by: James O'Connor
For the past decade Boulder has hosted a Naked Pumpkin Run on Halloween. Last year there were over 150 runners, and a dozen were ticketed, however the tickets did not amount to much because identification problems. This year, police chief Mark Beckner has increased the number of officers present and will arrest individuals for indecent exposure, which would mean they would have to register as sex offenders. Beckner has said he is doing this because “We enforce the law.” But this seems irrational on a few levels, first indecent exposure is defined as one exposing oneself in circumstances “likely to cause affront or alarm” running through a crowd of people there specifically to watch the event at 11pm does not fit. In addition the police have admitted they get few complaints about the run and even our mayor supports the run:
“. . . it could be pretty cool to be running around with a pumpkin on your head and not much else”.
Now the City Council is drafting a municipal ordinance making it illegal to be walking/running around the city naked. The upside to this is it would not require violators to register as sex offenders, the downside is that it would make nudity illegal where it is not necessarily now. I personally hope the ordinance does not pass and if you get arrested as a sex offender you should simply hire a lawyer, as Beckner clearly does not have his head on straight. What do you think?
48 comments:
I think this policy is just one of those things that the state has to do in order to prevent nudity getting out of control and people making it a sexual or violent act. I am all about self-expression, but then again we did choose to live in the U.S. rather then Europe. We have always had stricter standards around nudity.
Cultural Protestantism... Nudity? Who cares! There's nothing wrong with seeing a naked body. The fear of nudity and sex in America is outrageous. It's roots are in antiquated puritanical fear mongering. There is NOTHING "sexual or violent" about the pumpkin run, or the nude human body.
Should I cover my dog's penis when he is outside? Or do I only need cover it if someone finds his wang arousing?
Chelsea, "choosing" to live in the U.S. does not require complacency in it's policies. Many things have changed because of the actions of individuals (slavery, woman's suffrage, civil rights...).
I think there is nothing wrong with the Naked Pumpkin run; it's just a fun, humorous thing for people to do. If we are concerned with morals or values, like it seems we are, we should really address violence on TV. I think people should lighten up, after all we are born nude...is that offensive to people?
Is this really such a bad thing. Yes the naked pumpkin run is a boulder institution, but is it really necessary? Do we need people running around naked with pumpkins on their heads? I like that although the city is making the laws stronger, the consequences are not. It is unfair to the people doing this run to be charger with a sexual offender offense, because that is not their intent.
I agree that making laws in Boulder to make the Pumkin run illegal is a little over the tope. The pumpkin run is known Boulder wide and for the most part is not looked at negetively. People are aware of when and where the event happens and if they truely offended by it it is not hard for them to stay away. The one positive I do see in the new law is that is would not make streakers register as sex offenders. I think this is a very reasonable rule because streakers do not have any sexaul intent when running naked. Streaking is merely a practicle joke or means of protest, not a sexual act being forced onto others. If you dont beleive me just close your eyes next time you see a streaker...problem solved lol!
I don't think a naked pumpkin run is all that bad and its kinda of funny. There is nothing really violent or sexual about some people running down the street naked late at night with pumpkins on their heads. Although, rules are rules and in Boulder especially, if you dont follow the rules you will get in trouble. However, in the spirit of Halloween and the tradition of the naked pumpkin run, the officials should turn a blind eye and let our culture thrive. (Just like they do on the quad during 4/20)
The problem with laws is that it should be enforced in every incident, yet there does seem to be many situations where the law present is slightly over the top. I agree that the naked pumpkin run seems pretty harmless, it is set to be non-offensive and in control. The run is not being held on Pearl St. on a Sunday at 1 in the afternoon. It seems the police need to lighten up a little and let the run continue until it becomes an actual issue that is hurting or causing more problems than necessary.
I think the annual Pumpkin Run is funny. I would definitely be concerned if it happened more than once a year, but it doesn't. Halloween has always been crazy in Boulder, and I don't think any more money or press should be spent covering this subject. I would prefer to see more news coverage on just about anything!!
