I almost got arrested for taking a picture of a car

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
08/13/2017 at 14:55 • Filed to: None

Click bait title is click bait, but I do have a story to tell.

I went to the zoo earlier, which is something I do practically every weekend. I parked my car two spots down from this Kia Soul which, for reasons I’m sure are obvious, I wanted to take a couple pictures of.

Normal thing to do as a car enthusiast, no? Well I do it all the time. Right after taking the picture of the back I look to my right and see a Sheriff in a police Tahoe. Thinking I was in the way I kinda did a ‘oh sorry’ head raise and started walking towards the sidewalk in front of the Kia.

Let me set the scene a little really quickly: I am a 28 year old white Jew, 5' 8" on a good day, about 220 pounds. It’s Sunday so I’m wearing a really bright orange t-shirt and some light blue shorts that basically look like cutoff sweat pants. I had stopped at Starbucks on the way to the zoo so I’m clutching a grande iced coffee in one arm and holding my iPhone in the other.

As soon as I get to the sidewalk the officer pulls up, lowers his window, and waves me over. Here is our exchange:

Officer: Is that your car?

Me: No

O: Why are you taking pictures of it?

M: I thought it looked neat

Officer gets out of the car, walks up to me. He towers over me by the way, had to be 6' 2" or taller. He is also white, not that it should matter. Asks to see my ID, which I hand to him, and asks if I have any weapons, which I don’t.

Officer: We’ve had some break ins recently, so this doesn’t look great you taking pictures of cars. Why are you doing that?

Me: I’m a car enthusiast, it’s kinda what we do. But I understand what you mean and I’m glad you’re looking out for it

O: Well think how it looks to me, you’re just out here taking pictures of the car. What are you doing here? (as he says this he starts radioing in my info)

M: I’m a zoo member, I’m here all the time. Probably too much

O: Where’s your car?

M, pointing to my Mustang which is two spots over: Right there, the black Mustang

O: That’s your car?

M: Yeah, that one. I just parked.

O: That car right there? Really? That’s a nice car

M: Yeah I like it

O: What do you do for work?

M: I’m an engineer at *redacted airplane company*, I design plane parts

O: oh, nice. Are you from here?

M: no, but I went to KU and I’ve been in Wichita for 6 years

At this point I was honestly a little annoyed. Surely by now he had enough info so I could just go look at animals. Radio comes back, some stuff I don’t understand, and the officer finally says alright and hands me back my ID. He again says ‘think how this looks to me’ and I again thank him for being on the lookout and state that I understand his perspective.

Okay so it’s a boring story, but it was quite an odd experience. On one hand I’m glad he doesn’t seem to be profiling one way or the other, but on another hand come on: did I really look that suspicious?

When I left the Kia was gone. Hopefully taken home by its owner and not someone else.

Here’s a tiger for your time:

DISCUSSION (55)

WilliamsSW > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:07

“Think how it looks to me” - are you kidding me?

There was a better way to handle that on the cop’s part there.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:21

“What do you do for work?”

“I fuck your mother, it pays well enough to hire a really litigious lawyer.”

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:24

Are those l.e.d. Backup lights OEM?

XJDano > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:25

Any excuse to run a name and fish for warrants. Silly but it’s part of the game.

Mercedes Streeter > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:27

‘think how this looks to me’

Like a guy taking a picture of a car, officer? I mean, have you seen the cool mods this thing has?

Porsche was my first word > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:29

Kinja'd!!!

That’ll be you if you don’t stop taking pictures of cars. Think “How would this look to an police officer?”

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/13/2017 at 15:29

Nope, they look like generic circular LED flood/fog lights. It’s actually a pretty good idea for reversing in unlit rural areas.

Honeybunchesofgoats > XJDano
08/13/2017 at 15:32

I used to commute to work in the very early morning, usually leaving around 3:30 AM. I must have gotten pulled over at least six times for the most bullshit reasons. It was almost worth it just to see the disappointment on their faces when they realized they didn’t pull over a black person.

At least one officer could barely be bothered to come up with a reason. He took my license and registration, came back 60 seconds later and went “the, uh, the reason I pulled you over is, uh, your license plate frame [that came from the dealer] obscures too much of your plate. You can go.”

DrJohannVegas > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:36

Fuckin Keystone Cops over here...

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:44

I once had a homeowner chase me down and cut me off because I took a picture of an old sign in his yard.

Chariotoflove > Honeybunchesofgoats
08/13/2017 at 15:45

I would pay really good money, I mean like dip into my kid’s college fund money, to see video of someone doing that and getting away with it.

