Austin's Mishaps and Run-Ins with the Law

I don't like cops. I think I have an irrational fear/dislike of them, rooted in childhood and adolescence when I got lots of tickets. (Disclaimer: this does not extend to my brother-in-law, Ryan, a wonderful person and dad and brother-in-law, who I am not afraid of nor do I dislike.)

Well, in the last few weeks I've had reason to fear and hate them less. The first happened on our return trip from Vegas. I was going about 85, 10 miles over the speed limit, because I wanted to get Tracie home and go to my 2D Design class, since we left early on that Thursday just so I could make it to class. About in Fillmore, we saw the lights and I got pulled over. The officer was very nice and understanding, and I explained to him I wanted to hurry home so I could go to school. He told me I was clocked at 89, but I told him that was impossible, as I had been on cruise control for quite awhile, and it said 85. Well, he told me 85 was too fast, and to slow down. But he LET US GO! I haven't gotten just a warning since I was in high school and I showed the officer some emotion and a little cleavage. Or I told him I was going to seminary. Believe what you want.

My next near encounter with a policeman happened just last week. I was hurrying to work, and going down Orem Center street, which is a bit of a steep hill and so it's a speed trap, which I don't think is very fair for police to stake out, but that's just me. Anyhoo, I drove down the hill and spotted the policeman waiting to ambush some innocent motorist and so I slowed down as much as I could on that hill without looking suspicious, and pulled onto the street I go on to get to work. Out of the rearview mirror I saw him pull out and come behind, and then make the turn on the street I was on. I started panicking, asking myself if I should just pull over, pull into the Prosper Parking Lot and hope he didn't follow me, risking humiliation with my entire office seeing me get handcuffed and beaten by the Man, or just making a run for Mexico. My options wore out when he turned on his lights, siren, and pulled over the car behind me. As they say on Arrested Development, "Well that was a freebie."

Cop encounter #3 was the most humorous but most annoying. While visiting with Heidi & Aaron and Brittnee & Matt not 5 minutes after the Fireworks at Summer Fest, a Jr. Cop on a bike told us, "Ok guys, time to go home." Aaron said ok, we'll go. And, in his squeaky voice (think that kid on the Simpsons) "No, NOW!" So we packed up and left, trying hard not to snigger at his whiny/bossy attitude. I mean, what's the kid gonna do? "That's it. You're causing too much trouble. Hop in my basket." Sigh.

I'm starting to think maybe the cops aren't as bad as all that. But then, these are Utah cops.