ABUSE REPORT:

Bicycle Sound System Confiscated by Police

Date of Incident:
Received:

From http://www.theargusonline.com/Stories/0,1413,83%257E1971%257E794166,00.html#top

(c) 2002 by MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers

Booming stereo leads to cyclist's arrest 
By Rob Kuznia
NEWARK 
WHEN POLICE LEARNED a man's thumping stereo system was 
disturbing the peace in Old Town
they embarked on a rare low-speed chase. 
STAFF WRITER

WHEN POLICE LEARNED a man's thumping stereo system was disturbing the
peace in Old Town, they embarked on a rare low-speed chase. , STAFF
WRITER Initially, Ron Peavey ignored the police following him.  But
the four cop cars eventually cornered him and impounded his vehicle --
a three-wheel bicycle equipped with a box containing five speakers, a
radio and a cassette player. With the volume fully cranked, the
speakers use 2,800 watts of power, Peavey said.

The box was blasting Will Smith's "Big Willie Style" last week when
police arrested him as he pedaled home on Thornton Avenue.

Peavey, who is covered in tattoos and often garbed in red clothing
commonly associated with the Norteos gang, said the police were
discriminating against him because of his appearance.

Police, however, said he was stopped because of the loud music, and
arrested because he showed symptoms of being high on methamphetamines
-- a charge he denies.

Drug test results will be available in about two weeks, Lt. Lance
Morrison said.

Police returned Peavey's bicycle Monday. On Tuesday, a peeved Peavey
-- working on several bikes in the driveway of his parents' Old Town
home -- said he would like to file a complaint.

"They prejudge people based on what they're wearing, and they don't
take the time to get to know the person," said Peavey, 40.

But Morrison said the officers whoCYCLIST, Local 3

(appears to be discontinuous on web page)