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College Students Protest Police Save Email Print
Posted: 9:26 PM Apr 29, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:29 PM Apr 29, 2008
 Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com
90 comments Photos
A | A | A

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Some college students in Huntington got upset with how police raided their house party over the weekend.

They say it's a sign of the times in the city with officers singling out students. Their message to Huntington officers is to focus on the big crimes.

More than a 100 college-age adults were at the home when police arrived. They say officers mis-handled the situation so they made a painted a banner for everyone in the city to see their message aimed directly at police.

It’s all responding to a noise complaint at a home late Saturday night, but Huntington police say several verbal commands to the crowd to disperse were ignored.

"It wasn't ignored, but people were trying to get their act together and leave, but you want them to run when you tell them to leave?" Nathan Barnes of Huntington said.

After several altercations Huntington officers arrested seven suspects with their charges ranging from disorderly conduct to battery on an officer.

Army soldier Brent Best was one of those arrested. He and others say police picked the fight, so they peacefully protested in a big way.

It’s a statement that’s too strong because the landlord demanded it be taken down, but the message remains.

"We feel that the police department is more focused on college kids than they actually are on like the big crimes," Brent Best, who was arrested, said.

Now there’s another crime to investigate.

Nathan says someone busted his home's front window leaving the students wondering why their free speech and now safety are no longer secure.

The students say they think someone pressured the landlord to take that sign down, but they hope it will sharpen the focus on the serious crime in Huntington and make everybody realize their party didn't harm anyone.

Of course, police have a much different account of what happened.

Marshall and the police both deny asking the landlord to force that sign down.

