He may have suspected that it was illegal. After all, WI is one of the most restrictive states in the Union, and when told it wasn't against the law, he backed off. What's the problem?
“...when told it wasn’t against the law, he backed off.
What’s the problem?”
He backed off, but the police didn’t. They apparently had to come out and take a look just in case.
Did he have to be so self-indulgent as to call the police?
Couldn’t he have inquired with those around him, with other citizens who might have been acquainted with the law?
It just doesn’t make sense.