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VIETNAM VETERANS GUNS CONFISCATED AFTER PAINTING HIS GARAGE DOOR>

Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
edited September 2001 in General Discussion
Man airs views on garage doorNeighbors complain about the anti-Muslim slogans. Police later take the man into custody under the Baker Act. By MIKE BRASSFIELDc St. Petersburg Times,published September 13, 2001
REDINGTON SHORES -- In the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, Steven Grzesik expressed his opinion by spray-painting his garage door with slogans: "WAR on Muslim fanatics! Bomb them now! Deport supporters! This is a Muslim watch community!" said the messages on Grzesik's garage. Some of Grzesik's Redington Shores' neighbors were disturbed by the writing, and complained to the town and the police. Detectives with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office went to Grzesik's house and spoke to him Wednesday morning. They say they became concerned about his mental stability, so they took him into custody under the state's Baker Act. Pinellas County Sheriff Everett Rice said deputies took Grzesik into custody because of statements he made, not because of what he wrote. The sheriff did not elaborate on Grzesik's statements, but he said Grzesik has a right to write on his garage door. "It wasn't a direct threat against anybody," Rice said of the writing. "I don't think that rises to the level where we or the city could make him take it down." Sheriff's detectives took four legal weapons -- a shotgun, a rifle, a 9mm Glock pistol and a spear gun -- out of Grzesik's house at 216 176th Ave. E. "We received information that the guy had written something on his garage door and that he was a danger," Rice said. "Because of all the heightened tension, I asked our people to check into it." Detectives took Grzesik to Suncoast Hospital in Largo under the Baker Act, which lets people be committed up to 72 hours for psychiatric evaluation. Grzesik, a Vietnam veteran, was later transferred to the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines. Grzesik was arrested three years ago on charges of aggravated assault and openly displaying a gun, but those charges were later dropped, court records show. He has twice pleaded no contest to DUI. Redington Shores Mayor J.J. Beyrouti said the town got complaints about Grzesik's garage door. The town sent a building inspector to Grzesik's house to speak to him Wednesday, but sheriff's detectives already were there. Beyrouti said the town had been planning to ask Grzesik to remove the slogans. "It's a small community. As a routine thing, we would go reason with the guy," Beyrouti said. "Usually we would go tell the guy, "Look, we got a complaint, can you clean it up?' " http://www.sptimes.com/News/091301/NorthPinellas/Man_airs_views_on_gar.shtml

Comments

  • alledanalledan Member Posts: 19,541
    edited November -1
    Another phony reason to confiscate firearms and protect the real killers!The idiot sheriff don't get the idea that enemies are among us and any target is a good target to them.People are useless to politician of any level unless they are victims. Victims garner votes for them.So much also for the freedom of speech and freedom of expression!
  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well said Alledan.
  • ladrladr Member Posts: 263 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Excuse me for missing something.....Didn't the paper quote the police as saying the slogans on the door had nothing to do with it?What I REALLY do not understand was the neighbors COMPLAINING about it.Could there be some people of that ethnic background living close by?
  • hkloverhklover Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Guys, I live right near this fellow as a matter of fact. I didn't see what happened or bother to drive down to where his place is, but I can tell you that in that neighborhood there are some Egyptians and a few people of Arab descent. I could see why they might take offense. Personally I think he just was pissed and wanted to make a statement.But when you go telling the cops (that show up) that you are going to shoot people and act irrational, your * is getting locked up and your guns taken.Watch what the hell you say and who you say it to. Simple as that.
  • ladrladr Member Posts: 263 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    hklover, Thanks for the info.All people of that race are not our enemies.
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oh this reeks! Notice that they didn't bother to mention the brand name of the long guns they took but the sure as hell made sure to mention the "Glock 9mm pistol". Last time I checked, cops aren't shrinks. If they have a problem with his 1st Ammendment expressions of outrage, then maybe they should talk to him about it before they haul him away. The bit about the 2 DUI's was merely smear tactics to paint him as a man with psychological problems. They had nothing to do with his garage door or this arrest. I bet my last dollar he never sees those guns even if the case is dismissed. Oh, I forgot. They hauled him off on the basis of some wild irrersponsible interpretation of a mental health law. This man has just as much right to express himself under the 1st Ammendment as those idiot extremists dancing in the streets in celebration of the September 11th attack.
  • lugee00lugee00 Member Posts: 34 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Folks, you aint seen nuthin yet,,,lock & load.....
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