2011 Update: State Appeals Court overturns charge against Barry Scott! (Page maintained by friends & supporters of Barry Scott) Many
hate crimes have occurred in Provincetown, Massachusetts. In one of the most well-known cases, Barry Scott of "The
Lost 45s" was smashed face first into a house and kicked repeatedly while not resisting arrest for a noise by-law, upon FIRST meeting Provincetown police and responding to their demand to shut down a small backyard party at 10:20pm on a Saturday in July. The police report 'his head inadvertantly came in contact
with a window frame'--which is laughable. Controversial District Attorney Michael O'Keefe did his own 'internal
investigation' relying solely on police reports and found no wrong doing!
The "blue shield'--police lying to protect each other--went up immediately. Police state Barry said "We hate the police" in a private backyard (in a town where 'faggot' was deemed appropriate in another case listed below). Horrified witnesses heard
no such thing, they say he wasn't resisting arrest and was asking untrained
teen-age summer cops Anthony Bova and Michael Barone not to hurt his 5'4"
130 lb frame. Barry's closing announcement was described by witnesses as calm and non-provocative. To cover their actions, the Provincetown police pressed frivolous
charges against Mr. Scott that he continues to fight. Although his arresting offense was overturned by the State Appeals Court, his 'resisting arrest' charge incredibly remains. Never
in trouble with the law at age 44, the Provincetown police did not take a mug shot; because the
photo would have shown their brutality.
Scott's partner, Bryan Richardson, walking with a cane, was thrown onto a cruiser and injured during his incarceration when he asked the police
what they were doing to Barry. No charges were filed against him; he was a
witness forceably removed from a private backyard. They refused breathalyzer requests, as he was not drunk. He soiled his pants lying
on a jail floor for hours, unable to move from a back spasm, while Provincetown
police laughed. Many people have a difficult time
believing a gay mecca such as Provincetown has hate-filled police; but
the untrained summer cops (who were not mentored)
and the full-timers don't always get along with tourists. The Police Chief stepped down and the town asked for training on hate crimes, but the charges against Barry Scott remained. The police refused to release employment records although it is known they were involved in violent arrests. While there are many good officers, these Provincetown police are criminals who tarnish the badges of all good cops. The only complainant was identified originally by wrong name, address and social security number. Her calls came between 6 and 10 on a Saturday night in July. The town has a 50 foot noise bylaw; no decibel reader, so noise can't be measured.
This gathering was never loud. Multiple parties were occurring at the same time and in fact, this was not the one in question. A trial was held in Orleans July 23rd, 2008, where Judge Brian Merrick suddenly appeared after 15 court visits. Merrick represented the police union as a lawyer. Merrick allowed testimony that miraculously appeared 3 DAYS before trial from two town EMTs, despite a year of requests for all witness information. They said Barry told them he got his injuries by 'resisting arrest.' Merrick told the jury these were small misdemeanor charges--allowing nothing about the brutality (including pictures)--leading them to pay little attention and decide on a verdict in less than 15 minutes. Hairdresser Ed Foley, of 4 Holway Ave./Provincetown, said all of his previous statements (in newspapers and e-mails)
that Scott was injured by police while not resisting, were wrong. Reporters were disgusted as the Judge refused to allow any statements Ed Foley made to be read to the Jury. As the homeowner, Ed Foley could have
asked the music be shut anytime. Ed Foley refused to do so, even after receiving a ticket during the second police
response. Scott didn't even see the police until their final visit; he was simply the paid DJ that night. Problems with the Jury were made public, showing their decision was not unanimous
and they talked illegally with an alternate! The Judge did not investigate this misconduct, refusing to question
jurors. Merrick's reputation as someone brought in to ensure
a case goes the way a District Attorney wants, is obvious. The Provincetown Town Manager, dismissed Police Chief, newly hired Chief and his entire staff were present at the trial, for misdemeanor charges--obviously knowing the ramifications. Scott was found guilty and ordered to pay $690. At his last Cape Cod hearing in October 2009, a Quincy police officer said Scott didn't resist arrest, but the 'Judge' didn't care. Scott rightly brought this case all the way to the State Appeals Court, off the "Dukes of Hazzard" lawlessness of Cape Cod; where his arrestable charge was finally overturned in February 2011. Says Scott: "A town that allows its police, EMTs and residents to lie under oath in a court of law, is a town with no soul. The gay community does not want to believe anything bad could happen in their town; but it does often, according to numerous workers at the Orleans Court."
Other recent Provincetown hate crimes include racial incidents; the beating
of two women.
July 4th
weekend, 18 people were taken off the streets and held without
charges; Provincetown cops have been doing this illegally
for years. July 25th a man was beaten by 3 local kids and left in an alley with
a broken nose. They called him 'faggot.' These incidents were buried by the
gay press who don't want to upset a town that brings them ad
dollars! Other victims Richard Hall: beaten and left unconscious; Daniel Coburn had rocks thrown at him and was called 'faggot.' When reported to the P-town police, they arrested him for an outstanding vehicle ticket. They later said the use of the word 'faggot' was protected as free speech! Numerous other incidents have come to light where the victims are too nervous to report it or want to remain private. Artist David Jones, beaten by Provincetown cops and arrested, pled to cover-up charges because of what he'd seen happen in that town. He was afraid and later killed himself. Two others had bikes thrown at them during an AIDS ride. A worldwide travel warning has been issued for Provincetown, MA. To learn more about the ongoing hate in Provincetown, read the following articles: Provincetown, MA: A Place For Hate! (4 part series) What's Wrong with Provincetown & D.A. Michael O'Keefe? Racial incidents in Summer of 2010 Police Blamed for Undue Force! New Chief, Same as the old One. Summer Starts in Provincetown as usual: Hate crime! Scott to appeal verdict Provincetown Crosses The Line!
P-Town Leaders and Police blasted!
Boston Globe: Police Brutality!
P-Town Police justified in DJ beating says D.A. O'Keefe!
HRC says let's forget incidents!
P-Town Police need HATE Crimes training!
