Dearborn Heights protects carnies but not customers of carnival games

As I was walking through the carnival midway of the “Spirit” festival in Dearborn Heights with two companions last Sunday, I experienced an epiphany at the once rigged basketball game.  Instead of still being gaffed with oval optical illusion rims, it had APPEARED to now be a legal “game of skill.”  I photographed the new sign stating “REGULAR RIMS” with the idea of writing an ‘at-a-boy in the “Dearborn Patch. “

Suddenly, the operator of the game, name-tagged “Mark,” rushed up to me, stuck his i-phone in my face and took my picture. 

I (and both companions) then noticed sudden communication among the carnival bosses, individual carnies, and Dearborn Heights police reserves, obviously watching us.

We then walked over to a game called “Bottle Up” and noticed several carnival bosses aiming i-phones at us.  My idea of handing out that ‘at-a-boy had quickly dissolved and it was now “game-on!” 

The operator of “Bottle Up,” name-tagged “Tyler,” was opposed to me photographing his game (where no one was able to win).  “Tyler” covered with tattoos, had what appeared to be a “prison tat” of the word, “MIO,”on his neck, left his booth and rushed up to me, assuming a threatening posture.  He demanded that I not photograph his game.

 (As I had stated in my previous writings: Carnies, in general, do not want documentation of evidence of criminal activity and will always intimidate the person who documents the game features.  However, carnies always allow others to take pictures hassle-free.)

When I had ignored Tyler, he returned to his job in a huff.    

As we watched loser after loser (without actually taking any additional pictures) he again came out of his booth and demanded that we now leave the vicinity of his game.   When I refused to comply, he became very angry. 

At this time, two obese carnival boss-types did an i-phone assault on the three of us.  As these two aggressive carnies verbally harassed us, one of them (the better-dressed skinnier one) tried to make it clear he was contacting the chief of police.  He then dogged us while constantly taking i-phone shots.   Minutes later, after taking perhaps 20 pictures of us, he stated that he planned to post our pictures on “Facebook.”

Attempting to ignore the two hostile carny-bosses, we had decided to check out the “Shoot out the Stars” game. 

I handed the well-mannered carny $5 and started sighting in the machine-gun. I knew that winning involved circling the star and cutting it out whole with 100 rounds (of #2 shot) they allow you.  Remarkably, the sights were three inches off at ten feet and I had to waste about twenty rounds just sighting in the gun.  In addition to bent sights, with the gun’s hair trigger, it was impossible to squeeze off one or two rounds at a time.  Under the conditions, I believe it was impossible to properly encircle the star because any slight touch of the trigger would spray out at least 5 rounds, wasting 4.  (In the Army, I was awarded and “expert” badge with the M-16 at targets hundreds of yards away, but couldn’t score amateur from 10 feet at a carny game.)  Did I get $5 worth of entertainment?  If the gun was not rigged or screwed-up to make me lose, I would say “yes.”  Should carnies operate no-win type games?

After I had finished losing at the “Shoot out the Stars” “game,” I was approached by an obnoxious little man who verbally ripped me about accusing him of something (???).  The man arrogantly identifying himself as Ken Riebel, Dearborn Heights Recreation Director.  When he had realized he had mistaken me for Mr. David Malhalab, a retired Detroit cop, he backed off, than accused me (of the crime) of taking pictures of the carnival bosses and the midway “games.”   I explained:  “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” and accused HIM of protecting his carnies.  He angrily ordered me off the carnival grounds.  When I told him I wasn’t leaving, he became furious and stated he would summon police to physically remove me.  When I again called his bluff, he backed away (with his tail between his legs). 

We then proceeded to the “Ring a Bottle” game (a carnival mainstay) and conducted a survey.   Out of 125 attempts to ring a bottle and win, there were no winners.  The game appeared to be a “game of chance.”

Note: Chance-based game displayed on privately owned carnival midways are prohibited by state and local laws in Michigan (and throughout the country).  To be legal, traveling carnival games must ALL be skill-based.  However, “Games of chance” (chance-based games) are perfectly legal at fund raisers (Vegas tents, etc.) for non-profit organizations as long as they are licensed and monitored by the State of Michigan.

We left the carnival when we were good and ready.

Instead of commending “Mark” for changing his game and eliminating the infamous gaffed rims, and because he became a jerk, I will give that at-a-boy, instead, to the Dearborn Heights police and police reserves for not being suckered into the juvenile intimidation tactics by the ignorant carnies.  However, the police department still needs a little training in PR, and how to protect the trusting patrons of their carnivals from in-progress rip-offs.  DHPD is not the only department.

This sort of strategy/behavior by carnival bosses/management and game operators is likely a common practice.  The Heights police need to contact Danny Huston, owner of the Spirit Festival carnival company, North American Midway Entertainment, regarding the identification of the above four itinerant employees in question so that the bullying and threats are addressed and documented in a police report.   I believe Mr. Huston and North American Midway Entertainment (Aka: “Mid America Shows”) are responsible for any improper or illegal posting of my image and the images and my companions on the Internet, to include defamation and libelous statements.

Mr. Reibel needs to have an attitude adjustment, act like a public servant, and advocate for carnival patrons instead of money-hungry carnies, many of them being x-cons, fugitives, and substance abusers dealing with and preying on our children.

PS:  Carnival Game Law Enforcement experts (and common sense) agree that the proper ID or everyone connected with games and rides be given to police (clerk’s office) prior to the start of all festivals.  Was this done in Dearborn Heights?  If Tyler would have assaulted and fled, would Dearborn Heights know who he was and if he had a permanent address?  Is my name the only name they have?

Is there is a bagman from Dearborn Heights, walking around the festival; handing out complimentary $25 ride wrist bands he got from the carnival manager so that VIP’s kids can ride all day for free?