One 12-year-old Las Vegas boy has become a viral video hero after reminding a thirsty police officer he's not above the law.
The young man, who identifies himself as Jeremy in the video, springs into action when he sees a motorcycle cop park illegally on the sidewalk.
The officer was apparently going to buy a soft drink.
'Is there a reason for you to park on the sidewalk?' Jeremy asks. 'Is it like an emergency or anything?'
When the cop refuses to answer, Jeremy goes one step further.
'Can I see your badge number?' he asks.
'Why?' the officer responds.
'Because I have the right to.'
'Are you a lawyer?' The officer asks.
'No I just want to see your badge number.'
The officer refuses to give over his badge number but asks Jeremy to give him an ID.
Jeremy keeps pressing the officer for his badge number, but finally the man rides off leaving Jeremy to wonder what the emergency was.
The video, uploaded to YouTube under the user name Jeremy Drew, has already been viewed more than 2.2 million times.
It's sparked fierce debate between viewers who think Jeremy did the right thing those who think he was being a pest.
'This cop puts his life on the line every day to protect and serve us. Grow up kid,' writes one viewer on YouTube.
While another writes: 'The kid was doing the right thing. I'm always amazed at suckups who think holding police to the same standard as everyone else is some sort of sin.'
Cops do not "put their lives on the line every day" Almost always it's a safe and sedentary occupation. How else do cops put in careers of 20 and 30 years. If they were daily at risk of losing their lives there would be far, far fewer of them. I'm over 60, and I could be a cop in my town and almost every day I would do less real work than I do mowing the grass.
ReplyDeleteSince the cop would do the exact same thing in a heartbeat if it was someone else parked there like that, this kid is 100% correct to ask.
ReplyDeleteHe's not being a pest, he's reminding the cop that even a 12 year old can see through bullshit and that he has to follow the same rules. How many people do you think the cop ticketed for what he just did?
Kudos kid, now if only we can arrange for you to have some kind of authority to ticket the cop you'd be set!
I was his age and at that time on my street an illegal but real easy way to avoid traffic and a traffic light was to drive up on a curb; cross over a sidewalk and drive across some parking lot to the parking lot of a shopping center. It wasn't illegal for bikes and pedestrians but was for vehicles. It was ALWAYS used by the cops and one day I did what that kid did. I got the badge # and walked to the station and explained. The cop told me he would give me a parking ticket. I said I walked. He said so what, you'll have to answer it anyway, it will cost you. He was a cop. I knew then who I was dealing with. It is good to know when you're young. That was back in '68 -'69.
ReplyDeleteThis cop like most are chumps that are power hungry. If you take away the badge and the gun all you have is a coward.
ReplyDeletePeacefully reject double standards by the law enforcement apparatus and film yourself, always film yourself. Peacefully reject double standards by the governing apparatus and film yourself, always film yourself. Peacefully reject double standards by the private sector and film yourself, always film yourself. Then be sure you download them for educational instruction.
ReplyDeletePolice services the world over have gone from respected members of the community to revenue collectors for corporations and governments, the double standards and hypocrisy are all too common. This young man just learned a valuable lesson, respect has to be earned not just automatically assumed because you have a badge or "position" of authority. Did this young fella get the tag number and show the local precinct or watch commander?
ReplyDelete