Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested Guarding War Memorial and American Flag in San Diego(#4)

www.sandiegouniontribune.com. ^ | November 7, 2001 | By Dana Littlefield

[B4Ranch]

Solana Beach 'bullying' homeless man, friends say

By Dana Littlefield
STAFF WRITER

November 7, 2001

SOLANA BEACH -- Neighbors and local business owners are rallying behind a homeless man they believe is being treated unfairly by city and county officials.

Robert Thomas Northcut, 49, who has lived on the streets of Solana Beach for more than a decade, was arrested last week on suspicion of trespassing on a city-owned traffic median where a war memorial sits.

Sam Georges, a lawyer from Solana Beach, and Chris Tatem, owner of the Do-It-Yourself Dog Wash in Solana Beach, helped get Northcut out of jail.

Now they and several other residents are working to handle his legal problems, including reuniting him with his dog, which was taken to a county animal shelter when he was arrested.

"The only thing I own is that damn dog," Northcut said Monday while lying in the grass overlooking Fletcher Cove. "He's my dog and he's faithful to me."

Even before Northcut's arrest, neighbors banded together to help him out and bring him food. They even cared for his dog, getting it neutered, vaccinated and registered with the county.

"It's not one person; it's the whole community," said Tatem.

They said that Northcut doesn't panhandle or bother their customers and that he just wants to be left alone with his dog to live outdoors. Putting him inside a building, Georges said, would be like "taking a coyote and chaining it in the garage."

Northcut's German shepherd -- named Thomas Jefferson, or T.J. for short -- remains in custody at the county animal shelter in Carlsbad for lunging and barking at city and transit employees. The dog bit a man in May, according to animal control officials, and city staff members say it threatened several maintenance workers and one department head.

Northcut admitted that his dog has bitten people, but said T.J. was just protecting his master. The dog had been abused before being rescued in Tijuana and nursed back to health by Northcut and Tatem.

"He's a very feisty animal. He's addle-brained," Northcut said. "He's a lot like me. He's all nervous like me."

Members of the county Dangerous Dog Task Force are expected to decide today whether to issue a notice declaring T.J. a public nuisance. If that happens, a hearing will follow, and the dog could be required to wear a muzzle or be fenced off from the public entirely.

Northcut said he and T.J. set up camp at the war memorial after he heard reports on a portable radio of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. For the next few days, Northcut, who said he is a Navy veteran, raised and lowered the U.S. flag on a pole near the memorial to half-staff to honor victims.

"He was taking care of the war memorial," Georges said. "It was his effort to 9/11."

He said that the city is "bullying" Northcut for crushing plants that surround the World War II memorial where Northcut and T.J. had been sleeping, and that the county should return his dog.

"He's just lost without his dog," Georges said. "If the city doesn't want him around, there are definitely more humane ways to get him away from there."

City officials said the traffic median, on Plaza Street and surrounded by cars heading to and from Fletcher Cove, is not a safe spot to hang around. A "No Trespassing" sign is posted near the flagpole, which shares the crowded median with a large fountain and the memorial.

"There really isn't a place for people to congregate," said City Manager Bob Semple. "It wasn't meant to be used for people to gather there."

Northcut has been cited several times for trespassing at other spots in the city.

Jennifer Lynch, the Vista attorney whom Georges asked to appear in court last week on Northcut's behalf, disagreed with Semple.

"To say that there's no trespassing at a war memorial is unconscionable," Lynch said.

A court hearing on Northcut's trespassing charge is scheduled for Nov. 15.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.

[B4Ranch]

Now I don't know how TJ came to be in RT Northcut's possession after being a working dog for the Border Patrol,

Apparently when TJ was with the Border Patrol he chased some Mexicans back across the border and didn't return. When Northcut's previous dog died from old age, someone in the community took him down to Tijuana to the dog pound and he selected TJ after a couple of hours. TJ was brought back to the US, given all the shots needed and a health examination. A local resident buys his dog tags every year to keep him 'legal'.

