Crowds Chant Free Vered As Police Shut Down Gallery Over Alcohol Dispute

Guest (Karen) from East Hampton says::
Instead of wasting any more time misspelling your comments (where were you educated, by the way), send a check to The Fresh Air fund thinking beyond your own nose for once.
Jul 17, 2009 1:11 pm

Guest (Year Round Resident ) from East Hampton says::
The East Hampton Police are out of control. This winter I was stopped by an EH policeman and told there was a suspension on my driver's license. I said that could not be possible as I had no outstanding tickets. My manner was polite, friendly and quiet throughout. He called in two other squad cars and told me I had to get out of my car, at which time three burly officers surrounded me. (I am a 5'5", 125 pound middle aged lady.) I was then handcuffed, taken to the station, and placed in a closed, filthy cell while the officer wrote up the ticket, taking almost an hour to do so. The "charges" were later dropped and dismissed in court, but I will never forget the brutality and trauma of that incident. BTW, I am leaving the East End for Upstate NY. There is something seriously amiss with East Hampton government.
May 31, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (stavin' artist) from Smyrna, GA says::
Right down the road was a phenomenal art festival featuring more than 125 of the best artists from all over the country. Nobody showed up there least of all the media. None from the Hamptons would allow themselves to be seen ten miles down the road at the well-publicized event. We were amazed by the amount of rules and regulations that you have put on the tourists and not-so-famous residents of the area. I heard bragging about no traffic lights, but, shoot, you don’t even have a Holiday Inn. Why does anybody go to such a Gestapo state in the first place? As most of my colleagues agree, you won’t see us back. Get a Wal-Mart and join the 21th century.
May 29, 2008 6:41 pm

Guest (John) from East Chatham says::
The hamptons have officially jumped the shark!!!! Upstate is where it is at now my friends no scene just beautiful country side with lots of property!!! Ya'll can have your NYC goes LA!!!!!!!
May 28, 2008 2:01 pm

Guest (Amazed!) from Sag Harbor, NY says::
A whopping $31! So rich and smart but can't swing the $31 for the proper permit!
May 28, 2008 9:32 am

Guest (Gordon Matheson) from Southampton, NY says::
There's nothing like a good local story for a little summer fun but it's amazing how many people are taking the stance here of "the laws the law and people who break it deserve what they get". No doubt they all would scream bloody murder themselves if they were ambushed by a swat team for violating a secret law they broke routinely without knowing it even existed. Just for the record, the East Hampton police only tried to arrest me once for doing nothing wrong. Lucky for me President Clinton intervened. The current Mayor claims the Vered Gallery swat team raid and arrest was "routine" and "It is not anything out of the ordinary," Yeah. Right! Happened just last week. I suggest the media, call him on that ridiculous statement and request a list with dates of the galleries and retail shops that have recently been issued those oh so ordinary wine/alcohol permits by the Village and also galleries that were busted for not having them and you will see how "routine" it isn't. That's not to say Vered isn't going to play this mayoral (?) miscalculation for all it's worth just like the lovable Jerry Della Femina did when he was arrested and cuffed for displaying pumpkins outside his Red Horse Market. That was fun too. More power to Vered I say, she has the biggest gallery, and she should lead the way standing up for the rights of the galleries to conduct business without "routine" sneak attacks from police swat teams. Maybe she will run for mayor next time. Two or three years ago, the news was the SLA was arresting North Fork winery merchants for selling "water." Yep! That's a fact. It's illegal to sell water in a winery. You can look it up. How would you like to be arrested for that? The media has more than well documented the fact that East Hamptonites cater to high end consumers (they accept Euros, BFD) and prefer to get arrested for giving away champagne to getting arrested for selling water. Still it’s probably fortunate that Vered was not actually giving away water (was she?) or displaying pumpkins. Come to think of it, Jerry sued East Hampton Village over his pumpkin arrest and won. Justice based on common sense, imagine that. This case also needs some "ordinary" common sense. Of course, if it had any, the media and their readers wouldn't be having so much fun poking fun at East Hampton. They owe it all to the doofus who issued the orders for The Great Memorial Day Weekend Raid in the first place. Who did that anyway?
May 28, 2008 12:50 am

