Deprivation of rights under the color of law is a felony.
Maybe someone needs to remind the law makers of this
It may be an abuse as stated in the article. Then again, it may not. Some people are drama queens and do stupid stuff to get attention. I have seen it both ways.
Yes, small towns are usually run by a clique of a few that bother to show up at meetings, serve on committees, and do a fair amount of the work that needs to be done. If you want to be protected, the easiest way is to become one of the “in” crowd.
It does not take much. Join one of the local parties. If one is extremely dominant, join that one. Do party work. Become a precinct committee person. Volunteer to work on campaigns. Show up at town meetings.
This will make you known. Police will be more polite. It is very hard not be noticed anymore. So much so, it may be easier to get “inside” the system. It will not help you if/when we go full blown Stalinesque, but short of that, being known is a defense.