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Posted by: mugradstudent on May 10, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Frankie- 1)you're a liar and weren't at the party. 2) you obviously don't "obey authority" as much as you claim if you're drinking underage. get off your high horse my man.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 7, 2008 at 01:11 AM
yeh definately a lie, I was at the party and it was just another average weekend get-to-gether. unfortunately it ended horribly unlike anything i have seen since going to school here.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 5, 2008 at 04:14 PM
I think Frankie is telling a fibe. It dosen't look good on the HPD if thier wore kids drinking under age and no arrest were made.
Posted by: Frankie on May 2, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I was at the party. I am almost 20 years old. I was drinking as were most of the people at the party. Most of the people at the party were under 21 and were drinking. The cops asked us several times to leave. One smart mouth kid started yelling at the cops that they couldn't break up the party and make them leave. A few left but most ignored the cops. These kids got what they deserved. I was taught by my parents to obey authority. Dad always said that if the cops ever tell you to do something, then do it. You can always complain later. These kids have an agenda. They are trying to make themselves relevant. As a college student, I understand the underage drinking thing. That is another issue. Bottom line is that these kids were wrong and the cops were only doing their jobs.
Posted by: Too Much on May 2, 2008 at 08:59 AM
HPD is out of control. What the people of Huntington need to understand is that police officers are raping the overtime system in the magistrate court. All of them get paid time and half which explains why 8 officers responded. Think about that Huntington, These officers will show up to court on bogus charges (i.e. battery on a police officer when their arm may have been tapped during an arrest) these officers will be there for 15 minutes in court yet get paid for 4 hours of overtime. This contract clause needs to be changed because the officers abuse their discretion. Therefor when you are voting IGNORE MAYNARD - HE IS A COP AND WILL CONTINUE TO LET THIS GET OUT OF HAND. AS WELL GOHEEN - HE IS A WANT TO BE COP. Also there needs to be a Citizen Review Board, so many complaints go unanswered, a citizen's review board will keep police conduct under control.
Posted by: none on May 1, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Pretty simple young people at Huntington, disburse or get beaten.Do some reasearch on the officer that was verbally and physically abusing young adults.There are probably numerous issues of excessive force and anger in his jacket.Demand answers and accountability from your electe official's or this will never stop. Only the young adults of Huntington can bring the city out of the 60's mentality that police brutilaty is alright against a targeted group of individuals whether be it age,race,religion etc. Unite as one, this brutality, use of excessive force,unprofessional behavior is not acceptable.This individual must be held accountable by each and everyone of you for his actions.Check his files, this behavior does not happen over night. Don't just tak about it, do something about it. File a written, legal accounting of the events with the appropriate the county,state and federal officials.The abouse of authority and brutilaty has to stop. Be the solution,not the problem.
Posted by: MU Student - Jessica [again] on May 1, 2008 at 09:40 PM
In response to : To Marshall Student on April 30 on Apr 30, 2008 at 03:56 PM.. I wasn't siding with anyone. I am mature enough to make my own decisions, and I am an adult. Do not assume things just because of the way I write. I am 20 years old, but I am very competent. I have never been arrested or had any type of altercation with the authorities. I am just saying that they should treat everyone equally. If they are going to bust up one party, they should bust every house on the block. Things like this are unfair. I totally understand your point of view. I absolutely dispise drinking and driving. A friend of the family got killed because of a drunk driver when I was younger. I know and understand the concequences , but a lot of people do not realize this until it is a harsh reality. I just think something in general needs to be done. I wasn't justifying either side. The police need to be fair, and people need to learn the results of their actions.
Posted by: krystle on May 1, 2008 at 05:13 PM
absolutely pitiful! these kids are in school and trying to make a future for themselves and all the "authorities" can do is harrass them. i guess these kids should do like the cops, be geeks in school who are picked on, become complete idiots, and take their aggression out on those who ARE better than them. it's just sad to see kids trying to make futures be put in these situations just because they are "college kids". well newsflash college kids grow up to run the world and make the means for your little authorative careers. be nice the dude you arrest today could control your paycheck tomorrow!
Posted by: S.C. on May 1, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I just want everybody to know that we aren't protesting because the party got busted. We are protesting the inappropriate actions that the cops took TO bust the party. I know that parties get busted all the time...big deal. But I've never been to a party where the cops put random people in handcuffs when they are trying to leave. They were trying to walk away from the situation.
Posted by: TO MU STUDENT on May 1, 2008 at 03:52 PM
P.S. my best friends live at that house, and they do NOT have "frequent" parties where the cops come....don't talk about stuff you don't know
Posted by: mike on May 1, 2008 at 03:21 PM
HPD - what a waste of tax paying dollars! The city of Huntington once again looks like fools!