Guest (Springs Visitor) from East Hampton says::
As a witness to this police action, I overheard one wet nosed, rather young police man threaten a wine drinking women with a "I'll take you for a walk to Montauk." Was this one of those college kid rent-a-cops who also go around marking tires to keep parking spaces available on Main Street? The beginning of summer, and the tourist boom puts strains on everyone...residents, store owners and yes, the police. Usually the police are quite helpful with maintaining order... but this whole incident just seems kind of weird.
May 28, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Ozzie n Harriet) from a era long gone says::
Alcohol is a drug. Why is it being served at a gallery exhibition...and why are so-called intelligent people ingesting it...as well as violating the law?
May 27, 2008 10:13 pm

Guest (Tom Steele) from East Hampton says::
Trouble in Paradise! The real issue is who gave the directive to send officers to art openings with marching orders to shut down and “seize the chardonnay”. Three art openings were “visited” by police on Saturday evening which probably constitutes the first three visits ever! I have literally attended nearly a thousand art openings in the Hamptons, across Long Island and in New York City over the past twenty years and most do not display a permit to serve a glass of wine. If the local police and the SLA do in fact have jurisdication over the serving of free wine at free art events then why the historical lack of enforcement and more importantly, why the sudden heavy handed tactics? Who gave the directive and on what basis? These are legitimate questions that demand answers. If there was a legitimate problem or the SLA was going to start enforcing the laws then there should have been a community awareness program to effect a civilized transition to compliance. The farmers have been forced out, the fishing industry regulated to near death and now its time for the artists and their dealers. Who’s next?
May 27, 2008 7:38 pm

Guest (Wildly Amused on West Coast) from California says::
I think all of you who tell us how horrible this was for business are right. We can't ever let anything stand in the way of business no matter how small or big. We see it operating in Iraq. We see it operating with the environment. Now we see it operating in the Hamptons. The police should be censured and all rules of law suspended that interfere with business.
May 27, 2008 5:37 pm

Guest (Knockabout) from Bellport, NY says::
The amount of nonsense the police have to put up with from these obnoxious summer people is insane, especially in East Hampton. Good job EHVPD! The point of coming out here is to de-stress and have a great time. Leave the attitude in the city.
May 27, 2008 3:45 pm

Guest (LiveforLI) from Easthampton says::
Its unbelievable what the rich can and will do for a little attention - btw the cop carrying the alcohol is hot!!!
May 27, 2008 2:39 pm

Guest (GOTTALOVEIT) from EASTERN LONG ISLAND says::
I am reading these posts and my jaw is dropped in disbelief. There are individuals on this board who actually believe that the police enforcing the law are in the wrong. My, my, all you gallery owners and Hamptonites, do you really think that you're above the law? I don't care what you did before, it is against the law for businesses to serve alcohol without the proper permit. Vered was warned twice before the police took action. She showed blatant disrespect for both the law and the police dept. Her words and actions made clear that she felt she was above the law. For all of you Hamptonites that are cursing the police dept. on this board, let's hope one of these booze guzzling, gallery snobs who leaves one of these openings drunk never drives and hits a car that contains your loved ones. Bet you'd want the police to be pretty attentive then, huh?
May 27, 2008 1:53 pm

Guest (Terry Elkins) from Wainscott says::
Why can't everyone just get along, use a little common sense and obey the law. It's Memorial Day Weekend, you have far more than the average number of people in town trying to navigate thru a high traffic walk way between Main Street and the town parking lot that the Vered and Walk Tall gallery open onto. Add an overflow gallery crowd, some of them drinking and spilling out on the walkway and you're bound to have a problem. Thank the Police for being there before something else went wrong and someone got hurt.
May 27, 2008 12:43 pm

Guest (WriteOr) from Los Angeles, CA says::
Folks: People from society's upper echelons and from The Arts, in particular, deserve preferential treatment. Their invaluable contributions, financially and culturally, make it so. Rich and talented people are our greatest resource; there is absolutely no dishonor in providing a double-standard. Hands off!
May 27, 2008 12:32 pm

Guest (Yay for PD) from Sag Harbor, NY says::
Thank You! I think that is what everyone should be saying to the EHVPD! Do any of the implants that come to our home to vacation and expect everyone to wait on them hand and foot have any idea what crap these cops put up with on a daily basis to make this their paradise? I don't think so. These police officers do their job and they do it well. I'm sure "the rich people" wouldn't have anything to say if it were them complaining about someone else breaking the law. No, they would want the Chief of Police and the SWAT team to respond to their complaint. Point is Rich or Poor, Gay or Straight, Black,Green,Purple,Blue or White the law is the law. It is put in place for a reason. Remember the local police don't make the law but they do a damn good job of enforcing it. If you don't want an encounter with the PD then don't break the law! Simple!
May 27, 2008 12:09 pm

