Maine trooper raid charity poker game, seize $500

[KBCraig]

http://www.wmtw.com/news/19607069/detail.html

Charity Poker Game Raided By Police
Money Seized At Event

POSTED: 9:40 pm EDT May 29, 2009
UPDATED: 10:02 pm EDT May 29, 2009

BUXTON, Maine -- Buxton police raided a building where people were trying to raise money to give free food to the needy.

It happened at the Narragansett Pythian Sisters Temple on Route 22 where people were playing the card game Texas Hold'em to benefit the Buxton Community Food Co-op.

But state police said the game was illegal.

That's because whenever a gambling tournament is held to raise money for a group and takes place at its headquarters, a permit is needed and the co-op didn't have one.

So, state police seized cards, poker chips and $500 in cash -- money the food co-op desperately needed.

A member of the co-op, Joann Groder, said she is very, very sad about what happened.

"We've had a lot of people who come here -- people who are out of work, people who have cancer. We have a lot of people," said Groder.

But state police are standing by what was done.

"In this particular case they weren't licensed, and they knew they weren't and they knew they needed one," said Lt. David Bowler of the Maine State Police.

The money from the co-op's card game is currently being held as evidence while the investigation continues.

Groder now plans to hold a pot roast dinner to raise money for the co-op.

[thinkliberty]

The email address of the chief of police there is:

pdchief@town.buxton.me.us

If you want to send them an email like me asking them if the cops in his town are against feeding poor people or just against people trying to have fun feeding the poor.

I asked them to replace the 500 dollars they stole, so hungry kids could have food.

People don't want to have the money they are donating to buy food for poor people wasted on government permits.

[Sam A. Robrin]

Maybe the poor people should eat just a few bad apples . . .

[Kat Kanning]

Apparently the police are more needy than the poor.

[littlehawk]

The nazi boys in blue, working hard, risking their lives to to keep us safe.

[Sam A. Robrin]

Apparently the police are more needy than the poor.

Ethically, anyway . . .

[KBCraig]

http://www.theagitator.com/2009/05/30/well-done-2/

Agitator Readers +1
Saturday, May 30th, 2009
Earlier today, I linked to a story about a charity poker game in Maine raided by the state police. The police seized $500 that would have otherwise gone toward stocking a food co-op.

Here's part of an email from an Agitator reader who wishes to remain anonymous:
I went to the TV station's web-site and viewed the video report. How ridiculous have our federal and local government agencies become?

Well long story short, I called Mrs. Groder and let her know I am going to mail her a $500.00 check on Monday. I also called the TV station to tell them my intentions. I'm not looking for any PR out of this donation . . . I just want them to know at least someone cares a little bit about freedom and liberty.. and that both go hand in hand with volunteer charity.

Private solutions work. 

[Pat McCotter]

The license fee is $200. The law does allow the organization to increase the entrance fee to recoup that $200. That really helps a charity raise money.

[Sam A. Robrin]

We'll soon be told that "Everything was done by the book"--Well, if that's "the book," it's overdue for a revised edition!

[thinkliberty]

The license fee is $200. The law does allow the organization to increase the entrance fee to recoup that $200. That really helps a charity raise money.

200 dollars buys a lot of food.

[thinkliberty]

I got a reply from my email to the police.

Good Afternoon,
Thank you for your comments.  I would like to set the record straight.  This raid was conducted by the Maine State Police.  Our Police Department had no knowledge that this raid was going to occur.  Please direct your comments to Sgt. William Gomane, Non-Profit Gaming Licenses, at Bill.Gomane@maine.gov.  Thank you again.

[Pat McCotter]

I didn't do it! It's not my fault! You can't blame me!

[thinkliberty]

Here is what I emailed Bill.Gomane@maine.gov, If you want to send something similar:


Are the cops in your state against feeding poor people or just against
people trying to have fun feeding the poor?

Please give back the 500 dollars your officers stole, so hungry kids
can have food.

People don't want to have the money they are donating to buy food for
poor people wasted on government permits. Two hundred dollars can buy
a lot of food!

You can call it the law, but we both know you are racketeering:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeering

A racket is an illegal business, usually run as part of organized
crime. Engaging in a racket is called racketeering.
Several forms of racket exist. The best-known is the protection
racket, in which criminals demand money from businesses in exchange
for the service of "protection" against crimes that the racketeers
themselves instigate if unpaid (see extortion).

It's a sad day when the police become the mafia.

Have a heart: Return the poor people's food money