My son, who is 24, was visiting our home this evening. On a whim, he went to a local store to buy some ice cream for himself and his mother. On the way to the store, he was pulled over, stopped and surrounded (about eight officers according to my son)by the local police department.
They told him to keep his hands on the steering wheel, then get out of his truck. They repeatedly (four different officers) asked him where the other person in the truck was and why he was with a felon. They told him that he was circling the parking lot of the store suspiciously. My son said that he did not know what they were talking about. He told them that he was visiting us (he was with us not five minutes before)and drove to the store to buy ice cream. They finally let him go without so much as a reasonable explanation or apology.
He called me absolutely terrified. He terrified me with his call.
He asked me what he should do. He said he did exactly what the officers told him to do. I said that he had done the right thing. I should tell you that my son almost failed to graduate from high school because the thought of giving an oral presentation terrified him and he refused to do it. He is terrified of authority figures and I now know why. Outside of a couple of traffic citations and a minor incident when he was a young teenager (he broke a small tree), he has never done anything wrong. My other son has a spotless record as well.
I say that because this is the third time in a year that one of my sons has been accosted by the local police, because they were mistaken for someone else. It is the second time for this particular son. I should also say that the truck he was driving has an interesting record. I bought it brand new in Vallejo, CA in June of 1984. My son and I are the only two owners of record. A few years ago, I was nearly arrested, because that vehicle looked like one used in a hit and run accident. When the officer directly accused me of the hit and run I said "This conversation is over, until I have an opportunity to consult an attorney." He told me that he would take me to the police station if I did not talk to him. (My wife said that he reached out to grab me as I turned from him.) I was forced to prove to him that I was not involved by contacting a witness (the wife of a former police officer in my town) who explained what happened.
After my son's call I called the police department. I asked for an explanation. He knew immediately (sitting in the station) which incident I was referring to without any prompting. Apparently, the search they were conducting was a big deal. During our conversation the officer very nearly got belligerent with me. I was forced to explain that I was emotional, because I was frightened by my son's call and I wanted to know why he had not received an apology. He said that he did not know what happened at the scene, but the police officers were protecting themselves.
This incident made me sick to my stomach. Do you think that I should make a stink about it? I am sick of hearing that my sons have been accosted. Since I know the mayor (I have lived here since my kids were small)I was thinking that I could talk to him.
I have my ACLU renewal form in my mail basket. My check will be coming post haste. Oh Lordy, am I glad they exist.
Once again I am reminded about the fragile nature of our freedom. Watch out for your children. It is not safe out there.