Who knew a picnic bench could be such a dangerous place. It seems Weatherby Police don't have a lot to do in Kansas: A woman discovered sitting at picnic table--writing 'thank you' cards near Weatherby Lake on a work break--is arrested for first-degree trespassing.
Jennifer Payne was visiting the Kansas City area on business, when she decided to relax by the water to write some thank-you cards.
Payne says she knew the lake was across the street but hadn't seen signs indicating it was private property. But a Weatherby Lake police officer did apprise the woman of that fact when he not only told her she wasn't allowed to be on the property -- but that she was being arrested. Payne says she told police: "I'm so sorry. I had no idea this was a private lake. I don't want to cause harm, and I'll get out of here and won't ever come back."
But the cop, name unknown, allegedly told Jennifer Payne to start making phone calls. The police officer has plans to place the young woman under arrest for the offense. "He said I need to start calling people because he was going to place me under arrest. I was like, 'What for?'" says Payne.
The Weatherby Police officer's response: Trespassing. Apparently it's serious -- first degree trespassing.
It seems the Weatherby Lake area is public and private. While its Kansas streets are public -- along with many city parks -- the lake and its access areas are private property. And the board that oversees the lakeside property wanted legal charges pressed against the woman.
Jennifer Payne says she asked the police officer if he'd consider a warning for the 'thank you' card offense -- but the woman says she was told no. Payne was arrested, fingerprinted and had a mug shot taken by the Weatherby Lake Police Department. After remaining in custody with Weatherby Lake Police for a couple of hours, she was about to be transferred to Platte County Jail -- a jail where she would have spent the night -- had her boss not bailed the trespassing woman out of jail in the nick of time.
According to the Weatherby Lake Police Chief, it's standard operating procedure. What a great place to visit. Apparently the area isn't promoting tourism.