The Avon Police Department was flooded with angry calls and emails after a man's detainment prompted worldwide controversy earlier this summer. While some were angry with police, others directed their anger at the person who made the false claim and even the victim.
A Muslim man was detained in Avon after a 911 caller accused him of supporting ISIS.
Emails and phone calls to Avon police, and between officers, made immediately after that June 29 incident were obtained as part of a public records request.
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"I'm calling for the sole purpose of of expressing my disappointment," said one caller.
Voicemails left in Avon police chief Richard Bosley's inbox took his department to task.
"An apology is not enough," said another caller. "America definitely needs to get with it and treat people with more dignity and respect."
But others told the chief his crew did the right thing, even placing the blame on the man they mistakenly detained outside the Fairfield Inn and Suites.
"This Arab man who was dressed funny and was speaking in Arab, which was the language of ISIS and you did the right thing," said one caller.
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"This is all part of an Islamic bait, instigate, terrorize the infidel, play the victim."
The public records request also included internal emails showing the department turned to a Cleveland-based crisis management firm to draft their public statements in the days following the incident.
Those emails revealed Chief Bosley's personal feelings, telling another officers on July 3, "This is still quickly growing larger and larger."
Meanwhile, others urged prosecutors to charge the woman who made the false claim. A spokesperson in Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will's office said Wednesday the incident is still under investigation.
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