Last week a Detroit District courtroom was cleared after a bailiff notified the judge that a man sitting in the first row had bed bugs crawling on him. Once the judge received notification, the bed bug man was removed, then the row where the man was sitting was cleared of attendees, then all remaining cases for the day were cancelled and her staff was promptly sent home. A pest control company was called to the scene for inspection and possible bed bug treatment. A bed bug sniffing dog even joined in the action to root out any wandering bed bugs. These are all good things.
According to The Detroit News on August 23, 2012, District Judge Cylenthia LaToye Miller, said “I evacuated the courtroom today due to a man with live bedbugs for everybody’s well-being.”
The bed bug sniffing dog did not find any bed bugs upon their inspection of the courtroom, thanks in large part by the quick action taken by the judge! The daughter of the man with the bugs crawling on him has confirmed that he does indeed have a bed bug infestation problem at his home.
The judge has received continuous flak from various media sources for her decision to close the courtroom.
It’s time that we stand up for the judge’s decision! Bed bugs are masters at hitching a ride on any unsuspecting person. They can easily crawl into a handbag, laptop bag, pant cuff, shoes, socks, or pockets. Bed bugs do not fly or jump, but they do crawl…and quite fast if they so choose. If this man had bed bugs crawling on him, it would be very easy for bed bugs to crawl off of this man and onto any other person in the courtroom.
Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.