[Rodney King]

I admire you guys greatly for lending this guy a helping hand, but I think that the city is getting a bad rap. A bum is living in a park with a vicious dog. I have a 16 month old daughter, and we live right by a park with a war memorial. We walk there all the time. If there was a smelly bum living there with a vicious dog who was biting people that got too close to the memorial I would want him gone, too.

There is something about people with vicious dogs. They all think that because their relationship with their dog is so special, that they should be immune from responsibility when their dogs attack people. I have seen it happen before. These people almost alwasy beleive that the kid who got bitten was to blame - and they are always wrong.

I'd like to see this hero get some help, and I would like to see him reunited with his dog. But it is absurd to think that this guy has a right to live on the war memorial.

[usmcobra]

A smelly bum and his rabid dog????
I added the "rabid" part only because it is a matter of time before that gets used as an excuse.

[Colt .45]

"Oh please, this kind of story doesn't get my sympathy, I don't care if he is a vet, he needs to act more responsibly and obey the law."

Wellllll, I see the crap for Vietnam Vets just never stops. I am a Vietnam Era veteran and as such have a stake in this fight. I feel disgust that I have given 19 of the best years of my life on Active Duty, serving to defend ungrateful, selfish and ignorant people such as you've just displayed you are.

The man had already paid his dues of citizenship wayyyyyyy back in Vietnam. What have you done for this country?

This is more than about the fact that he is homeless, and he slept near a War Memorial on public property. If the property is truly public, he has just as much right to be there as anyone else. But folks out on the "Left Coast" just can't see beyond the ends of their own noses. This means that you bought into the CYA document the City Of Solano Beach wrote. Of course they will try and blame it on something more than just the fact that they didn't want him there. And a judge lets him go with time served! So with that in mind, I gotta bridge to sell ya.

I supposed that if it was any radical student out pissing on that same monument, and that same flag that it would be okay with you? After all isn't that "Freedom of Speech"?

But let a vet, who happens to be homeless, do something he conscientiously feels is his duty; and although he may look a little straggly, and not bothering a soul - "@#$&! HE'S BREAKING THE LAW ... and LET'S CRUCIFY THE GUY!

Folks like you make me sick!

[Rodney King]

I didn't say rabid dog, don't put words in my mouth. I am all for helping this guy, but I do not support him and his dog living in a non-secluded public area. I just can't beleive that everyone thinks it is a good idea that bums should be allowed to set-up shanty's wherever they feel like it just because they are vets.

The fact that they are vets is important. That fact would get me to help out providing shelter for the guy, or buying him a tent so he can live in the woods. (As opposed to your average loser bumb, who I really have no sympathy for). This guy is mentally ill because when asked to go to war for our nation, he went. I have respect for him, and would be willing to help him. However there have to be limits. Im my opinion, staking out a public memorial as your own turf, and having a vicsious dog to protect it is beyone these limits. Yes he is a veteran. Well, what about the grandson of a vet who wants to see the memorial, should he have to put up with a vicious dog? What about an old man on a cane, who was a WW1 vet. Should he be allowed to vist the memorial without fear of being attacked by a dog?

[Colt .45]

"A bum is living in a park with a vicious dog. I have a 16 month old daughter, and we live right by a park with a war memorial. We walk there all the time. If there was a smelly bum living there with a vicious dog who was biting people that got too close to the memorial I would want him gone, too."

Seems kinda irresponsible to me that you would let your kid go near the dog. And if the guy stinks, so what, walk upwind of him ... its a free country!

" But it is absurd to think that this guy has a right to live on the war memorial."

In my view, he has more of a right to be there than someone like you would. He paid for his right to be there in blood and his own flesh! What have you given?

[Rodney King]

Seems kinda irresponsible to me that you would let your kid go near the dog. And if the guy stinks, so what, walk upwind of him ... its a free country!

I wouldn't. Thats the point. Public lands are public lands, and people with vicious dogs should not be allowed to just stake them out to prevent me and my daughter form walking by. You are right about the "stinks" part, that was out of line.

