A man, identified as Kevin Walsh from Chestertown, was arrested on Saturday morning during the town’s annual Christmas Parade. After he allegedly kicked the K-9 police dog, Chestertown police threw Walsh to the ground, cuffed him and escorted him away from Fountain Park. This occurred while he was dressed as the Frosty the Snowman in front of parade patrons.
Frosty has Meltdown at Holiday Parade
November 26, 2011 By 51 Comments
Hopefully there is a video,
humerous but sad …….pretty sure…. all though i was not present that there is two sides to this story…
Heaven help us, an unruly snowman has invaded Chestertown. Did he have any plastic grocery bags? Save the Armory boxer shorts? Why on earth was the K9 unit at the parade in the first place?
Let’s just be glad no one got pepper-sprayed.
I would rather the K9 unit be there and not needed, than be needed and not there.
Real classy behavior at a community event. Hoping that this gentleman can manage himself a bit better around the children of our area in the future, or at least recuse himself from putting on the Frosty outfit next year
There are two sides – always – but what do you think the odds are that a K9 was available this morning, in part, thanks to Frosty’s previous antics…?
There is a you tube video posted.
@ Bill Kille,
I gotta know. How would K 9 dogs be needed at a Christmas Parade?
I once saw news clips of people crossing a bridge and being chased by dogs…then fire hoses. K 9 units find lost children in remote areas.. K 9 units find drugs and explosives at airports.
What possible use could these cop pets be in a down town setting with children around?
Joe
The link no longer works… video was apparently pulled from YouTube.
I think the K-9 Team was in the parade, not “On Duty”
To whom it may concern,
The movie has been removed from youtube by the user. My request is to the USER who posted the movie. It is extremely important that the movie is reposted and stays online. It not only helps individuals become aware of the situation, it also provides clarity on what ACTUALLY HAPPENED during the event.
Current update: Kevin Walsh will be interviewed by Fox News in regards to the incident within the hour.
K-9 unit is generally at all events with crowds, as was the rest of the Chestertown PD, nothing unusual about their presence.
and lets be clear, the dog was exonerated of any wrong doing.
he was just there to support his friends in the SPCA float in the parade,
i hope someone that actually saw this go down can tell us how this shook down.
Perhaps the people of Chestertown will chip in and buy him a “Grinch” costume for next year’s parade.
Bill, there was already someone in a Grinch costume . . . who apparently avoided any scuffles with the Chestertown Police.
My wife and I stood next to the canine Officer and his dog while we waited at the corner of High Street and Spring Avenue for the parade to start. The dog was lying quietly next to the police cruiser and was motionless as several very small children came up and petted him.
Police-canine teams are highly trained and work as an inseparable unit. The dog lives with the officer and his (or her) family and the officer has the dog with him whenever he’s on duty — whether on patrol, where the team may may engage in drug detection work, or traffic duty, as they were on Saturday morning.
So the dog’s being at the Christmas Parade was just normal course of business
It is sad that there is no longer a facility (other than the emergency room or the jail) to help people in Kent County when it is obvious to so many that they need assistance. This photograph was printed in the Denver newspaper this weekend, and, of course, the people there will not know the individual or the circumstance but they will
remember the Town of Chestertown.
Police K-9′s are considered officers and that man should be charged for assaulting an officer.
K-9 Teams are vital to law enforcement and proudly serve their communities. They put their lives on the line for ALL of us. The officers share an amazing bond with their canine partners – they are part of their family and daily lives.
Jay
http://www.facebook.com/NK9WD
Lets all calm down the CPD K9 unit is at almost all town functions the K9 dog is a hit with the kids as he is calm and gentile. Walsh kicked at the dog for who knows what reason maybe in protest for his hatred of the police department or the mayor and council. Walsh has mental health issues and should never have been dressed up as a lovable Christmas character in a parade that is for the children. I am shocked that there are people in this town who take up for him every time he goes off. As for an interview on fox news give me a break give a nut a platform to rant and rave and that is what he will do.
Good thing they took away his super powers by knocking that magic silk hat off his head…
What did he have in that corn cob pipe?
I am a veterinarian in Chestertown and the CPD K9 is one of my patients. Fortunately for Chestertown they got a great dog, although just over 2 years old he Is sweet and gentle when he is around people and is very mindful of his handler. I have worked with many police dogs and this is by far one of the nicest. I don’t know what “Frosty’s” problem was with the dog but in my opinion (and I wasn’t there) that dog would have done nothing to provoke this attack.
Why was this video taken off YouTube?? Put it back up!!!
It was just sad that this happened at this festive event. I had my two granddaughters with me at the parade and we were standing in front of the Complete Bookseller where Frosty was wrestled to the ground. It was very upsetting for the children to see this. This is one Christmas parade that they will definitely not forget!! I just wish that Frosty could have been arrested at a more private place, but if attention he was seeking he achieved his goal.
