It is one of the more egregious examples of coronavirus panic.
In what many are calling an overreaction, police in Brighton, Colorado, detained a father for…playing T-ball with his daughter.
According to the officers, the father was allegedly violating Colorado’s social distancing ordinance, established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Incident
Matt Mooney, his wife, and their 6-year-old daughter decided to get out of the house and go to the park. While enjoying the fresh air at Donelson Park, the family was approached by three local police officers. They asked Mooney for his identification.
Believing he and his family had every right to be there, Mooney refused to provide it. Evidently, that was enough for the officers to arrest Mooney — in front of his family — and put him in the back of a patrol car.
An Eyewitness Account
Kirby Wallin, a former member of the Brighton City Council, was a witness and was able to video part of the incident.
“Brighton Police are apparently arresting a dad for throwing a ball to his daughter, in complete isolation in a park of about, I don’t know, 30, 40 acres,” Wallin said in the video clip, seemingly stunned by what he was seeing.
“But apparently that is not allowed by Brighton. According to our police, he is not allowed to do it. He’s being taken away.”
The Officers’ Side
According to the police account, Mooney was detained after a “concerned citizen” complained that there were social distancing violations occurring in the park.
The responding officers say they “encountered a group of about 12-15 people who appeared to be playing softball”. They ordered the crowd to disperse, telling them the park was closed to the public.
In reality, however, the park was actually open to “groups of no more than 4 persons”. In other words, Mooney and his family were allowed to be there and were violating no laws.
The Father’s Side
Giving his account, Matt Mooney, says, “During this little contact, none of the officers had masks on, none of them had gloves on, and they’re in my face handcuffing me, they’re touching me.”
“If we’re going to go ahead and start arresting people for no reason in front of their 6-year-old daughter, you’re just going to cause more problems later on.”
The City’s Response
Officials for the City of Brighton agree that the situation was mishandled. Commander Al Sharon of the Brighton Police Department says, “We recognize there was an error and we are doing a thorough investigation.”
“I would say, at this point in time, I think they wouldn’t do it again the same way — and when the investigation is complete we’ll be sure of that,” Sharon stressed.
An Unaccepted Apology
The Brighton Police Department and the City Manager’s Office have publicly accepted responsibility. A news release reads, “It is evident there was an overreach by our police officers.”
The City has also privately reached out to Mooney, both to apologize and to discuss the matter further, in person.
So far, Mooney has declined the offer, saying on Facebook that he has met with an attorney.
“A Teachable Moment”
In a recent update, Mooney wrote, “To everyone that says I would have just listened and moved on, that is the whole point of this.”
“The government is stripping us of our rights because people just roll over and go along with what they say. Sometimes you have to stand up and make a stand regardless of the costs,” he continued.
“…We can teach our kids that the government is always right and tyrannical or we can teach them that yes YOU can stand up for what is right.”
Mooney concluded with, “My question for Brighton Police Department is since when are constitutional rights something that is new? How are officers enforcing anything that they aren’t properly trained on?”