July 26, 2006

Director Larry Trent
Illinois State Police

Dear Director Trent:

On July 20, 2006, while walking on public property, I was stopped by a state police officer and an FBI agent. Other state police officers soon joined them, and I was questioned about a supposed plan to release rodeo animals. You are likely aware of this matter, given the press coverage and the fact that some of your people attended and videotaped a press conference I was involved in the following day.

The officers stated that they had "intel" that we were planning to release rodeo stock. Since there is absolutely no basis for that accusation of me and/or my organization by the Illinois State Police, I want the person(s) responsible for making this false claim to be prosecuted. I believe that such malfeasance is a crime under Illinois law.

Please let me know via E-mail if there is a formal procedure to follow to pursue this matter.

Also, Captain Wolf gave me two phone numbers to call in case of any problems at the high school rodeo finals. Yesterday, during the fourth performance at approximately 8:20 p.m., I had occasion to call one of the numbers when I was approached by a rodeo person who pushed me in the shoulder and demanded that I cease videotaping unless I had a press pass. Neither I, nor the dozens of other people videotaping in the stands had such a pass. I called 217-786-7100 because it is my understanding that those calls are recorded. The woman who answered assured me that someone would be sent out right away.

Two hours later the rodeo was over and no state police had showed up. The person who pushed me was persuaded by another wiser rodeo person to leave the area. I just need to know if we should count on the state police, or if we are left to our own devices. Please advise via E-mail within the next 24 hours.

Sincerely,

Steve Hindi, President
Showing Animals Respect and Kindness

August 1, 2006

Director Larry Trent
Illinois State Police

Director Trent:

On July 20, 2006, while walking on public property, I was stopped by a state police officer and an FBI agent. Other state police officers soon joined them, and I was questioned about a supposed plan to release rodeo animals. You are likely aware of this matter, given the press coverage and the fact that some of your people attended and videotaped a press conference I was involved in the following day. The officers stated that they had "intel" that we were planning to release rodeo stock. Since there is absolutely no legitimate basis for that absurd accusation of me and/or my organization by the Illinois State Police, I want the person(s) responsible for making this false claim to be prosecuted. I believe that such malfeasance is a crime under Illinois law.

Please let me know via E-mail if there is a formal procedure to follow to pursue this matter.

Also, Captain Wolf gave me two phone numbers to call in case of any problems at the high school rodeo finals. During the fourth performance at approximately 8:20 p.m., I had occasion to call one of the numbers when I was approached by a rodeo person who pushed me in the shoulder and demanded that I cease videotaping unless I had a press pass. Neither I, nor the dozens of other people videotaping in the stands had such a pass. I called 217-786-7100 because it is my understanding that those calls are recorded. The woman who answered assured me that someone would be sent out right away.

Two hours later the rodeo was over and no state police had showed up. The person who pushed me was persuaded by another wiser rodeo person to leave the area. In my original E-mail I requested that you get back to me within 24 hours, to avoid more confrontations. You failed to get back to me at all. I would like a full explanation of this incident. I am also requesting a copy of the call placed to the state police by me on the night in question.

On July 29, during the morning rodeo performance, SHARK camera person Janet Enoch was harassed by another woman at the rodeo. This harassment included verbal abuse, and the other woman intentionally poured water down an embankment where she sat directly behind Ms. Enoch, who was sitting on the ground, to get her wet.

I again called the state police and to my surprise an officer (C. C. Frick, Badge # 3694) actually showed up. After listening to Ms. Enoch and then speaking to the other woman, Officer Frick did nothing. When Ms. Enoch requested a police report be written up, Officer Frick refused. He stated that he felt this was simply a "difference of opinion," and he would not write a report for that. Officer Frick stated that it was a free country, and people had a right to say what they want. I find this position to be interesting given the special protest area that limited where potential protesters could exercise free speech at the rodeo. He also suggested that Ms. Enoch "move somewhere else" an outrageously inappropriate suggestion.

Ms. Enoch did not initiate any conversation with the woman. The woman was the aggressor. She harassed Ms. Enoch both verbally and with her water trick. Ms. Enoch paid to be at the rodeo. She had as much right to be there as anyone else, and was in fact on the site prior to the aggressor. We absolutely expect a police report to be filed by Officer Frick, and are requesting that charges be filed against the woman.

The next issue is your shockingly unprofessional behavior in failing to respond to legitimate issues raised in my E-mails of last week. Thinking that perhaps I was sending to the wrong E-mail address, my assistant called your office to confirm that director@isp.state.il.us is indeed the correct address. It appears that there was a calculated plan by the state police to intimidate and harass SHARK volunteers, and to ignore their further harassment by rodeo supporters. Now I wish to also file a formal complaint against your Department, and against you.

I continue to look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Steve Hindi, President
Showing Animals Respect and Kindness