The comments assume that banning nudity does no harm. The USA does not have stricter standards around nudity. It has more prejudice and like most prejudices the result is undesirable. Try looking at the teenage pregnancy rates, abortion rates, AIDs rates, gonnorhea, age at first intercourse or nearly any other body related indicator. Then think long and hard about why Europe does so much better. Attitudes have consequences and body-shame results in widespread and often serious harm. Prudery is child abuse with good intentions.
It seems to me that even if the police personally support the naked run, they have to threaten with punishments. As you said, last year very few prosecutions were made anyway. The reason being is that if they didn't oppose it, public nudity in in many other events would increase. And even if its not sexual or violent, do I really want to see flopping organs on my way to the grocery store? The public who is not part of the event has a right to not be afflicted by other people's mischievous endeavors, even if it does not result in harm. If these people really want to run naked and Boulder opposed it, why can't they just do to someplace less populated?
I think the ultimate decision of what to do about the pumpkin run should be made by the residents of Boulder. The ultimate job of police is to "protect" and serve the people of Boulder, and if the people are not threatened by naked college kids (I'm not) then they should let it happen. I agree that it is ridiculous how our culture negatively portrays nudity. Let the pumpkin run happen with no consequences, and if you live in Boulder and have children and don't want them to see, don't go to the hill at 11pm that night. Simple as that.
I like your point about how running through a crowd that has gathered expecting to watch this spectical doesn't fit the description of indecent exposure. What if someone proposed the naked run as some sort of preformance art thing and asked the city for approval? Seeing as the mayor is for the run it could likely be approved.
Obviously forcing someone to register as a sex offender for something as benign and innocent as the nude pumpkin run is ridiculous. Although this harmless tradition is all in fun and is done late on halloween night, the heavy handed response by the bpd is not surprising. If an individual is offended by a quick flash of nudity, perhaps they should find somewhere else to be on halloween night. Averting the eyes always works too if you dont want to see something
Don't get me wrong, what normal person wouldn't find streaking with a pumpkin on their head an amazing rush, but there's no way this should be condoned by the police. It would be pretty messed up to be out with your grandma and kids and happened to get caught it a pack of flapping weiners. The sex offender registration takes it to an unnecessary level. I personally think it should just be kept on CU campus with all the weirdos away from small kids.
-A Former Runner
What are Grandma and the kids doing out on Pearl St. at that time of night?
I think the Naked Pumpkin Run is an innocent act of fun! I agree that it should not end in this- since youre right, people gather to watch this. Those that are offended should stay away rather than ruin the fun for others. The Naked Run has lasted this long, over a decade, with no more than a few complaints from the prude, and I think the tradition should stay alive without the threat of becoming a registered sex offender. The Boulder Police should have more important things to do and leave those who want to have some harmless- naked- fun alone!!! Those who are offended - know that you live in a college town!!!!
Katie Witters
I think the level of attention this issue has garnered from the boulder pd is ridiculous. They should accept that it's harmless fun, much like april 20th. They should deal with it in the same way. Be present, but as long as no one is injured, dont do anything. People who are clearly not sex offenders should not be forced into that category. It's like someone swatting a fly being branded a murderer for the rest of their life.
This is not that bad and i dont think anyone should be wasting their time making laws about this.
Hopefully the ordinance doesn't pass, and if it does it might fade away over time. Several years ago the police force in Boulder attempted to fence off Farrand Field on 4/20 in an attempt to dissuade a public gathering. Regardless of what the law states, the past three years have seen an increase in the number of participants during the 4/20 celebrations, as well as a decrease in the police force present. Like I said, hopefully the ordinance doesn't pass, but if it does we most likely will just have to wait a few years for people to forget how fun and silly it is to run down pearl street with a pumpkin on your head... and not much else. and Rex, you should definitely cover up your dogs wang.
Marcus Eisen
I think this is a sticky situation because I think the pumpkin run is a great idea, and I feel like an exception should be made for such a good humored event. However, let's say I'm on Pearl with my young daughter, and there's a naked guy walking around, I wouldn't be too thrilled. But if we make an exception for the Pumpkin Run why shouldn't we make an exception for the naked guy on Pearl.
I do think that having to register as a sex offender for participating in the Pumpkin Run is ridiculous, and would unfairly ruin people's lives.
