’tis the season … to litigate creatively?
This local AP story out of Ohio that just has to put everyone in a holiday (litigation?) mood:
A Christmas tree inside a northwest Ohio village police department is decorated with more than just the usual trimmings. Mug shots of local sex offenders are pasted on some of the ornaments. Paper cutouts of bells and stars feature the faces and names of all eight registered sex offenders in the of North Baltimore community.
Police Chief Alan Baer thought the ornaments would get attention and raise awareness and says a great deal of foot traffic moves in and out of the department. Baer says the display on the artificial tree isn’t to make light of the crimes or disparage Christmas traditions. He says the police chaplain thought it was a good idea.
Surely some litigious group or someone who likes to wage wars over Christmas and seasonal displays will not take kindly to this news. Are there potential Fourth and Fifth and Eighth Amendment claims to litigate in this case along with the standard First Amendment concerns? Though sex-offender mug shot ornaments apparently have the blessing of the police chaplain, but what about higher authorities? Dare I ask what would (baby) Jesus do?