Small cross on mirror gets me pulled over

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Coming home tonight and pass a police officer on a side street two blocks from my house. She whips out behind me and right as I pull in the driveway, she hits her lights. I go to get out and she instructs me to stay in the car with my hands visible. She then proceeds to question me, asking if I have any weapons. When I reply no, (though I had a small pocket knife in my pocket) she asks to see my drivers liscense. I am instructed to wait in the car with hands visible while she runs my plate and liscense, (all while sitting in the driveway of my own home). Finally, she comes back and says I'm "clear" and can go about my business. She turns to walk away and I ask her why she pulled me over in the first place. She points to the tiny cross I have hanging from my rearview mirror and tells me it is illegal to have anything hanging from my mirror. She leaves with no further explanation. I've had that cross there for years and since High School I've always had a cross from my mirror. Grrrrrrrr - sorry for the rant but thanks for listening.


I can't help but think that there is more to this story than we're being told. There are either circumstances of which the original poster isn't aware, or there's something being omitted.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Coming home tonight and pass a police officer on a side street two blocks from my house. She whips out behind me and right as I pull in the driveway, she hits her lights. I go to get out and she instructs me to stay in the car with my hands visible. She then proceeds to question me, asking if I have any weapons. When I reply no, (though I had a small pocket knife in my pocket) she asks to see my drivers liscense. I am instructed to wait in the car with hands visible while she runs my plate and liscense, (all while sitting in the driveway of my own home). Finally, she comes back and says I'm "clear" and can go about my business. She turns to walk away and I ask her why she pulled me over in the first place. She points to the tiny cross I have hanging from my rearview mirror and tells me it is illegal to have anything hanging from my mirror. She leaves with no further explanation. I've had that cross there for years and since High School I've always had a cross from my mirror. Grrrrrrrr - sorry for the rant but thanks for listening.


I can't help but think that there is more to this story than we're being told. There are either circumstances of which the original poster isn't aware, or there's something being omitted.


I believe there's a lot of stuff the cop didn't tell the OP and so he's left

This is America and if OP wants to dress like a gangbanger and drive through the ghetto playing rap music in a car covered with anti cop bumper stickers he should go unimpeded as long as he obeys the law. Not saying any of those traits are associated with the OP but it sounds like he matched either a specific (wanted "hood") or generic profile.

 

[SEMI_287]

Originally Posted By: expat
My first response to being pulled over would be " Hi, is there a problem officer?" (use the officers name)


Officer Farva?

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I can't help but think that there is more to this story than we're being told. There are either circumstances of which the original poster isn't aware, or there's something being omitted.

This.

I don't disagree with her enforcing motor vehicles regulations....the problem is with how she conducted herself. She is a PUBLIC SERVANT....not a soldier, you as a citizen have the right to be treated with respect as long as you offer the same....

That is the problem with law enforcement today they have been trained to believe that you are a "subject" and not a citizen that is PAYING THEIR WAGES.

 

[andrewg]

She sounds like a highly over-reactive police officer that has no idea how to relate to the public. I would report the incident to her Captain. No reason to act like a jerkette and treat you like that.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Illegal here too. I see people with all kinds of junk hanging from the mirror though.


+1

It is called "Obstructing view" and can get you stopped independent of anything else. Level of enforcement varies. I make sure to have EVERYTHING clear, as some cops want to give you a ticket, BADLY.

The attitude of the police officer is typical of Florida and is why cops get no respect from me.

 

[tig1]

+1 on the obstructing view thing in my area.