There once was the peaceful rural town of Red Lake Falls, Minn., where I could pass a summer's day tubing and relaxing in the sun. These days are no more.
Where I used to be able to relax, I now must watch over my shoulder, because in a city where I used to be able to stop to eat before driving home, I now get assaulted by the police.
On July 11, I was waiting for my food to arrive at Joe DiMaggio's Sports Bar in Red Lake Falls, when upon rising from the table, I was grabbed around the neck from behind by Red Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Brevik and thrown back into my seat.
For the next several minutes, my party and I were subject to an extremely rude and profane tirade regarding our use of profanity. Yes, profanity, which was used in a private conversation that took place in a bar. Yes, I was assaulted for using profanity in a bar.
I've found myself torn between being outraged because I was attacked and being outraged that I can no longer speak freely without fearing physical violence. Perhaps the hiring roster was looking a little slim when Deputy Brevik was hired, but I still fail to see why such a man should be employed for the purpose of law enforcement.
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Sadly, I now have but one choice: to call on Red Lake County Sheriff Mitch Bernstein and suggest he reconsider the continued employment of Deputy Brevik.
Jeff Deutsch
Grand Forks, N.D.
