If you like cold snowy days, skiing, snowshoeing, and general outdoor fun in the winter (and year-round, really), New Hampshire is one of the best places to be on the east coast. If you’re a police officer here, however, things are getting a little bit irritating. SB 556, New Hampshire’s “bail reform” bill, has suspects going free, the governor getting upset, and local police voicing displeasure with the state of things.
What’s Going on Here?
Perhaps no specific incident illustrates this better than a recent occurrence, wherein a Bartlett man accused of dragging a woman with his pickup truck was then later arrested a second time for allegedly hiding in her closet…presumably stalking her. I don’t know about you, but if someone is hiding in my closet – after already being arrested – I figure he’s waiting for his day in court in the local jail, right?
How about “nope”? Turns out, that guy was let free. Released on his own recognizance, it turns out. WHAT? So now, as you enjoy the fresh snow and the outdoor activities it promotes, you’ll also have to be cognizant of “closet hiders” who are looking to, potentially, drag you behind their pickup trucks. As with recent face-shooting incidents in New Jersey, this leaves me thinking Vermont may be a better option for my winter fun this year (and in the future, until something is done about this).
Live Free or Die
New Hampshire has a rich history of rugged individualism and a libertarian streak a mile wide. But this may be taking it a little too far – I know some folks from New Hampshire, and I’m pretty sure their notion of “Live Free or Die” doesn’t extend to blights on society like Scott Murtagh (the truck dragging man…allegedly). Murtagh’s court date is tomorrow, so it should be interesting to see how this thing goes!
Governor Sununu called Murtagh’s release “unacceptable.” You think?