Word to the Wise

In safe little Allen, Texas something happened to me that really opened my eyes! I meant to blog about it earlier to let everyone know what's out there, but let's be honest, we all know I'm not the best blogger these days.

Two weeks ago I was leaving our Wednesday night church activity and as I pulled out of the church parking lot, a dark Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled in behind me and turned on flashing lights. My first thought was, "Man?! What did I do now? I swear I stopped at that sign and my registration is up to date!"

There wasn't anywhere to pull over (and I hate when people just stop in the middle of the street), so I was driving really slow and waiting until I came to a cross street. Fortunately, that gave me enough time to realize that something wasn't right. The car didn't seem like an undercover cop car to me. The license plate didn't say "Exempt," there wasn't that big spotlight thingy by the side mirror, and it was a Jeep! Things just didn't seem right.

So I started to get a little scared and I was trying to see the driver. At this time he started to get really antsy and was tail-gating me really bad. I picked up the phone to call X and just then he swerved around me and was driving like a bat out of Hades!

It was then that I realized that someone had just tried to pull me over...and he wasn't a cop!! Doesn't stuff like that only happen on the news? He got stopped up ahead by a red light and I was able to get his license plate number. I called the police and they were able to pull him over. Unfortunately, his lights were white and they are not illegal (only red and blue ones are) and since he didn't make contact with me, the police couldn't do anything. But they did try to scare the patootie out of him!

I really don't feel like he would have done anything to me; I think he was a stupid teenager just out to see how funny it was to scare people. But the thing is is that there's no way of knowing! We have to be so careful now!

So the moral of the story is the advice that the policeman shared with me:

1. When you are pulled over, wherever you are, in town or in the country, ALWAYS keep driving until you can pull into a lighted, populated area. i.e. a gas station or grocery store. Any normal cop will understand and appreciate your attempts at safety
2. It is okay to be on the phone when you get pulled over, assuming that you get off when they get to the window. I asked specifically because from now on I'm always going to call X to tell him what's happening and where I am.
3. It is okay to ask for identification from the cop to make sure that he is legitimate. I'm sure there's some old, raunchy cops that will be offended by this, but it's our legal right and responsibility to take care of ourselves!

So don't be scared by this, just be aware and be safe!!