Hate crime in Chatham, (Cape Cod) MA (attorney, law school)

[Dugy00]

I was born overseas, schooled in USA & military in USA. I returned to Chatham, MA in the 70's to be near my folks who had retired there and to readjust to life in general as I had just returned from Vietnam as a disabled vet. As you know in those days the public wasn't accepting the returning vets so gleefully as I found out quick enough. One and subsequent nights, individuals dressed in police uniforms, would pick me up, stuff me in their police vehicle, forceably drive me off Cape, drop me off in the middle of nowhere, and I'd have to find my way back. Total silence during the car trip had me wondering...are these guys gonna kill me? What is going on?? Who are these cops?? This happened a few times, I became disoriented but never took steps to sue or otherwise complain. I felt as if I was alone in a strange town. Being forced out of town, without explanation and when I asked what I had done, I was told to "Shut up". I am very vulnerable now for what has happened and I will never forgive the town of Chatham for their behavior. I believe it was a grudge and the uniformed man in police clothing and he and his "gang" got together and picked on me. Is it a hate crime? Is it unlawful usage of a govt vehicle, unlawful usage for govt time? Was it a hostage predicament? Was it kidnapping?? All these questions remain unanswered to me. As a naturalized citizen, I feel I was taken advantage of and my civil rights were attacked. This was unlawful behavior of those involved. Was it the police? Or was it a gang of guys dressed as police officers & somehow got use of a police car? How is it they drove the patrol car to the station where after getting out of the vehicle I was surrounded by the police dressed individuals and harrased? A city where my parents chose to retire! A city where upper class people live. Is this allowed to continue?? Will these hate crimes ever cease? What can I do to gain peace of mind? This happened in the 70's! Is it still going on? Well, hate has no age... just be very careful who your friends are and how is one to know this old girl of yours won't marry a very jealous policeman who I heard was fired off the force for having the siren on cause he wanted to go for lunch among other things.....

[RichCapeCod]

This has got to be the strangest posting I have ever seen on this forum.

[Dugy00]

yes perhaps it is the strangest post but it's true. Then you post at another site, to IGNORE this post? This is a free forum for anyone to read- you needn't tell everyone "IGNORE". The whole point of posting it was to have everyone READ it and here you go telling everyone to ignore it.. Then what's the point of posting it? Yes, it is strange but true. I suppose you don't believe it? Well I really don't care if you do or don't. The fact is, it's out in print & maybe the guys involved will see it and know something is being done. I frequent Chatham, I've talked an earlier police chief about this, I've contacted the Attorney Generals office and other sources, State troopers for one, and so you're post of ignorance is not in the least understandable. Of course I haven't contacted you or your Cape Cod Police force as apparently if you WERE the ones involved you would conveniently shelf this case. Apparently you are taking sides, that is my personal opinion. And you are the wrong side. Instead of doing your job of protecting the innocent, the victim, you are worsening the problem with your telling everyone to ignore what they read? Freedom of the press! Freedome of speech! Your way to solve this henious crime is to say "ignore"? I do believe in law enforcement but not the way you are handling Where's your sense of loyalty to the citizen? Nowhere that I can see. Thanks for nothing.

[badluck]

Please keep us updated Dugy...I am interested in seeing where this goes.

[UrbanQuest]

Sounds like you might need a therapist to help you get through this my friend. In all honesty (I harbor no ill will) you need to get past this, don't let it rule you.

[BillyPilgrim]

Really? I would contact the Federal authorities. S/he should not have to just "get over it."

[Dugy00]

Well when I enter Chatham, I am not approached like this anymore, but they (the cops) do always seem to be around / outside whenever I step outside (especially the Town Squire) or am downtown. Perhaps I should bring this up to the town Selectmen?
ie .....police harrasment? I have a lead as to at least one of the guys, though he (they) are no longer a policeman. I'm thinking of facing him head on.... but I'd rather see the real law bring him down! I think they should have an internal affairs investigation, have the whole city complain against any abuse by them in the past... and then the citizens of Chatham will feel better protected against villians such as these posing as cops.

[Mojo Riley]

I think you might want to go talk to your local legal aid office. I did go to law school, but I am not a practicing attorney, so none of what I say should be construed as legal advice. It is *possible* that what the police did was kidnapping and/or false arrest. It was almost certainly false imprisonment (a tort). But seeing as this happened in the 70's it's possible that the statute of limitations has expired, and if so, you have no legal recourse. But, as I said, you really need to talk to legal aid in your area. They are extremely busy in most cities, and I can't promise that they'll have a lot of time to devote to you, but it might make you feel more proactive if you give it a shot.

At the risk of offending you, I agree with the poster that suggested speaking to a therapist. I know our veterans went through hell in this country after Vietnam, and for that I'm truly, deeply sorry. The right counselor might help you come to terms with some of the nastiness that you encountered.

Anyway, I wish you well, and I hope it all works out for you.

[Dugy00]

Well, thanks all for your positive reactions. I'm trying to delete the post now... time has passed.. though I haven't forgotten my attackers, I guess searching for them has become my latest goal. If anyone knows how I can delete posts I placed here, pls post h ere so I can remove this post. Thanks! _