News Article
Second Firefighter Resigns Under Pressure
LOUISVILLE -- A local firefighter resigns under pressure and another is suspended after an encounter with a man taking pictures of adult bookstore customers.
The incident took place Dec. 3 outside the Pure Pleasure store on Fern Valley Road, WLKY NewsChannel 32's Andy Alcock reported Wednesday.
Justin Jones, 18, said he went to the bookstore to apply for a part-time job, a story confirmed by the store manager. But instead of getting a job at Pure Pleasure, Jones is now in pure agony after being suspended as a recruit for the Fairdale Fire Department, Alcock reported.
"I'm not out stealing, dealing or killing," Jones said. "I'm out trying to make a difference, and somebody has to ruin it for me."
Jones said he's wanted to be a firefighter since he was 5 years old, Alcock reported. His home is peppered with reminders of that goal, including a perfect attendance award he received as a 14-year-old in a junior program with the Fire Department. Most recently, he was a recruit-in-training for the Fairdale Fire Department until he was suspended.
"When they don that Fire Department shirt, the public views them as on duty and their conduct has to be above reproach," Fairdale Fire Chief Don Wittry said.
John Reneer took pictures of Jones and another volunteer firefighter from another department outside the bookstore, Alcock reported. According to Reneer, the men blasted their siren at him, but Jones denies it. Reneer also said Jones offered an obscene gesture. Jones admitted to it, Alcock reported.
"He was just rude, and I told him I'd listen to him if (he would) reason with me," Reneer said.
Reneer added that Jones then threatened to take his camera away and threw a cup of Coke at him while leaving in this car, a claim that Jones denies.
Reneer has caused controversy since summertime, when WLKY first reported that he was photographing adult-store customers and publishing their pictures on an anti-porn Web site, Alcock reported. What makes him even more controversial is that he's a convicted rapist and sex offender.
"The guy should not be out of jail to begin with," Jones said.
Added Reneer: "If they have the legal right to go in there, that's granted to them by the Constitution and the statutes, the same Constitution gives me the right to take photos if I want to take photos."
Jones said the case has caused him difficulty beyond the suspension, Alcock reported.
"I feel real violated about it," he said. "It's slandered my name throughout the fire service."
Second Firefighter Resigns Under Pressure
LOUISVILLE -- A local firefighter resigns under pressure and another is suspended after an encounter with a man taking pictures of adult bookstore customers.
The incident took place Dec. 3 outside the Pure Pleasure store on Fern Valley Road, WLKY NewsChannel 32's Andy Alcock reported Wednesday.
Justin Jones, 18, said he went to the bookstore to apply for a part-time job, a story confirmed by the store manager. But instead of getting a job at Pure Pleasure, Jones is now in pure agony after being suspended as a recruit for the Fairdale Fire Department, Alcock reported.
"I'm not out stealing, dealing or killing," Jones said. "I'm out trying to make a difference, and somebody has to ruin it for me."
Jones said he's wanted to be a firefighter since he was 5 years old, Alcock reported. His home is peppered with reminders of that goal, including a perfect attendance award he received as a 14-year-old in a junior program with the Fire Department. Most recently, he was a recruit-in-training for the Fairdale Fire Department until he was suspended.
"When they don that Fire Department shirt, the public views them as on duty and their conduct has to be above reproach," Fairdale Fire Chief Don Wittry said.
John Reneer took pictures of Jones and another volunteer firefighter from another department outside the bookstore, Alcock reported. According to Reneer, the men blasted their siren at him, but Jones denies it. Reneer also said Jones offered an obscene gesture. Jones admitted to it, Alcock reported.
"He was just rude, and I told him I'd listen to him if (he would) reason with me," Reneer said.
Reneer added that Jones then threatened to take his camera away and threw a cup of Coke at him while leaving in this car, a claim that Jones denies.
Reneer has caused controversy since summertime, when WLKY first reported that he was photographing adult-store customers and publishing their pictures on an anti-porn Web site, Alcock reported. What makes him even more controversial is that he's a convicted rapist and sex offender.
"The guy should not be out of jail to begin with," Jones said.
Added Reneer: "If they have the legal right to go in there, that's granted to them by the Constitution and the statutes, the same Constitution gives me the right to take photos if I want to take photos."
Jones said the case has caused him difficulty beyond the suspension, Alcock reported.
"I feel real violated about it," he said. "It's slandered my name throughout the fire service."
Facebook
Twitter