Resident tells Edwardsville council he was chased by officers at Potato Fest and threatened with arrest

During public comment, resident Brian Brashear (745 River Falls Road) told the Edwardsville City Council that he and his family spent money at the inaugural Potato Fest but encountered problems while picking up trash after the event.

Brashear said he and others were picking up trash and driving a golf cart when two police officers chased them and threatened him with jail, a DUI arrest and a child-endangerment allegation. "On the day of the potato festival, I was chased down by 2 police officers on a golf cart, threatened with jail again, threatened with, a DUI arrest, And, another child endangerment, threat was issued," Brashear said. He added that officers later visited his home for a "knock and talk" despite his request that police not come to his house.

Brashear also said the event left trash throughout the community and said he used to pick up trash voluntarily but felt embarrassed by the police encounter. He alleged that a particular officer had "lied under oath" in an earlier proceeding and been promoted, and said he would return to speak to the council again.

The council acknowledged the comment; no formal response or investigation outcome was recorded on the public record during the meeting. Staff or police department follow-up was not reported on the record during this session.