Prominent police backer arrested in dispute

Jimmy Binns, a prominent benefactor of police causes, was arrested by the police Tuesday in Margate because of a property dispute with a neighbor.

Binns, 72, was charged with criminal mischief and released on his own recognizance with a court appearance set for Jan. 9.

Margate police released a statement saying simply that Binns was arrested "due to an ongoing property dispute with a neighbor.

Reached by phone, Binns said his neighbor, Allan Ginsberg, had an air-conditioning unit on Binns' property and that he had warned him for months ago to have it removed.

Ginsberg, who could not be reached for comment, did not remove the unit, Binns said. So Binns hired a man to remove it.

Binns, a lawyer, said he stands by his action and predicted that he would prevail in court.

"The police made a mistake today, but that's okay," Binns said.