Posted by: Matt on May 1, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Arresting someone for fleeing after being told to leave sounds a little contradictory to me. Also this guy that was supposively "fleeing" was pushed of of the porch and then tackled by the police, because he was supposively "fleeing" when he was pushed. The HPD or at least the officer that abbused his authority will have to answer for this eventually and in my opinion will soon, because there were far too many witnesses to his actions. Lastly, for all of you people saying that these kids are wrong for drinking when they are of legal age, have you never been drunk? Dont be hypocrites when you are probably guilty of the same thing.
Posted by: Matt on May 1, 2008 at 01:25 PM
You know what i love is all these people who are trying to act like they were there and know what happened.. I was not in attendance at this party but i have been best friends with the host of the party since i was 6 years old and i know him well enough to know that if he says there wasnt a problem, there wasnt. Also, everyone keeps talking about how what they were doing was wrong, please enlighten me on what was wrong,other than the music may have been a little too loud. Last time i checked, its not illegal to drink a beer on your own property, also if your on your own property or on someone elses that you are welcome at, you cant be charged with public intox. And like many people have already mentioned the problem isnt the party getting broken up, its the excessive force that was used without probable cause. Also, read the story the paper printed, it says that the police said, they told everyone to leave immediately, then they arrest a guy for fleeing.
Posted by: john on May 1, 2008 at 08:51 AM
anyone who thinks those who attend college are rich is obviously uneducated. Most spend several years climbing out of horrible debt after finishing school
Posted by: Sara on May 1, 2008 at 07:03 AM
The main point of this whole news story is that the HPD took advantage of their authority and acted inappropriately. It isn't like everyone disagreed with them raiding the party. It was just the way in which they chose to do it. I was there and yea there were a lot of people outside, but most of them were 21 and those that weren't, were not all drinking. Music was being played inside, not outside so noise really wasn't the issue. I can understand why the police saw this as a potentially bad situation and figured breaking up the party was the best idea. Coming to the party and politely asking everyone to leave would have been more appropriate because I'm pretty sure that about 98% of the people there weren't committing any type of crime. You're allowed to have parties at your own house and drink when you're 21 right? I'm sure they would have gottten a much better response had they not demanded that everyone leave in 5 minutes.
Posted by: MU Student on May 1, 2008 at 01:38 AM
This house that they were at is a frequent nuissance during the night time hours. They frequently have parties and the police have responded to many calls within the past few months at this same location. These guys on camera are just embarrased they got arrested....again. These aren't innocent college students who got in trouble for the first time. If you check the Western Regional Jail website frequently, you might have noticed one of these individuals, on the video, who has been arrrested more than twice in the past few months. Plus, wouldn't you think that 100 people would be more than the fire code would allow?
Posted by: mae mae on Apr 30, 2008 at 11:38 PM
8 police cars pulled up at those boys house. I seen em cause I was coming back from the store. they wasn't hurting nobody either. That same police harrass people in my neighborhood to and I'm sick of it
Posted by: MIKE on Apr 30, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Huntington P.D are short handed. They have a cup of coffee in one hand and 2 Donuts in the other. We all need to ban together and keep slamming H.P.D and mayor fellington. after all the election is comiong up.Hey H.P.D you are still th laughing stock.
Posted by: Resident on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:18 PM
this is for you marshall children HPD wont show up unless there called trust me on that one if someone didnt call they wouldnt have came they do have better things to do besides changing your diapers...
Posted by: Laura on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Oh Lord, here we go again. Cops just picking on poor innocent victims. Geash, y'all just make me sick everyone thinking college kids are so grand and untouchable and have enough problems that when they drink and party no one should interrupt. How many times have college kids gotten raped at parties like that? How many have come up missing after parties like that? Maybe not this one or one recently at Marshall but look around. Oh, and as for the "army dude" what does your superior officer think of this crap? I don't think he's too proud of you right now. Drunk party goers is not what the US needs it needs men that can take responsibility for themselves and not whine when they get in trouble.
Posted by: rob on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:21 PM
First off all the big stuff 98% of the time is taken care of by Detectives not a street unit people. 2nd of all its always college "kids" that are saying how bad "the man" is and how they are always treated wrong. maybe if some would go this hard in the class room and go after some of the nutty profs at the university that would make a better difference.
Posted by: Marshall Student on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:19 PM
I was at the party that night and 4 of the 6 people arrested were my friends, I also know the owners of the house. This isn't a matter of a party being broke up, a majority of us aren't really that upset about it. What we are upset about is the excessive force used by the police. I can protest to this because I am a criminal justice major and have been taught by several instructors (in law enforcement) that the force used that night was out of line. They handle the situation poorly. So before anyone goes and says that we are just a bunch of rich spoiled kids who are upset because our party was broken up; just hear both sides before you begin to prosecute us. Parties are broken up all the time, we understand the police have the right to do that for our own protection and of others but that night their "protection" put several lives in danger. One boy nearly died becuase one officer jerked him around in which stopping or slowing his pace maker.
