So yesterday I’m in a marked patrol car crossing an intersection & this car does a wonderful jerk move of sling-shot across the intersection and crowding the car in front of him. It was obvious he was trying to catch the light but the car in front went slower than he assumed...

I happen to be passing by & it’s egregious enough even for me to turn on my lights & make a traffic stop. No damage or harm done but it was drama adjacent. So of course I make a stop to see what’s what. It’s the job...

Guy pulls over and I can see him immediately put the car in park and turn the car off. I get out and waddle up and he’s got the look of I’m the last thing he needs. I’m get that look a lot. I understand that look...

I recognize the guy and know he’s not a most wanted criminal. I just ask ‘are you ok? I saw the slingshot.’ He laughs at the term & says ‘man I was just trying to avoid a wreck & get home’. So I write him $200 worth of tickets...oh wait. I didn’t....

I ask how he’s doing and this guy is stressed. I mean stressed. Not like me whining about having too much paid work but like stressed in the way of caring for a family as a mover in the time of corona. He flat out says so. The last thing he needs is a lesson from an ass like me..

But he does need a break. And breaks I’ve got. Plus some Pringle’s I didn’t want but his kids would. We end up driving down the road together and stop at a light. He waves. Maybe fake maybe not but who cares. There are a billion ways to be a local cop. I choose this way.