Amen 'anonymous'! I wholeheartedly agree that prudery is harmful; I couldn't have said it better. I have wanted to participate in the run ever since I found out about it, but every year my plans are thwarted. I dream of running naked and anonymous through the streets in the cold with a pumpkin on my head. I think it's hilarious and a tradition to be treasured; trying to stop it is like trying to stop the 4:20 celebration. Well, not quite... I would have to bury my head in a hole, so ashamed of Boulder that I couldn't come out, if anyone arrested for such an act of pure comedy and love of life had to register as a sex offender; that is absurd! Making nudity illegal is absurd too. City Council, don't you have anything better to do?!!
I can speak from first hand experience that the naked pumpkin run is liberating and really just a tradition that brings people together. Its really sad that it didn't happen this year, because boulder's run has inspired many other runs around the US. Why are we so scared of nudity? I think that our sex/nudity suppression and violence tolerance is a direct commentary on on society's problems. Honestly we composted the pumpkins behind city hall last year. How bad can a nude disturbance be?
andrew sieving
7 billion bodies on the planet, and people are still offended by the sight of a human body.
Get a Effing grip Boulder!
This is classic, over the top, Boulder police work. Instead of catching rapists and murderers, they catch underage drinkers and naked people with pumpkins on their heads.
Way to invest in what is important Boulder...
P.S. Chelsea, I did not choose to grow up and live in the U.S. I was born here, and certainly have not earned enough to "choose" to move to Europe.
P.S. Rex,
please have your dog keep his weiner sheathed. Seeing his lipstick in public totally grosses me out and I'm offended!
So naked walking/running is going to be banned. People in boulder are smart, they will get around it.
Naked Pumpkin Wheelchair
Naked Pumpkin skateboard
Naked Pumpkin bicycle
Why are we so offended by nudity. Are we trying to protect the eyes of children. Parents should be ticketed for bringing children to Pearl Street at 11pm on Halloween. They are just asking for trouble.
I agree that the fear of nudity is something that is uniquely American. I am under the impression that elsewhere, especially in Europe, a festive event such as this would not be considered wrong at all. I do not believe that a law making nudity illegal, but than i suppose it is a better alternative than making people register as sex offenders for having a little fun.
This is crazy, having to register as a sex offender is way off the charts to me. As I can see the police are just upholding the laws, I agree with others that if it happened more than once a year it would be a little weird, but seriously in my opinion boulder needs to let it go.
I personally would not want to watch this run, nor do I really support it. However, having to register as a sex offender after being charged after this run seems a little too much to me. Being charged as a sex offender has major consequences for the rest of a persons life. I think they should just give out fines.
Unfortunately, the mayor of Boulder does not outrank the governor, congressmen (and women), and senators of Colorado... It is a law. And yes, its roots go back to the Christian ideals this country was founded upon. If you do not agree with the modern evolution of these ideals, go get yourself registered as a sex offender or wrap it up in tin foil.
PS: ROBERT SEADER
I think this article is pretty halirious. For one, this is a harmless activity that has been going on for a number of years. With Boulder's low crime rate, I think the police are trying to figure out what to do with themselves so they go out and ticket these people. Just relax.
The ability to run naked is a long valued American tradition. Basically every city I've lived in has had at least one tradition involving naked running. I don't think Boulder should be any different. Just because the yuppies have moved in and property values have skyrocketed doesn't mean that we cant be naked anymore. It was that liberal atmosphere that brought people to Boulder in the first place.
The police "enforce the law", and it is hard for politicians to enact / retract laws that are deemed impure, regardless of the lack of damage or violence to bystanders (note the fact that people crowd the route specifically to see it). It is unreasonable to assume that these laws will ever change to allow the runners to not HAVE to run. Frankly i like the idea of the challenge, running with a purpose (escape) always makes you run better.
hiring a lawyer is costly, although it is better than having to register as a sex offender. I agree that the law is stupid in this case, and going on a naked pumpkin run should not warrant some of the same distinction as a child molester, which is why I think this law should pass. Even if it isn't necessarily illegal to be naked now, who wouldn't get arrested for it?
let the people run naked
It is a little ridiculous that you need to register as a sex offender if you are caught at this event. As it was stated earlier that can have a major affect on the rest of your life if you are a sex offender. A little much for a bunch of young adults running around naked in the middle of the night when no little kids should be around anyways. Also a little much because it seems as though almost every city/ college town I have ever been to has some tradition very similar to this. I say let them run naked if they wanna.
