Police Chief, Mayor Clash Over Arrests Of Teens

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Posted: 9:56 AM May 17, 2008
Last Updated: 9:56 AM May 17, 2008

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HAZARD, KY -- The early-morning arrest of several intoxicated students at Hazard High School has erupted into a public showdown between the city's mayor and police chief, causing fears among police that pay raises have been canceled, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader in its Saturday edition.

Hazard Mayor Bill Gorman did not agree with the arrests, saying police should have turned the teens over to their parents without charging them, according to statements made during an open city commission meeting.

"I know you are right as far as the law is concerned, but as far as the compassion of this city is concerned, you were wrong," Gorman said to the police chief during the meeting, which three parents attended to complain, reports the Herald Leader.

"I disagree with you, mayor," responded police chief Ronnie Bryant. "I think this city wants us to enforce the law with our juveniles. I want to save their lives. I don't want to go to a funeral or to the hospital next time."

The commission meeting, which was held on May 5, was taped and released to the Herald-Leader by the city.

Tension between the department and the city has been brewing since the students were arrested about 1 a.m. on April 25.

Police and parents say more than a dozen students gathered at the school's football practice field to have a senior-year cookout.

Principal Happy Mobelini, who left the students about midnight, instructed them to lock the school's gate, Mobelini said. As he was leaving, he called city police and asked them to periodically check on the group until he returned, he said.

About thirty minutes later, when police drove to the field, they found half a dozen bottles of hard liquor and several cases of beer. Some of the teens were intoxicated, according to court records, reports the newspaper.

Police arrested 12 students, including five who are 18 years old or older, according to court records. They are: Joshua Combs, 19; James Bart Teague, 18; Eric J. Sims, 18; and Betsy L. Williams, 19, all of Hazard. Alex L. Brashear, 18, of Cornettsville was also arrested.

Seven other juvenile students were also charged and released to their parents. Their names have not been released.

The students were charged with alcohol intoxication and drinking in public, both misdemeanors.

Police are still investigating how the underage students got the alcohol they were drinking at the school, the newspaper reports.

"The kids asked if they could camp out and I said, 'yes,'" said Mobelini, who is also a city commissioner. "They were not drinking when I was up there, and they did not have permission to drink."

However, some parents question how the students could have become intoxicated so quickly and note that the students had locked away everybody's car keys so no one would drive intoxicated, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader.

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Posted by: Mae Location: Hazard on May 20, 2008 at 04:42 PM
The prinicpal should not have let them there. This is not an issue of what happened after but why did this even happen. The ones arrested were of age and should have been. The prinicpal should be fired for letting something like this happen, the kids should not have been there in the first place

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Ky on May 20, 2008 at 04:24 PM
I myself would like to see the children arrested than go to their perents I have children of my own in fact one that has been in trouble with the law over drinking and he has learned that myself as a parent dont get him out of it! Just like speeding tickets ect. Im not saying that I would be their for him but it wasn't I that was drinking it wasn't I that got the ticket so he hisself had to pay for it! Lets just say he's not so heavy on the foot now and as far as I know the drinking with friends has stopped. And again if he gets in trouble he will pay the price. He's 18 so past time to grow up! I love my children dearly but tough love instead of saying they are just kids seems to be the best wish the mayor would look at that!

Posted by: John Location: Lothair on May 20, 2008 at 11:09 AM
This has been going on since this mayor has been in office (1978). Police officers has been disciplined in the past by the mayor for people they have arrested. The mayor says it has been a policy to take young people home to their parents when they get into trouble I'd would like to see that policy at the Police Dept.

Posted by: Mike Location: Ohio on May 19, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Wow the fact that one person tries to defend criminals and corrupt politicians makes me understand why those corrupt politicians stay in office. At the age of 18 your a legal responsible adult according to the law. I have always said if you can enlist in the army you should have the right to drink responsibly. However not in high school and not in a manner that harms others. In reality it's your life if you choose to waste it then by all means commence the self destruction. However being on school property makes it everyones problem. Because when little billy drinks himself to death his parents are going to sue the school and, since we pay school taxes, indirectly they sue us. We all pay for poor little billy's acts. Also police do not have the discretion that some on here claim they do. You can't turn 18yr olds over to their parents because legally those 18yr olds are adults. Finally by busting this drinking binge the Hazard PD was looking out for the City to protect from a law suit

Posted by: Ida on May 19, 2008 at 03:29 PM
If they locked up all the car keys that means they knew drinking was going to be there. Enough that they wouldn't be able to drive.

