Kubota had an interaction with the local police this past weekend.
He was pulled over for a minor traffic infraction.
Kubota was not in a great space. He and his girl were going through a rocky patch and the boss had shorted him in his last paycheck. His truck needs fixin' and his rent is over-due. The last thing Kubota needed was an expensive traffic ticket.
The stop did not go that great. Kubota's paperwork was not in order.
At no point did the Glock jump out of the holster and start punching holes in him.
Nor did the TASER leave its holster.
Nor did a flotilla of squad cars show up.
Kubota remained civil and made his best attempt to comply with what the law officer requested...a fact made more difficult by the paperwork SNAFU.
For the record, Kubota is African-American, or Black if that is the term you prefer.
He is not happy about the ticket he received but he did NOT acquire any bruises, cuts, extra holes in his skin or any other physical damage.
He remained civil and did his best to comply with what the officer requested. That right there is what will almost always keep the cops civil and reasonable. Kudos to him for having the maturity and the smarts to play it that way.
ReplyDeleteRather than just sending in the fine, if he has the time he should go to his court date. Often, if you show up and can show that in the interim you have gotten license, registration, and proof of insurance all current, the judge will frequently cut you a break on the fine, especially if you can legitimately plead poverty.
One of those lessons in adulting ... life goes easier if you take care of the little stuff, instead of ignoring it because it is "little stuff." Nobody said being an adult wasn't tedious at times. Attention to detail.
ReplyDeleteOh, and that having enough money prevents a whole lot of unhappiness, because life never goes smoothly by plan, and money solves many problems. So being very tight-fisted with your money will save you a lot of grief in life.
My son had an officer interaction this spring that flustered him, but ended up as a laugh. He got pulled over for expired tags (our fault, missed the reminder mail). When the officer came back up to his car with the ticket, he asked my son "How much marijuana do you have in your car?" My son, who does not smoke or use drugs, was surprised and replied "umm....none?"
ReplyDeleteThe cop, disbelieving, said "Come on, I could smell it from back at my car". Son was stumped for a moment, then had an idea, and reached down to the cupholder where I had stashed the fabric bag of "Rodent repellent" (purchased at an unnamed home supply store). The contents are pungent, and he had complained to me about the smell, but liked mice in his car less.
He handed the pouch, with label attached, to the cop and explained. The cop sniffed, agreed that it was what he'd been smelling, reminded him to get his tabs renewed, and sent him on his way.
We'll be looking for a less-smelly rodent solution this fall.
It sounds like the young man did the correct thing. 'Wrasslin the Cop' often does not end well. Nor does cussing out or smarting off even when you are frustrated. A sign of maturity is accepting what is happening without losing it.
ReplyDeleteFunny how being civil keeps things from going Rodeo, innit?
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