PROVO — Provo police who arrested two men Saturday at an outdoor vegetarian barbecue say they are being unfairly painted as heavy-handed fun-busters.
But young people at the event, which was held by a political group called "Food Not Bombs," claim the officers used excessive and unnecessary force.
They say police entered the house where the party was held without permission and prodded people with telescoping wands.
There were about 75 people listening to bands and eating at 640 N. University Ave. when police showed up at about 5 p.m. The party had started at 1 p.m.
Provo Police Capt. Keith Teuscher says there was no intent to break up the party and the incident was touched off when kids reacted to an officer who started ticketing cars parked illegally around the home.
"He started writing tickets, and that's when the kids came out and started yelling at him," Teuscher said.
"But the officer was alone and suddenly had 50 to 60 people surrounding him yelling obscenities and things like 'Nazi fascist,' " Teuscher said. "Traffic began stopping to see what was going on, and so now there's a problem."
Utah County sheriff's deputies and officers from Brigham Young University responded as backup and tried to quell the rising emotions, Teuscher said.
Officers arrested Danny Hansen, 19, of Salt Lake City, and Tariq Khan, 20, of Provo.
Hansen was cited for disorderly conduct and interfering with an arrest. Khan allegedly tried to stop police from confiscating photographs taken by a photographer and was arrested and charged with rioting and interfering with an arrest.
Both were booked into the Utah County Jail and later released on bail raised by their friends.
Teuscher said the photographer was flashing his camera in the officer's faces and told to stop. He was also told the film may be needed at a later date.
Teuscher said there was never any attempt made to take the film or the camera.
Caleb Proulx, a member of the group and a freelance photographer who attends BYU, took the photos.
He said he did not use a flash and never came within 10 feet of the officer. He said he was told to stop or the film would be taken.
"I said, 'I don't think you can do that,' " Proulx said. "The officer said, 'I'll confiscate it as evidence. I'll take what I want.' "
Proulx said officers were rude to the people at the event. He believes the officers reacted harshly because the people at the party did not fit the "BYU norm."
Some were smoking and looked "punk," Proulx said.
Only about 10 of the people at the event attend the LDS Church-owned university.
Proulx stressed that drugs and alcohol were not in use at the party and no one was doing anything illegal when police arrived.
The organizer of the party may be charged with rioting, said Provo City Attorney Rick Romney. Police say she tried to incite the crowd into violence against the police as they tried to calm things down.
"We're being portrayed as the bad guys here," Teuscher said, "when the party itself had nothing to do with what happened."
Proulx said the rights of the people at the party were violated, and they may file a lawsuit.
E-MAIL: haddoc@desnews.com