Associated Press
SALEM, Mass. — A Massachusetts man says police overreacted when they arrested him for disorderly conduct after he flew a motorized paraglider on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Salem police say they received several calls Tuesday from people concerned after seeing the contraption over the city.
Patrick Tarmey, of Peabody, says two officers approached him when he landed at a park and asked if he thought it was appropriate to be paragliding so close to courthouses and a power plant on the 9/11 anniversary.
The 25-year-old tells The Salem News he flies every day and it’s never been an issue, although he admits he argued with officers.
The charge was dismissed Wednesday after Tarmey agreed to pay $50 in court costs, although he still thinks his civil rights were violated.
Copyright 2012 Associated Press