Posted by: I agree, booger!! on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:12 PM
i agree with booger that all you people calling Marshall students whinny, rich kids are ridiculous! Are you stereotyping against all college kids?? Or maybe it's just because you are all jealous that you didn't get to attend college and experience what we had!!
Posted by: TO RICK.. on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:08 PM
hey Rick, no one was breaking the law for kids to be taken away in handcuffs!! If there were underage drinkers, then cops give tickets, NOT take them away in handcuffs and arrest them!! (P.S. all that were arrested ARE overage).
Posted by: Carly on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I was driving in Huntington that night when approx. 7 police cars zoomed passed me with their sirens on. When I came to the "scene", I thought for sure that it was a car wreck, homicide, or drug bust. I am embarassed for the city of Huntington that this is the reason for all the commotion.
Posted by: Steve on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:49 PM
I wish someone could actually tell me what these students were doing that was actually illegal because I still haven't figured that out. Drinking is not illegal!
Posted by: Chris on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Last time I checked it wasn't "Breaking the law" to have a party in a college town so making arrests to adults all over the drinking age by one officer seems a little rediculous. The real issues will never be taken care of in this town and that's why parents don't want to send their children here anymore. Something like what I witnessed at this party the other night would never happen in morgantown (probably because police focus on important issues and aren't just collecting a pay check)I saw students being threatened and beaten up over nothing more than what goes on every weekend at school. It was sad.
Posted by: Allen on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Anyone ever consider that the drunk innocent college kids ARE the drug dealers, the rapists, the violent people. Just because they are in college doesn't make them angels. My girlfriend walked by this innocent party and was harassed and assaulted by several drunk "innocent" college guys. Quit crying.
Posted by: Stephanie on Apr 30, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I agree with the students here, you have huntington named little detroit and people breaking into other peoples houses and drugs being sold and the police are to scared to even go investigate, but let one college student have a good time and they put their badge on and run over there and play officer.
Posted by: David on Apr 30, 2008 at 06:15 PM
I graduated from MU in 93 and from reading the comments below I am ashamed of the reaction from those criticizing these students. One of the only things keeping Huntington alive is MU. Now I don't support breaking laws, but when I was at MU I could safely walk downtown - but those days are gone. As a voter in Huntington, I would much rather see the cops focusing on our overwhelming drug problem. To the students, this has happened for years (same thing happened to me). If people want to press the police to crack down on crime...let's focus on the bigger problems...then we can turn our efforts on the college students. And by the way, I would imagine the police created more DUI issues than they prevented.
Posted by: Jessie EKU on Apr 30, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I just keep getting more aggravated the more post I read on this matter. First off, the reason they are protesting is because this situation could have been handled differently by police. It's NOT that their party got busted. COPS no matter what college town your in always harass the students and let the crimes of the true city left unfold. For the fact of us needing to grow up, we are, and hey guess what we are actually making GOOD decisions to attend college and further our education to become something with ourselves. Another thing one of the students arrested was a SOLIDER so I assume he would know how to handle authority and orders. I'm sure like any other college student you agree with the police and start trying to get people out. Most students are scared when cops come because everyone knows they will HARASS YOU as you leave, just to pick and choose who needs to be in jail!!! Students having a peaceful protest..umm sounds like Gandhi to me..but hell he was sent to jail too!!
Posted by: Krystal on Apr 30, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Oh, and also for those saying welcome to the real world and talking about the whining, you should be the ones worried because your entire police force that is supposed to be protecting you and serving you is spending all their time and your money on college parties. Sounds to me like you really haven't thought about what is going on because you aren't looking at that fact. Go ahead and say they are just whining college students but in reality, they are the ones who actually see that the police are NOT doing the job they are there for. So while they are "doing good" arresting drunk college students at a harmless party, your family could be getting robbed, murdered, or anything and the cops would be "busy". One more thing, the "ignorant" college students are your future leaders. So welcome to the "real world".
Posted by: Krystal on Apr 30, 2008 at 05:20 PM
I will have to agree with these students. It seems at all colleges the police send out their entire squad on duty for a "noisy" college party when there are tons of other crimes being committed. To those who are telling them to quit whining, why don't you look at what they are actually saying. It's not the fact that the police came, it's that they need that many for a party and then when everyone does try to leave they try to provoke people so that there will be arrests. I have watched this too many times. I have even seen college students get beat down by the cops when they weren't doing anything or saying anything at all. Actually, we had a party once and ended up with 8 cop cars (16 cops) but yet when we found a stalker living in our house with child pornography, loaded guns and keys to every house in the entire neighborhood, one cop car with one cop showed up to see what the problem was. That was also after 3 calls to 911 because we were hung up on the first 2 times.
