Dauphin County man settles lawsuit against Williamsport cop for $50K

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WILLIAMSPORT-A Steelton man who said he was harassed, handcuffed and never charged has settled for $50,000 a federal civil suit against a Williamsport police officer.

The settlement with Keith Anderson was reached through a mediator without the defendant, Officer Clinton J. Gardner, admitting liability.

Charter Oak Fire Insurance Co. will pay the $50,000 according to terms of the settlement obtained Wednesday by PennLive.

The suit in U.S. Middle District Court stemmed from a July 14, 2021, incident on High Street in Williamsport as Anderson was walking on the sidewalk to his mother’s home.

This is the version of what happened contained in the court complaint:

While walking on the sidewalk on the north side of High Street toward Elmira Street, Gardner in a marked cruiser pulled up alongside Anderson, matched his speed and attempted to engage in a dialogue.

Because he was uncomfortable about the cruiser being so near him and since he had done nothing wrong, Anderson began recording the interaction on his cell phone and twice asked Gardner to stop talking with him.

Anderson attempted to walk away from the cruiser without success. When he attempted to cross Elmira Street the cruiser blocked his path and Gardner continued to verbally harass him.

Anderson asked why he was following him Gardner denied he was doing so. He again informed the officer he did not want to speak with him, said “have a nice day” and continued to walk toward his mother’s house.

Instead of leaving Gardner, pulled alongside him and began to yell “use the sidewalk,” disregarding the fact Anderson was trying to walk away from him.

When he again asked Gardner why he was harassing him and pulling his vehicle alongside him, he replied sarcastically to say “hi.”

Anderson crossed the street and continued to record Gardner’s actions and assert his right to be free from unwarranted police intrusion.

The officer stopped the cruiser, got out, demanded identification, grabbed him and told he was not free to leave.

When asked why he was being detained the answer was “mandatory sidewalks” and later failure to identify himself. Anderson proclaimed his innocence, was handcuffed and searched.

Other officers arrived about the same time as did Anderson’s wife and mother who were threatened with arrest if they did not leave.

When Anderson continued to protest his treatment he was told if he did not stop speaking he would be charged with disorderly conduct and taken to jail.

After about 5 to 10 minutes the handcuffs were taken off, the officers left and he was never charged.

Gardner claimed his actions were reasonable, he was entitled to immunity and Anderson did not suffer any injury.

Anderson sought unspecified damages for unreasonable and false arrest, unreasonable stop and search, First Amendment retaliation, battery and assault.

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