Outraged in 78212!

[JuneOf48]

Originally Posted by Soviet

That is insane. Absolutely ridiculous.

You're right--it is ridiculous and insane. Just last night, I walked home after 1am. I had three beers in me (consumed over three hours). If a cop would've stopped me a couple blocks from my house and asked me what I was up to, I would've told him. I would've even showed him my ID. But then, if he wanted, he could've pushed me against his car, frisked me, and gone through my pockets, wallet, etc. If he didn't like the way I was acting, he could've charged me with PI based upon his "perception" that I wasn't walking in a compass-straight line. (And who actually does that, even when sober???) And it would simply be his word against mine, and there is no way I would win in court.

Frankly, I don't think any of it is right. And I HAVE had things like this happen to me in the past--and I'm a white guy with zero criminal record and as squeaky clean as they come. Most police are hardworking and ethical. A few are not, and we shouldn't grin and bear it if they abuse their power.

[cobralou]

Buddies drinking and only one beer (wink wink) "the old familiar story to tell the wife".It sounds like he wanted to walk the rest of the way to work on a good story or alibi.Oh honey I didn't want to wake you up!Classic,some of my best material but totally novice. This time the police were right to be suspicious and acted responsibily to assume strange behavior. Police can't discriminate on clothing,gender or race anymore regardless If he was wearing a clown outfit or a 3 piece suit. Advice: next work on a good story before you start drinking and cover all your bases. This is why the movie "The Hangover" was so funny.(there wasn't a taser involved in your story?).

[sleeptech210]

Wait.. Would you happen to own a Lexus? Haha

[xsa210tx]

Originally Posted by JuneOf48

There was nothing to indicate that he was intoxicated. And if he was a normal-sized guy, having three or four drinks over two hours leaves you well under .08. (Check the blood alcohol content calculators online.)

As many people said, walking on San Pedro after 1am is not uncommon. There are bus stops all along there, and Las Salsas is right there and open 24 hours a day. I myself walk down St. Mary's and McCullough all the time after that hour, and they're right next door.

I have no problem with a cop asking me what I'm up to. In fact, I'm glad when they do. I do have a problem when they suggest I'm holding drugs (for no reason), and then proceed to frisk me and search my possessions for simply walking down the street. That's what the OP reported.

All that they have to do is say that you were "stumbling" or looked "glassy-eyed" to bring you in and charge you with a misdemeanor--even if you weren't drinking or they had no proof (i.e., field sobriety test or breathalyzer results) to suggest that you were. That's how cops can fish for undocumented immigrants, or harass people they don't like, or up their arrest counts--as described in the articles that have been cited on this thread. And yes, when caught, cops have been disciplined and even fired for it. To suggest that it never happens flies in the face of the evidence.

Originally Posted by JuneOf48

You're right--it is ridiculous and insane. Just last night, I walked home after 1am. I had three beers in me (consumed over three hours). If a cop would've stopped me a couple blocks from my house and asked me what I was up to, I would've told him. I would've even showed him my ID. But then, if he wanted, he could've pushed me against his car, frisked me, and gone through my pockets, wallet, etc. If he didn't like the way I was acting, he could've charged me with PI based upon his "perception" that I wasn't walking in a compass-straight line. (And who actually does that, even when sober???) And it would simply be his word against mine, and there is no way I would win in court.

Frankly, I don't think any of it is right. And I HAVE had things like this happen to me in the past--and I'm a white guy with zero criminal record and as squeaky clean as they come. Most police are hardworking and ethical. A few are not, and we shouldn't grin and bear it if they abuse their power.

Great posts!

[getgoing2010]

After reading the original post a second time. I question the integrity of the story. It reads more like a "story" than an actual event to solicit controversial discussion. It's like one of those movies where the girl is running away from the murderer and she trips and falls as he falls behind her reaching for her foot and the camera zooms in.

Go ahead, give another read and see what you think.

[majormadmax]

Well, given the OP's total of two posts, and no further information to defend her/her boyfriend's side of the story, I would say this thread lost any usefulness about five pages ago...