âIt was just so annoyingâ stated victim
By Klara Woldenga, Humour Editor
Joan Harren is facing 30 days in jail, along with a possible fine of $2,000, for texting her love interest too many times without waiting for a response back.
Harrenâs arrest came after her sort-of-boyfriend, Mark Daven, called the police to complain that Harren was harassing him with texts.
âThe texts were just really annoying,â stated Daven in an exclusive interview with the Other Press. âIâm a very busy guy. I donât have time to deal with the feelings of someone Iâm kind of emotionally involved with, especially when it inconveniences me.â
According to the police report, Harren texted Daven five times within a six-day time span without waiting for a response back to continue the conversation. The texts ranged from wondering if he wanted to go out sometime soon, to flat-out asking if he was even still interested in hanging out with her again.
âIt was, frankly, too needyâtoo âemotional.â I was clear with her that I didnât want anything serious,â Daven said, very seriously. âI donât know why she told the police that I was her boyfriend, I donât believe in titlesâI strictly label myself a âno labelâ kind of guy.â
According to the report, the police quickly responded to Davenâs call by breaking into Harrenâs apartment and then arresting her on charges of âelectronic harassment.â
There has been an influx of electronic harassment reports over the past few years, according to Alex Welick, head of police. The police department has responded by lowering their response time, and having a zero per cent tolerance for these kinds of attacks.
âWe get these kind of calls all the time,â stated Welick in a recent press conference. âThese kids who harass others just canât put their phones down. It leads to so many people on the receiving end feeling shameâan emotion weâre working to make illegal.â
When asked how citizens could prevent electronic harassment, Welick was quick to give advice.
âSometimes itâs best to accept ghosting before you hurt other people with your concerns about whether people want to stay in a relationship with you,â stated Welick. âForcing someone to confront issues or unanswered questions about a relationship isnât something people want to do, and, frankly, not a thing we would wish on anyone.â
With Harren off the streets, Daven can finally breathe a sigh a relief.
âIâm just glad I finally feel safe,â he said. âNow I can freely walk the streets knowing that I wonât be confronted with the need to address any issues in a relationship I was part of, or feel any shame at all, reallyâas I said, Iâm a busy guy. I just donât have time for any of that stuff.â
When asked what he was so busy with, Daven stated he had a very active Twitter account.
âI have almost 1,000 followers. Twitter fame doesnât build itself, you know. #RiseandGrind.â
Harrenâs trail will be held at the end of November.