Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Bail Bonds Agency Arrests Journalist

DropZone is a multi function business in Anchorage Alaska that offers bail enforcement services. Their private security firm handcuffed and detained a journalist at a local town hall meeting.

William Fulton, head of DropZone, said his firm handles VIP and concert security, bail bond enforcement, and the occasional domestic abuse case as well. Fulton noted that they were hired for the Republican Senate nominee's, Joe Miller, town hall at Central Middle School in Anchorage because the school district requires security for private events.

Tony Hopfinger, the founder and editor of online news site the Alaska Dispatch, was handcuffed and detained by DropZone yesterday after repeatedly trying to question and videotape Miller.

Lt. Dave Parker, Public Information Officer for the Anchorage PD, told TPM that under Alaska law, non-law enforcement can conduct "private persons arrest, which is commonly called a citizens arrest," when they witness a crime being committed. This, he said, is what happened at Miller's event.