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Removed (temporarily) from a Cincinnati Metro Bus today

BB62

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As some may recall, last year I was thrown off a Cincinnati Metro (Southern Ohio Regional Transit Authority - SORTA) bus last year while openly carrying. You can read more about that incident here: http://ohioccwforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=88656

Prior to that event there had been lots of communication with the City of Cincinnati (which owns the streetcar) regarding their and Metro's firearm carry policies. In the end, what I received from Metro was unsatisfactory, but because issues were and still are ongoing with Dayton's RTA, I decided to leave it lay until this year.

Last weekend a friend and I rode multiple buses as well as the streetcar. We had no issues, but because of Metro's *apparently non-existent training* following last year's incident, I had a sneaking suspicion that the issue was not resolved. Today confirmed that suspicion.

As I boarded the bus, the bus driver saw my gun(s) and said "Do you have a permit?". I said yes and she asked to see it. For multiple reasons I said no, but said that I'd be glad to show it to a police officer. I went to the back of the bus and sat down. The bus driver parked the bus and got on the bus phone, apparently to summon a supervisor.

About 25 minutes later the supervisor arrived and asked if I had a permit. I told her that I did have a license, she asked to see it, and I told her that I would be glad to show a police officer or someone in law enforcement. She flashed her badge (LOL) and said she *was* law enforcement! She told me that since I was delaying the bus, she would have the police officers (who'd apparently been summoned) remove me from the bus.

Two Cincinnati Police officers arrived, and as I stepped forward to exit the rear door, CHL & drivers license in hand, one of the officers boarded the bus and asked me to get off. I got off and offered my CHL and driver's license to the officer, who took my driver's license back to his vehicle, followed by the Metro supervisor. My CHL remained with the other officer.

After checking me out (thank goodness the CPD doesn't have SCMODS!), he talked to the supervisor for a few minutes, then came back, returned my driver's license, and said I was good to go.

I told the Metro supervisor that I needed a new transfer ticket (they cost $.50 and are good for two hours after you board), she got me one, and 42 minutes after I boarded the bus for the first time, we got back on the road.

I'll save the return trip story for another post - although there were no police involved, I was interviewed on the bus by a CityBeat reporter, and asked if I minded if my picture was taken by another passenger and the bus driver.



P.S. - SCMODS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1aIGqrGqnU&t=1m6s
 

solus

Regular Member
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Aug 22, 2013
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here nc
what badge did the supervisor have that they flashed...?

ipse

ps: nicely done...
 

color of law

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Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
large_concealed_weapon_permit_badge_gold.jpg

Without a badge your nobody.
 

BB62

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what badge did the supervisor have that they flashed...? ...
I don't know. I didn't examine it closely, since she just flashed it briefly and I knew her statement was baloney anyway.

A records request on her assertion and other subjects will be forthcoming. ;)
 

Brian D.

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
937
Location
Cincy area, Ohio, USA
Don't put it past Cincinnati to hand out such credentials to non-law enforcement supervisory personnel. The Parking Enforcement "officers" downtown have police-like uniforms complete with badges that look just like the CPD badge. I've also seen Water Works and Health Department supervisors with badge/credential wallets.

But no, the woman BB62 dealt with was most likely an employee who turned out to be a lousy bus driver, so...they promoted her.
 

F350

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Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Messages
941
Location
The High Plains of Wyoming
I don't know. I didn't examine it closely, since she just flashed it briefly and I knew her statement was baloney anyway.

A records request on her assertion and other subjects will be forthcoming. ;)

If it were me I'd file charges against her for impersonation of a police officer if she was not state authorized LEO.
 

BB62

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Records request to SORTA/Metro

Mr. Haley,

The following records request is partially based on:

A) the contents of your October 20, 2016 e-mail to me (below), and
B) the particulars of an incident involving an armed passenger on Metro bus #9023, route #19, at Colerain & North Bend Roads, between noon and 1PM this past Saturday, February 18, 2017

Below your 10/20/16 e-mail, I’ve taken the liberty of pasting in the relevant portion of the e-mail chain which prompted your October note.

