I was driving on I-40 in Arkansas on Friday night. I pulled off the interstate and went into a Love’s truck stop at exit 233, which turned out to be within the corporate boundaries of the city of Palestine (population 741). On my way out the door after buying my snack, I encountered two extremely well armed members of the Palestine municipal police force. These two guys were driving around in a tricked out Dodge Charger police cruiser, and were dressed like SWAT team members in black fatigues (complete with the exterior kevlar vests). The metropolitan police in Washington, DC generally don’t go around looking as menacing as these two guys.
The Emeryville police chief may have let the cat out of the bag. Police apparently are encouraged to show off their “power” in order to intimidate civilians, as opposed to acting “to protect and serve” and in a manner conducive to developing respect and trust among the law abiding people who pay their salaries. Civilians having guns are a threat to the power of the police.
A word to the wise—when in Palestine, AR, always drive below the posted speed limit and never spit on the sidewalk.
It is not just in CA.
“We treat you like a King”.