Chariotoflove > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 15:47

Cool tiger. Careful taking pictures of the animals, though. Zoo might think you’re planning to steal one.

Steve in Manhattan > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 16:04

You can take photos of cars on the street. Period. There can be no expectation of privacy for your car, its visible contents, or its license tag. I sometimes get stares when I take photos of cars on the street, but I’ve never been approached by a cop.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Honeybunchesofgoats
08/13/2017 at 16:10

Hey you are in luck, in the USA we are back to racially profiling Jewish people again.

LongbowMkII > WilliamsSW
08/13/2017 at 16:10

Think of how it looks to me, citizen not harming shit.

Captain of the Enterprise > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 16:11

Well now I want to go to a zoo. Sorry about your weird experience. I was expecting different, like you were taking a photo while driving or something. I get what he’s saying but it’s kinda ridiculous to give so much grief for it without anything else tying you to the break ins. Also it seems like he didn’t believe you could have a nice car for some reason. I don’t understand that part either.

LongbowMkII > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 16:14

Similarly, several years back, a small group (3-4 ) and I were accosted by an officer for taking pictures of our own cars next to a railroad. Cops came in and started questioning everyone and repeatedly bringing up the subject of terrorism.

Apparently Al-Queda does terrorism research by taking pictures of Miatas and train cars in Lexington KY.

WilliamsSW > LongbowMkII
08/13/2017 at 16:17

Yeah. Like it or not, the police are public servants. The cop had a great opportunity to engage Jayhawk Jake and have him keep an eye out while taking pictures but nah, let’s intimidate someone engaging in legal behavior.

Birddog > LongbowMkII
08/13/2017 at 16:23

They were probably worried that you were going to hijack a train. Think of how it looks to them..

Jayhawk Jake > Steve in Manhattan
08/13/2017 at 16:32

It wasn’t at all implied it was illegal. Just looked suspicious I guess.

Other than slowing down my day I was not at all bothered by the officer talking to me.

Jayhawk Jake > Honeybunchesofgoats
08/13/2017 at 16:33

It’s funny you say that, my mother and father are both lawyers actually

Jayhawk Jake > WilliamsSW
08/13/2017 at 16:34

He was really nice. The first time he said that I totally got it. I didn’t understand why he repeated it so much though, it didn’t seem like me saying “I like cars and I have friends that like cars so I take pictures of them to share” was a good enough answer to him. He was kinda implying “don’t take pictures of cars” which irked me a bit.

Jayhawk Jake > WilliamsSW
08/13/2017 at 16:35

I wouldn’t call it intimidation, and while I can’t fault a guy for doing his job I would have thought just chatting for a few minutes would have been enough.

Jayhawk Jake > Mercedes Streeter
08/13/2017 at 16:36

I just think it’s funny that a dude in a bright orange shirt at noon holding a Starbucks cup is suspicious

Jayhawk Jake > Captain of the Enterprise
08/13/2017 at 16:38

That part was one more query away from REALLY pissing me off tbh. He questioned it like 3 or 4 times, I thought he was about to ask to see my registration. Like I know I was dressed pretty casually and I look a bit young but come on

Jayhawk Jake > interstate366, now In The Industry
08/13/2017 at 16:39

And to think I usually just worry the owner will see me and I have to explain no, I don’t like your car I just wanted to trash talk it with my friends

ranwhenparked > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 16:41

If someone was going to break into a car, why would they stand around taking pictures of it first?

It isn’t like a bank or an art museum that you’ve got to case first to plan out your entry and escape routes and note alarm and camera details.

XJDano > Honeybunchesofgoats
08/13/2017 at 16:47

3AM is when the city bars close , so 1/2 the people are likely drunk. There aren’t many people around at 3-4 AM.

I did get pulled over once in a richy part of town in my beater jeep and I wasn’t wearing a shirt. Woke up early, drove/ rode with coworker for 3 hours, worked for some hours, back 3 hours, worked at another job for some hours, it was late and I was tired, likely weaving.

WilliamsSW > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 16:53

Chatting with you is perfectly reasonable, and part of his job.

“Think how this looks to me” sounds like “you shouldn’t do this because I don’t like it” - and that’s not fair to me.

WilliamsSW > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 16:56

I don’t blame you a bit for being irked by that.

Since you made it clear that you’re there frequently and take pictures on occasion, you can be another set of eyes for him- someone to befriend a bit. And he can still note your description and run your plate while doing that if he’s not sure about you.

