Ute fans angry at police for electrical shocking

earthsci

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Some Utah fans are upset that police responsible for security at the Fiesta Bowl used 50,000-volt electric devices to zap fans trying to storm the field after the win.

Arizona State University spokesman Keith Jennings said the use of the weapons was in line with the department's use-of-force policy.

That policy allows officers to use electronic incapacitators anytime a subject is involved in a physical altercation with an officer.

Jennings said two individuals were arrested for scuffling with officers immediately after the game, but he told The Salt Lake Tribune he wasn't sure whether either was among the estimated 24 who were shocked by the devices after Utah's 35-7 win over Pittsburgh in Saturday's Fiesta Bowl.

The officers used the weapons at the Sun Devil Stadium in part "to protect the goal posts and the field" for an NFL game scheduled the following day, Jennings said.

"It was justifiable," he said. "They were also trying to protect people, if they go down to the field and knock over the goal post, that sort of thing, we're liable if someone gets hurt. ... We just wanted to force them back into the stands."

University of Utah Police Chief Scott Folsom questioned the necessity of shocking the fans, who were attempting to enter the field after being beckoned by several Ute football players.

Folsom, who traveled to Tempe for the bowl game, didn't see the incident. But he said he did see the throng of fans pressing against a fence on the north end zone, trying to enter the field.

He said his department, responsible for providing security at Utah home games, probably would not use electric force in a similar situation.

"If you had a person who was seriously disruptive in that crowd, you might use a Taser to bring that person into custody so you could deal with them," said Folsom, whose officers carry the devices at Ute games. "You certainly wouldn't 'Tase' people indiscriminately hoping to move an entire crowd back."

But 16-year-old Chris Mogren said he was pressed up against a 6-foot-high cyclone fence when he was shocked in the arm. It happened when he and a throng of Ute revelers were trying to enter the field.

The officers stunned "whoever was up against the fence," he said.

Mogren said he saw 10 to 15 other Utah fans get shocked.

"We weren't trying to break anything, or to tear down the goal posts or destroy the field," he said. "We just wanted to be over by the team."

The ASU Police Department maintains that anyone who was shocked must have been actively fighting with officers, per the department's policy, Jennings said.

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Russ Smith

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It is the best way to do accurate census counts.

Or are you not talking about fish?
 

Southpaw

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Amazing. Fans have been storming the fields at football games for a hundred years and all of a sudden it is necessary to use cattle prods to modify behavior.

Somehow it just sickens me to see how easy it is to use programmed force against citizens.
 

Southpaw

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If anyone has ever gotten zapped by one, it ain't fun.

Many years ago, when I was on the young side, I was at the 12 hours of Sebring Auto race . A couple of Volunteer Florida Highway Patrol hicks in uniform thought it was funny to walk around and atrbitrarily zap party people with cattle prods. I got a dose. Wouldn't want to wish that on anyone. :eek:
 

Southpaw

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SEC Probing Taser's Claims on Stun Guns

SEC Probing Taser's Claims on Stun Guns

Friday January 7, 8:49 AM EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. securities regulators are probing Taser International Inc.'s (TASR) claims about the safety of its stun guns and a recent order from a distributor, the company said.

Taser shares, among the U.S. stock market's most meteoric issues over the past two years, tumbled more than 10 percent in premarket trading following the news, which Taser released in a statement shortly before midnight on Thursday.

The Scottsdale, Arizona, company said it was compiling information after receiving the informal inquiry letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to Taser, regulators are focused on its statements about the safety of its stun guns. The electric-shock devices recently were the target of a critical report by Amnesty International, which alleged that more than 70 people had died in the United States and Canada over the past four years in Taser-related incidents.

"We are confident our statements are supported by the safety studies of our products," Rick Smith, Taser chief executive officer, said in a statement. "We are in the process of compiling the information requested by the SEC."

The SEC is also inquiring about a recent order received by Taser from Davidson's Inc., which distributes its products.

In December, Taser said it had agreed to a deal for Davidson's to market and distribute its Taser X26C Citizen Defense stun gun to firearms dealers.

Taser said the SEC letter states: "This inquiry is non-public and should not be construed as an indication by the commission or its staff that any violation of law has occurred, nor should it be considered a reflection upon any person, entity or security."

Taser shares were down $2.62 at $25 on the Inet electronic brokerage system after closing on Thursday at $27.62 on the Nasdaq stock market. Since the beginning of 2003, Taser shares have risen more than 8,000 percent.
 
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