Judged:

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I would like to inform area residents to beware when entering the community of Chapman, Kansas.
All Chapman event goers need to realize what may be in store for them in this small "closed" community.
My wife, who has never had any infractions with the law, went to Chapman on the 17th of May 2009. As did many friends, relatives and supporters of the graduating class of 2009.
Who would ever think that your law enforcement would “snoop” looking into every vehicle parked in the parking lot during graduation. Evidently, admittedly from the deputy chief himself…this is an action he performs dutifully at all events in Chapman.
The deputy chief at Chapman single-handedly waited idly by until graduation had ended, with all graduation goers descending upon the parking lot towards their respective vehicles.
Deputy chief Wright, was standing near my daughters vehicle as my wife approached, asking if she knew who owned the car. Answering, she stated the car belonged to my daughter. He then asked if she knew why he was there, stating that there was an open container in the vehicle, and who did it belong to.
My wife had admitted, that the beer can was hers and that the contents had been consumed prior to traveling. Being in a hurry, thoughtlessly, she placed the can in the vehicle instead of a trash receptacle. Admittedly, this was wrong. In the excitement of the day, her thoughtlessness had cost her reputation as a Grandmother. Not to mention money we don’t have.
He had told my wife she would be ticketed for an open container and that she could expect to pay a fine of about 90.00 plus court costs. OK, fair enough. This was not the case. This person hired to uphold the law, lied to my wife and wrote the ticket for “transporting an open container“. A moving violation, punishable by a fine, court costs and jail time if seen fit. My wife was then taken into custody and processed at the Dickinson County Jail in Abilene. Released after writing a check for 275.00!
This was clearly harassment and victimization, using my wife’s honesty and willingness to comply as a citizen of Dickinson County. She clearly had not violated any written laws pertaining to “transporting an open container“.
The vehicle had been parked for at least one and a half hours. When approached by Officer Wright and being asked about the can, telling him the truth without hesitation, not hiding anything or lying to him. Officer Wright had not witnessed the container in any ones hand nor had he witnessed anyone in the vehicle, seated. His only observation was an open container located in a parked, unattended vehicle and my wife’s unwillingness to lie about it.
If this officer is going to ticket for “Transporting an Open Container” when the vehicle is not in motion, nor occupied, I believe that a lot of can collectors and folks that drive around with crushed cans in the backs of their trucks/cars need to be warned when coming into Chapman!
Chapman has enough issues with it’s dwindling reputation as a small family oriented community. It has become evident the city of Chapman condones extorting money from citizens supporting community activities. This particular officer has a reputation for writing traffic violation tickets even for one mile over the limit. It is my duty as a responsible citizen to display my dissatisfaction of this officers behavior and choices he has made.
Numberous residents have stated that they will avoid going to Chapman. How will this affect the business community? Many did not attend the 8th Grade graduation for fear of being harassed. If unable to attend school activities without fear...who will support the school? This particular incident has only reinforced the surrounding communities fears of Chapman.
If Chapman is in need of funds to support it's spending, there are other ways to generate revenue besides chastizing it's citizens with poor law enforcement.