City of Snohomish, UW prof settle suit over arrest

Published 3:48 pm Monday, June 8, 2009

SNOHOMISH – A University of Washington visual arts professor who was frisked and arrested in 2005 after taking photographs of power lines in Snohomish has reached an $8,000 settlement that ends her lawsuit against the city.

“I was not interested in the money,” said Shirley Scheier, 55, an associate professor of fine arts. “I am interested in the issues. I am interested in it being made clear that there is nothing suspicious about photography.”

Scheier said she donated the settlement to the American Civil Liberties Union, which represented her in the lawsuit.

The city has not changed any of its policies, Snohomish city manager Larry Bauman said

“Ms. Scheier was handled with courtesy and appropriate care,” he said.

The decision to settle with the Seattle artist and educator was made by lawyers for the Washington Cities Insurance Authority, the city’s insurance agent, Bauman said.