Interruptions mark Coeur d'Alene meeting

Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White was interrupted several times by an audience member during his presentation to the General Services/Public Works Committee on Monday. 

As White explained his department has been using automated license plate reader technology for more than a decade to solve crimes, a man cut in. 

“Does that include free speech?” he asked in a loud voice. “Does that include free speech? Does that include free speech, chief?” 

White continued his presentation without acknowledging the interruption and said the Drug Enforcement Agency had requested access to that data “to support their mission in combating drug trafficking and related criminal activities.” 

The man spoke up again. 

“Chief?” he said. 

As Councilor Christie Wood responded and said she supported the request, the man addressed White, who had his back to him. 

“That’s right. Call your buddies. Have them come down and have a talk with me,” the man said. 

When White finished and returned to his seat, the man walked over and spoke to White, who invited him to continue the conversation outside the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Community Room, which they did. 

They spoke for another minute before White left. A few minutes later, police sirens could be heard heading toward City Hall and shortly, police officers walked by as the man addressed the media.

The man, who declined to give his name, said he was upset because Coeur d’Alene prosecutors had declined to charge Teresa Borrenpohl with anything when she interrupted speakers during a legislative town hall last month at Coeur d’Alene High School that ended with her being forcibly removed by private security. 

He said he believed Borrenpohl was interfering with the rights of others at the meeting by being disruptive.

At the event, officers cited and released Borrenpohl for battery because, “During the initial investigation, officers learned Borrenpohl bit one of the men involved in removing her.” 

After their investigation, police dismissed the citation. 

The incident gained national attention. 

White later said it was not appropriate for law enforcement to forcefully remove a person from a town hall for speaking out of turn or shouting.  

The man said Monday he was “tired of law enforcement acting like the average citizen doesn’t know what is going on." 

“I thought I would disrupt his rights a little bit,” the man said. 

White, contacted later by The Press, said the police have protocol “for disruptive individuals during City Council meetings.” 

The outline of handling situations during public forums states, in part, “In general, individuals who interrupt a meeting’s proceeding by repeatedly shouting out and yelling can be removed.” 

It goes on to state, “Law enforcement will generally give two recorded verbal warnings to an individual prior to citation, removal, or arrest, unless that individual’s actions or verbal statements constitute a violation of Idaho Code. 

“Physical (in-custody) arrests are generally discouraged unless it is reasonable based on the behavior or threats made by the individual during the meeting.”

At last Tuesday's City Council meeting, at least 12 police officers were present. It had been rumored people would show up and try to disrupt the meeting.

The committee meeting Monday, while open to the public, did not offer a time for public comment.

White said although the man’s interruptions “may have been inappropriate, it would not have been appropriate for me to take action at that moment" as White was not in charge the meeting.

The committee of Chair Amy Evans and Councilors Kenny Gabriel and Christie Wood voted unanimously to approve White’s request to allow police to enter into a third-party agreement with Motorola to share automated license plate reader information with the DEA.