It seems to me that those unlucky enough to be ticketed and arrested for indecent exposure might actually want a type of ordinance like this to pass. First of all, if you are running around boulder naked, pumpkin dash or not, you should know fully well that your actions may result in lawful pursuit. As the law is now, it seems that any type of exposure can be considered indecent exposure, possibly yielding the strictest punishments, registering as a sex offender.
If it were up to me, i would rather have an ordinance like this pass and simply be ticketed, rather than have the uncertainty of being ticketed with a possibility of registering as a sex offender.
For some good memories and laughs, in the case of the Pumpkin Run, I dont see any harm, I almost participated in it a couple of years ago. There is a difference in enforcing the law and using the law improperly to accomplish an objective (registering people as sex offenders). As Brett said, you are not committing a sexual act or inflicting one on any one. Also having sex while running down Pearl St and wearing a pumpkin on you head seems like it would be uncomfortable/impossible. The only case that I see the sex offender law being a good thing is if there was some weirdo that committed sexual acts against someones one will while participating in the event. In response to "whats wrong with nakedness" if it came to where random people were just walking around in plane sight naked at ordinary times that would be somewhat odd and unacceptable. But in the case of a annual streaking it is something that has a local hometown pride attached to it and is relatively harmless. If you dont want to see it then don't be on Pearl St for Halloween.
Maybe the BPD is doing this to try and play down Boulder's reputation as a wildly liberal city. Boulder's antics are pretty well known, and they probably want to keep the scale of these events small--imagine if this became an event like Spain's running of the Bulls. (Actually, that might be pretty fun) I'm all for public nudity, but it should also be done in an appropiate environment, and there are lots of young children out on the streets around Halloween time--perhaps the BPD should find a way to make the Pumpkin Run area off limits to those under a certain age, like 16 or 18, during events like these (also applicable to events on the University Hill).
Finally, if they are really planning to hand out indecent exposure tickets, they should find a way to bypass the sex-offender clause, especially in cases of non-malicious nudity like the Pumpkin run--that punishment is far too severe
I completely agree! It is ridiculous that people get punished as sex offenders when running around naked at night for an event. Sex offenders should be strictly those who are molesting people, or purposefully showing themselves to someone, especially children. When you are a registered sex offender, people will assume the worst and anywhere you live people will try and make your life miserable. It's just not fair!
Sex-offender status is a little harsh, don't you think? I think something a little more appropriate like drunken-buffon is more like it. I dont have a problem with the naked pumpkin run and i really dont see why anyone else would. Let Em Run!
p.s dont pee in an ally on pearl street intoxicated, if your charged you have to register as a sex offender...luckly my roommate didnt get charged but it sure was funny to watch her literally get caught with her pants down squatting behind a dumpster, and the lecture from a very scary lady cop about how to act like a lady in public hahahaha... oh college
Who cares about nudity? Especially if a long standing tradition calls for nudity. Honestly modern society is ridiculous.
I would agree, Nudity dose not seem like a being deal at all in this case. It is being done at an appropriate time. It is not like these people are running buy a school at 4 pm when all the 3rd graders are getting on the bus. I think you have to pick your battles. This dose not seem like a good use of resources.
I went to Pearl St. both this year and last year for Halloween. Although I feel that registering as a sex offender is way too harsh of a punishment, in fact, I don't believe the runners should be punished at all, its a tradition! But I must say, there are unsuspecting bystanders on Pearl St. on Halloween. I think that many people come here on holiday and don't really know what they're getting themselves into. I have run into quite a few on the street these past 2 Halloweens from out of town or even out of the country. I ask them if they are there to see the naked pumpkin run and they have no idea what I'm talking about. Once I explained it, I only got good reactions but I bet that there are still people who would be alarmed if they did not know.
I think that the naked pumpkin run is ok as long as it is done in a location where it won't negatively affect the public. For example, near an elementary school. Inappropriate behavior should also result in legal sanctions.
I agree I do not think people should have to register as sex offenders for doing the naked pumpkin run. It seems extreme
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