Black man in Cincinnati records being harrassed by the police for apparently jaywalking

[davidn3600]

It was just another morning in Cincinnati, Ohio for 29-year-old Charles Harrell when he was making his way back from a early morning coffee run. Filming his trip, Harrell recorded his interaction with police officer Baron Osterman, who can be seen trailing behind Harrell on a bicycle. Sharing that the police office asked if he “had a problem,” Harrell noted that this was a normal occurrence in his hometown.

“This is what we have to go through in Cincinnati, harassment” he said. “You can’t be a black man and enjoy your morning, because the police are going to harass you in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

As the video continues to roll, Osterman approaches Harrell for allegedly crossing against the light. In response, Harrell admits that he was frightened by the officer’s trailing of him, stating, “You were scaring me, sir. I don’t know why you’re following me anyway. You followed me all the way down the street.” Osterman then demands that Harrell put his phone and coffee on the ground. Refusing to lay his objects down, Harrell instead offers his I.D., and the officer become physical, warning him: “Don’t reach around.” Harrell is pinned against the wall and handcuffed.

According to Cincinnati.com, this is not the first time Officer Osterman has been linked to the use of excessive force. He reportedly was involved in the death of a black man, Nathaniel Jones, in 2003 in a local White Castle restaurant. The Citizen Complaint Authority ruled that Osterman and his fellow officer James Pike used excessive force in subduing Jones in 2004. They were both cleared in 2008 and awarded financial compensation.

https://www.yahoo.com/music/black-man-films-unfortunate-interaction-135800316.html

[raging moderate]

1. This is dreadful.

Charles Harrell should be given an award for bravery.

[uppityperson]

2. He was arrested for resisting arrest that shouldn't have happened?

[madville]

5. It rarely turns out well

to not comply during what is likely a lawful stop (you can see the "Don't Walk" lit up in the video).

If the prosecutor is smart they'll just decline to prosecute and drop the charges. Or plea bargain for time served on no-contest for the pedestrian violation and drop the other two or something like that.

[30Draw]

3. WOW

This man has a great lawsuit on his hands. False arrest anyone? The officer had NO reason to even contact him.

[madville]

6. You can clearly see the pedestrian violation

it's in his video, the "DON'T WALK" sign is illuminated when he walks into the crosswalk. Overreaction by the officer to go straight to cuffs but it appeared to initially be a lawful stop.

[30Draw]

7. Well he was trying to get away from the officer who was stalking him

I think that is CLEAR. I don't see how anyone can expect a young black male to NOT be frightened by the presence on stalking police man given everything that has transpired these last few years ...

[CincyDem]

4. And to add insult to injury...

...on Friday he was charged with "contempt of court" because he posted a couple pics on his Facebook page from his court appearance. The rules say you can't take pictures in the courtrooms, hearing rooms or other ancillary areas that may be defined by the court.

Apparently he took a pic in the hallway leading to the court room of the arresting officers and posted it with the phrase "I'm headed to court".

So...in addition to jaywalking (his original offense), he's now up on contempt charges too.

That makes a lot of sense, especially since he was a black guy walking down the street in the "up and coming" Over-the-Rhine entertainment district. I'm sure the city thought they displaced all of "his folk" when the developed the district and they sure as hell don't want any of "his kind" feeling comfortable down there. (do I really need this).