Frosty The Snowman
Frosty the snowman was diggin the parade,
As events went down smile turned to frown
For at home he should have stayed.
The parade was something Frosty wished
to march in every year
But the wayward soul lost all control
and his mouth began to sneer.
Down on the sidewalk,
With bracelets on his hands,
His broomstick dropped
When the K9 cops said,
We’ll arrest you if we can.
Frosty the snowman grew warm inside his suit,
But it’s made of felt so he cannot melt
And all the charges he refutes
The parade went down
in Chestertown…
Did Frosty kick that dog?
The Snowman winced
‘Cause the handcuffs pinched
As he lay there like a log.
Yo, Frosty the Snowman
Was processed & released
He’ll be back next year
at least that’s the fear
And K9 presence will increase.
Thumpetty thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
The dog listened to his heart
Thumpetty thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump…
Could have torn Frosty apart.
I usually wonder why we are so protective of children, but in this Christmas season, Children believe for such a short time I hope parents can help “fib” about the behavior of Frosty. They might explain that it was too hot for Frosty this year and he forgot his manners. The police took him away to send him back to the North Pole to get better.
Another great lesson would be for kids afraid of dogs. Look how well that nice dog behaved, but always ask the owner if it’s OK to pet first.
Kevin can be a pain in the butt so I do wish the video was released again. Hopefully the police remembered there were children around who believe in that cartoon character.
As people above have mentioned there are two sides to this story. Last Friday night, when Santa came to the fountain park on his fire truck I was downtown with my wife, brother-in-law and my 4-year-old nephew. After Santa arrived we walked to get closer to Santa and the candy he was throwing off of the back of the fire truck. That is when the snowman came up to us and said, “The mayor plays with my snowballs.” At this time I did not know that Kevin Walsh was in the snowman costume. I thought it might be a friend saying a bad joke. Later he said, “Come play with my snowballs.” Still I had no clue who was in the costume and thought it would be best to tell my mother and the police that this person was making in appropriate comments around children. I asked if they knew who was in the costume. They said they did not know. It wasn’t until later that I learned that it was Kevin in the costume and by then I avoided him and went home.
The next day my wife and I were walking up high street towards the library as the parade was coming down the street. Again Kevin in the snowman costume walked up to us in between two parked cars and repeated, “Come play with my snowballs.” We ignored him and walked away.
I was not downtown during his arrest.
Most importantly, is the dog okay? No exscuse for any kind of abuse to animals!
Kevin was one of the first Chestertown “characters” that I met at Play It Again Sam’s when we moved here a little over 4 years ago. In that initial contact it was obvious that he has mental health issues.
Most recently, many locals saw him dressed in an orange prison jump suit with a colonial tri-corner hat taking pictures inside the trash cans on High Street. I happened by him in front of Ferguson’s and he explained he was collecting evidence regarding his issue with the ban on plastic bags.
This past Saturday evening I was in Annapolis and someone received a cell phone call about this K9 incident and then relayed it to me: “Guess who it was?” I immediately said, “Kevin.” We laughed nervously, because it is clear that he needs help.
I believe the most important point made is the lack of services for people who clearly have mental health issues. This person is a known quantity yet there is no way to provide appropriate control of his behavior. This situation is a result of personal rights unfettered by common sense.
The issue of lack of mental health services is not what will be derived from this story in other parts of the country . Very sad.
Often when children in a classroom are verbally disruptive, it is because they want/need attention from an adult or classmates. Kevin’s verbal (and now physical) anti-social behavior in public gets him lots of attention (Fox News!!). I wish there were a way to quiet him other than handcuffs, which will not work, but only provide him with another soap box from which to spew his anger at almost everything Chestertown.
Now I read that the narrative is about being “angry,” “ill,” “anti-social,” and “disturbed.” Maybe it was empowering to read the term “community activist” all this time.
Come to my house at 111 High Street.
Ask and I can tell you what happened.
I have never LIED !!!!
I went to 5 years of Chestertown meetings on Monday.
Where is a picture of me and attacking the dog.
2,000 people were there……not one saws me kick the dog.
I will donate $1,000…to the Band …show the picture or video.
Kevin
Yo Kevin,
This was never about the dog. You spooked a cop. This can be dangerous. They have guns and sticks. They work in pairs. They make split second decisions and do not apologize. Usually the dogs can keep their cop under control.
Joe
As I said there’s two sides to this story … I’ve been told that the arresting officer is known to be very aggressive…And from what the sun newspaper Quotes the officer placed the dog in his cruiser then removed kevin from the parade to discipline him for his remark about the dog and so on…
I remember all to well when sgt. W___ was on the force he would rule the night with no one keeping him in check,I remember being rightfully stopped by sgt w for a tag light out and questioned by him to my shock and humor about “how many friends of yours smoke marijuana or use other drugs” I thought it was a joke at first, and asked him why he was asking me such a question and he broke out laughing and gave me a ticket for which I deserved.