Guest (Bonacker) from East Hampton says::
This is classic city jerkoff mentality here. You come out here and disrespect the police and the real people, this is what happens to you! "Vered" was rude and disrespectful and if she had acted like a human being she wouldn't have been hauled away. Kudos to our police.
May 27, 2008 11:42 am

Guest (Local, former NYC snob) from EH says::
The law was broken, Ruth acted like she always does and didn't get her way this time. If you've been here long enough you would know Ruth's antics quite well. This time she got free press, a celebratory weekend after all.
May 27, 2008 12:29 am

Guest (Snow Bird) from Palm Beach says::
I think the East Hampton police should come to South Florida where they can handle real problems in the real world - like drug-selling gangs who murder each other on a regular basis on our streets. But that might be too scary for them. It's easier to pick on 67 year old gallery owners.
May 27, 2008 12:05 am

Guest (Donald Waits) from New Orleans, La. says::
Oh, my! Adults drinking booze at an art gallery? What is this world coming to? We can't have that! Good for the police to "protect" the "public." Did they catch anyone smoking? I'll bet someone was smoking a filthy cigarette. Can't trust them artist types. They'll do just about anything. Good, law-abiding tax-payers can't have just anyone having a good time. Gotta put a stop to that! Go Hamptons!
May 27, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Now Voyager) from NYC says::
As a person who has lived and worked around NYers [sic] their sense of entitlement and level of flagrant disrespect is the issue here. Whether she broke the law or not, to treat anyone in the manner reported is obscene and, I feel, embarrassing. When people come at me like she allegedly went after the PD, who would blame them for responding as they did? Let me answer, only those who hold onto the same sense of entitlement. The whole thing reminds me of why I prefer to go upstate......
May 27, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (getalife51) from sag harbor says::
The cops acted appropriate in this situation, I feel bad for those of you who do not see that. When asked to comply, she didn't, instead she pulled the 'I'm better then you' attitude, and she chose to be arrested. How many times do you get smacked in the face before you take it a step further? Cops being asked to leave.... as for the comments made by ex-police, and the ones made by the snowbirds, well that just goes to show you they must be one of the arrogant, selfish, self-centered, people that flock to the Hamptons, where they think that the cops and locals have to cater to them 'cuz they feel The Hamptons are their playground.
May 27, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Alex Wills) from Bogotá, Colombia says::
Vered must sue for damages. And it was very enlightening to see how resentful the "less fortunate" are when it comes to A-listers. Multiply that for a thousand, and you'll figure out how it goes down here.
May 26, 2008 9:11 pm

Guest (TinaTownie) from Grew Up in East Hampton says::
When I saw the cover of the Daily News this morning I must admit that my first reaction was that the gallery owner was being arrested for her poor choice of eyeglasses.
May 26, 2008 6:27 pm

Guest (mr_nose) from long island says::
the law is the law. to say to police that you were serving booze before they were born is not a very smart statment to make.as to the person who asked "who do you think pays for your police cars etc" well if you don't know buy now your thick. the public pays for it. the rich and poor both. you make more money you pay more thats it. if this woman had handled herself in a dignified manner she would not have had the trouble she has today.
May 26, 2008 3:41 pm

Guest (EX-P) from Sag Harbor says::
One more thing. I love those new East Hampton Village Police uniforms with POLICE printed on the back. As if were didn't know who you are. Most totally unprofessional tactics.
May 26, 2008 12:43 pm

Guest (EX-P) from Sag Harbor,NY says::
The third photo looks bad. There is clearly something wrong with at least 5 cops taking a woman in custody for a violation. No one is above the law, but there are other ways to handle this. How about plainclothes detectives? Others have said we are becoming a police state since 9-11 and seeing this crap I tend to agree. By the way, Ruth's gallery is located in the old Eastman complex, which is private property, not public and not subject to open bottle laws.
May 26, 2008 12:35 pm

Guest (Resident) from East Hampton says::
Easy way to close the budget gap in East Hampton. Get rid of some of these cops who have way too much time and clearly nothing to do.
May 26, 2008 12:05 pm

