The below is an explanation of what happened out of Greg's own mouth.
I will add more information as time allows. 'STAY TUNED'
Mayor Bart Peterson,
My name is Greg Brenner and I am a local area network administrator at IUPUI and band promoter on the side here in Indianapolis. Prior to working for IUPUI I worked the Department of Natural Resources for 4 years. Not a high paying job but I was doing something I loved and felt I was working for the greater good of Indiana. I still feel this way at IUPUI being the highest ranked support provider on campus. Now my concern:
Saturday night I had an invitation only benefit for some local bands at my house. We asked for a $10 dollar donation at the door... some gave less, some gave more and some gave none at all. We had a free supply of food, beer, soft drinks and candy available for all guests. No one under 21 was permitted due to hassles with that kind of stuff. (I did have one under 21 friend who did not drink any beer and one of my neighbors brought by his 2 young daughters who had soft drinks and Popsicles). Nonetheless, somehow uninvited guests showed up and entered the event later in the evening. I was not at the door at the time and do not know what went on; I did want to watch a little of the band. Yet, a little after midnight, without a warning, a man who I did not know approached me and asked if he could speak with me. I walked out to the front porch with him and without showing a badge he said, "You was under arrest and to come quietly". Naturally, I was taken aback by this total strangers request and thought it was a joke. "You must be kidding" I replied. At that point he grabbed me by my hair and dragged me out to the sidewalk where he forced me down and twisted my arm saying he was going to "break it". I looked up and there were numerous police. I tried to roll over asking what I was under arrest for but he stomped on my back and told me to shut up. No one would tell me what was going on. My friend on the front porch saw uniformed police officers coming up the walk and tried to stop them at the door, he was grabbed by the throat and pushed off the porch. The police invaded my home kicking in all the locked doors upstairs. My fiancé said the police repeatedly called her a "bitch" and told her to "shut up" or she would go to jail. (She now wants me to move somewhere else) All she was trying to do was to find out what happened to me. Many of my guests were manhandled, verbally accosted and antagonized by the Indianapolis Police Department. It was crazy. When they finally took me away to the 42nd and College police station they read me my rights there and told me I was being charged with something that I did not understand. The court summons says "maintain place unlaw sell alcohol / FD". Well I assume this means they are saying I was selling liquor in my house and I am being charged with a class D felony. Yet, no beer was ever sold, it was all free to the guests. I had called the ABC to ask if I needed a permit for a private function and they said "no". In addition, my fiancé had called the night field supervisor police lieutenant the Friday before and told him of the benefit and he said "there should be no problem unless we have to come out there 5 times". We got no warning from the police and were just invaded. I would think if there was a complaint they would tell me to quiet down. I own my house and invited all my immediate neighbors, even giving them my cell phone number if there was any problem with the event. I spoke to several neighbors the day after I was arrested and they claim that they had no problems and "did not hear a thing". The police claim there were "several" complaints that night but after dealing with them I think their statement was a fabrication. Especially after I spoke with dispatch on Sunday.
I would be happy to provide more details if you require but I think you can get a general understanding from the above. I just do not understand how police are allowed to do this without a warrant and without a warning. I was the only person arrested. I am really at a loss about what I have done wrong. I have a clean record and found the police very rude, physically and verbally abusive and antagonistic to my guests and myself. I do understand that they have a tough job but they should look at things for what they are. They physically assaulted me and I am hurt as a result of their actions. I notice from the police report that 4 narcotics units were there yet found no drugs. I wonder how much this investigation cost? Is there a way I can find this information out? I love Indianapolis and just want to help promote Indianapolis music so the rest of the country can see some of the talent Indianapolis possesses. Something like this makes me want to go someplace else that would appreciate my efforts rather than beat me up for them. If Indianapolis had more music venues I could book more shows like this. I still book as many shows as I can but they are not big, high dollar concerts. This was a great show and everyone was having a good, clean, legal and fun night until Indianapolis intervened. We are anti-drug and I thought that we behaving in a responsible manner. What else should I have done to ensure the legality of the event?
I only started this promotion thing because Indianapolis had nothing like it going on and needed it badly. Too many of my friends go to high paying technology jobs in other cities because they can't find what they like in Indianapolis for entertainment. I thought Indianapolis wanted to celebrate diversity, the arts and music. I am perfectly willing to work within the boundaries of the law but everyone seems a bit vague on what the laws are. This was simply a non-profit event to support the bands. I sacrifice much time, money and trouble to make thing enjoyable. I make no money at these events and donate all proceeds to the bands at concerts. I do it for the love of the music. What a bad statement for Indianapolis to make on my celebration of our county's independence. I truly hope that you take this matter very seriously and not just laugh at and abuse me like IPD did that night.
If you would care to contact or meet with me I feel it would be well worth your time. I am a good upstanding citizen of Indianapolis and only work for its betterment. I truly hope this does not fall on deaf ears, which has been the case so far. Please show me that government does care for the people it serves.