Posted by: Jessie EKU on Apr 30, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I totally agree with what is going on with these college students. I attend EKU and here in Richmond its the same story. We had a party and cops were dragging students out, using mase, and yelling. When all we were doing was having a homecoming party. They come in yelling for everyone to leave. Some have to wait on cabs then they arrest those for public intoxication. I mean really...are college students that harmful that they need to send their entire police force to a HOUSE party?!?! So good for them having a protest at least college students know how to prove a point PEACEFULLY!!!
Posted by: i know on Apr 30, 2008 at 04:37 PM
You are an idiot if you feel that way about Barnes. He sounded like a very well educated student who was voicing his opinion in a non-violent way. In the United States we have a first amendment you know. As for those of you that challenge the credibility of "drunk 21 year olds", I guarantee there was a larger percentage of college graduates attending that party as compared to the HPD!
Posted by: MU Alum on Apr 30, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Well,As alum I have to agree with the students and what they did. Last year on the first weekend of school. Me and my friend (both females) were leaving a bar. We were sober because every place was so crowded. We are over 21. We were seniors. This wasnt my first semester away from home and not my first night out in Huntington and when we came out the bar there was a paddy wagon going down 4th avenue just harassing students. Yelling. We had parked on one end of fourth and were walking to the other end of fourth to get to our car. We got threatened the whole way to her car that we were going to jail if we didnt get into our car. As many of the students said its not the police its the way they handle situations.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 04:14 PM
this comment is directed to 'Curious'...you mention that many of the people there were underage...they weren't!! I went and I am friends with many people there...the majority are all Marshall graduates or in graduate school!! and you mention that we should be stopped to not go drive drunk?!?! the cops forced people to leave and go drive home! in my opinion, the cops were initiating everyone to go drive drunk, because they threated to everyone that if you didn't leave right then, you would be arrested. good job cops...cause more problems than what was necessary!!!
Posted by: Rick on Apr 30, 2008 at 04:07 PM
They would be the first ones to sue when one of the drunk underage brats staggered in the road and got hit. Grow up..You were breaking the law and if you had not been doing that, the police would have never been called.
Posted by: Anon on Apr 30, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Keep fighting the good fight kids. It is currently election time. Make them give you answers! They should be more concerned about who killed Leah than you guys unwinding after a semester of school work!
Posted by: To Marshall Student on April 30 on Apr 30, 2008 at 03:56 PM
And to all the other MU Students bashing the cops.You need to read Jeff and Rob's comments just a little after yours(Thumbs up Jeff an Rob)So it's just a little house party with a few underage drinkers. No big deal, right. Let's look at this from an ADULT perspective. How's everybody getting home? Not all 100 are staying there until they sober up.And what about the 18 year old whose Daddy lives out of town.What does daddy say when this kid leaves that party, wrecks and kills themselves or someone else? "Why didn't the cops do something?" is exactly what he says. And what if someone had been raped at the party,does it then become a big deal.What if someone died from alcohol poisoning? Big deal then? These police were called BEFORE these types of things took place.THAT is what the tax dollars pay them to do;not deal with it AFTER it's a tradgedy. As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." You'll understand that when you grow up-if you make it.
Posted by: Kelly on Apr 30, 2008 at 03:47 PM
I can think of a couple high profile murders they could be focusing there attention on!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I attended that party, and the way the cops handled the situation was innappropriate! You people talk about underage drinkers going crazy and fighting..well that's not what happened! They cops weren't even worried about getting anybody underage, they wanted to fight against innocent people who were trying to leave the party. The cops came into the house and tackled one boy that was leaving out the back door. The cops PUSHED one kid down the steps that was trying to leave and hit him. No one here was fighting or was going out of control. It was a college party. All other houses have parties, and when someone complains, then the cops come and break it up, NOT ARREST EVERYONE IN SIGHT!!! The fraternaties always have parties, and they NEVER get arrested!! They were unreasonable when they demanded that everyone leave in 5 minutes....did they want everyone to DRIVE HOME DRUNK??? They way the cops came and started arresting everyone that was in the front lawn TRYING TO LEAVE was ridiculous!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 02:41 PM
One think that no one has comment on is the fact that there was no drugs found @ this party. The HPD needs to be out looking for the drug dealers and solving the murder crimes that have been laying out thier for years.
Posted by: Chef on Apr 30, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Don't do drugs kids. There is a time and place for everything. It's called college.
Posted by: Leland on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM
We should ban college kids. Then all of them could become cops.
Posted by: mark on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I think Nathan Barnes (a.k.a. the bald guy) should have his mugshot on the screen with the seven other criminals.
Posted by: booger on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:33 PM
