Tuesday night after working on some things in the hotel. I decided to drive to a local Mexican restaurant to pick up a take out order. After picking up the order I got a flat tire in the rental car. It didn’t have a spare and the inflator repair kit didn’t work. I called the number on the rental agreement and we decided they would be able to fix or replace the tire in the morning and would reimburse me for a cab or Uber. I was sitting at an outdoor table of another restaurant in a strip like mall to eat my tacos. While eating and deciding whether to call an Uber or a cab a police officer pulled in and approached me , he had a call of a strange suspicious “barefoot “ woman. Lol I explained the flat tire and pointed to the car and said I enjoy being barefoot. He ran my license and asked where I was headed. I told him the hotel location and he said he could drop me off if I didn’t mind sitting in the back. I jokingly said sitting in the back wasn’t bad if I am not arrested again. I was arrested for DUI several years ago. He asked if I wanted to get my shoes and anything else and lock my car. I said I wanted my purse and bag but again I didn’t have shoes with me. So I get my things and he asked for security reasons if I minded they were in front with him. I said I didn’t mind. He also asked if I minded that he pat me down for his safety since I was in his car. Again I agreed and even understood. Then he took me to the passenger side of the patrol car where it was more private and before I knew it I was back cuffed. I asked if I was arrested and he said , oh no it’s just procedure when you are in my car. On the way to my hotel he was pleasant and we had a good conversation. I just was stunned that I had to be handcuffed to get a ride when not arrested but I guess this is the world we now live in.
Really? What police Dept was this, if you don't mind me asking. The thought of being handcuffed for just a ride would be terribly humiliating for me. I'd decline and call a cab or have Uber pick me up. BTW, several years ago I was driving around an old beater when I ran out of gas on a hill. A cop offered to push me out of the way with his front bumpers. My home was a short distance away so he drove me home sitting in his back seat. I thank him and wish him a good day. I wasn't barefoot though. I don't like the world we live in now. It breaks my heart to think of what the children today will inherit in their future.
Probably a policy that he could not violate. He sounded pleasant but could have mentioned the handcuffs when offering the ride. The suspicious person was the one that called the cops when they saw a barefoot woman.
I agree it was his policy and he was very pleasant and I understand the need for his safety. My post wasn’t meant to bash him which is why I didn’t include his department. I do wish he would have mentioned the back handcuff policy, I would have definitely went with an Uber. He did take me to the side of the car where no one could easily see him search and handcuff me. During our conversation he did say that a lot of department stores have trouble with guest coming in barefoot and leaving wearing new shoes they didn’t pay for.
I still point the fickle finger of fate at whoever called the cops. It sounds like he tried to make the best of the situation. I worked retail some years ago. It was not uncommon to find old shoes in a new box. Those new shoes did not walk out on their own.
