A 45-year-old Napa man was arrested at about 8:20 a.m. Friday at Starbucks in the 200 block of Soscol Avenue on suspicion of watching pornography on a laptop, according to Napa police. Other patrons could see what was on the laptop, police said.
Eric Anderson allegedly threatened to harm a patron, challenging him to a fight, after the man confronted Anderson, police said.
Anderson was booked into the Napa County jail on suspicion of disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, threatening to commit a crime, and violation of probation, police said.
(16) comments
Haha - Porn?! It was probably a celebrity gossip site with scantilly clad young ladies. 'Cause really, who watches actual porn in a coffee shop?
What if the guy was watching S&M? still good?
[quote]chunk215 said: "What did he do wrong? Is it really illegal to watch porn in public?"[/quote]
Not illegal, just a complete lack of class...
Rav...may have nothing to do with wifi could have been a dvd or on the hard drive….C or D drive that is….
[quote]kevin said: "Good thing Starbucks didn't respond by turning off the free wifi, otherwise they would end up being sued for violating everyone's "civil rights" like happened to BART..."[/quote]
Where are you guaranteed the right to have wi-fi or cell phone reception?
Good thing Starbucks didn't respond by turning off the free wifi, otherwise they would end up being sued for violating everyone's "civil rights" like happened to BART...
Interesting 1st Amendment issue. Is it illegal to read a Playboy in public (even if it's only for the good articles)? What about an art book featuring nudes? Or a medical text on gynecology? One person's smut is another's art or science.
There is a difference between offensive and illegal behavior. In a democracy you can't expect to be shielded in public from behavior that you may find offensive. However, Starbucks has a right to ask a patron to stop offensive behavior, even if you don't think it's offensive. That's who you turn to if you're bothered at their store.
While I agree that this alledged porn-watcher was being disrespectful of social etiquitte, there is one thing to consider: Committing violence in the open is acceptable, even broadcasting it to millions of viewers and selling violent video games, but harmless sex in the open is completely unacceptable. Pleasure BAD, violence GOOD!
Smut? It's art!
[quote]chunk215 said: "What did he do wrong? Is it really illegal to watch porn in public?"[/quote]
What were the terms of this guys probation? Were there children present? I hope there are still laws protecting the public from smut.
Personally, I don't patronize Starbucks because of all the (I believe non-porn) computer users. There is never anywhere to sit.
I am not worried about it being legal or illegal to watch porn in public. What I am worried about is that someone was doing it. That is not normal behavior!!
What did he do wrong? Is it really illegal to watch porn in public?
I had no idea that you could be arrested for threatening to commit a crime....I guess I better stop doing that.
[quote]walden said: "...OK. Here's a thought. Don't watch porn at Starbucks, and don't assume the role of porn police if you witness someone doing so. Call the cops!"[/quote]
Obviously, you have been in the real world.
This is Napa. Obviously, people shouldn't be watching porn at Starbuck's. It's a coffee shop, and there are 5-year-old kids there.
But Mabel and Edith are going to be very agitated that "PORN" is on the front page of their enquirer. They will tell everyone they see NOT to look at it. They'll even tell them where to find it and not look at it.
ANd they'll renew their lifetime subscription. This is EVERYBODY's business ! SO exciting ! Starting off the new year right with PORN on SUNDAY !!!
Oops. The horrors. tee-hee.
A 45-year-old Napa man was arrested at about 8:20 a.m. Friday at Starbucks in the 200 block of Soscol Avenue on suspicion of watching pornography on a laptop. Other patrons could see what was on the laptop, police said.
OK. Here's a thought. Don't watch porn at Starbucks, and don't assume the role of porn police if you witness someone doing so. Call the cops!
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