I spent 8 years as an MU student. Every time I had to be near a cop, I was hassled, drunk or sober, day or night. It's a well known fact that the HPD act tough in front of college kids, but won't touch any calls that look somewhat dangerous. As for "rich, whinny, college kids" I was a college kid, but never rich and never whinny. So... All the posts on here from jealous people who decided NOT to go to college.. You don't what you're talking about, so shut up. This article concerns the educated people in the community, not the trash. The HPD are useless power-hungry pigs. I'd rather have Barney Fife and Goober protect me. Protect and serve, what a joke. When have they EVER served anyone?
Posted by: Frank on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I know a guy who was at that party. He said they were all studying and someone was playing the spanish lesson too loud on the victrola. He said he told them to turn it down because it was a distraction and he didn't want the law enforcement officials to have to be deterred from their more serious responsibilities. Oh yes, those fine, upstanding concerned drunken derilicts we call Marshall students. Welcome to the real world boys. This is not an MTV show. Things aren't always going to go your way. The world does not revolve around you anymore. It was a good thing that the party was over anyway. You all had church the next morning. I know you all were praying for the victims of all those crimes that the HPD weren't even concerned about.
Posted by: I agree on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Well put, Pablo!
Posted by: April on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:05 PM
To Anonymous>> While I admire you prohibitionist attitude (note that prohibition did not work), how is breaking up a party going to decrease drunk drivers? It will INCREASE drunk drivers, because all of those people who were drinking at that house had to leave even if they had planned on staying there. I would also love to hear your thoughts on "stopping all those bars downtown". Are we going to limit bars within the city or eliminate them? Let's not forget that there are many people who earn their living off of these bars. Do we deny them that? Go live in Ohio where your thoughts are actually rational!
Posted by: To Jessica>>> on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:01 PM
The cops do show up at frat houses too. Don't think they are getting away with anything.
Posted by: Ashley on Apr 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I was down the block at another house party when this took place. I've been in Huntington about 6 years and countless parties. I've never seen 8 cops race with their lights on to a house party. Normally they show up, no lights, one cop and say go inside and turn down the music. However, on some occasions I have seen excessve force used, i.e. students tring to leave the party get maced, cops verbally abusing students while they are spraying them with mace, yelling at onlookers for just watching from a safe distance. I think it is amazing that HPD is always so short staffed when it comes to serious crimes but there is never a lack of police brute at a simple college party.
Posted by: college student on Apr 30, 2008 at 12:54 PM
I have taken some time to read and evaluate the statements made on this board, and honestly, it makes me sick. I was present, at the party, not drinking as I was the designated driver. The actions taken by the police department were totally unethical and very dissapointing for me as a citizen of Huntington. The lead officer in the situation was extremely rude the entire time he was there and gave less than five minutes for a crowd of about 125 to disperse. People were leaving, but obviously not at the pace the officers wished for. In my opinion, a couple individuals arrested may have a police brutality case going here soon. I'm pretty sure it doesn't take three grown men to arrest and beat a 150lb. college student with no weapon. This is something I saw first hand.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 12:24 PM
whats wrong with this. them kids are out of control running around fighting and drunk. they need taken down. this would help stop drunking driving also. they need to stop all those bars in town. just too many
Posted by: Pablo on Apr 30, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Well, I see the police bashers are at it again. I'd like to ask those who seem to be anti-law enforcement two questions. First, who are you going to believe? Adult men and women of the Huntington Police Department or a group of 21 year olds, drinking alcohol at a party? Now question two, any of you willing to quit your jobs, put on a uniform and badge, and go out into the dark streets of Huntington to a party of young adults drinking, and access the problems? Now remember, you are many times outnumbered by party-goers. Remember also how alcohol makes people do stupid things (drunks have murdered before). Remember also how you must make snap decisions (or it may cost you your life); you don't have time to call meetings to discuss this, send it on to corporate headquarters for advice, etc. And you're going to be doing this at......well, not the best of pay either. I think we should be giving thanks to the men of women of HPD. After all, I don't have to carry a gun to do my job, do you?
Posted by: john on Apr 30, 2008 at 11:10 AM
100 drunks in any location or any age will always cause a problem.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:53 AM
If the police did not have to take calls from the public complaining about collage kids acting like stupid people then they could arrest the real criminals. I am sure that the collage kids did every thing they were told and did not question the police. I am sure the police just walked in and said " Your under arrest." Get real people. If you thank you can do better go down to the City Hall and sign up to be a police officer then you will see what they have to deal with. Other wise shut up.
Posted by: MU Student - Jessica on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:45 AM
