Police agree to $230K settlement

PLANTATION The city’s police department has agreed to settle a claim for $230,000 for an arrest that prosecutors said never should have happened, according to attorneys involved in the case.

The victim, Mark Tindall, “and his parents panic whenever they see the police,” said attorney David Frankel. “These people [the police] broke into his house andbrokedownhisdoorand Tasered him for no reason at all.”

Police ChiefHowardHarrison said he could not comment.

According to Tindall’s lawsuit for a civil rights violation, on Aug. 2, 2014, Officer Joseph Miller sawMark Tindall behind a closed business at 5 a.m. Miller told Tindall that unless he could explain himself, he would be arrested for loitering and prowling. Plantation police said there had been several car burglaries in the area on StateRoad 7.

Tindall, who suffers from mental illness, ran from the officer to his Lauderhill house. Officers arrived at the home, rushed into the house despite Tindall’s parents’ protests, and brokedownthe master bedroom door, according to the suit.

Police said Tindall had barricaded himself in the room, andwas combative.

Tindall was trying to call 911 for protection against the officers, the suit states. His motherwas also trying to call for help but officers took the phone away. Police claimed Tindall was reaching for a scissors, but no scissorswere ever found in the bedroom.

Tindall spent 14 days in jail. Charges were dropped by prosecutors, who said there was insufficient evidencetohave stoppedhimin the first place.

Attorneys for Tindall and thePlantationPoliceDepartment agreed to the settlementMarch24, according to paperwork filed in federal court Monday. The agreement averts a trial. The City Council must now agree to the terms.