The Police Department provides safety and protection in many different ways and on many diverse occasions. One area needs improvement.
Columnist Bud Kennedy describes how a street preacher, Joey Faust, was arrested at the annual homosexual "pride" parade. He criticizes Faust's church's denunciation of the occult, Catholicism, Mormonism, ecumenicalism and magic. And he calls Faust an "obnoxious street preacher." (See: "The preacher who time forgot -- jailed in Mansfield 20 hours," Oct. 12)I know little about Joey or his church. But it is apparent from Kennedy's column that this preacher was well within the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.The article says the police were "blocking a Main Street sidewalk." A police officer said, "If you take a step across the line, I'll arrest you." Faust explained, "So I took a step across the line," and he thus was taken to jail.Faust surely has the right to preach in public providing he does not hinder the flow of traffic, speak too loudly or preach where such is illegal.The Police Department needs to instruct its personnel more accurately. First Amendment rights should not be denied.-- Richard Hollerman, Fort WorthHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
