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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Iraq War protestors—at times waving to passing motorists—along Indian Hill Boulevard have become a common site for the last several years. This year, the Claremont Police Department has started issuing traffic citations to honking drivers for “unlawful use of horn.” |
Police try to silence protest supporters
Protesting the Iraq war might just earn one a ticket from the Claremont Police Department. For the first time in 5 years, the department has decided to target motorists who honk their car horns “excessively” when passing by anti-war vigils.
Last Friday, at least 3 Claremont police officers ticketed motorists who honked their horns to show support for Iraq war protesters. Claremont Police Capt. Gary Jenkins said between 4 and 6 tickets were handed out that afternoon. According to one motorist, the infraction cited on the tickets was “unlawful use of horn.”
The law states that honking should only be used to notify others of pending danger or for the safe operation of a vehicle, Capt. Jenkins said. On Friday afternoon, a resident complained that excessive honking was distracting drivers and students attempting to cross the street, he said. The police responded by citing motorists that honked several times as they passed or held down their horns for long periods of time.
For nearly 5 years, protesters have gathered every Friday afternoon at the corners of Indian Hill and Foothill boulevards or further south at Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway. Many motorists passing by the weekly rally honk their car horns to show their support of the protesters. As dissatisfaction with the war has increased, so has the honking.
Some protesters are not happy about police targeting their supporters and plan to fight back.
Jim Lamb, a leading organizer of the protests, said he has planned a meeting with the city manager and police officials to discuss the new policy. Aside from feeling unfairly targeted, Mr. Lamb complained about pedestrian safety as police officers drove recklessly when maneuvering to chase down violators, including making left turns from the right lane and illegal u-turns.
Claremont resident Steve Patton received a ticket after being pulled over while driving through the intersection at Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway. He said he honked several times in short succession along with at least two other motorists at the same time.
Mr. Patton was told that he was honking “excessively” and that honking should only be used if under immediate danger or threat. When asked what the immediate threat was, he responded, “the Iraq war.”
“Using a peace vigil as an opportunity to catch excessive honkers is a new low for Claremont peace keepers and the Claremont Police Department,” Mr. Patton said. “Such tactics make me wonder whether their motivation is in keeping the peace or meeting a quota. To me, the use of our tax money is better spent.”
Police department officials deny that the department has a quota system for handing out tickets or that targeting anti-war protesters has any political motivation.
Duane Welsch also received a ticket for excessive honking. She was told that complaints had increased about the noise and that honking posed a safety hazard for students wanting to cross the street.
“It wasn’t apparent that there was a safety hazard,” Ms. Welsch said. “It just seems ridiculous to me.”
Those who were cited hope to work out an agreement with city officials to get the tickets rescinded. If no agreement is reached, they plan to fight the tickets in court because they believe that the citations violate their freedom of speech or were unclear on defining the terms of “excessive honking.”
Mayor Peter Yao said his initial reaction was that the police department’s actions were “overblown” in targeting honking motorists. Although he said he wanted to discuss the issue further with city staff, Mayor Yao said: “This just didn’t seem like the proper thing to do. Maybe we would be better off to give people a warning first.”
For now, the Claremont Police Department plans to continue to cite violators if they feel safety is at risk.
“Although it’s technically a violation, in the past we have overlooked honking that acknowledges the protesters,” Capt. Jenkins said. “But if it reaches a point when it’s excessive and is an obvious risk to other motorists, we will continue [to give citations].”
— Tony Krickl
