UPDATE: 2/24, 12:02 p.m. — Darren Toms, Director of Community Outreach for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, responded, via voicemail, to say that he (on behalf of the court) agreed that the above sign was inappropriate. He directed us to the Sheriff’s Office and the County’s Director of Communications Emily Lundgard, who wasn’t immediately available for comment Tuesday morning.
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Believe your bewildered eyes, taxpayers: The above photo was taken on the 22nd floor of the Cleveland Justice Center, where this homemade sign has been taped to a table for quite some time.
“Due to price increase on ammo, do not expect a warning shot,” it reads. “Thank you for your understanding.”
The 22nd floor is home to the County’s Court of Common Pleas. Its Director of Community Outreach, Darren Toms, wasn’t immediately available to comment on the sign. Who put it there, for instance, and how long has it been taunting the prosecutors and the defendants and their families immediately before they enter the courtroom? Is it officially (or unofficially) sanctioned?
Municipal Court Public Information Officer Ed “Flash” Ferenc, down on the 11th floor, was certainly surprised to hear about it.
One concerned source up on 22, who’s been in those parts before, guessed that the sign had been in its current location for “at least two years.”
Whether or not the sign was intended as a joke — and let’s not even — given the current rocky relationship between Clevelanders and law enforcement, it must go. It simply must go. This is in despicably poor taste.
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2015.
Shouldn’t be there, I agree. But there is such thing as an overreaction. If some ignorant rent-a-cop put it there to be funny and expressive, I don’t think we need to rally the neighborhoods together.
It is ignorant, insensitive and callus. And, If it’s been there for while as is claimed then it is an concious endosrement of unlawful behavior by law enforcement. It’s more of an insult than a joke.
How about don’t act like an a-hole in court and nothing will happen to you. It’s pretty simple. It’s a joke. People need to stop being so sensitive about everything. FYI, the baliffs aren’t members of the CPD.
I see no problem with it. Still starting schit scene?
it was nothing but an informational message about the Obama’s tactics against our constitutional rights as AMERICANS. I thought every politician in the United States of America swore with right hand to GOD to uphold the Constitution as it was written for the intent it was written????? the Obama administration is doing everything it can to destroy our country.
Another words don’t act up and there is no problem. People need to stop being for freaking sensitive!
Wow its a joke …. What wrong with this reoproter . and for you to go as far to put it in the news … That’s why amcrican is beocomeing week
Oh, this coming from the untalented jackass who just wrote a cover story on the Cleveland Trivia Scene? Get the fuck out of here you fucking poser. You’re a goddamn joke.
Wow, so this reporter was bored at the Justice Center, apparently not enough going on, and this became his/her ‘news’? Agree with the others, what a joke.
I see there are a lot of ignorant people who have no problem with the sign.
It is completely unacceptable and whoever put it there needs to be disciplined.
Love it!
This is what happens when you call the cops…
you get your rights violated and you might get shot!
Say it again.
This is what happens when you call the cops…
you get your rights violated and you might get shot!
If the sign said “hands up, don’t shoot” , liberals would hoot free speech
Obviously, the sign was a joke. But I agree, it’s not appropriate. It’s amazing that it was allowed to stay up for two years. I think more than the person who put it up should be disciplined if any action is taken at all. Those who let it stay up for two years are just as guilty as the perpetrator. The best thing is just to take it down and forget about it.