Posted by: Bob on May 19, 2008 at 03:21 PM
A school event (the senior cookout) was held that run pass midnight and all the teachers and adults left? Oh,that's a great school policy. The police did what was right when they found half a dozen bottles of hard liquor and several cases of beer, not to forget intoxicated students. What's the problem with the arrests? Were they the kids of people that voted for the mayor?

Posted by: SUE Location: HAZARD on May 19, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Sounds like to me Police Chief Ronnie Bryant should be mayor instead of Bill Gorman. Maybe that will happen in the future hopefully, then this town can be cleaned up.

Posted by: c Location: fkt on May 19, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Public intoxication is against the law and the mayor should respect the law & those who enforce it! If the parents are upset, then they should have had their teens at home with them! Nothing good comes from teens hanging out at 1:00 AM! NOTHING! The police chief did his job. Why is the mayor so upset? Was the mayor's kid among those arrested? Who purchased the alocohol? Why did the principal called the police to "check-up" on them? Sounds like the principal knew they were drinking & just didn't want to be there to see them arrested! But again, nothing good ever comes when teens are "hanging out" at those late hours, they should have been at home with their parents. Those 18 or older should have been at home sleeping & getting rested for a job the next day! But chances are they didn't have jobs, but are still living with mommy & daddy! Spoiled brats are what we are raising these days, too lazy to work, but want everything just handed to them! Chief you did your job, don't sweat it!

Posted by: PARENT Location: Versailles on May 19, 2008 at 07:46 AM
I am proud of the chief. If the parents are upset,it should be with their chidren. Where are we as parents these days when we don't stand up for the right thing. There have been so many teenagers killed in drunk driving accidents, it is so sad that lives are cut short like this. When we don't make these kids accountable, where will it end? If they get by with it this time, there will be another time. Who will end up on the short end, one of these kids or an innocent victim?

Posted by: LifeLongResident Location: Hazard on May 18, 2008 at 09:48 PM
For years & years this has been going on. This town has always been this way. People who have money or contribute to the mayor get special treatment or free rides. Year before last I was working at Renos and the banquet room had been rented out for the kids from Hazard High and they were drinking and drunk with Happy there and the police where there also. They let them drink, get drunk and tear the place all to pieces. This is not a new thing but maybe the new part is it got out when it had always been kept under wraps for all these years. Someone needs to put a stop to all the people (Kids & Adults) that get away with doing whatever they want as long as they have money or know the mayor. This town is a who you know or how much money you got town. Happy to see that maybe now people are finally getting fed up with the way things are in this place. Its about time.

Posted by: MJ Location: Viper, KY on May 18, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I'm proud of our chief. He did his job and a great job at that. Someone mentioned go arrest a pedophile etc...well this is where it can all start. Why not nip it in the bud before it goes beyond the drinking. I grant they were being responsible with the locking of the keys, but once drunk who knows what could have happened. The Chief is right by showing that this behavior is not tolerated, I would much rather know that he would arrest mine and teach it a lesson as opposed to return it to me. Returning the child to the parent's sends the message that they can do wrong and it will be covered and they will get away with it. He did the right thing. With all due respect to our mayor, how can he defend these teens at all? Safety is first right?

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on May 18, 2008 at 10:57 AM
It's too bad there isn't a law against being overtly stupid, that way the Mayor could be arrested as well. What would the concerned parents be saying if one of these fine young students had OD'd on the alcohol?

Posted by: Anonymous Location: WOLFE on May 18, 2008 at 09:34 AM
more power to the chief of police for doing his job.So well sounds to me like the mayor needs a pay cut all way down to losing his job.

