If you’re ever in Hialeah, Fla., beware of police officer Harold Garzon. He already has accumulated 16 internal affairs complaints, and over Thanksgiving likely added another one when he pulled over a Harvard graduate and current Florida International University law student for having the NWA’s “Fuck Tha Police” playing in his own car while he was stopped at a red light.
The interaction between Officer Garzon and 26-year-old Cesar Baldelomar reads almost like a comedy sketch. Baldelomar was home for Thanksgiving break when Garzon pulled up next to him at the light, heard the song, and said “You're really playing that song? Pull over.”
Baldelomar complied, which led to the following interaction:
- Garzon said it was “illegal to play loud music within 25 feet of another person.” Baldelomar cited a 2012 Florida state supreme court ruling that struck down that law.
- Garzon did not like that. He called over two other officers and demanded proof of insurance. Baldelomar pulled it up on his phone. Garzon told him that was illegal. Baldelomar cited a change in Florida law from last year that made it legal to use your phone as proof of insurance.
- Garzon gave Baldelomar three tickets for the insurance, having an out-of-state license plate, and not wearing a seat belt. Baldelomar says that he is a legal resident of Massachusetts, and that he had his seat belt on the whole time.
- Just to rub salt in the wound, Baldelomar asked where his noise violation was. Garzon only told him to leave and to stop being “smart.”
Smart does sound like the right word, doesn’t it? If Baldelomar’s hearing where he contests the three tickets is not broadcast on live television, we’ve failed as a society.
[via Gawker]