Guest (I am the dude!!) from Toronto says::
This is free publicity from heaven for this angry lady; she probably will have her next party in a week with a license and every wane-be is going to be there for photo-up!! She got a free ride from public servants for more sales of her "art works". I wish if I could get free publicity in most North American papers (and internet) for my company; maybe Warren Buffett would have shown up after my arrest on camera!!
May 26, 2008 11:56 am

Guest (Alpharatz) from Sun Prairie says::
Hey, they could have had bricks in those Gucci purses.......
May 26, 2008 11:35 am

Guest (Lisa Votino-Tarrant) from Hampton Bays, NY says::
Shame on the East Hampton Police if there was nothing warranting this! I used to manage a gallery in Southampton and once/month we had openings with wine and cheese. Often our guests would step outside to smoke or to get a breath of fresh air. A restaurant was right next door so people would mingle in and out of both. Opening receptions are the core of a gallery's business.....especially on Memorial Day Weekend! I agree with Edward Callaghan that if the police had a problem, they could have sent out a friendly reminder earlier this month. How are you supposed to fix something that you have been doing for over 30 years without an issue.....if you don't know it's an issue?
May 26, 2008 11:12 am

Guest (b thwaithe) from water mill, ny says::
"For a region that portrays itself as paradise on earth for artists, the East Hampton police have a funny way of dealing with the art community' ------ The region does not portray itself as a "paradise on earth for artists." The *art gallery owners* portray the area as a paradise on earth for artists. Most artists can't afford to live here or even stay for a weekend at a local B&B. That is not paradise. This is an expensive, exclusionary area. If people are paying a ton of money to live here and to operate a business here then there have to be rules that prevent just anyone from doing whatever they feel like doing while calling it "business." It is the town and the state who make those rules and the rules are in place to protect the public and the business owners. All the lady had to do was say "yes officers, thank you," and do what they told her to do. Then she call her lawyer and ask the lawyer to look into it and find out what the laws are in the municipality. What you DON'T do is give the police a tongue-lashing as if they are kindergarteners and you are the school principal. The law is the law, and if you are not a lawyer who knows for a fact what the law is, you don't give lip and dismiss law enforcement with a snide remark. Look what happened when Lizzy Grubman had a temper tantrum because a fireman told her to move out of the fire lane. No place is a paradise on earth for anybody, even if you think there should be special rules for people who designate themselves as special.
May 26, 2008 10:37 am

Guest (Summer Person) from Amagansett says::
This is class war, plain and simple. The cops have decided they don't like the rich people, especially the fashionable and gay ones. The problem is that they have forgotten who pays for their salaries, police cars, etc.
May 26, 2008 10:11 am

Guest (Average Joe) from East Hampton says::
Police showed fairness in how people should follow the law. No one says much about the blue collar getting pulled over for a DWI or a Latino getting harassed. You all are not above the law no matter what your income or class is. For the person who describes trauma, grow up, there are far experiences that would fall under the catagory of trauma other than losing your entitled attitude for a few hours. Good job PD
May 26, 2008 8:32 am

Guest (Funny) from East Hampton says::
No open containers in public. Anyone holding a glass containing alcohol could have also been fined or arrested. The police did what they are paid and are supposed to. Don't break the law and there will be no repercussions. Period plain and simple.
May 26, 2008 12:37 am

