Tracy Press

A group of well-mannered teens feels the disbelieving stare of the police during a recent night on the town.

As a well-mannered, educated young adult, I have never felt disrespected by an authoritative figure — until Aug. 24.

My friends and I were having a swimming party one last time before everyone goes off to college. Sunday was a school night, and my mom could only put up with so much, considering she had to work the next day. We were enjoying one another’s company and didn’t want to leave yet, so we decided to meet at Save Mart to get sodas and decide what to do next.

We were there barely two minutes when the Tracy Police Department pulled up.

The night wasn’t perfect. My boyfriend and I had argued about me going away to college. It was at this time when the police officer directly approached our vehicle and began to question my boyfriend. He repeatedly asked why we had red eyes (from swimming all day), but obviously knew we were sober and drug free.

However, the officer’s tone continued to accuse rather than understand.

The officer then moved to my side of the car. I detested his assumption that I had been beaten by my boyfriend and assured the officer that we were just struggling with college-related issues.

Once he was done questioning me, it was obvious that he began checking everyone’s plates and registration. I felt this was unwarranted, because it seemed he was profiling us. As he moved down the line, he continued to ask everyone why their eyes were so red. We offered him our parents’ numbers so he could confirm we had been doing Olympic-style swimming all day. Nonetheless, he persisted, and we endured.

Eventually, he found something. My friend’s registration appeared expired in the system, even though he had proof that it was current. The officer had my friend’s truck towed, instead of giving him the routine fix-it ticket.

He knew there was no way these kids, college-bound, sober and with good teeth, could possibly be innocent. He walked away with a win.

I was so disappointed that someone who should be so integral to our community has such a negative outlook on today’s youth. I understand Tracy has teen challenges, but rather than ostracize all teens, wouldn’t it be better to partner with the ones who will become productive members of our town, Tracy?

Please don’t give up on us so easily. Most of us teens do care and do try to do the right thing. Make an effort to get to know us.

• Brittany Branscomb is a 2008 Tracy High School graduate and a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles.

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written by timcase , September 03, 2008

Thank you Brittany for your letter. All too often the police are thinking the worst about people because of the low lifes (excuse the expression) they deal with on a daily basis. This does NOT excuse their behavior with you and your friends.
This letter will hopefully act as awake up call to our Tracy Police Department. Why was no field sobriety test administered? That should have told the officer(s) all the info they needed to determine sobriety. There is no justifiable excuse for the additional hassle. After administration of the test you and your friends should have been released.
This incident should NOT act as fodder to develop a bad attitude about ALL police. Most are very decent public servants. This officer or officers should be dealt with. The additional harassment is uncalled for. Your letter will hopefully act as that wake up call I mentioned earlier.
Congratulations on your seeking a higher education at a great school. We do need a whole lot more young adults such as you and your friends who are becoming great citizens. Don't let this experience dampen or sour your attitude regarding our overall civil servants.

Tim Michael Case

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written by Annie Snyder , September 03, 2008

Brittany, I agree that you should not have been harassed. Still, think about what the officers have been through as well. Plenty of well cared for girls are being abused by their jock/college bound boyfriends. I am sure you know girls who have been scared to break up with a boy because he might hurt her or he threatens to kill himself. Then there are the girls who let themselves be hit because they think the boy loves them and is truly sorry for hurting them. We all see he is lying, but the girl wants to believe him.
I am sure you know cheerleaders, jocks, band geeks and all the other kids with parents who try to keep the kids involved in stuff. How many of those kids are NOT doing drugs or drinking? The officer was trying to do his job. He was a bit over the top, I agree.

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written by Annie Snyder , September 03, 2008

You are the exeption, Brittany. If you are the clean and sober young lady you say you are, then you are uncommon. You know that. I know a girl who was a straight A student. 4.5 gpa at graduation. This is a good young lady. Before she graduated she started drinking some and was no longer a virgin. These activities did not prevent her from excelling in school, but they were not legal either. Even good kids break the law.

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written by Annie Snyder , September 03, 2008

Most of the kids who are hanging out in parking lots late at night are not without guilt. That does not give the officer the right to question you until he finds something, though. Now that you are an adult the officer is no longer obligated to call your parents before taking action. As adults you need to insist on your rights. In this case the officer was within his juristiction to tow the car, as far as I know. I have never had a car towed for lack of registration sticker, but I was registered in the system when I was stopped. Find out how that happened. If your friend was registered find out how this mistake was able to occure. Then push for compensation if the DMV or the police department was wrong. It sucks, but welcome to adulthood. We have to deal with poopy stuff all the time. Imagine how I felt when a doctor told me he could call child protective services on me because my son was too small. You just have to stand up for yourself. Your letter was a great start. Stay clean and enjoy your college years!

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written by baritvc , September 03, 2008

Interesting you use the term 'profiling.' Sounds like the first time your 'profile' produced a bad experience for you; others are accustomered to it and are told it isn't profiling. There are lessons to be learned all around here, for you and the Police Dept.

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written by what? , September 04, 2008

File a complaint with the city of Tracy. Go to the police station and file a report. All complaints go in the officers file. I have no idea if anything will change. Could this be how he was trained or just an off night?

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written by seehowitis , September 05, 2008

I hope my children are never hanging out in the parking lot of a grocery store late at night. As a parent, I would be glad that the police were checking the welfare of my teenage daughter..at night..in a parking lot. I hope I never get "profiled" because I am some where I have no business being.

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written by Observer , September 05, 2008

I just hope they were acting polite, not using hostile body language, or having giggling sessions while the officer was talking. You would not believe the abuse the cops have to take from dispresepectful teenagers and adults.

On other hand, if it is such a bother to you, file the complaint within the police department. I hope the officer has a camera in the car to support the partys' defense? Their behavior will also have been recorded?

Good luck college bound kids.

-amy