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Updated: 10:53 AM Nov 4, 2009
Police Called After Claim of Polling Place Harassment
A claim of electioneering and breaking polling place rules leads to police being called to a College Station polling place.
Posted: 7:48 PM Nov 3, 2009Reporter: Shannon Dillon Email Address: dillon@kbtx.com |
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College Station police were called to B/CS Convention and Visitors Bureau Tuesday morning after a man holding a "Keep College Station Safe" sign said he was harassed by voters. Keep College Station Safe is the political action committee supporting red light cameras.
But a voter involved in the incident told News 3 by phone the man holding the sign was the one who harassed him and another voter as they entered the polling location.
When News 3 asked the man with the sign if he was from the area, he said "no." News 3 later found out he was from Houston. When asked why it was important to stand behind a College Station issue, the unidentified man said,"It's a public safety issue, it's a driver safety issue. In an accident, if someone runs a red light it can be pretty vicious."
At the College Station Conference Center, another man holding a "Keep College Station Safe" sign told News 3 he was also from Houston. When asked about his support for an out-of-town issue, he responded,"I'm for the cameras. I think they're fine. I think that right now it's throwing the baby out with the bath water." When asked, he denied being paid to come to College Station on Election Day.
News 3 asked a consultant from "Keep College Station Safe" and ATS, if the two men were paid. The consultant, also from Houston, told News 3 at least 4 people from Houston were "under contract." The consultant said altogether about 12 people worked at the polls, and only four under contract were not College Station residents. The consultant said all others volunteering on Election Day were College Station residents and not "under contract." The consultant went on to say "Keep College Station" and ATS has been very open about how people who are not residents are brought into College Station to work.
Latest Comments
I am against what amounts to a vehicle stealth tax -- the scameras. Did you know that a good chunk of the fine gets paid to a foreign corporation? Show them the money and think OCP in Robocop! We also can't forget the startling flash that can occur at night; people have been known to react unfavorably when they are suddenly flashed at night by these things. I'm surprised that we horse-ridin' gun slinging texans are letting ourselves get knocked around by these contraptions! I am also surprised that we aren't responding like the UK does -- with tire fires and other effective means of putting scameras out of action!
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Regardless of how it's done, standing outside a polling place with the intention of convincing others to vote a particular way should be illegal. Once people show up, they've already decided how they're voting. Loitering outside only stirs up trouble.
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Rightly denied. This issue was solely about REVENUE. This may not have made the ballot had the city told the truth about it in the first place and not rubbed so many constituents wrong. KBTX should get accident stats at these intersections to compare AFTER cameras were installed. More rear end collisions I bet. That would effectively kill the 'safety' claim. Not impressed with the city officials management of taxpayer money and agendas they force feed.
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