It is a very wet and cold beginning to Memorial Day weekend. “Grouchy” is the prevailing mood around here. So when I drove into town today and parked my car I noticed that a police car was parked a couple of cars in back of mine.
Even though I knew better, it was raining, I was uncomfortably cold, and had an errand to do across the street. Looking both ways, being certain that no cars were approaching from either direction, I crossed in the middle of the street rather than walking to the corner and crossing at the light. This ‘crime” of jay walking is punishable by a ticket in Morristown.
Oh No; and I saw that police car; why did I cross right in the middle of the street? Sure enough I heard it: the sound of a car door opening and slamming shut. OK, dummy, I told myself; here comes your well deserved jay walking ticket.
As I partially turned my head to see where the door sound came from I saw the police officer get out of his car. Then I saw him step off the curb, into the street and cross in the middle of the road, as I had done. He’s coming after me; he’s going to write out the ticket and hand it to me right now.
Then I saw it. Under his arm he carried a bundle of shirts. He was on his way to the cleaner, breaking the same jay walking law as I did.
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "IN THE EYES OF THE LAW" (30)
Ronnie, I breathed a sigh of relief along with you. Whew! Now, next time – don’t do it. You lucked out.
This is hilarious! All that worrying for nothing 🙂
Absolutely right, and probably lots of things we all worry about are for nothing…
Now that’s what I call sweet! You should have taken a picture. Save it for the next time you get a ticket. I’m a serial jaywalker, btw.
Good thought; I must admit that taking a picture was the last thing on my mind right then.
I’m sure. Too busy counting your blessings.
It was a huge relief.
I am sure it was. A lucky break for sure.
one of those good days when you dont get caught 🙂
As opposed to the others???
There is the law, yes. And then there is common sense! Glad your police officer had the latter in mind. 🙂
I wonder what other liberties he takes with laws…
I believe in law and order, and generally obey even those pesky traffic laws a lot of people like to ignore (Like the numbers posted on those big white signs). But that being said, I still don’t get the big deal about jaywalking. Luckily, it’s not particularly enforced where I live, and I’ve never been stopped or ticketed for it. If jaywalking cops really wanted to do a good business, they should hang out on college campuses where our future leaders fully believe they have the right to walk out in the street whenever and wherever they so please…
Yes, but college students think they’re immune to all kinds of rules and regulations, laws and parental advice.
“… the sound of a car door opening and slamming shut… I saw the police officer get out of his car. Then I saw him step off the curb, into the street…”
You did a great job of building suspense, Ronnie. But if he had wanted to give you a ticket, would you be required to show ID? What if you said you lost your wallet? Then you could give him a fake name, preferably that of someone you didn’t like. That’s what I’d do.
Thanks for the suggestion; how about if I give him your name? Charles can be a girl’s name, short for Charlene…
Have a happy weekend.
Glad you got away with the “crime.” Maybe next time you should rob a bank. 😉
You’re just like my Dad, who always told me to “think Big.”
Seems there is always one law for one and an other law for others. Hope you have a sunnier Sunday :). Sue
Thanks, Sue. It is a sunnier day today and I don’t have any complaints or problems. That’s because the phone hasn’t rung so far!
He probably said “if she can do it so can I”.. you didn’t realise how important you are in Morristown… love it..
Thanks for boosting my self esteem; you’re right, I didn’t realize how important I was in Morristown! Maybe they’ll be having a special Ronnie Hammer Day for everyone to celebrate…
On that day everyone is allowed to Jaywalk…
Right; all vehicular traffic will be forbidden.
I never realised that “jay walking” was a crime/misdemeanour in the US. If that was the case in London, the police would have a full time job just dealing with that:)
What we need is an old fashioned no-laws town like they had in the wild west generations ago.
He saw you and figured it must be ok! Right? Funny, I did get a jaywalking ticked in Indianapolis when I was 18 and headed for Air Force Basic Training. I laughed all the way to the plane. He: “you’re supposed to cross at a corner”. Me: but officer, there aren’t any corners on the circle”. He: don’t get smart with me, punk”. Recruiter: “officer, in four hours he’ll be in Texas. Are you really serious about this”? He: …stuffed the ticket in my shirt pocket and stomped off. It got even more hilarious when the recruiter tried to pay the ticket and they wouldn’t accept payment because it was made out to me. …and it went on for another 2 weeks before a judge threw the ticket out ! Have a great holiday!
Paul
What a great attitude: that this experience was hilarious. I’d be a lot more upset, dealing with a mindless person in authority. There’s no end to what he could have charged you with.
Lucky you!
If I got away without a ticket I DO consider myself lucky!