Mugged by the Police in Houston

When I first moved to Houston, I was a bit worried about crime especially since we were living in an area that is being ‘regentrified’. It is the Wharehouse district and once was once known as the place to go if you want to get shot and robbed. But so far, I haven’t seen or experienced any criminal activity at all. I walk my dogs everyday along the Bayou and never feel unsafe or threatened.

However, I was recently mugged in an area that I least expected it. I was driving through downtown Houston when I pulled up to a stop light. A Police office casually stepped off the corner and began writing information down about my car. He then asked for my driver’s license and so forth. Then he handed me a $140 ticket for not wearing a seat belt.

I was literally mugged by a cop on a street corner.

Naturally, this pissed me off. In Arkansas, where I’m from originally, a cop isn’t allowed to stop you for merely not having your seat belt on. But as I discovered via the web, in Texas not only can CAN you be stopped for not wearing a seat belt, but the state provides no way out of paying it. There are no ‘Defensive Driving’ classes or anything like that you can take rather than dish out a $100+ donation to the Government.

So again, I was literally mugged by a Houston police officer.

It is sad that the only time I feel unsafe now is when I see a Police Office nearby, especially one standing on a corner. I still don’t always wear my seat belt and I’m not going to. This is a ridiculous law that is more about raising money for the Government than it is about protecting me or saving lives.

There are plenty of people who would agree with me about Seat Belt Laws. Here are a few links to anti-seat belt law websites….

Repeal Petition
Seat Belt Laws
Another Petition
Democrats fight repeal, admit it raises money
Pro Choice Seat Belt