Times will defend reporter arrested during disturbance

Reporter Candace Rondeaux was released from the county jail on $250 bail early Monday.

By Times Staff
Published May 10, 2005

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St. Petersburg Times officials on Monday defended a reporter who was arrested during Sunday night's disturbances near Childs Park.

Reporter Candace Rondeaux went to the scene Sunday night to look into reports of unrest at the park. Police spokesman Bill Proffitt said Rondeaux was told several times to clear the street before being arrested on a charge of obstruction.

Times attorney Alison Steele said Rondeaux, who was wearing her press identification around her neck, was standing in the street observing the scene when an officer told her to get away. She moved to a sidewalk and was quickly arrested.

"Candace was doing her job and did nothing unlawful," said Neil Brown, executive editor of the St. Petersburg Times . He called the actions of the police "troubling" and said the paper would vigorously defend Rondeaux.

Steele said it is inappropriate for officers to chase journalists out of an area with the threat of arrest. "I'm concerned police may view this as a way to control publicity," she said. "It is still possible that someone will admit this was an awful mistake and this will not be repeated."

Rondeaux, 35, was released from the Pinellas County jail early Monday on $250 bail.