This story is interesting. Especially when everyone feels that it is okay for the other houses on frat row sig ep, pike house etc to have parties everyday. The frat parties are extremely loud & they take place at any time of day or night. A lot of the people in the frat houses are not 21, and they are constantly out in the yard or in the firetruck being idiots - yet nobody says anything to them. Why? Because it's a fraternity? I've NEVER understood that. I do not know any of the students involved, but I hope they read my comment and understand what I'm saying. This isn't fair to me. If they decide to "get tough" and start busting people out, then they need to do it to everyone & not just one house or one group of individuals. If they do not use any action toward the people at the frat houses, why should the people on the corner of the block be faced w/punishment? Everyone needs to be equal in this situation. I just wish someone knew why the frat houses are always looked over? Thanks!
Posted by: Becky on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:23 AM
The police were doing their job,, they were responding to a complaint!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:21 AM
No matter what you people say the fact remains that what these whining kids did was against the law. They were told multiple times and given multiple chances to leave peaceful and refused. So if they got arrested for it good. If they got beat while resisting arrest even better.
Posted by: Anon on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Does anyone DISAGREE with their sign?! It couldn't be more true. I hope every on-duty officer at the time saw it before it was taken down. I can't believe they don't think about that kind of thing. Maybe they prefer to leave the murderers out there, then maybe there will be FEWER college students to deal with. Pathetic! They can't solve real crimes so they have to wait for the opportunites to pop up right in front of them to make arrests.
Posted by: Yawn on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:05 AM
These are a bunch of college students who got too rowdy and the cops were called on them. I'm pretty sure the cops did nothing wrong and the college students are just dissapointed their party was ruined. I'm so glad that these kids were humored and a story was done on them...
Posted by: Holly on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Unfortunatly this happens all to much in college towns. I am from the area and a Marshall Alum-moved away now but remember these things happing and still happen now. The HPD doesn't realize that the School brings in more business for them, more people to protect, more lives to defend! But it seems to me that they are targeting the wrong people- yes it was a House Party! Yes there was probably underage drinking! Yes they were probably up late and noise was a issue! But realistically it is a College town (What do you expect). The HPD needs to focus more on the problems of Huntington, such as date rape, serious crimes, and yes murders in the area that happen WAY TO OFFTEN and seen never to be solved. If they problems of college students are on their top priortiy then Huntington is in for a big disaster!!
Posted by: SARA on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Barnes and the army guy sounded really smart...it's like they have been busted before
Posted by: ED on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:11 AM
YOU ASK ME THAT BALD GUY IS A REAL CRY BABY. I DON'T KNOW WHO HE THINKS HE IS THROWING RAVE PARTIES WITH ALL THE DRUNK COLLEGE KIDS AND EXPECTING HUNTINGTON'S FINEST JUST TO IGNORE IT.
Posted by: Curious on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I bet those of you who are upset at the police for busting up a party of 100 for noise and disorderly conduct were the same ones upset because a church was having service outside and was too noisy for the neighborhood. You all cried you wanted police to come and make them stop but you don't want police to stop your party with beer and drunkenness? Such double standards. I agree that the police do need to be working on solving other crimes, but let's get this straight... an INVESTIGATOR is not a BEAT COP. I think your underage drinking has clouded your vision and before you get further out of control, it needs to be stopped before you go out there and drive and kill another family. I guarantee you that not every one was 21 at that party. Grow up and get some morals before you become derelicts! Oh wait, you already are!
Posted by: maddi on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Just because they go to Marshall doesn't they should get special treatment. Yes i do agree that the police should be out doing other stuff to fight crime but hey if Marshall students get put in jail then they did something that shouldn't have been done either so good for HPD for arresting the students for breaking the law.
Posted by: Joe on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I bet the cops were tickled to death when they pulled up and it was just 18 year old Marshall students. If it would have been some Detroit thugs they probably would have rolled right past. There are bigger problems a couple of blocks away....
Posted by: Jeff on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Hey little boys and girls, GROW UP! You all are not smart enough to realize how stupid you look.
Posted by: Rob on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Poor whinney Marshall students. Grow Up!!! This the real world. Disorderly conduct,public intoxication,assult,etc is against the law. Marshall students have been given a free pass for many years. If nothing is wrong with what happened then party like this at your parents house and see if they put up with. Its time to start growing up people.
Posted by: C on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:02 AM
A short time ago the Huntington police said they often took a long time answering calls because they were "short handed" They sure had enough officers to go to the party. Easy pickens.
Posted by: Earl on Apr 30, 2008 at 05:40 AM
I went to Marshall in the 80's and nothing has seemed to change.
Posted by: adam on Apr 30, 2008 at 02:13 AM
The story fails to mention multiple officers beating at least two students at the party. This story didn't even touch the reality of the situation at hand. This wasn't about a party getting busted, but about police handling a situation terribly wrong!
Posted by: herdfan on Apr 30, 2008 at 02:09 AM
whether or not they were right, i wish the police would show as much enthusiasm in finding who killed leah hickman.
Posted by: Figures on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:32 AM
HPD is a laughing stock.
