I used to think like this until my daughter was target by local police.
They like to get on your bumper like a shark and just hang there until you screw up. If you don’t screw up, they’re come up with a reason. “You didn’t wait a full three seconds at the stop sign.” “Yes. You can go right on red. But I don’t think you waited long enough at that light.” “I had my window down and smelled pot coming from your vehicle at 65 MPH...” “You look a little young to be driving.” and on and on.
She never ONCE was given a ticket or even a warning. And every freaking time, the cop would call in the drug dogs and another car or two and she’d be searched.
She was polite and cooperated.
The last time, after the cop was done dumping her purse on the ground beside her (again), he smiled and said, “Do you know why I keep pulling you over, honey?”
She said no.
He said, “Because I know that you’re never going to give me any trouble.”
She mentioned that a harassment lawsuit might be a fair bit of trouble and, like magic, she never got pulled over again.
After our experiences with a certain police department, I’m really over the ‘he was asking for it’ argument.
Teach your daughter the following magic words:
“I have been advised by my attorney that this continued harassment constitutes a violation of Title 42 section 1983”.
Maybe Ol Chris is just keeping away the uncle Tom rumors that he is a Ted Cruz Supporter.
“my daughter was target by local police.’
You must live in a small town?
Quite some years back, one of our daughter’s - over age 21 - was out with friends, at a nightclub, where a female acquaintance - who had been drinking - kind of stumbled a bit going down the stairs from the 2nd floor night club.
We believe the police were observing all this. And why not, really?
Our daughter started driving for home, 15 minutes away from the night club - about midnight - with at least 2 others in her car. She drove maybe 2 blocks in the middle of the town, was pulled over, - we were told she (barely) crossed the center line, on a 2 lane road - was pulled over, told to get out, and ordered to sit on the curb. I believe she knew not to resist - even tho we had never discussed a situation like that. She WAS mad and upset - no kidding. Then She was hauled off to jail. We picked her up at 2 in the morning.
I don’t know how the others got home.
We got a lawyer because daughter was charged with - can’t now remember what, and all was settled. Also can’t remember just how.
Fees and all - so $$$ spent.
Yes, we thought there was some kind of set-up - her car was briefly, barely over the line, her breath did not exceed the alcohol limit, and we think her raucous acquaintance drew attention to the group. And SHE was let go. Maybe the officer did not take kindly to daughter’s anger and being upset - - - as she felt she did nothing wrong.
We just didn’t think all was quite on the up and up. If daughter was guilty of something, so be it. She would suffer the consequences.
And pray to G-d she didn’t hurt anyone.
No, daughter never had another problem, that raucous ‘friend’ was history (we didn’t demand that), and daughter is now the mom of 2 terrific teenagers.
When I am occasionally a passenger in her car, I notice she is a terrific, calm driver.
Since the incident, we have a peace officer in the family, and years ago he said that there are so many laws, that he could tail any driver and could find something wrong about the car or the driving/driver. He also sees it when off-duty. I don’t know how he goes ‘off duty,’ when he IS off duty!
We have to remember, the police are charged with carrying out ‘the laws,’ which THEY did not create.