First of all let me say, I have always told my son to respect the Police. My wife and I have always told him they are there to help you anytime you need help. But now thanks to an overzelious Officer that teaching has been blowen right out the window.
Two weeks ago while I was in Miami my son got into a bit of trouble. He was returning to the high school after lunch. After making a turn onto the street that goes to the highschool he lost control on the ice. He went off the road and hit a fence post. Damaged his bumper and slightly bent the post. While he and his buddy was checking out the damage a woman drove up screaming that he hit her fence, damaging her private property. She also said she was reporting him to the police. Then she drove away. My son got into his truck and took his buddy back to school, and since he had no more classes for the day he went home and called his Mom. My wife disagreeded with what the unknowen woman had said, she said she thought the fence belonged to the city of North Pole. For him to call the City and talk to the City Engineer. As he was hanging up there was a knock on the door, my son answered the door and there stood a North Pole Police Officer.
The Officer then said in a very authoritive voice, "Step outside!". My son steped back to grab his coat since it was -40, the Officer then in a louder voice demanded "Step outside now!". So my son went outside without his coat, only in a tee shirt, jeans, and sneakers. The Officer then wanted to know who was home, my son told him no one he was alone. The Officer wanted to see the damage to his truck, and made him walk in front of him, and stand off to the side as he surveyed the damage to the bumper. Then he ordered my son to stand beside the front fender of his vehicle while he climbed inside to write the citation. The officer sat in his warm vehicle for 20 minutes, while my son stood outside in -40 degree weather. My son said that writing the citation only took a few minutes, then the Officer talked on the radio to someone for a while. Then the Officer sat there drumming his fingers on the steering wheel while glaring at my son. My son felt he was being baited, that the Officer was looking for an excuse to escallate the situation, and him turning to go get a coat would have been the excuse the Officer was looking for. After 20 minutes the Officer got out of the vehicle and approched my son. Taking his time he told my son that he was being charged with leaving the scene of an accident, damage to private property, and failure to report an accident. This action would result in him losing his licsence, and possiable jail time. His arraignment is the 30th of March. My son is devastated. Now he has to get an Attourney to represent him at his arraignment, and in court.
Here is a young man that has never been in any knid of trouble. The wife and I have only had to ground him once during highschool, and that was for a very minor incident. He does not drink, or do drugs, his only addiction is Hockey. When driving he is a very safe and continicious driver. He does not speed, run stop signs, or do anything unsafe. All his buddies complain that he drives like an old grandma, my son's responce is that the North Pole Police are always following him around town. And I have noticed them following me when I drive his truck. I think he is being singled out because he drives the nicest looking truck at the highschool. In fact it is one of the sharpest looking trucks in town.
As for his socalled accident. Alaska statute says only accidents with personal injury or property damage of $1500.00 or greater needs to be reported. The cost of a new bumper was less than $500.00, cost of a new post was $258.00 (already paid to the City Of North Pole). And no one was hurt. First of all the woman making the report lied about her personal property being damaged, the fence does belong to the City Of North Pole. Her property is on the other side of the fence, with an easement. And with the new rules Canada has enforced the last couple of years, they will deny him entry to play Hockey during the annual Hockey camps this summer. His goals are to become a professional Hockey player. There goes his oppertunities for a Hockey scholership for college. And it is next to impossiable to get to the pros with out playing at the colledge level.
