WHITEFISH BAY | Everyday we encounter setbacks, nuisances, surprises and witness absurd-ridiculous occurrences in the public square. It is our collective responsibility to help ensure that the pendulum does not swing too far to the left or right and erode human-ciivil-legal rights of the People. This is one such account that took place on Friday, December 6, 2013 at Whitefish Bay Library, 5420 North Marborough Drive, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin 53217.
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This human interest story speaks to how my asking questions for computer and printer assistance at Whitefish Bay library led to being given a 4-page green-colored Whitefish Bay Library Rules of Conduct, threat of being written up, asked to leave the library and the Whitefish Bay Police called.
Since this intentional, misuse of power and reckless act by Librarian Emily brought humiliation instead of use of the public library, my reason for being at the library, brought in the Whitefish Bay Police, Officers Patrick and Officer James/Jim; it is most important that this type of incident does not occur for anyone else under similar circumstance.
Incident One - Computer
My flash drive was not connecting with the library computer for use so I asked the Library assistant for assistance. After troubleshooting for a moment or two, she sought the assistance of Librarian Emily. After Librarian Emily asked questions for familiarity of the problem she was given the steps taken - even a step-by-step account of what took place. She stated she could not help me.
The Library assistant, to her credit, remained and provided customer assistance. It was very shortly the problem was solved. I thanked her.
As a matter of fact, I thanked the Library Assistant for her perseverance.
Incident Two - Printer
The first two pages printed as requested.
Two additional pages were sent to the printer - they were not printed as requested.
The Library assistant was asked for assistance.
Our check-and-balance troubleshooting with questions/responses for solutions were in progress when Librarian Emily appeared and handed me a four-page pamphlet titled, Library Rules of Conduct. She said she was writing me up - at the same time, she dismissed the Library Assistant. I was surprised by her actions and immediately asked for the "head librarian" - to which she said she was the Librarian-in-charge.
Having no other avenue of recourse for satisfaction, I then switched back to stating that I need a solution to the printing - why it printed the information on one page - did it take $.30 or $.60 from my library card. She had no answers according to her, at first.
I was purposeful in that I stated there was some reason the printer errored - even though the Library assistant had checked and saw the request to the printer was as I had said.
Incident Three - Police Call
Librarian Emily said she would refund the $.60. We then proceeded to the check-out desk and the register. She gave me $.60. I asked her for a receipt or something to show that the error had occurred. I also said I did not want her to give me anything that I was not due. The receipt would show/document the error of the printer - in view of the bizarre threat by Librarian Emily of "write-up" and the conduct brochure.
She said, I was being argumentative. That she was going to call the police if I did not leave. To which I asked, "for what"? Librarian Emily said she was calling the police because I refused to leave the library. To which I said, "Are you crazy?" I then asked for contact of the Board and announced this would be directed to them. While she called Whitefish Bay Police, I got my flash drive other personal belongings and proceeded back to the check-out desk. I asked where I should wait for the police - she said in the lobby and pointed in the lobby's direction.
Incident Four - Talk w/Officers
I sat in the lobby and waited for the representatives of the Whitefish Bay Police. They were Officer Patrick and Officer James/Jim. I shook their hands and identified myself. I shared the unbelievable course of events that led up to their call. I expressed how "over-the-top" it was. I stayed to ensure that my account of the incident was present in their notes. The conversation ended with me asking for their names and their chief's name for further follow-up on my part. My follow-up includes their report.
Parsing out
It is important to note, I remained calm and spoke in a normal voice throughout this ordeal - Even when I asked Librarian Emily was she "crazy" when she said simutaneously - I am calling the police because you refused to leave the library, even though I had not been asked to leave the library, had done nothing for the 4-page Whitefish Bay Conduct brochure, threat of write-up, and bogus call to Whitefish Bay Police department.
As a business leader, educator and public policy researcher, our national and local history involving law enforcement can and too often bring to bear potential deficits that are criminalizing and disproportionate when it comes to African Americans and other People of Color. Too often, they become the victim, collateral damage through false accusations by wrongful behavior of a person of public trust. We see this often in today's news.
In fact, recently on CNN we saw a documentary of the Michael Morton story - innocent man that served nearly 25 years due to the wrongful behavior of Prosecutor, Ken Anderson.
My flash drive was not connecting with the library computer for use so I asked the Library assistant for assistance. After troubleshooting for a moment or two, she sought the assistance of Librarian Emily. After Librarian Emily asked questions for familiarity of the problem she was given the steps taken - even a step-by-step account of what took place. She stated she could not help me.
