If you just claim that it’s “for the children,” our new Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner (an import from Maryland) seems to argue that theft is okay – especially if you’re stealing from those who criticize you in your official role as a public servant.
Marcus Brown is facing opposition for appearing in uniform that creates the perception he graduated from the state police academy, which he did not. When a critic had signs printed pointing out that he shouldn’t wear such things that he did not earn and legally placed them on a public area, Brown apparently decided to steal them in the name of “[his] children” since their bus stop is nearby.
Now, stealing someone else’s signs from a public area is a crime. You’d think that means Brown would be apologetic for getting caught on video committing this crime, but he’s standing by his theft proudly – behind the back of the spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police.
I’ll be honest, if I lived out there, I’d be very tempted to have signs made up that say “Marcus Brown Stop Stealing Signs,” “Marcus Brown Stop Trying to Silence Critics,” and “Marcus Brown The First Amendment Applies in Pennsylvania, Too” and plaster them all over public areas to the degree allowed by law. There wouldn’t be a corner he could turn where he wouldn’t be reminded that Pennsylvanians value their freedom of speech and ability to speak their mind on what public officials are doing with their office.
Funny enough, the video that captures him stealing the signs in the name of “safety” for his children shows him leaving up non-critical signs in the same spot. It’s pretty clear he’s abusing the right of those who disagree with him and there is no safety issue involved. The video makes it appear that he singled out their message to be silenced based on the content critical of him and he now admits to taking the sign. Perhaps his stationary order got mixed up and he thought that being in charge of the Pennsylvania State Police was being charged with overseeing the Police State of Pennsylvania.
I don’t blame the active and retired PSP guys who are having issues with him wearing the uniform. As a Navy vet it would be like the Secretary of the Navy wearing camo around if they never enlisted themselves. You either earn the right to wear the uniform or you don’t.
Since Brown was such a lackey for an anti-gun governor (and you could probably make a pretty strong case he actually believes it too) this kind of controversy so soon into his role, and to a lesser extent Wolf’s term as governor, is music to my ears.
It’s getting more attention in the media and they actually called the Governor’s office asking whether they would ask him to step down if he’s charged with the theft. Wolf’s office is refusing to comment or address the theft at all.
Wolf is probably hoping the whole thing just blows over. Didn’t his press office issue a statement on behalf of Brown? If you needed any proof the office commissioner has become nothing but a puppet these days it’s right there.
Unfortunately I don’t see the township PD going after Brown for the theft. My only hope is that with a tarnished image any kind of anti-gun guidance Wolf passes down to him quickly vanishes when the rank-and-file refuse to carry it out.
I haven’t seen a statement by Wolf’s office on this. Brown made his staff at the PSP to issue a statement defending his actions, though.
It’s interesting since Brown has to be confirmed to be formally placed in the role since he’s only the “acting commissioner” right now. His confirmation hearings are coming this spring, and I suspect that this theft will play a role in that.