Posted by: Marshall Student on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:20 AM
For those that are ignorantly saying "cry about it...mommy can't bail you out", why aren't you more concerned about why the HPD isn't doing what your tax dollars go to, which is fight crime in our community. Crime haha, not house parties. I personally feel a bit more threatened by rapists, murders, and drug dealers not drunk college students hanging out on their front porch. But I guess if I were a police officer I'd have to appear as if I was doing something while on the clock so hey why not drive down 5th Ave and raid a party and charge students with public intox? What a way to serve our community haha. Granted this is much easier than actually looking for criminals, maybe they should do what theyre actually getting paid to do. I, in no way, feel safer due to the arrest of 7 drunk college students, but I sure would if you couldnt buy drugs on the street corners. Do your job please :)
Posted by: Dave on Apr 30, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Wow, wsaz won't post my comments calling these kids whiners, but they will post something casting them as the victims.
Posted by: mustudent on Apr 30, 2008 at 12:36 AM
cry about it why don't ya? mommy can't bail you out now...this is the real world. grow up.
Posted by: Sue on Apr 30, 2008 at 12:10 AM
No, Brent, you didn't protest in a peaceful way. You protested in a stupid way. You know, I have been in real riots and the first thing you learn is that when police give you a command, you obey it immediately. And saying you're being picked on because you are students is as stupid as those girls saying they were harassed on a Southwest flight because they were "too pretty". Give it up and accept your punishment like real men.
Posted by: J on Apr 30, 2008 at 12:03 AM
I'm surprised they could find the house without assistance.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:44 PM
they need to worry more about drugs. a lot of cops will ban together and lie though if they feel threatened. my family fell victim to policeman brutality in 2001. even then the cops covered their story up
Posted by: Ollie on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Huntington police do need to get it together. I have been at two separate parties when HPD showed up and pepper sprayed students who were harming no one. My friend's car was stolen and when HE (my friend, NOT HPD) finally found his car with items that could be used as evidence in it, the HPD officer told him to "dump them". It's frightening and incredibly disappointing that HPD takes months and years to solve murders of high school and college students, while suspects are arrested in other college towns within days of a murder. Without Marshall University, Huntington would be another dying town, but with HPD TARGETING instead of PROTECTING the college students in this town, why would anyone want to come here for school? It's my opinion that the city of Huntington and Marshall University will soon have serious problems on their hands when students continue to stand up to the police and let their serious concerns be heard by those outside of the city limits.
Posted by: Mike on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:19 PM
The Hunington P.D Donut Gang strikes again. They can not find killers of four teens, or Leah Hickman. But they can hassel College kids. Drug Dealers are everywhere in Huntington . Hookers are thick as ants at a picnic but The Donut Gang turns a Blind Eye to it. And to make themself feel good they act like this. Hey Donut Gang you are still the Laughing Stock of the Law Enforcement Community. LOL
Posted by: J bob on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Police in huntington abuse their power way too much. I was at this party and in no way did the police act in a professional manner. Something needs to be done about the power hungry HPD.
Posted by: college student on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:20 PM
If verbal warnings were ignored then, the police were right in taking action. If students cooroprate there is not problem. when our house has a party we try to police it ourselves. That way troubles are settled before the cops are called.
Posted by: Families & Citizens Who Want Answers on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Why don't some Police investigate and hunt down people that attempt to murder or murder Inocent Victims no matter who they are or what their ages are! Their is crimes like this going un-touched just lingering and when the family calls to talk about it,all the CITY Police says is it's still under investigating,they have NOTHING to say,1,2,and 3 years later! People waiting to get violent crimes and murder crimes SOLVED in ALL Towns should ban together and demand that these Crimes be Fully Investigated and SOLVED! Is their anyone waiting for a case to be SOLVED about a loved one who was seriously hurt in a Violent Crime or,Attempted Murder on them ONCE,even Twice,waiting to DIE, or Murdered? Please Comment about your case! If you know of anyone who has commited a crime like this,no matter who it is, TELL IT, it could save another life! The College Students Has A POINT about UNSOLVED,Violent Crimes & Murder Crimes!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 at 09:50 PM
THIS is exactly what I was telling someone the other day!!! Huntington police are more worried about college kids causing noise then the MURDERERS and DRUG DEALERS in the area!!! Get the big picture guys!! A little noise and college parties arent KILLING anyone... The murderers and drug dealers that are getting by because you dont stop them, are! And Huntington just keeps going downhill because of this... It is very sad and I can say I would NEVER live in Huntington again...
Posted by: Dave on Apr 29, 2008 at 09:44 PM
Wow, drunk rich college kids getting mad that they got busted. Ridiculous. Stop complaining. Really. All I ever hear from Marshall kids is how they got trashed, got busted, and feel life is so unfair to them. Grow up and accept responsibilities. I can't believe the news even covered this waste.
Posted by: T on Apr 29, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Welcome to the real world Mommies boys gonna cry do the crime do the time
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