** RECORDS REQUEST **

Pursuant to Ohio’s Sunshine Law, please send me the following via e-mail where applicable, pdf format preferred for documents (e-mails, reports, memos, etc):

1) With reference to your statement of 10/20/16, a copy of whatever materials SORTA/Metro used at that time “…to ensure that our employees are aware of these state laws and how to properly handle these incidents in the future”.

2) A copy of whatever materials SORTA/Metro currently uses to ensure that your employees are aware of state laws regarding firearm carry on SORTA/Metro buses

3) A copy of whatever materials SORTA/Metro currently uses to inform employees how to handle circumstances involving armed passengers on SORTA/Metro buses

4) A copy of any reports, memos, e-mails, etc. generated as a result of having an openly armed passenger on SORTA/Metro bus #9023, route #19, at Colerain & North Bend Roads, between noon and 1PM on Saturday, February 18, 2017

5) A copy of any video and/or audio recordings related to the circumstances described in item #4, above (call or write to make delivery arrangements)

6) A copy of SORTA/Metro policy describing the procedure to be followed when a passenger requests a business card (for identification purposes) from a SORTA/Metro supervisor

7) A copy of the *law* enforcement training and credentials of SORTA/Metro employee Nicole Pearson (phonetic spelling)

8.) A copy of documentation indentifying the *laws* which Nicole Pearson is empowered by SORTA/Metro to enforce

9) An image of the badge worn by Nicole Pearson

10) A copy of Nicole Pearson’s job description


Please contact me if any of the above items need clarification.


Cordially,

me
 

BB62

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Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Records request to CPD/City of Cincinnati

Captain Bardua,

This past Saturday, February 18, 2017, between noon and 1PM, CPD officers were requested to respond to a Metro bus (route 19, bus #9023) stopped at Colerain & North Bend Roads, on which was an openly armed passenger.

The records request below is in regard to that request for service, and the particulars of the interaction between CPD officers and others.

** RECORDS REQUEST **

Pursuant to Ohio’s Sunshine Law, please send me the following via e-mail where applicable, pdf format preferred for documents (e-mails, reports, memos, etc):

1) An audio copy of the request(s) for service (call or write to make delivery arrangements)

2) A copy of any reports, memos, e-mails, etc. referencing the matter which were generated by the officers who responded to the Metro bus location

3) A copy of any reports, memos, e-mails, etc. regarding the procedure(s) to be followed by officers with regard to similar requests for service on Metro buses or the Cincinnati streetcar

4) A copy of any video and/or audio recordings made by the officers who responded to the Metro bus location (call or write to make delivery arrangements)

5) A copy of CPD’s policy regarding usage of bodycams


Please contact me if any of the above items need clarification.


Cordially,

me
 

color of law

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Most people just don't realize how much time it takes to keep government officials and their employees in compliance with the law. These government people need to learn their personal biases have no place in their government positions, period.
 

Lord Sega

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Jul 10, 2010
Messages
311
Location
Warrenton, Oregon
... She flashed her badge (LOL) and said she *was* law enforcement! She told me that since I was delaying the bus, she would have the police officers (who'd apparently been summoned) remove me from the bus. ...

Please tell us you had a recorder going and have her statement about being a LEO on tape.
If she has no power to arrest, LEO training, or credentials then this needs to be persued.
Does your state allow a civilian to file a statement of charges? What's the procedure / requirements? Just courious.
 

BB62

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Please tell us you had a recorder going and have her statement about being a LEO on tape. ...
Yes.

...If she has no power to arrest, LEO training, or credentials then this needs to be persued. ...
Depending first on the response received, I'll see how or if it can be. It may not be worth it, however.

...Does your state allow a civilian to file a statement of charges? What's the procedure / requirements? Just courious.
I don't know, but again, I'll see where the response leads me.
 
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