Grae Gram

Today is Christmas, whether you celebrate or not, there will be more cops patrolling the streets. As you drive to  your family or friend’s house to enjoy some quality time, beware!

Seat-belt?  Check.  Speed Limit?  55mph. Check.  Radio volume?  Low. Check.  New insurance card? I guess I’ll find out.  I’m on the Staten Island Expressway and this cop followed me for three miles.  I change lanes.  He changes right behind me.  I tried to bore him by doing 40 and he slows down to stay with me.  Then red, white, and blue fill my rear view.

I pulled to the shoulder, turned off the car, turned on the lights, and lowered the windows.  I keep my hands on the wheel to avoid any “mishaps”.  The cop on my left asks me for my information while the cop on my right sticks his head in the window and looks around.   “What are you doing here?” the cop asked as he handed me my license.  “It says you’re from Queens.”  “I’m going to my friend’s shop out in Jersey”, I said.  “What are you some kind of mechanic?  How can you afford this car?”  This is when I realized I was another victim of DWB, otherwise known as Driving While Black.

I wanted to play games with the cops and say I sell drugs or I stole it.  Seriously, what kind of stupid question is that?  Anyhow I replied, “I work.”  Then they asked, “Where do you work?  What do you do at your job?”  I answered all their DWB questions and they warned me for driving recklessly and said I was free to go.   Folks be careful when you are DWB, especially during the Holidays.

Have a safe Holiday.

Submitted by GG reader Phil Pierre-Louis