Its really taken a lot of thought for me to write this as I do fear the police here, albeit I know there are allot of good police who are rational and intelligent who hold them selves to a higher standard than set forth.I cant imagine a place with out those police officers. Even thogh there has been a history between kevin and the local police this could have been handled in a professional way
Oh police do apologize, at least when they have no choice. When they are held legally accountable for their actions. And aren’t you broken hearted when that happens? Congratulations Chestertown Police for upholding the law and preserving the peace.
Why did the police find it necessary to be that close to Frosty in the first place? Still say it was a set-up! Kevin is not crazy!!!
Charles,
The cop “disciplined” Kevin for a remark about a police dog?
Above Jay mentioned K9 dogs are considered police officers?
I’m so confused.
Joe
Why was this event sent to the news media? To me,it is an exploitation of a mentally ill person.
Two thumbs up to Matt Redmans rendition of Frosty by the way!
Let’s all care for one another and love one another during this Christmas season. Especially the offending Officer and the mentally challenged Kevin Walsh. They know Kevin, There is no need to handcuff him.
@Barbara,
I’m not sure that this story was “sent” to the news media. This was a public event, witnessed by a large number of people, and the story radiated away from the epicenter due to being unusual. The way the story is covered in the national media is far different than the way the story is covered locally. The “hook” in the story, as seen by the Associated Press, FOX, or even The Guardian in the UK, is the novelty aspect of “Frosty” getting arrested. I don’t view the national/international slant on this as exploitation of a mentally ill person because that aspect of the story is missing. The novelty factor isn’t focused on Kevin, but is focused on “Frosty”. Locally, the story is more about Kevin because we know him and his history and locally the story is far less exploitative and far less a novelty.
Why will the Spy not interview me !!!!!
A Japanese paper called me…..a Boston TV channel..ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, AP…THEY ALL TALKED TO ME.
SPY has not even come by my house on 111 High Street…that is funny…………….
As one who knows Kevin Walsh as a worthy tenant and friend, what I recall is July 28, 2008. That day Kevin was found on the floor of his apartment, the victim of a massive stroke that left him there alone for almost a day. Helicopter delivery to the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore confronted the physicians with a man in comma, certain to die. Treatment was suspended, as it was considered absolutely hopeless. But Kevin beat overwhelming odds. He lost his ability to speak to think clearly, and most of his vision. The following Thanksgiving with my family showed a determined Kevin, totally impaired; unable to form thoughts or words. Somehow Kevin has fought back, and learned to speak again. He can walk, and see fairly well now. But after more than three years vigorously dealing with the specter of death’s door, Kevin still has a long way to go before his health and capacity come close to what most of enjoy as normal. But, as Kevin says, there is no evidence, despite extensive testing that he is mentally ill.
I am a WC grad and visited Chestertown for the first time in 13 years a few weekends ago.
It was interesting to see the way the town has changed. One thing I did note is there were a lot more police officers there than before. There were cruisers lined up in front of the courthouse, on High street in front of where Andy’s used to be, all over the place in the shopping center with Procolinos, outside my old condo, and elsewhere. I even noticed a couple cruisers down near the boathouse, and decided not to walk out on the old pier as a result. The police I saw were in all manner of dress, from simple uniforms to a couple officers in tactical gear, with bulky vests, mirrored shades and shotguns. A lot of them were just standing around and talking in the warm afternoon sun.
Without claiming this has something to do with the snowman affair, Chestertown looks a little more like an armed camp then I remembered. It could be that something was about to go down, I dunno, but I got the sense this is the new norm and being done in the interest of public safety, protecting children, etc. I could see how having this many cops standing around with little to do could lead to clashes with the locals, or how locals could have a problem with feeling this constant sense of ‘protection.’
It’s enough to make one wonder how the town survived before all this protection arrived.
Here’s the AP interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWYOLPHhCdw
In the TV interview, the police officer stated Kevin purposely hit the police officer in the face with Frosty’s head. It would be pretty hard NOT to hit someone in the face with Frosty’s head in a crowded parade. The head is large and the visibility is probably not that great.
Lou, thanks so much for this information. A number of us have known Kevin for 20+ years but I was
not aware of the ramifications from his stroke. I have heard, however, how frightfully worried his family
Is….
Any truth to the rumor that Kevin will be on ‘Good Morning America’ on Thursday morning?
Gosh what a shame ! I have met this man a few times before at work and felt that he was harmless. I hope that the town and those folks who care for this poor lost soul and get him the help that he needs. As for the Mayor, my past experiences that I have with her in the past should I never meet her again should last me for a lifetime. As my mom taugth me when I was a kid if you have nothing nice to say about a person say nothing.
” The quality of mercy is not strained.” w.s.
Why does it take two policemen to “take-down” Frosty?
If you had seen his fighting and behavior you would know why…..