Community Corner
East Haven Police: Father's School Security Comment 'Not Protected Speech' [DOC]
According to the incident report — attached to this post — police state one specific Facebook comment made by Angelo Appi Jr: "Maybe I have to walk in with Toy guns just to prove a point!" created a large amount of concern for JMMS staff, parents.
On October 22, 2013, Angelo Appi (DOB 1-3-1967) turned himself into the East Haven Police Department on an arrest warrant charging him with Breach of Peace in the Second Degree.
The arrest warrant originated from an incident that took place the previous day in which Appi allegedly posted on Facebook the following message “Maybe I have to walk in with Toy guns just to prove a point!”
The comments were regarding Joseph Melillo Middle School in which Appi has previously pointed out what he believes are lapses in security at the school.
The Facebook posting prompted over fifty calls to the middle school from parents concerned about the message.
Find out what's happening in East Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to the Principal at Joseph Melillo Middle School, more than double the number of students called out of school the day following the incident than those that call out on a typical day.
While Mr. Appi stated that he believes it is his First Amendment right to free speech to comment, the right to free speech is not absolute as indicated by U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
Find out what's happening in East Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The comment made by Mr. Appi is not protected speech and is akin to yelling “fire” in a crowded theater or “bomb” in an airport when no such threat exits. Mr. Appi’s comments caused alarm and concern for a significant number of parents whose children attend Joseph Melillo Middle School.
Mr. Appi has a court date of October 30, 2013 at New Haven Superior Court.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