The Library assistant, to her credit, remained and provided customer assistance. It was very shortly the problem was solved. I thanked her.
As a matter of fact, I thanked the Library Assistant for her perseverance.
Incident Two - Printer
The first two pages printed as requested.
Two additional pages were sent to the printer - they were not printed as requested.
The Library assistant was asked for assistance.
Our check-and-balance troubleshooting with questions/responses for solutions were in progress when Librarian Emily appeared and handed me a four-page pamphlet titled, Library Rules of Conduct. She said she was writing me up - at the same time, she dismissed the Library Assistant. I was surprised by her actions and immediately asked for the "head librarian" - to which she said she was the Librarian-in-charge.
Having no other avenue of recourse for satisfaction, I then switched back to stating that I need a solution to the printing - why it printed the information on one page - did it take $.30 or $.60 from my library card. She had no answers according to her, at first.
I was purposeful in that I stated there was some reason the printer errored - even though the Library assistant had checked and saw the request to the printer was as I had said.
Incident Three - Police Call
Librarian Emily said she would refund the $.60. We then proceeded to the check-out desk and the register. She gave me $.60. I asked her for a receipt or something to show that the error had occurred. I also said I did not want her to give me anything that I was not due. The receipt would show/document the error of the printer - in view of the bizarre threat by Librarian Emily of "write-up" and the conduct brochure.
She said, I was being argumentative. That she was going to call the police if I did not leave. To which I asked, "for what"? Librarian Emily said she was calling the police because I refused to leave the library. To which I said, "Are you crazy?" I then asked for contact of the Board and announced this would be directed to them. While she called Whitefish Bay Police, I got my flash drive other personal belongings and proceeded back to the check-out desk. I asked where I should wait for the police - she said in the lobby and pointed in the lobby's direction.
Incident Four - Talk w/Officers
I sat in the lobby and waited for the representatives of the Whitefish Bay Police. They were Officer Patrick and Officer James/Jim. I shook their hands and identified myself. I shared the unbelievable course of events that led up to their call. I expressed how "over-the-top" it was. I stayed to ensure that my account of the incident was present in their notes. The conversation ended with me asking for their names and their chief's name for further follow-up on my part. My follow-up includes their report.
Parsing out
It is important to note, I remained calm and spoke in a normal voice throughout this ordeal - Even when I asked Librarian Emily was she "crazy" when she said simutaneously - I am calling the police because you refused to leave the library, even though I had not been asked to leave the library, had done nothing for the 4-page Whitefish Bay Conduct brochure, threat of write-up, and bogus call to Whitefish Bay Police department.
As a business leader, educator and public policy researcher, our national and local history involving law enforcement can and too often bring to bear potential deficits that are criminalizing and disproportionate when it comes to African Americans and other People of Color. Too often, they become the victim, collateral damage through false accusations by wrongful behavior of a person of public trust. We see this often in today's news.
In fact, recently on CNN we saw a documentary of the Michael Morton story - innocent man that served nearly 25 years due to the wrongful behavior of Prosecutor, Ken Anderson.
I know first hand the criminalizing and legal cost (proper legal representation, money and time) that I have incurred due to false charges of theft at UW-Milwaukee. I was accused and arrested even though I had a paid receipt for the coffee and pastry (less than $4.00) I was alleged to have taken; and, the color description of clothing given by the UWM staff was not the color of the items I had on. Lastly, when I asked the arresting female officer, what about my rights, the Officer said, "I do what they say" - "They" referred to the staff of University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee). A well-known attorney was hired and he exonerated me. However, it does not remove this from record.
Additionally, I know that things are not always what they seem. That things can be "left-out" and "personal motives" can lead to scandalous actions. I am refuting via a trial the claims of business partners that have misrepresented what took place in a business arrangement.
Too often consequences, intended or unintended can brand one's reputation and cause harm that becomes indelible damage.
Since I have visited Whitefish Bay Library (public library) many times over the years and conducted research and/or to purchase Friends of the Library burgundy bags without a hitch; I am inclined to feel that this was one of those "absurd incidents". However, due to the severity and length of the gratuitous acts and disregards by Librarian Emily - her role, her representation of the Whitefish Bay library and disregard for my civil-human-legal rights as a Wisconsinite, this must be pursued for clarity, satisfaction on my part; and, so remedies are put in place to help ensure that this does not happen in the future to someone else.
To be continued . . .
To be continued . . .
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