Interaction with state policeman

[pedaler73]

I've been debating whether to post this or not because of what happened to my girlfriend. I talked it over with her, and she was fine with me posting the story.

Last Tuesday, we went to the King of Prussia Mall after picking up some paperwork she needed in Philly. On our way back to Allentown, I was basically falling asleep at the wheel, so I asked her to switch places with me. I pulled over to the side of the NE Extension of the turnpike, halfway between the Mid-County and Lansdale tolls. Somehow, as we both got out of the car at the same time, one of us must have hit the lock button, and we locked ourselves out of the car. Here's the kicker...her 21-month old was locked locked in the car, asleep! Unfortunately, this was the night that the weather was real crappy...practically freezing rain. We were locked out of the car without coats, freezing wet and getting very upset waiting for help that was taking too long. Here's where the story turns to carrying. The first to arrive was a state trooper. He asked to see my driver's license. When I removed it from my wallet, he also noticed my LTCF.

Trooper: You carrying now?
Me: Yes, sir.
Trooper: Where is it?
Me: On my right hip, under my shirt.
Trooper: Okay, let me see that license, too.

He didn't check the weapon, didn't try to disarm me. As a matter of fact, he never even mentioned it the rest of the time on the side of the road.

To finish the story, we got in eventually with the help of a tow truck driver...over an hour later! Unfortunately, what happened to my girlfriend really destroyed the night. She had a panic attack because of not being able to get to her daughter, which then caused her to have an asthma attack. She spent the evening in the Lansdale Hospital ER. We make light of it now, but it could have been a hell of a lot worse.

[dregan]

I'm glad everyone is ok in the end.

[jahwarrior72]

i'm glad the both of you are okay. how long did they have her on a nebulizer? and, the state trooper didn't have a slimjim set in his car? i find that odd.

[ReconLdr]

i'm glad the both of you are okay. how long did they have her on a nebulizer? and, the state trooper didn't have a slimjim set in his car? i find that odd.

I thought most LEOs stopped carrying the slim jim sets because of costs...I had to put quite a few lock rods back on after troopers popped them off while trying to get into a car. When the customer found out this isn't covered under warranty because the cop didn't know what he/she was doing.

[doc4020]

You mean the first words out of your mouth were not "Am I being detained"...sarcasm...

[Wiley-X]

I've been told that cops will only open cars in a life threatening situations (95 degrees, closed windows, child in car) and that is usually by breaking a window.

I managed to lock the keys of a car not my own in the car a little while ago. Fortunately, I knew that the owner of the store I was at had the right tools and he got the door open in about ten minutes.

For my car, I carry a key on the chain around my neck. I used to carry the spare key in my wallet but I used to camp a fair bit and I'd usually lock my wallet in the car.

Glad to hear that you didn't have to break a window.

[pedaler73]

Glad to hear that you didn't have to break a window.

Trust me, she wanted to.

[chrisjames_71]

and, the state trooper didn't have a slimjim set in his car? i find that odd.

Why?? We stopped carrying them 3 yrs ago. Mainly due to liability reasons...

[Tootie]

The police around here stopped carrying slimjims years ago (ask me how I know). I was told it had something to do with the keyless entry systems, extra wires getting in the way. And of course liability reasons too, if something broke while they were trying to open the door they didn't want to have to deal with the aftermath (which I totally understand). Best bet is to have an extra key on you or in one of those magnet boxes hidden under your car.


Oh and good for the trooper for not making anything of your carry. That's the way it should be.

[pedaler73]

Thanks to everyone for the good ideas. I'll definitely discuss them with my g/f. Thanks for the well wishes, too.