March 17, 2011
Candidate Detained by Manteno Police at Public Meeting
Manteno, Illinois…..Manteno Police Department held a Senior Citizen Monthly Safety Meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Presentations were made by Lois Meyer, Tax Assessor and Scott O’Brien, Manteno’s Fire Chief. Many citizens were in attendance including Wendell Phillips and Cynthia Deery, candidates for Village Trustee.
Chief O’Brien announced a break to get coffee and donuts. Mrs. Deery said, “I introduced myself to the Chief and I went to get a cup of coffee. As I spoke to a resident, Sgt. Cushman of the Manteno Police Department interrupted and insisted I follow him. After we reached the front doors he told me I was not permitted to be here because I was not 65 or older. Sgt. Cushman said the seniors are “fragile” and needed “to be controlled” and that I needed to leave!” Deery responded, “This is a public meeting in a public building paid with tax dollars and I’m not leaving unless you plan on arresting me.” Lt. Whalen of the Manteno Police Department was called and Deery was taken into an unoccupied locked room. As the meeting continued she was detained and questioned for 20 minutes.
While this event is unfortunate it is not an uncommon practice according to many that live or work in Manteno. “Candidates or Trustees who represent the citizens should be involved in the community, not taken into custody. Candidates or Trustees should be able to seek out information that is given to our citizens and not be shielded from it” states Deery. Mrs. Deery tried to file a complaint with the Chief of Police regarding this matter that same day only to find that he had left for a week’s vacation moments earlier. Mrs. Deery states, “It’s a sad day when a resident goes to a public meeting and is intimidated by people who are sworn to protect and serve the community!”