I Derrick Michael Reid, do hereby declare and state:
Ed. Note: The following letter was sent to the LBPD.
I hereby Request An Administration Hearing re: citation AC-7782 - Declaration in Support of Dismissal
I Derrick Michael Reid, do hereby declare and state:
1) I was cited for LBMC 10.02.020(B) skateboard riding on walkways, and purportedly refused to stop my 3-year-old sons from riding on main street Beach.
2) I don't believe I am guilty because, I was not riding anything, and a citation against me is unfounded, as the real alleged perpetrators were two toddlers, who were not cited.
3) I don't believe I am guilty because, the 3 and 4 year old toddlers of mine were not on a "skakeboard"…but rather were in possession of 3-wheeled scooters having handle bars connected to a vertical steering column connected to one front wheel for steering, with two back wheels.
4) I don't believe I am guilty because, the 3 and 4 year old toddlers of mine were not "riding" anything, but were rather pushing with one foot on the ground while the other foot was on the scooter… having a maximum speed OF 5 miles per hour.
5) I don't believe I am guilty because, the 3 and 4 year old toddlers presented no reasonable risk of bodily harm or property damage to anyone, and the application of the law against them is against public policy and inherently unreasonable, as, F=MV2 the force impact by a 30-pound toddler moving at 5 mph is 30(52) or a force of 750#2/ hr2, which simply is insufficient to reasonably cause damage to anyone or anything.
6) For over one hour I remained in the center of Main Beach, and observed eight different young males, about high-school age, about 125 pounds in body weight, ride (with both feet on the platforms) their skateboards, at a speed of at least 20 mph, providing an F=MV2 of 125(202)=50,000#m2/hr2 of which is sufficient to reasonably cause damage to persons or even property.
7) It was obvious to me and I believe would have been obvious to anyone, that the code in question was selectively enforced by the LBPD against me, in violation of my civil rights.
8) It was obvious to me and I believe would have been obvious to anyone, that the code in question was selectively enforced by the LBPD against me...as I can afford to pay the citation of which I believe may be an attempt to discriminatorily collect fines effectively as taxes for the city coffers.
9) It was obvious to me and I believe would have been obvious to anyone, that the code in question was selectively enforced by the LBPD against me…because a Lieutenant Lifeguard did not like my boys around the lifeguard building or the lifeguard cars, both of which are positions by or on sidewalks on Main Beach, and this Lieutenant apparently called the police.
10) Within 15 minutes, a nonpolice city-officer issued the citation, who was backed up with a female sergeant, the apparent watch commander, and another officer named John, who all collectively and apparently tried to shut me up, and took exception to my exercise of my free speech rights, in violation of my civil rights.
11) I have lived and own property in Laguna beach for 20 years, have enjoy taking my two little boys to the beach often, in the very late afternoons for ice cream, scooter rides and play at the beach, and have never heard one complaint from anyone, except the Lieutenant Lifeguard.
I declare under penalty of perjury the forgoing is true and correct…
Derrick Michael Reid
Laguna Beach
[From Mr. Reid] Comment:
Have you people lost your freaking minds? Don't you people understand the concept of prosecutory discretion? I can understand that the Lieutenant lifeguard may not like little kids near his lifeguard…vehicles or near his HQ public building, but, when you place such right there on Main Beach, in pedestrian walkways, what else do you expect? Little kids are little kids, and are not monotones that are subject to absolute control-freak lieutenants or their supporting police buddies, and I am not one to simply walk away from an absurd and vindictive prosecution for the harmless acts of three year olds.
Please find herewith a check for the fine of $100, which I hope, will be returned to me in due course, as justice requires it.