[Rodney King]

In my view, he has more of a right to be there than someone like you would.

Yes, he would. Are you saying thought that every vet has a right to stake out land in the middle of any park in any town and protect it with a vicious dog? If being a vet entitles one to land, that's great. I don't think the Feds should own all the land in the west that they do. Let's have a new homestaed act and give this guy 200 acres somewhere.

He paid for his right to be there in blood and his own flesh!

So is it your belief then that any US vet has a right to stake out any piece of land anywhere in the US and defend it with a violent dog?

What have you given? Given that I was only two at the time Saigon fell, and in high school during the gulf war, the answer is nothing if you are referring to combat service.

[B4Ranch]

Please read #53, #58, #63, #71, #93, #191, #192, & #201. This will bring you up to date. Then possibly it may also change your opinion.

[Rodney King]

OK, will do. thanks.

[Colt .45]

"Are you saying thought that every vet has a right to stake out land in the middle of any park in any town and protect it with a vicious dog?"

While I agree that most laws should be obeyed, there is a point where some laws become onerous and assinine. Did he have a right to stake out that particular piece of land? As much as anyone else I suppose. I think though, that the bit about protecting it with a vicious dog is justified when you consider how our National symbols and ideology have become the prime targets of leftists and folks that hate America. Would he have stayed there indefinitely, I doubt it. But for the City to come along and post the monument as 'No Tresspassing' is nothing more than an example of a power using its might to suppress freedom.

I'd really hate to think how I would be treated in my later years when I am retired from the Military, if I lived on the "Left" Coast in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia. Luckily I don't, I live in a place where they treat vets with respect.

"So is it your belief then that any US vet has a right to stake out any piece of land anywhere in the US and defend it with a violent dog?"

I didn't say that that is my belief! There was a better way for the incident to be handled, and the City chose to flex its muscle and step on the vet. THAT IS THE ISSUE!

"What have you given? Given that I was only two at the time Saigon fell, and in high school during the gulf war, the answer is nothing if you are referring to combat service."

Have you even tried to serve? If not, don't judge those who have too harshly. You must remember one thing ... The only reason that you sleep securely in your bed is because rough men stand ready to go and visit violence in the night to those who would do us harm. Those "rough men" are the military, and veterans are those who served in that capacity. Does that mean you owe us? Just respect brother, just respect. Most of us aren't out looking for hand outs, we just wish to live out our lives in peace and freedom. After all those are the very things we were fighting for.

[RottiBiz]

E-mail sent to Mr. Haas, along with my prayers for Mr. Northcut and T.J.

Thanks to all of you for your efforts on their behalf. Godspeed.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please read #53, #58, #63, #71, #93, #191, #192, & #201 for latest updates

"KEEP IT GOING!!!!"


Thomas M. Campbell, Solana Beach Mayor
635 South Highway 101,
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Phone - (858) 720-2400
Fax - (858) 792-6513/755-1782

Click Here to e-mail Solano Beach City Hall.

San Diego County Animal Control e-mail

DACInfo@co.san-diego.ca.us

[lonevoice]

Sent email this morning to conservative radio talkshow host Michael Savage, providing details and a link to this thread. I know some FReepers don't like Savage, but he has one of the largest audiences in talk radio and has views that would be sympathetic to Northcut. If anyone else wants to contact him and encourage him to provide some air time for Northcut and TJ, here's the addy: paulreveresociety@yahoo.com

[B4Ranch]

Thank you MUCH!

[MistyCA]

Trespassing on railroad tracks? For God's sake, don't people have something better to do????

[MistyCA]

Will the real Rodney King please stand up! "Oh, can't we all just get along now!"

Your assumptions about Mr. Northcut are not correct.

[MistyCA]

This guy is mentally ill because when asked to go to war for our nation, he went.

You and your namesake are both losers!

[Rodney King]

I think you misinterpret my remark. I did not say he was mentally ill for going. I was actually suggesting the guy is honorable. He was asked, he went. The resulting war made him mentally ill. Chill out.