Misunderstanding Sparked 9-Hour NH Standoff On NYC-Bound Bus

Photograph of a passenger surrendering by Jim Cole/AP

Yesterday, there was a standoff involving a NYC-bound Greyhound bus in Portsmouth, NH after there were concerns there was a bomb on the bus. But, according to NECN, it was sparked by a "Burundi national whose" cellphone conversation was misunderstood by another passenger. "He refused to leave the bus and prolonged the standoff because he was scared."

Portsmouth Police Chief David Ferland told WMUR, "I do not know the reasons why he was nervous with police. He comes from a different country. We are trained to understand that people react differently. They have different backgrounds. They have different experiences with police officers. I would be speculating as to why he was -- I would categorize it as -- scared to come off that bus." The Burundi national, who was convinced by a family member to leave the bus, was not charged.

However, two people were arrested: 68-year-old John Smolens, of Maine, had refused to get off the bus during the evacuation and was eventually Tasered (twice) by police, and 29-year-old Calvin Segar, of Brooklyn, who gave a fake identity for fear that there were warrants out on him. The affidavit said, "Mr. Segar admitted he lied about his identification because he felt he was wanted by police for "riding my bike on the sidewalk...playing dice in the street...not paying a fine for when the police arrested me for smoking a blunt."

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By Jen Chung in News on May 7, 2010 5:57 PM

Comments [rss]

DWMAkMovz

I think that NO black people should go to such racist states like Maine and NH. I live in Boston and I think that those people are the most racist people EVER from personal experience... It is funny that it was only a "misunderstanding" But he is being held on a $7500 bail and the white man was set free... Blacks need to boycott NH and MAINE for the same reason we are boycotting Arizona. Racist pigs.

inoyourider

That's right, EVERYONE in those states are racist.

Go ahead and make some more blanket statements, it really furthers your cause.

Yes, Arizona must be racist because they've acted instead of continuing to wait for the federal government to give them protection from the thieves taking advantage of them.

Maybe if the black man in question weren't a scumbag he would have been set free too.

"29-year-old Calvin Segar of Brooklyn, New York has a lengthy drug and theft record and tried to dodge his identity for fear there were warrants out for his arrest.

Portsmouth Police Prosecutor Karl Durand explained to the court Segar had refused to identify himself just now to the court he in fact used two different names during the process last night.

"

ProudLiberal1947

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sure hope this guy SUES the hell out of the IGNORANT Trash that was listening and the BUS company and the DUMBASS COPS who naturally reacted in over reaction.

Can somebody get a real count on how many time the MORONS on the SWAT requested to take him out because they had him in their sight. Betcha the Idiot is a republican Tea bagger. Oh Yeah!

oinonio

This wouldn't have happened on Amtrak's quiet car.

zincink

What is on that sign?!..looks like 'No Parking for Walrus"

justthinkin

Okay, so the only other people arrested were a senile old guy who knew it wasn't his stop and.....a bike-riding, dice-throwing stoker from Brooklyn. Thanks Calvin, you make me proud.

Splicer

I remember a time when I was a kid and an adult would say, "Remember, the policeman is your friend". How do the cops like it now? Looked at with wariness by just about everyone. I do my best to steer clear of police whenever I see them. Honestly, they scare me.

longacre

African guy in New England wearing desert camo? Weird.

Whoever said he was talking about a bomb needs to get a smack in the head.

interlard

He's from another country? Oh then *of course* he should already know that Portsmouth police have been "trained to understand that people react differently." I agree with Police Chief David Ferland. I can not think of a *single* reason why he was nervous with police.

Either that or it's completely obvious to anyone who isn't a moron like Portsmouth Police Chief David Ferland.

used_up_shoe

I'm not sure how this is a moronic statement.

He speculates on why he had a certain reaction to police, and then notes that his police are trained to deal with different reactions, so they delt with it.

Huffy6241

Remember when living in America was fun?

fosiacat

nope.

oh, wait. that was 1988 right?

Rebecca

not really. i remember when i could quit a job and have another one later that day though. i guess that was kind of fun.

Mordicai

Maybe he was worried that while he was on the bus some scary demagogues had managed to gain the power to strip rights, citizenship, & protections for anyone they "suspect" of "terror."