SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – A West St. Paul man continues to protest atop a South St. Paul billboard along Interstate 494 and Concord Street.
Felony charges have been filed against 46-year-old Matthew Becker who claims Dakota County officials have been protecting a sex offender whom two of his relatives are living with.
South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke says it’s just too dangerous to try and force Becker off the billboard he’s been on since Oct. 4.
“Our goal is to deescalate this and it serves no purpose to place our responders up on that very, very narrow platform where he’s located, and engage him in a physical confrontation,” says Wicke. “You know, the risk of injury or death to this individual and quite frankly to our responders is too great.”
Wicke says Becker has threatened first responders and even started firing projectiles at people just a few weeks ago.
“Individual on the billboard took out what I’ll describe as a wrist rocket and began firing, you know, metal or steel projectiles at those employees,” says Wicke. “We were called, we responded back down there. He began firing projectiles at our staff as well. We were able to distract them and get those employees out and safely get our officers out of that scene.”
At one point, Becker hung a mannequin from the billboard too.
“I’d like to start by, and I will apologize to every passing motorist and everyone impacted by this, we’ve received reports from individuals that have lost loved ones to suicide that are just shocked at the behavior of this individual hanging a mannequin off of there,” Wicke explained.
Wicke says they’ll continue to offer Becker resources to get down, but adds people should stay away from the site.
“We have been able to intercept some individuals that have been resupplying them and we’ve addressed their behavior through the normal criminal court process,” he said.
Becker has been posting messages to YouTube and claims he won’t be leaving until the problem’s dealt with by Dakota County.
Comments