WilliamsSW > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 16:59

He he. This is my fear right here

DutchieDC2R > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 17:03

Just out of curiousity.....why are you at the zoo EVERY weekend..? Like, do you have a favourite tiger or lion or something...?

Honeybunchesofgoats > XJDano
08/13/2017 at 17:28

That’s a good point, but I don’t think that’s what happened in these situations. I’ve been pulled over by police doing drunk stops, and it’s very different. They usually at least ask “have you been drinking?” “Where are you coming from?” “Where are you going?” (In one case, one tried to rattle me by peering into the rear window with a Maglite and “accidentally” hitting the window with it. I roll down all of my windows now).

With these stops, they genuinely and visibly lost interest the second they saw me. Half of those times there wasn’t even a “do you know why I pulled you over?” Probably because they just wanted to get the whole thing over with as quickly as possible.

Rico > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 18:11

Now imagine this is what us brown and black skin people deal with just doing everyday things like walking to the store or leaving a friend’s house.

Steve in Manhattan > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 18:21

Well, you did use the word “arrested” which is not something they can do unless they have probable cause. And it pisses me off when cops intimidate where there’s no need.

XJDano > Honeybunchesofgoats
08/13/2017 at 18:58

That’s when they know they lost their little game. It’s not to try and catch you any more, its to make it look legit and move on to the next person.

Jayvincent > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 19:16

Nice cat!

Jayvincent > Chariotoflove
08/13/2017 at 19:18

you deserve more stars for this

Chariotoflove > Jayvincent
08/13/2017 at 19:19

Every contribution is appreciated, good sir.

Jayhawk Jake > Steve in Manhattan
08/13/2017 at 21:16

I said that as blatant clickbait. Couldn’t come up with a title

Jayhawk Jake > DutchieDC2R
08/13/2017 at 21:18

I have a membership so I get in free, it’s about 5-10 minutes from my house, and it’s a nice zoo to walk around and get a little exercise.

At this point I go frequently enough that it’s become a hobby to watch some of the animals grow up. There have been two gorillas born in the last year and two bison born recently.

Jayhawk Jake > ranwhenparked
08/13/2017 at 21:22

In a really bright orange shirt holding a Starbucks cup no less

Steve in Manhattan > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 21:48

To Protect and Serve and Annoy ... that might work.

The Compromiser > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 23:05

I’d take a picture of his car. “Sorry, I’m a car guy. It’s what we do.”

NJAnon > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2017 at 23:09

Jayhawk, you’ll need to see Gone in 60 Seconds again. And yes while the movie isn’t exactly non fiction, a criminal will take photos of a car they may plan to steal or otherwise do some malicious activity to. :P

If that tiger was inside the Kia Soul poking its head out, then I’d take a photo of the car. :P

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2017 at 09:43

Taking photos of someone’s car is definitely weird behavior (which I also do all the time). If it was a car he also thought was cool, he probably wouldn’t have question it - ha! I don’t see much wrong with what he did, honestly. At least you got a compliment on your car!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove
08/14/2017 at 09:44

Perfect.

Jayhawk Jake > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/14/2017 at 11:06

I got a compliment, but unfortunately it came with a bit too much “that’s not really your car” implications for me.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2017 at 11:14

Ah, yeah, that sucks. But probably just because you’re young.

Jayhawk Jake > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/14/2017 at 11:27

Probably, though I’m not THAT young.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2017 at 11:47

No, you’re not. Do you think you look older or younger than you actually are? I’ve got some male pattern baldness “helping” me in that respect...

Jayhawk Jake > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/14/2017 at 11:49

I was probably dressed young. I don’t look older than I am, maybe a little younger but I’m about right

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2017 at 12:32

I think it’s kind of a cop’s job to be suspicious. Someone taking a picture of a plain-looking (to him) car seems kind of strange (it is kind of strange - ha!), so he talked to you, asked some questions, and found that there was no “there” there.

Better than the cops that see someone clearly run a red light and do nothing about it!!

Jayhawk Jake > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/14/2017 at 12:55

Yep, and I’m glad he was looking out and not profiling. The amount of time, ID check, and disbelief at my car felt unnecessary. Inoffensive but unnecessary

Spasoje > Jayhawk Jake
08/20/2017 at 20:19

It’s like he’s a caveman or alien or something, unfamiliar with the habits of actual humans... That’s also not uncommon, which is super weird given their job entails dealing with people all the freakin’ time.