Posted by: T Location: Lexington on May 18, 2008 at 07:59 AM
kudos to the police chief!!! The police chief is right. The law is the law and if you just slap them on the wrist this time, the next time you may be going to a funeral. The worst part is it might be for an innocent victim. The law has never really been upheld in Hazard and the mayor has always wanted special attention to be given to his friends. The parent is also right,. how could they become intoxicated so fast??? I hope someone of some authority reads this article and starts investing the mayor and the principals' tactics. It should be an embarrassment to have this kind of thing happen and Happy M. should be without a job without question.

Posted by: Rebecca Perry Location: Hazard on May 17, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I think that the police done the right thing. There are so many kids dieing now because of this main reason. I do not agree with the Major about the way he reacted to this.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Somerset on May 17, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Sounds like the Principal and Mayor needs to be investigated for contributing to the delinquency of minors and obstruction of justice on the mayor's part.

Posted by: cover up on May 17, 2008 at 09:29 PM
well if this does not sound like a cover up story. there is one statement that does not make since. Why say lock the gate and then call police to watch until he returns? sounds like to me there was no intention of returning. And he said yes to letting the young people camp out there on school property with female and male students present without an adult present. Sounds like to me he was letting the teens drink and party. I bet these kids were from well known families and I bet if it were teens who are in alot of trouble he would not suggested they be turned over to parents but that they be arrested. If you are going to play and break the rules you must be prepared to pay the price. I believe the principal in this situation should be charged for leaving them unattended without adults present on school property. We hear keep our kids safe, dress codes, taking parents to court for truancy, etc...but yet something like this is allowed to happen!!!!!!

Posted by: You've got to be Kidding!! Location: Barbourville, KY on May 17, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Just one question: Was the police chief never a high school student? This is exactly why they have officer discretion. True, he was upholding the law, which they were breaking, but come on! I live in the area and can tell you that there are many more problems that could be addressed that are much more severe than this. The students should have been turned over to their parents. Now, they have records that can tarnish the rest of their lives for no reason. Teenagers blow off steam. Some do it in better ways, but were they really hurting anyone? Hey, Chief...how about arresting pedophiles and drug dealers rather than high school kids!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Eastern KY on May 17, 2008 at 08:43 PM
This is precisely why there's such a huge drug problem in Eastern KY, because people like this mayor think "shucks they're just being kids, they shouldn't get in trouble" and they get let off the hook, only to continue down the path of destruction that they are already on. Next thing you know, they're abusing pills, manufacturing methamphetamine, snorting cocaine, etc. All because you conveyed to them that it's ok for "kids" to break the law and to use substances to give them a high or rush. You're doing them NO justice whatsoever by giving the Police Chief a hard time, you're just showing them how corrupt the system is in Hazard, and how if their mommies and daddies are important people to the mayor or council, then they have a free pass to do what they want without worry. I bet if you drug tested the kids involved, 3 out of 10 will probably have drugs or prescription painkillers in their bloodstream, and you're just enabling it more by raising cain over this arrest.

Posted by: Bart Location: Harrodsburg on May 17, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Hats off to this police chief. This goofy mayor must think that the law should not be enforced! I wonder what the silly Ray Larson has to say about this?

Posted by: Wow Location: RIchmond on May 17, 2008 at 05:53 PM
""I know you are right as far as the law is concerned, but as far as the compassion of this city is concerned, you were wrong," Gorman said to the police chief " That says it all. Cops do their job mayor says he doesnt like it even though it is the law. I wonder how many parents of these kids that mayor is friends with? Also how can drunk kids lock their keys away from themselves? If they all get drunk one will have the key to the locked away keys regardless. I bet those kids freaked when they saw the cops lol. Ahhh to be young and dumb.

Posted by: Randy Location: Ohio on May 17, 2008 at 03:55 PM
You know I posted two outstanding comments and you have yet to post them. Nothing wrong with anything I said and everything I said is the absolute truth. Stop sensoring the truth. If I am not cursing or saying things that are completely false post what I say! Good Day!

