This was reported on yesterday’s Whiterooradio MTTS update but I thought it was worth a second mention:
Picture it: a young MINI owner is enjoying MTTS while driving in downtown Dallas. In an effort to get to the MTTS party the he makes a completely safe (however slightly illegal) u-turn in the middle of the street. As fate would have it (cue dramatic music) one of the Dallas po-po happen to see the nifty move and decide to throw the book at our young friend by giving him a $200 ticket. (mental note: u-turns in Dallas aren’t a great idea.)
But here’s where MINI saves the day. Head of MINI USA Jim Mcdowell heard of the unfortunate incident and decided to right the wrong of Dallas’ finest by giving the ticketed MINI owner a $200 MINI MotoringGear gift certificate.
Hopefully the “young MINI Driver” doesn’t get any points on his license for the ordeal. If that’s the case, then a $10 profit for making a U-bee isn’t so bad. 🙂
Here’s a quote from the driver posted on the local forum:
<blockquote>Hi, Jaxon here. I hope to get the ticket thrown out in court or something, cuz insurance is gonna kill me. This is my first traffic ticket, so my rates will probably go up. Bored cops are nobody’s friend. I u-turned under direction of the valets, cuz the lot where my friend in front of me pulled into was full or something. The no U-turn signs he pointed out were on the other side of the intersection, which I did not go though. The cop claimed that it was clearly marked, and that he was being nice to me by giving me only one ticket for improper turn instead of two (improper turn, improper U-turn) The carbon copy of the ticket he gave me doesn’t even show his badge number, and his signature is illegable. I’m hoping someone got his badge number in a photo. I like how he threatened to arrest the valets for walking around my car, and how he claimed those who were taking pictures were inhibiting his investigation and threatened to arrest everyone… The Mini gift certificate will help with some maintenance/upkeep costs, or maybe some MTTS swag.</blockquote>
I’m not condoning illegal driving, but we have way too many ‘traps’ here in Dallas and I’m sorry this had to happen to a fellow motorer on such an awesome night.
That Dallas pig needs to be roasted like the feral farm animal that he is.
I hate scumbags like that.
the cop probably drives a f150 or z71 and hates minis.
I had a ticket thrown out in court once. I was allegedly doing 85mph in a 65 zone in a ’04 PW/W MCS. The cop put down that I was driving a White Chevy Coup. I told the judge that I think the cop pulled over the wrong car. The look on the cop’s face was priceless. The judged ask why I said it and I showed her the ticket. She dropped the charges… and of course the cop was pissed!!
Ok guys time to inject here, I work in law enforcement. Its rarely a fun activity to cite somebody for a minor infraction but the fact is we are sworn to serve the law. While many laws are not loved by all officers they are still law. Without being there can’t say if I would have just given a warning but its a job that is much easier to armchair quarterback.
The fact that Jaxon got the ticket isn’t what I am concentrating on, rather its the very impressive act that Jim Mcdowell did. This is the heart of what I see as the mini community.
The law is there for a purpose.
But the thing about being human, is that we have the capability of using discretion. When a law is ‘broken’ but in a way in which there was no risk of the outcome that the original law was trying to prevent (e.g. ‘No U-turn’ laws are in place to prevent build up of traffic or the chance of a collision – on a deserted road this obviously is not a risk), then the pigs should use their discretion and let it go.
So unless you’re saying that all pigs are brainless robots (actually…that’s probably not too far from the truth), there is no excuse for this act of twisted bitterness.
Hey pigs – why don’t you just cite everyone who jaywalks? “The law is the law” according to you brainless fruitcakes.
Some of Dallas’ finest are fine, then there are some others. The new Chief of Police has been weeding the patch, and has dismissed quite a few of these bozos. Guess he has more work still. All said and done, right or wrong, in Texas you have the option (if you haven’t done it already in the last 12 months) of taking a defensive driving course and getting the ticket waived – online the course is $35 or so and fees to Dallas another $75 or so. Alternate is $100 to a lawyer, who will work on getting it dismissed (usually able to in 95% of the cases).
jon – thanks for your insight.
adam – take it easy dude!
motor safely – drew
What really gets me about what the police officer did in this case was not take the situation into account.
Jaxon was directed to into the parking lot by the valet, and as he turned, he was directed to go ahead and not enter the parking lot but to pull in front of the club. He was following directions and the officer should have simply gone over to the valet and told HIM not to do that anymore.
Reminds me of a time when I accidently began (I didn’t complete the turn mind you) to turn onto a one way street the wrong way. When the officer stopped me and pulled me over, I told him the truth… that my wife had directed me to turn there.
The officer asked me “Do you always do what your wife tells you to do?”
I replied “Ummmmmm. You aren’t married, are you?”
My DL was promptly handed back to me and I was allowed to go on my way.
I hope it will be thrown out in court, too, because if you were following valet instructions at a venue that was clearly out of the ordinary….happens all the time in Dallas….then a ticket was not warranted. Officers that utilize their powers of discretion wisely are cool…those whose egos get in the way aren’t.
The officer was being a jerk. I was standing on the sidewalk watching the whole thing unfold.Jaxon, the poor kid just sat there in his car getting a ticket for doing what he thought was right. He tried to pull into a lot that, unknown to him, was full. As he made the turn he was directed to pull to the curb by the valets…it was an innocent move and he kept from blocking opposing traffic. The cop was watching the corner for this kind of stuff I guess,later, just moments after Jaxon pulled away he caught a cab doing the same thing. Deep Ellum has been, and as far as I know is still fairly dangerous. And our Dallas Police, ever vigilant, and a day late and a dollar short are cracking down on “crime” in the area. So, rather than cruise this compact entertainment area making sure that people are safe he chooses to harass a large group of people that aren’t even remotely threatening. Then makes matters worse threatening to arrest people that are taking pictures of getting too close to the car.
I have respect for most police, but the Dallas police department hasn’t worthy of it for a long time, and this just confirms it.
Jim McDowell and the MINI crew made the best of a bad situation and lightened up the mood once we got inside. Great folks who know how to relate tto people…you listening Dallas PD?
The reason the cop threatened to arrest people taking pictures, or getting too close to his car (to get car/license number) is the new Dallas Police Chief has been on a clean-up the Dallas PD campaign, and has fired numerous officers for overstepping their authority, and pulling bone-headed stunts like this.
I wish the head of mini heard about my mishap! While I was staying in SF for the weekend before Monterey, my car got broken into and my passenger window was smashed! Fortunately (after driving through 114 degree heat in the desert) with the help of the MINI Mobile Assistance and Las Vegas MINI, I got my window replaced… $300 later 🙁
Although I think my story did get me interviewed for the documentary. That doesn’t pay for my window.
I did have lots of fun anyways though… the “Hey, YOU FORGOT TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW” jokes didn’t stop.
One illegal U-turn in Dallas: $200.
MINI gift certificate compensation publicity: Priceless.
I am in the local dallas club too, and i was quite upset to hear about this incident, i heard that the officer not only tried to arrest the others in the caravan that were watching but also tried to arrest the valet cause they were trying to do there job and help the kid out of his car, and the officer wanted him to stay in the car.