Shirley Allen
Encyclopedia
Shirley Allen, of Roby, Illinois
, is a former nurse whose family's 1997 attempt to have her involuntarily committed
led to a 39-day standoff (described by some as a "siege") with Illinois State Police
and other law-enforcement agencies.
Her husband died in 1989.
On September 22, 1997, officers of the Christian County, Illinois
sheriff
's department attempted to serve commitment papers that had been obtained by a court order after a petition by some of her relatives. Though the relatives have said they were concerned about her mental state, some have alleged that the motive was to gain control of her land; there were two oil well
s on her 47 acre (190,000 m²) farm
.
The police
were accused by some of using "military-style tactics" against Allen after she allegedly fired a shotgun at officers. (There is some controversy as to whether Allen fired first, and indeed, police have offered contradictory statements on this.) The police used tear gas, rubber bullet
s, Barry Manilow
music played at high volume day and night, and a police dog to attempt to take her into custody, and eventually shut off her power and water, and arrested a neighbor who tried to bring her food
and water. Numerous protestors stayed at the site during the standoff or siege including members of the "militia movement".
Illinois State Police
Director Terry Gainer said at the time that police were "there for this woman's protection and for the protection of her neighbors. I think we're doing the right thing. We can't afford not to."
After six weeks in a mental hospital
, Allen was released when doctors said she posed no danger to herself or others.
The standoff led to international controversies over the cost of the operation as well as involuntary commitment laws. Self-described "patriot" and militia groups, as well as the Libertarian Party, called for reform of Illinois
mental health
laws providing for the hospitalization of people who do not break the law. There have also been accusations that the police violated her First Amendment
rights. Some have dubbed the incident Roby Ridge, an allusion to the 1992 Ruby Ridge
standoff.
Dave von Kleist recorded a song about the standoff, "The Ballad of Shirley Allen".
Roby, Illinois
Roby is an unincorporated community in Christian County, Illinois, United States. It lies at ....
, is a former nurse whose family's 1997 attempt to have her involuntarily committed
Involuntary commitment
Involuntary commitment or civil commitment is a legal process through which an individual with symptoms of severe mental illness is court-ordered into treatment in a hospital or in the community ....
led to a 39-day standoff (described by some as a "siege") with Illinois State Police
Illinois State Police
The Illinois State Police is the state police force of Illinois. Officially established in 1922, the Illinois State Police have over 3,000 personnel and 21 districts. The main facilities of the Illinois State Police Academy, which were constructed in 1968, are located in Springfield. Prior to...
and other law-enforcement agencies.
Her husband died in 1989.
On September 22, 1997, officers of the Christian County, Illinois
Christian County, Illinois
Christian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 34,800, which is a decrease of 1.6% from 35,372 in 2000...
sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
's department attempted to serve commitment papers that had been obtained by a court order after a petition by some of her relatives. Though the relatives have said they were concerned about her mental state, some have alleged that the motive was to gain control of her land; there were two oil well
Oil well
An oil well is a general term for any boring through the earth's surface that is designed to find and acquire petroleum oil hydrocarbons. Usually some natural gas is produced along with the oil. A well that is designed to produce mainly or only gas may be termed a gas well.-History:The earliest...
s on her 47 acre (190,000 m²) farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
.
The police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
were accused by some of using "military-style tactics" against Allen after she allegedly fired a shotgun at officers. (There is some controversy as to whether Allen fired first, and indeed, police have offered contradictory statements on this.) The police used tear gas, rubber bullet
Rubber bullet
Rubber bullets are rubber or rubber-coated projectiles that can be fired from either standard firearms or dedicated riot guns. They are intended to be a non-lethal alternative to metal projectiles...
s, Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
music played at high volume day and night, and a police dog to attempt to take her into custody, and eventually shut off her power and water, and arrested a neighbor who tried to bring her food
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
and water. Numerous protestors stayed at the site during the standoff or siege including members of the "militia movement".
Illinois State Police
Illinois State Police
The Illinois State Police is the state police force of Illinois. Officially established in 1922, the Illinois State Police have over 3,000 personnel and 21 districts. The main facilities of the Illinois State Police Academy, which were constructed in 1968, are located in Springfield. Prior to...
Director Terry Gainer said at the time that police were "there for this woman's protection and for the protection of her neighbors. I think we're doing the right thing. We can't afford not to."
After six weeks in a mental hospital
Mental Hospital
Mental hospital may refer to:*Psychiatric hospital*hospital in Nepal named Mental Hospital...
, Allen was released when doctors said she posed no danger to herself or others.
The standoff led to international controversies over the cost of the operation as well as involuntary commitment laws. Self-described "patriot" and militia groups, as well as the Libertarian Party, called for reform of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
laws providing for the hospitalization of people who do not break the law. There have also been accusations that the police violated her First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
rights. Some have dubbed the incident Roby Ridge, an allusion to the 1992 Ruby Ridge
Ruby Ridge
Ruby Ridge was the site of a violent confrontation and siege in northern Idaho in 1992. It involved Randy Weaver, his family, Weaver's friend Kevin Harris, and agents of the United States Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation...
standoff.
Dave von Kleist recorded a song about the standoff, "The Ballad of Shirley Allen".
External links
- http://www.parascope.com/articles/1097/robyridge.htm
- http://weeklywire.com/ww/10-20-97/chicago_cover.html
- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,987254,00.html
- http://67.151.102.46/story/?id=39536