Posted on Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
Ann Arbor police are aware of fight video on YouTube.com, but are not investigating
By Lee Higgins
At one point in the nearly three-minute long video, titled "Thursday night Throwdown in Ann Arbor, MI," a man pile-drives another man into the pavement and punches him repeatedly.
Sgt. Mike Lance said it appears the video was shot in the Fourth and William parking structure. However, officers did not receive any calls to the structure between 10 p.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. today, he said.
If somebody was injured, he said, "certainly we would encourage them to come forward."
Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Comments
genetracy
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
Well Fred, in order for a crime to be investigated, there must be a victim willing to prosecute. Did any of the so-called victims in the melee call police? Probably not. How about the witnesses who were watching and recording? Did they call 911? No, they were too busy running home to their computers to post it on Facebook and YouTube. Here's a scenerio for you. Say the cops saw this group of predominantly black males walk into a parking structure at 2:00 AM and went to investigate. They arrived before the fight started and sent the youth on their way. The next day, the same youth would be in the media complaining of "profiling" and "racial harrassment". I would be willing to bet you would be one of those citizens screaming for the officer's jobs and a federal investigation.
genetracy
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 12:46 a.m.
Boy Fred, Tickets for Disorderly Conduct? That's hitting hte, where it hurts. Future Chief Panther, "cops or victims have nothing to do with prosecution?" Really, if there is uncooperative victim who recants before trial, who is the state's main witness going to be come trial? You can't try a case with an uncooperative victim. Cops investigate and prepare a case file for the prosecutor who determines if there is enough evidence to file charges. The cops will be one of the state's main witnesses. Now, what if the two guys fighting in the tape said, "we weren't fighting, we were just playing"? Cops arrest them anyway and take the case to trial? The prosecutor would be laughed out of court. Maybe you shoulpd go back to your sociology textbooks.
panther richards
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 5:24 a.m.
In order for a crime to be investigated, there must be a victim willing to prosecute? That makes absolutely no sense. Does that mean that if a cop gets an anonymous tip that someone is being held against their will and/or beaten, they can only check it out if they first determine whether the victim will prosecute? The cops or victim don't have anything to do with prosecution anyhow. It's up to the DA to prosecute once the cop gives them the report of a crime. By the logic of your hypothetical scenario in paragraph 2, does this mean that cops have come to a consensus that crimes involving minorities shouldn't be investigated? Everyone has the right to complain about harassment or profiling all they want. It's not the cops decision to rule on that either way. In Ann Arbor, most people seem not to want this "element" around anyhow, and would laughably dismiss the complaints of those who feel they were victims of profiling.
Fred Zimmerman
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 4:11 a.m.
Well, Genetracy, you'd be betting wrong. Does there need to be a victim to give out a bunch of tickets for disorderly behavior?
panther richards
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Why is this news? The Ann Arbor police are lazy, ineffective, and dense. High school kids may fight daily, but I'm not sure what else is happening in A2 that requires so much attention. Too many robberies, assaults, and burglaries go unsolved in A2. They may occur relatively infrequently, but the police could put some hustle behind that muscle or try a bit harder.
genetracy
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
Why don't you apply for the job of Chief of Police?
Fred
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
The commenters, and the police, who are saying "what's the biggie?" are being stupid and immature. The reason grownups (and sober people) don't get in throwdown fights in parking structures is because one slip and it's a tragedy. Just because this turned out to be a "victimless" crime is no reason not to take it seriously. As for the police, at a minimum, poor grasp of public relations. In theory, the city cares about keeping its downtown safe for business. Obviously, in real life, they are too busy to get off their duffs and do anything about a crime that should be a slam dunk to prosecute.
genetracy
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
To calm Fred Zimmerman's nerves, I think Eric Holder and the Justice Department should come to A2 to investigate the fight. Heck, while they are here, they may as well take over the AAPD.
GoBlueHockey
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.
Go to love a reporter that looks for attention: what a provocative title "Police are aware ... but are not investigating." Are you trying to blame the AAPD with anything? This is a clear case that must start with a complaint. No complaint, no investigation, no wasted resources, case closed. AAPD can focus on important stuff. Stop trying to find news where they don't exist.
DBlaine
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
After reading these comments about a meaningless beat down, I'm glad we don't let annarbor.com commenters run the city. Alarmist. Knee-jerk. Non-sense. Thanks!
KJMClark
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
We care about panhandlers but don't care about fights in the parking structures at night? I think we'll just avoid going downtown at night this summer, thanks.
RJA
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 6:34 a.m.
Really? Who cares?
treetowncartel
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 3:10 a.m.
And just think, if all these people were ten years younger and going to public school their teachers could have their salaries adjust based on their decision to eiter accept or reject societal mores. I would love to be the hiring partner in an interview a few years down the road and bring this up on the computer during the interview.
DBH
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:30 a.m.
It looks like a bunch of testosterone-driven idiocy to me.
foxxo
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:16 a.m.
When you're done viewing this shameful display, click "dislike" on Youtube and "Flag" the video as inappropriate for "harmful, dangerous acts." The real crime here is not a bunch of drunken yahoos flailing at each other, but the unconscionable behavior of the people recording the fight and encouraging it.
