ST. MARYS - St. Marys City Council took no action Thursday night after discussing a "prank" pulled by city police officers that was recorded and posted on YouTube, a popular video-sharing website.
In the five-minute video, a St. Marys police officer is shown tracking a white Ford Explorer in a police cruiser and pulling over the driver. The video shows a conversation between the driver and the officer, which ends with the officer yelling expletives at the driver when he is told he cannot search the vehicle without a warrant.
The session of St. Marys City Council got off to a late start Thursday, as one member of council was 45 minutes late.
Article Photos
In this screen shot of a YouTube video, a St. Marys police officer is shown talking to the driver of a Ford Explorer. The video was a “prank,” according to a family member.
The meeting ended in a 15-minute executive (closed) session in which no action was taken.
Mayor Paul Ingram said the executive session was called to discuss a personnel matter.
Following the executive session, Ingram said the issue was still under investigation, but no action would be taken Thursday.
Fact Box
No Action
No action was taken Thursday at a St. Marys City Council meeting to discuss a video of a "prank" involving city police officers.
A St. Marys police officer is shown in the five-minute video yelling and cursing at the driver of a vehicle he pulls over.
Several friends and family members attended the meeting in support of officer Nathan Boron, who is shown in the video.
The meeting ended without members of council asking for public comment. City officials did not comment on the video or those involved, citing personnel matters.
Several members of the community attended the council meeting, many of whom expressed their support of St. Marys police officer Nathan Boron, who was allegedly shown in the video.
Kris Boron, the wife of Officer Nathan Boron, said the video was a joke, with another police officer acting as the driver of the Ford Explorer.
"Everyone makes mistakes. It wasn't meant to hurt anyone," she said. "It was a joke that should never have happened. My husband made a public apology on Facebook, and sent letters of apology to city council and the local paper."
Kris Boron said supporters of her husband hung dozens of blue balloons, which were tied up along Second Street in St. Marys.
"He shouldn't lose his job over this," she said.
St. Marys resident Bruce Chaddock said city officials were blowing the prank out of proportion.
"People are making a mountain over a mole hill," he said.
"They are talking about taking someone's livelihood over 30 seconds of a video. It's ridiculous."
The video has been viewed more than 113,000 times on YouTube, with hundreds of comments posted. According to the YouTube website, the video was posted Aug. 31.
