By Heather Hintze
EUGENE, Ore. -- The attorney for Ben Bond says the City of Eugene has dropped harassment charges stemming from a confrontation with a meter maid.
Bond was set to appear in court Thursday to face a harrassment charge and an obstruction of justice charge stemming from his arrest on January 13th.
Bond's story sparked a public outcry. Many people were upset with the city after Bond was arrested following a confrontation he had with a parking control officer.
Bond says he tried to plug a stranger's expired meter to save them from getting a ticket. He says when the officer ticketed the car anyway, he had an exchange of words with her and then began plugging other meters in front of the 5th Street Public Market. The officer called 9-1-1, and police arrested and fined Bond for over $800.
"It's not uncommon for a charge to initially be made by the police and then end up with a diffferent charge being presented in court or at least one of the charges being dropped. So, I don't think that should be held against the city," said Bill Wiswall, Bond's Attorney.
As for the obstruction of justice, Bond's attorney, Wiswall says the city prosecutor hasn't decided whether that will be charged as a violation or a misdemeanor. If Bond is charged with a misdemeanor, his case would then go to a jury trial.
Wiswall says Bond's hearing on that charge is scheduled for February 4th.
Comments
hahaha
People who just sit around and let these "parking CONTROL (not enforcement) companies" do this crap is just plain laziness. They're not in it for the money in the meters, they're in it for the tickets and OF COURSE the mayor and city/county officials will back the money makers. Im sorry, but making 20 dollars or so off of someone who didn't put a dime in the machine is just a scam, that way too much commission, and yet these funds are supposed to help our cities but all the cities complain about is how much debt they're in. I award this guy for saving some people money from scammers who dont even listen to you when you try to appeal the ticket, they take your money and run. Unless this man is clearly in her personal space, clearly yelling at her, or approaching/blocking her, then he is just exercising his freedom to do what he want so long as it causes no harm.
out of control
the attitude of these "meter maids" is always bad. they must be flunk out cops for whatever reason ( ie medical/injury ). hey , they are doing a bang up job of promoting notspending your money anywhere near downtown. lets just go to the mall, no want to be cops there to wating for your meter to run out......