Posted by: John Ballard Location: Nicholasville on May 17, 2008 at 01:12 PM
As a retired police officer and resposible citizen I must state that the mayor is wrong to publicly reprimand the chief of police when his officers are doing what they are paid to do. The bad decisions that the teens made and the resulting consequenses will hopefully steer them into making better decisions in the future, ie: DUI, Drugs, etc. The charges that these teens face are extremely minor. The teens over 18 will pay a fine and the others will go to juvenile court and basicly get a scolding from the judge. It will not prevent them from being a doctor, rocket scientist or a beach bum. AS FOR THE PARENT who stated that all the car keys were gathered and no one could drive- you are basically condoning the illegal actions of the teens. YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM. If you were a better parent the teens may have made better decisions that night. OUST the mayor.

Posted by: Randy Location: Ohio on May 17, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Finally the school board needs to punish Principle Happy Mobelini. What if one of these kids had died of Alcohol Poisioning? Who would be responsible? The school would be totally responsible. No one is trying to take the fun out of senior day but college kids die from drinking and the same is true for High School kids. I would also like to commend Chief Ronnie Bryant. Ronnie is a brave man to but heads with Mayor Gorman but he is just the kind of police chief Hazard needs. The Hazard Police Department is a modern police department and the rule of law should never be a political issue. A Police Officer should never be delegated to baby sitting. His job is to enforce the law, and protect the citizens from criminal acts. How much police department time was used up checking on these kids? I don't know how much support you have Chief Bryant but you can rest in the knowledge that you have done and are doing the right thing. Good Day and shame on you Mr. Gorman and Happy Mobelini!

Posted by: Randy Location: Ohio on May 17, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Most of the fault of this lies squarely on Happy Mobelini. He should have known and he should be disciplined. You don't turn kids loose, even 18year old kids, unsupervised. Also since when have Police Officers become baby sitters? Mayor Gorman you should know better. Stop running your town like your own personal slice of the world. The law is the law. I have to obey it and so should everyone else. I graduated from Hazard High School and lived in downtown Hazard for most of my life so I am not talking as an outsider but with a unique insight. Though I have been gone for many years I find it odd that the only Mayor I have ever known has been Mayor Gorman and he still wants to run that town based on his own personal values and not the rule of Law! Several things need to happen here. First the Mayor needs to commend the police for a job well done. They are doing their job. Second the Mayor needs to tell Happy Mobelini that the Police are not baby sitters. Finally- next post.

Posted by: Jethro Location: Rat Cheer on May 17, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Looks like the mayor doesn't get on big point. The police cheif has no legal authority to release the ADULT 18 year olds to their parents.

Posted by: Steve Location: Hazard on May 17, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Again, another black eye for this community. It is unbelievable that we have civic leaders, principals and superintendetns that allow such behaviors to continue without any regard for student safety and education. This has been going on for a long time and it needs to stop before someone gets hurt. We have had students drinking on buses at ballgames, nothing happens but a smack on the wrist because they are children of administative people. Nothing happened then but they again were involved this time, no consequences the first time and they do it again. Under age is why they were not mentioned but you have one name listed, a principals' son! What needs to happen, another kid killed or involved in a drunk driving accident before these folks are put out of office? A mayor who needs to retire but continues to have a hold on the citizens of this community with his almight power of backwood politics. Corruption the city of corruptions is what our town needs to be named.

Posted by: sharon Location: hazard on May 17, 2008 at 11:51 AM
I wonder if Mayor Gorman would have been so quick to say the police were wrong had it have been kids from perry county central high school who had been caught doing the same thing. I highly doubt it, this just upsets some because hazard usually keeps all its stuff under wraps cant smear the good name of those Hazard Bulldogs now can we.

Posted by: tracy on May 17, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Where was the principal and his staff? Was this taking place on school property? The police was doing there job.

Posted by: happy Location: ky on May 17, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I say good job to the police. Drinking is drinking, no matter where you are, and it was in public. If the parents don't like that their child was arrested because of public drunkness, then next time let the parent be held responsible for that childs actions, and put the parents in jail. I know it wont happen, but parents need to realize, yeah it may be your child out there drinking and you may think it was an unfair choice of police, but the way I see it, it could have been MY child that YOUR child killed because he was allowed to drink, and then made the choice to drive also. so, parents who were mad about this....GROW UP. Kudos to the Police!!!

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