Highland Park, Dallas is the 40th wealthiest city in the United States, and the third wealthiest place (per capita) in all of Texas. It was developed by landscaper Wilbur David Cook in 1907 as, a refuge from an increasingly diverse city.
Anyone who has driven through South Dallas in the dead of summer understands that impulse. At its worst, the Metroplex is a sunblasted urban wasteland of dilapidated housing, cracked sidewalks and pothole-riddled streets. It is the 13th most-polluted city in the nation.
The Trinity River is basically poison, which may have something to do with the fact that mother's milk from women in this state has 75 times the average amount of toxic fire retardants found in European studies. We can't blame the super-rich people in Highland Park for wanting to live here. The streets are clean and quiet, tree cover ensures ample shade from the sun while strict ordinances and well-funded police keep the streets clear of miscreants.
One such ne'er-do-well, a political canvasser named Kevin Vilbig, was arrested in July for a violation of Highland Park's "Solicitation Ordinance".
After a few years, these toxic chemicals seep out of our dumps and into the already strained water supply, which means that we end up putting all this ooky junk back in our bodies.
It was 1:30 PM, a hot Saturday afternoon in July, when Mr. Vilbig piqued the interest of a Highland Park public safety officer. Kevin had been knocking on doors for around an hour, talking to twenty or so people and convincing three of them to become members. "It was probably one of my best hours ever," Mr. Vilbig says. Kevin had just finished knocking on the door to an empty house when the officer beckoned him over.
He asked Mr. Vilbig several questions about his purpose in the neighborhood and then produced a digital camera and asked to take a photo. Mr. Vilbig refused, at which point he was arrested and taken to Highland Park Jail. At no point was he read his Miranda Rights.
The local authorities claim that Article 4.04 of the Highland Park Code of Ordinances justified their behaviour. This "Solicitation Ordinance" bans travelling salesmen and their ilk from bugging local residents. Mr. Vilbig wasn't selling anything, but he was accepting charitable donations on behalf of TC.
As he sees it, the money is incidental to the message. "I am a political organiser. My goal is to organise that community on this issue and get that legislation passed," he added, "Donations and letters are equally important."
Texas Campaign for the Environment has already gone to court twice over this issue, once for the requisite hearing and again for the pre-trial hearing. The next court date is set for November 9. And if that doesn't resolve things? Jeff Jacobi, canvas director for the Dallas Office of TCE, gives one possibility: "We may very well pursue a different action that challenges the constitutionality of the Highland Park ordinance under which Kevin was cited." I took to the streets of Highland Park to get an idea of what the locals thought about this issue. For the most part, the answer to that was "as little as possible".
I canvassed the entire block Mr. Vilbig was arrested on, netting 14 very short interviews. Only two of the people I talked to had any awareness of the arrest. One of them was very much on the side of her town, while the other didn't seem to think it mattered.
One woman told me she felt the canvassers were invading her privacy. She felt the application of the solicitation laws was just, because "they are trying to sell us their ideas". Another stated that activists would be better served by buying time in a television spot, vastly over-rating either the viewer-ship of local cable channels or the financial backing of most environmentalists.
I didn't run into any TCE supporters that day, but they do exist - Mr. Jacobi informs me that 632 residents have signed petitions at the group's behest. Those folks will be glad to hear that Mr. Vilbig doesn't blame them for his arrest, "I think I was arrested because a cop wanted to take my picture and so he used all of the force at his disposal to get my picture taken. My fingerprints were not taken, just my mug shot." Which isn't to say that partisan politics played no part in the arrest.
"I have no doubt that if I was a young Republican, he would have said 'Thank you, have a nice day" and let me go," Kevin adds.
Mr. Jacobi took a somewhat broader view of the whole issue, "I think Kevin was arrested because he knows his rights and his rights were violated and he took a stand. I'm talking about the officer trying to take his photo, I'm talking about the officer infringing on his right to freedom of speech, and I'm talking about the ordinance and its unconstitutional limitation of that speech."
Most communities have laws against solicitation without a license.
Freedom of speech also means freedom from speech, in other words, you should not be forced to listen to someone just because they feel you should. Being harassed at home is akin to being tied up and forced to listen.
Only reason this eco-nazi group is targeting Highland Park is for the money. It has nothing to do with environmental protection and community organizing.
I have had someone from this group or a similar group come by my house about 5-7 times over the last two-three years and never once have I been asked for a letter and never once have they not asked for donations at least twice in the conversation. Just be honest, you are looking for A. Donations B. People to sign up including emails so you can send out more requests for donations and wayyyyy down on the list is C. "My goal is to organise that community on this issue and get that legislation passed."
First, It should be noted that Mr. Vilbig has a history of problems with law enforcement officials. Please Google his name and read what he was involved in, within the state of Indiana.
Mr. Vilbig lead officials on a high speed chase through several jurisdictions. Vilbig had his tires spiked, a police dog attack, and tasered before, he could be taken into custody.
The events that led to Vilbig's arrest, in HP, were his own doing.
This post indicates that Vilbig, "piqued the interest of an Officer". This is not correct. Vilbig's contacts with residents, prompted more than one call, claiming that Vilbig was soliciting. When Vilbig was finally located by an officer, he was watched.
Vilbig was seen leaving a house, possibly vacant, and proceed to another. He was then observed at another, and was quickly turned away.
When vilbig was questioned, he admitted that he was trying to raise money, for his employer. The resident stated that the first words he spoke were, he was trying to raise money.
Vilbig never stated to the officer that he was working on behalf of a non profit company. Vilbig never offered any explaination of any kind. Vilbig was offered many chances to explain his actions, and refused. Furthermore, Vilbig was offered a chance to cease his actions, and provide identifying information, to document that he had been informed of the town ordinance, at which time he refused.
As for Vilbig claiming that he had already signed three members in the community? You should check his arrest paperwork. He had no money, no checks, and nothing to indicate he had been successful at all. He even signed his property sheet, agreeing to this fact.
"Piqued the police"? Wrong. Police were called.
"Asked several Questions"? Hell yes that is what police do.
"Not read Miranda, or Fingerprinted"? His prints are already on file. He was previously charged with a felony. No more prints are needed. Miranda is not a legal requirement for this type of offense. Ask your lawyer
" The officer was a republican" Very far from fact. He voted for Obama. He will admit it. Although, he is having second thoughts about his decision.
Please understand. Highland Park is not anti-Solicitation. Had Vilbig's Organization contacted the Town, They would have been able to show, that they were a legit company, and would have been informed that they were exempt from any types of fees. The employees would have been issued a badge, indicating that they had done so.
This shows the residents that this company has been endorsed by the Town, and greatly increases any contributions beyond inmagination.
HP officials encourage residents not to respond to unwanted solictors, and report them to police.
This orginazation does do a lot of good for the environment. They are very much welcomed in this community. They are just asked to comply with the rules.
It might be worth noting, that Vilbig was not the only person soliciting for this company. Others were contacted, and complied with officers' requests to contact the town, for soliciting permits. None of which, wanted to contact the town, but chose to cease activities and move on.
One might believe this indicates that the solicitors' sole purpose was to ask for money. Anyone that believes that they were trying to speak to people about the enviornment, should re-think this. Vilbig was the only exception.
There were hearings about this. There were attempts to contest the Town's ordinance. Attorneys for HP prooved that the ordinance was just, and the Judge agreed. The final trial concering Vilbig's arrest was cancelled per Vilbig's request.
Get your facts straight. Contact the officer involved, I think you will be impressed.
Many would believe that this company could be more successful without people like Mr. Vilbig.
Highland Park is great and we citzens will support the police beyond anyone's imagination