On today’s Personal Safety, Bob Boilard and Rick Olson Jr., from Defensive Strategies, LLC. joined Lori to discuss a recent false arrest of a Manchester woman. They started off talking about how the community stepped up to the plate to defend 31 year old, Alycia Neely, who was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Bob shared concerns about police officers who are ignorant of the law. He also told us “according to RSA 650-C, the child has to gain access to the firearm for a violation to have been committed, but that didn’t occur.” He then raised the question of how Ms. Neely was arrested for something that could have happened.
Next, Lori gave some of Ms. Neely’s background, and her attempt to protect her family. She also credited NH Political Buzz’s, Kimberly Morin, for her article, Was Manchester Mom Wrongfully Arrested for Daring to Protect her Family? The conversation continued about the danger on women having to fear arrest for protecting their family. Rick added about the Second Amendment, telling us the laws should be clear. He acknowledged police officers have a tough job to do, but they may not know the law. Bob questioned how anyone enforces a law they don’t know.
Joel Weinrebe, from Belmont, NH, called in and told us new police officers may not be trained properly, and that there are over 25,000 laws that can be confusing. Bob told us New Hampshire State law is simple. He also said “For the most part, Manchester PD does a good job.” Lori emphasized the simple protocols that should have been followed in this case, especially how the officer did not identify himself as a police officer.
Rick gave the specifics surrounding the case, an unmarked police vehicle being one of them. Joel, gave personal testimony of police officers jumping up and down screaming when pulling him over one one occasion, and how he understands why a woman would be apprehensive to pull over. Lori brought up a recent case in Rochester where law enforcement warned women not to stop if they felt unsafe.
Bob reiterated nothing Ms. Neely did was an offense that should have led to an arrest, or the posting of a humiliating photo, or even losing her state job. Rick felt the county attorney should get involved. Bob was concerned that police officers should arrest someone under a specific law, and shouldn’t arrest them if they aren’t sure, because this affects lives. He stated how this affects Ms. Neely’s life and two children. He asked “How is she going to feed them now that she’s looking for a job? How is she going to find a job with her face posted all over the place?” Lori raised concerns about her privacy as a gun owner that could also ruin her chances of getting a job.
They then discussed protocol of calling in the serial number of the firearm to see if it was stolen. Rick shared how police officers go through second guessing on a daily basis. He also told us Ms. Neely was charged with Endangering the welfare of a child, which doesn’t say anything about firearms. He then read us the law of endangering a child and emphasizes a purposeful violation of the duty of care of a child. Finally, Rick shared how one might avoid a similar situation by keeping your registration and insurance information separate from where you keep your gun, and he told us how to behave and converse with a police officer. Listen in and hear more about it.
https://soundcloud.com/lorilynngreene/personal-safety-24