Guest (Edward Callaghan) from Southampton says::
For a region that portrays itself as paradise on earth for artists, the East Hampton police have a funny way of dealing with the art community. Their action on Saturday night arresting respected gallery owner Ruth Vered was nothing short of despicable and heavy handed at best. In over 30 years of attending and hosting gallery openings on the East End, I have never heard of this need for a permit to serve a glass of wine. Indeed it is a time honored tradition here and around the world and Vered and so many others have been doing it for the better part of a century. If the rule indeed exists, would not a simple reminder note early in the season be more in keeping with our much vaunted love for the arts and the people who serve them. Instead we are treated to a Gestapo like display of eight police officers cuffing and dragging a single woman off to jail. Clearly, as they also hit other establishments including Walk Tall Gallery and John Varvatos' boutique, this was a planned attack on the retail community. What a lovely way to welcome those who come from around the world to see artists of such caliber as Steven Klein, haul his hostess off to the slammer. This was most definitely meant to send a message to the art world. What's next stocks for Guild Hall directors... public dunkings for the Parrish staff for popping a cork? In the famous Grey Gardens film, Edie Beale has a much quoted line in talking about the local authorities and their repressive attitude. "They'll arrest you for wearing red shoes on Thursday in East Hampton" states Edie somewhat oddly but making the point nonetheless. God forbid you serve a glass of wine! I can see this is going to be a very long unpleasant summer for many.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Not Suprised) from Southampton says::
That is ridiculous! The police took things too far into the realm of inappropriateness. Not only did they ruin the event, but an opening reception is a major time for business ventures. Had the crowd been causing a scene that affected the community then police activity would be warranted. But placing the gallery owner in handcuffs in front of everyone was not taking it too far? I feel for Ms. Vered and this is a perfect example of the local polices' nitpicking and manipulating of a situation to display "power."
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (CaliGuy) from North Cali says::
Good Job Police. The law is the law. You people on the long island are no better then the rest of us. It sucks when the laws you create get used against you, huh? I bet you'll all have permits next year! LOL
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (This Island Life) says::
I feel everyone's missing a point here - whether the police were justified or not in this case - if you tell police officers "i served liquor before you were born", then continued to tell them they weren't invited or welcome, and to send the police chief, you're going to get it a little more than just being polite, taking the summons, and fighting it in court. She may be wealthy and innocent, but she's not smart. Common sense here, people, common sense.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Local resident) from East Hampton says::
The police in this town are nothing more that a unleashed group of fascists. They develop fears and paranoia in this town. They watch our every move. They have too much power and nothing else to do [sic]. Leave us in peace. As far as alcohol, there is nothing wrong in having wine at an opening, even outside should be tolerated for the event. Traffic control in this town is way over-kill -- I have been stopped on Three Mile Harbor at 8:00 a.m. because I was listening to my voice messages... alright, that's illegal but when the young cop with sunglasses on (in a cloudy day) and lots of bragger attitude asked me if there were drugs in my car -- I am sorry but I don't get that? May be I looked tired from working hard and having a family but that does not give him the right to stereotype me as a drug dealer. I felt that if I contested his question he would have arrested me. In fact I have seen the cops trespassing the law many times making u-turns on Newtown lane, speeding, talk on cell phones while driving, parking illegally [sic]... All the police had to do is tell the people to drink inside, not over react and harass everyone. I am glad Ruth Vered stood up. What's next? Will they shoot at us without discussing anything...
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (CaseyKane) from Montauk says::
Please for the grace of god stay in the Hamptons!! What a pretty little world when you walk around with rose-colored glasses. BTW people of the Hamptons... today is Memorial day. Any clue what that means in "real life?"
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (balboa) from East Hampton says::
Bravo. Police don't need disrespect from depraved nouveau rich types.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (nando5-0) from Westhampton Beach says::
If one policeman owned the gallery it would be OK to serve liquor. The police took things to0 far, but if your a cop, it is OK. Good job guys.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Mike Trevellian) from NYC says::
Sure is easier to arrest gallery owners than real ummmmm, say coke heads out there in the Hampton's. Saw this on CBS news very funny except for her. After Hitler I get nervous when art is attacked by the police, however I like cops and think perhaps this was disturbing the peace as it overflowed from the gallery space. I wonder why handcuffs on a 67-year-old woman were needed? Any way next time speak nice to the police and comply just like you are in the army. I was and I did.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Elliot) from Southampton says::
Here you go, my East End friends: From Wikipedia: "Totalitarianism" (or totalitarian rule) is a concept used to describe political systems where a state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private life. Soon, under the thinly vailed guise of public safety, you will need a permit ( with a fee) for every single thing you want to do.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Art) from Southampton says::
Clearly, the police went too far.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Donna) from Montauk says::
Dear Tina Townie, Wake up and smell the Chardonnay! There is an important issue of personal freedoms at hand here. Your snarky and "oh-so-cute" remark about the sunglasses is evidence of a dim mind.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (i love the hamptons) from East Hampton says::
The cops do a good job out here.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Sally Conartist) from Northampton, NY says::
I think its funny talking about this [sic] woman as if she is a saint. She was doing something against the law and when she is asked nicely at first to correct the problem, she tells the police [sic] ... What does she expect? This was all a publicity stunt and she is getting everything she wanted out of this. Front page of the regional papers? Has anybody actually taken a look at the art? I can [sic] do much better than that. Whats next? Bakeries giving out pot brownies?
May 26, 2008 12:00 am

Guest (Priceless) from Wading River says::
But you have to admit... the picture is priceless!! By the way Lis V-T: Seems you worked everywhere and know everyone and everything... quite amazing, I must say.
May 26, 2008 12:00 am