Cleveland Police Confiscate Children’s Basketball Hoop
Woman ticketed, threatened with arrest for buying children hoop.
CLEVELAND — A Cleveland woman is speaking out after police officers confiscated a basketball hoop she purchased for children in her neighborhood.
Cheri Fiorilli, who purchased the hoop for several neighbor boys that regularly help her with yard work, attempted to stop police this week as they dragged the hoop away behind their vehicle.
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According to Cleveland police, the young boys have been repeatedly warned that they are breaking the law by playing basketball in the street.
Cell phone video captured by Fiorilli revealed one officer’s refusal to give any leeway regarding the hoop.
“There’s no warning,” the officer said. “There’s nothing I can do. There’s no leeway.”
Not only did officers confiscate the hoop, but Fiorilli was threatened with arrest before finally receiving a ticket.
“I need to see your driver’s license again,” one officer asks. “If not, I have to arrest you for refusing to comply.”
Visibly upset, Fiorilli blasted the officer’s actions as well as the ticket and $182 in court fees she now faces.
“I’m not living like that,” Fiorilli told reporters. “I pay my taxes… I am ashamed. I am ashamed of what that man did, the example he set for these kids.”
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Despite a post on the department’s Facebook page that admitted the officer “clearly handled it wrong,” the hoop still remains in police custody.
The department showed no intention of backing off from the ticket as well.
While police argue that the law is about protecting children, many feel that everyday children’s activities are being targeted at an increasing pace as similar cases appear across the country.
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