Meet the Berkley Gestapo

by Prometheus

How many police officers does it take to stop an unarmed pedestrian at 3:00 on a Tuesday morning?

Apparently it takes three of them. I know because I was confronted with this very situation earlier this week.

I was just minding my own business, walking down the street at night when the police car that had been following me for the last two blocks stopped and the officer told me to halt.

This being the Berkley Gestapo I had naturally expected as much. I did not expect the other two officers in their own cars that also showed up.

The officer that had stopped me asked me the standard questions, name, address, etc... There being no crime and no reason for them to suspect one I considered just walking off because they had no right to stop me (especially with that kind of manpower.) Of course that would have prompted the beating, which would prompted a lawsuit. I just wanted out of there though so I answered his questions.

He told me to stand in front of the car (blinded by the high-beams) while he used the information to look me up in the computer, and promised me he wasn't adding any information to my file.

At this point anyone who believes the cops were in the right, please go fuck yourself.

First, why would he say that if it were the truth? To deflect suspicion. Second, minutes later I caught him lying to me again.

After he was satisfied that I was who I said I was he continued questioning me. (I should point out to others who end up in this situation that you are only required to give name, address, etc...)

Other questions included how long I had lived around here, (I do not live in Berkley, but in Royal Oak where people aren't so depressingly normal,) where I lived before, and so on. Wanting to be on my way without trouble I answered him with a stupid grin on my face like I enjoyed this.

Then came the kicker, "What are you doing out this time of night."

Once again I have to assert that I did not have to answer him (and probably should not have).

I simply told him I was dumpster diving before the trash trucks come in the morning.

And this is the lie he told me, "You know, you could be arrested for doing that. Most cops here won't do it though."

I have never in my life seen such a transparent ploy to get me to trust someone. By implying that he would let me get away with this 'crime' he was practically saying that we were buddies. I get ill thinking about being buddies with the kind of scum that is the Berkley Gestapo.

Shortly afterward I was sent on my way. Thank God (if there is one)

By now you are probably wondering why I call them the Gestapo. It is very simple. Even honest law abiding Republicans in Berkley call them that. Here are a few examples why.

If you are black, you will be pulled over. Not may, will.

Same if you 'look suspicious'. This includes having long hair (regardless of age) have tools in your truck, have a car with large rust spots on it, etc... They care a lot about appearance in Berkley.

If you are under 40 you are assumed to have drugs on you or have some at home. However, in Berkley that assumption is usually correct.

A friend of mine has been the victim of police harassment because she kicked a cop off her property. Why? Her neighbor frequently calls the cops to report that my friend is feeding the birds, and the cops sugested that she stop.

They will go to any length to cause trouble for people they don't like, up to, and including, planting evidence.

Specifically, a (black) friend was pulled over for having a broken tail light. However it was not broken until the cop smashed it with his night stick. When my friend protested he was arrested.

Another friend (white) was pulled over for 'looking suspicious'. During and illegal search of his car the cops found box of computer and electronics equipment, and in this box they found alligator clips used for holding wires together. My friend was charged (and convicted) of having drug paraphernalia. He got a year of probation.