fusaro's actions as "belligerent" and stand by the warrant.

Fusaro was first stopped at a sobriety checkpoint about 1 a.m. April 29 on the westbound ramp for Interstate 66 as he was heading home from Dulles Airport. He said he handed his license to the officer but refused to answer questions.

Fusaro -- a member of Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun rights group, and a self-described conservative political activist -- said he has a "fundamental disagreement" with the checkpoints.

He was ordered out of his car, and after a tense back-and-forth with Officer Jeremy K. Baldwin and Sgt. Gregory Breeden, Fusaro agreed to take a breathalyzer test and was eventually let go, he said.

Fast-forward to about 9 p.m. May 3. Fusaro said that he was stopped again by Baldwin near the same exit ramp. He again refused to answer questions.

Afterward, he said, he went to a Subway restaurant in a nearby strip mall and called the main number for the Haymarket police because he feared that his blue BMW would be targeted again as he drove through town. Baldwin, the officer who had pulled him over, got on the phone, Fusaro said.

Fusaro said he told Baldwin he would like to meet. Baldwin, according to the police warrant, told him he couldn't.

The two differ on what was said next........

Haymarket Traffic Stop Sparks Month-Long Ordeal
(Click above link to read full article.)

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Weir's Comments...

Submitted by Broomstick on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 8:23pm.

So Weir says they get complaints all the time. You'd think that the Council would listen to those complaints and figure out that the Police department is a problem.

It will be interesting to see how the Council responds when Mr. Fusaro addresses the Council on 6/19.

Wonder if any Council member has spoken to Mr. Fusaro yet about this incident?

More BD from the PD

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Councilman Weir

Submitted by WatchDog on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 8:48pm.

Quote from Article:

Council member Robert B. Weir, who until recently was the council's liaison to the police department, said that residents should feel free to speak out without fear of repercussions and that many do, as has been evident at recent council meetings.

"People voice criticism about the police department in Haymarket all the time," he said. "We're more than willing to hear criticism and plaudits as well."

Weir said he has received more than 100 e-mail messages complaining about the incident from people across Virginia -- but none from Haymarket residents. The matter is not an issue for the council, he said, because the council cannot intervene in police cases.

Two thoughts on the above:

1st - you would think that this council would get the hint that if they get complaints, "all the time" about the Police Department they would do something about the person supposedly incharge. However, I am not sure if you people have noticed or not, he still hasn't worked a full five day week yet! Why are you letting our tax $$$ go down the drain??

2nd - It seems to Mr. Weir and this council, that if it is not a "Haymarket Resident" complaining, they don't care. This council needs to realize that it gains alot of its revenue from people OUTSIDE of Haymarket and not just it's citizens!! I am aware that the Council denied a FOIA request to someone from PA just because they weren't a VA resident. Why waste everyone's time when that person just has to get a VA resident to request it for him.

This is how this town got itself into the other FOIA problem it is currently facing. Playing games. Here is a thought. JUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT!

Just remember - Always on Guard

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