KJMClark
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
If someone hadn't posted it, I would have assumed the parking structures were relatively safe at night. From my point of view, that's a public service. Sure the people involved were yahoos, but now I know to avoid downtown at night because it's getting violent.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 10:30 a.m.
except the people recording the fight and encouraging it were likely "drunken yahoos" as well.
KMHall
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
Wouldn't it be better for business if we, at least, claimed to be looking into it?
Fred Zimmerman
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
What is the Ann Arbor Police Department doing if it is not even aware of events like this when they are happening? this is a major breakdown of public safety. How do we know this isn't going to happen tomorrow in another parking structure?
DBlaine
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Yes, let's put a cop in each parking structure at night because they definitely don't have anywhere else to be. (Sarcasm.)
nowayjose
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:27 a.m.
Are you kidding? How are the police suppose to know this is going on if they don't receive a call? I'm sure you expect the 7 or 8 cops on for the whole city to be everywhere and all knowing.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
I'll just add park in an Ann Arbor parking structure to my list of things to avoid.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 10:28 a.m.
For 50 million bucks doesn't a valet park my car?
thorj97
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 10:11 a.m.
Not to mention any underground parking structures...
Matt Sims Jr
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ORIGINAL VIDEO GO CHECK IT OUT HERE... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YTFyccYbXw" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YTFyccYbXw</a> and like a previous person said... this was NOT the Fourth and William parking structure. The police DID show up, so I don't understand why the Police are acting as if they didn't know about it BEFORE the video was posted!!!???
mikael
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
You are right... The police DID show up and as far as the cashiers could tell, no arrests have been made. I live down the street and asked one of the cashiers who was there last night. The police were there shortly after 2 a.m. and left soon after.
Fred Zimmerman
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.
who says they showed up? i don't see it anywhere in the story or in the tape.
tom swift jr.
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.
Nice that annarbor.com has added a link to the video to increase the hits and encourage more folks to engage in this type of behavior... Really, annarbor.com, you want to give these folks a hand in this?
jcj
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.
Sgt. Mike Lance said If somebody was injured, he said, "certainly we would encourage them to come forward."
jcj
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
This was intended for Tom Joad.
mikael
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
This is actually the Maynard Structure. The one with the Police hub attached.
wlinsenbigler
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:03 p.m.
Ha-ha that is sweet. Better those thugs beat and rob each other rather than me. I think it was considerate of them to do it in a secluded spot so no innocents got hurt. If these hoodlums would all just quite doing the job half way and finish each other off all ready. All of these people are suspects to me, not a single one is a victim.
amberherself
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11 p.m.
I thought this was the lamest 'throwdown' ever until the guy got his back slammed onto the pavement. I seriously don't understand people that can partake in this kind of behaviour let alone cheer it on. I'm adding the Ann Arbor Police department to my cell phone so I can call this type of stuff in if I ever see it. Hopefully that guy is OK and learned his lesson.
nunya
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
The sad thing is that will all those cars and people nobody bothered to call the police. Clearly there is at least one person hurting but it looked to me like that person could be just as much an assailant as a victim. Without a victim's complaint, I do not think there is anything for the police and prosecutors to act on. A crime must have a victim. Either society or a person(s). An assault is not a crime against society. Inciting violence or creating a disturbance? Not sure a full investigation is warranted for that.
Fred Zimmerman
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
This is an extremely odd stance for a police department that consumes 50% of the city budget and is under threat of layoff. I happen to know that the police chief has been directly made aware of this event. I hope he overrules the stupid response of this underling.
genetracy
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Boy Fred, you are sure filled with self-importance. Would you be so upset if I told you the participants were from Ypsi?
genetracy
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
Maybe Eric Holder can come to A2 and investigate the fight.
DBlaine
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
Fred, Drunken brawls happen every week. There's nothing to "solve." Let the police do more important things.
nowayjose
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
No what would be stupid is going door to door asking if someone was involved in a YouTube fight. No suspect no victim no case.
Fred Zimmerman
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:29 p.m.
You're kidding me. This incident was one step away from a tragedy.
huh7891
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
Hmm yawn..Thugs & hooligans at their finest, where is the mace cloud when you need it.
Tom Joad
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.
Quite a melee. That guy who was slammed to the pavement; I'm surprised he wasn't killed...What's his condition? All the clowns surrounding the fighters cheering only exacerbated the situation
C. S. Gass
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
Yeah, make more work for our over worked PD? I think not. Just because someone put fist to face does not mean it has to be investigated like the Lindberg kidnapping. News flash for you Ann Arborites: There is and always will be violence in the world. You being a pacifist cannot change that and it does not mean that every incident of violence should be treated like a felony.
leaguebus
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.
I can see there are no security cams in the parking structures. It makes sense to wait till someone gets killed before thinking about that. As far as these people go, what happens if a tree falls in the forest and bla bla bla.
DBlaine
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
So who is going to watch the security cameras at 2 a.m.? Are you going to pay more for that -- or will you complain about that too? And what is a security camera going to do that 20 or 30 people watching, and filming the fight, did not do? And who is going to get killed? How does a stupid scrap by drunken people after the bars let out lead to somebody getting murdered in the parking garage?
mikael
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
What would the security cameras do that the patrons in the lot haven't already done?