What's the deal?

[GoodCivilian]

Hello everyone,

I've recently Moved to a pretty big college town here in Mid Missouri. I've been here for about a year, but my current problem has only recently begun. I've recently gotten a brand new Chevy Camaro. I'm a 20 y/o Black under grad at MU. I've been having a problem with Officers following me home after work. I never speed, i've never gotten a SIGLE traffic violation, or even a parking ticket for that matter. I'm from a Chicago suburb and i've NEVER had a problem with the police back home. on many occasions i've had police officers alter their current traveling direction just to trail me. it's actually become very distracting as well as intimidating. i know for a fact that i haven't done anything wrong, yet i get followed home multiple times a week. I've even had a co-worker comment on how i seemed to be followed by police more intensely than anyone she's ever met.


I've brought this problem to the attention of my parents, and they seem to think that i should call the local Sheriffs office. I'm not sure if this a good idea, but it makes me very un easy when i'm driving home from wok and i see an officer driving in front of me, only to notice me behind him, pull over wait for me to pass and then tail gate me 2 miles until i've gotten home. It's not like i'm out at 3 a.m. This is a huge college town and there are plenty of people out between 10-12. i seem to be the only person that is trailed. do you have any idea what might be going on here? I would appreciate any insight, and thank you in advance.

[CPL1897]

Is it remotely possible YOUR not the only person that the Police follow around. Is it remotely possible that there could be a speeding complaint etc. on the route you take and now that you have a new SPORTSCAR your being followed.

Or maybe your not being followed at all and there is an Officer that gets off work or goes home for a lunchbreak the same time you go on that road. Maybe the Officer is alert to his surroundings and does not want anyone following him home so he lets you go in front if him?

Maybe its your car that has a bullseye on it?

Maybe its the are you drive in and the time of night.

I doubt its because your a black male in your 20's, its most likely one or all of the above.

As an example, I work in a city with heavy morning and evening traffic. EVERY day I come across the same vehicles on my way to and from work. I make sure no one follows me home, sometimes pulling over and getting behind the SAME vehicles I see constantly. I bet theres a few folks who feel the way you do towards me and I am not concerned with them at the time, only not letting someone I have pissed off at some point follow me home.

Since no one here is the Officer you are seeing, we can not answer your question.

[retdetsgt]

I assume that you're concerned that this is racial profiling. I can't speak for anyone else, but ANY young looking 20 year old in a new Camaro or other expensive car is going to make me suspicious. Race isn't going to have anything to do with it. Most young people can't afford expensive automobiles and we wonder if they belong with them. That's how we recover a lot of stolen cars and it's more often white kids than any other race that's doing it.

When I was a kid and on the rare occasions my parents let me drive their new car alone, I often met some nice policemen and I hadn't done anything wrong either.

At least you don't have to worry about being mugged on the way home......

[Citicop]

The odds that the officer(s) in question are even able to determine your race while both of you are driving in the dark are pretty remote.

Try it yourself. Especially with a car behind you. What can you tell about the other drivers around you at night?

[Blackgoat06]

I assume that you're concerned that this is racial profiling. I can't speak for anyone else, but ANY young looking 20 year old in a new Camaro or other expensive car is going to make me suspicious. Race isn't going to have anything to do with it. Most young people can't afford expensive automobiles and we wonder if they belong with them. That's how we recover a lot of stolen cars and it's more often white kids than any other race that's doing it.

When I was a kid and on the rare occasions my parents let me drive their new car alone, I often met some nice policemen and I hadn't done anything wrong either.

At least you don't have to worry about being mugged on the way home......

Yep, same with the cars with the loud exhausts and the added body kits and such. If you're in a car that in itself attracts attention, you'll probably get it, at least from the police.

Is the Camaro a V6 or V8?

[GoodCivilian]

The car is a V6. I've driven nice cars all of my life and i've never had this problem before. i know the difference between going the same direction as an officer, and having an officer spot you at a red light, change his current route and pursue you two miles home. I've driven with other people at this exact same time of night and have not witnessed this kind of activity. for me it's very distracting if i climbing a steep narrow road up the side of a cliff with no railing while some guy tail gaits me with his brights on.

i can in fact seethe race of other drivers while driving. it isn't that impossible of a task...i know that no officer of the law will ever admit to racial profiling, but lets face it. Not everyone is as unbiased as yourself. my question is what can i do about this? I don't enjoy the feeling of being bullied for absolutely no reason.

[retdetsgt]

Then call that police department and ask them. None of us know you, your car, that area, etc.

[Citicop]

i can in fact seethe race of other drivers while driving. it isn't that impossible of a task

You can do this at night, even when the vehicle is behind you?

Come on by and pick up an application. I don't know one single cop that can do that.

[GoodCivilian]

You can do this at night, even when the vehicle is behind you?

Come on by and pick up an application. I don't know one single cop that can do that.

it isn't very difficult when they drive as closely as these officers have. we also live in a city with street lights... it's pretty easy to see within vehicles.

[McNulty]

Police use the same roads you do, get over it.

[Gutwrench]

You can do this at night, even when the vehicle is behind you?

Come on by and pick up an application. I don't know one single cop that can do that.

Citicop: I worked mainly graves and have to say that I had little trouble detecting the race of the driver or occupants especially if race was relevant to the BOLO. Perhaps you're thinking too narrowly of a situation where it would be difficult but I think you'd agree where a patrol officer is watching for a particular race of a driver they put themselves into a position to see and ID that criteria. I think I did that on a nightly basis.

Goodcivilian: I suspect the DetSgt has hit the nail on the head: your concern is to the prospect of racial profiling.

[txinvestigator1]

it isn't very difficult when they drive as closely as these officers have. we also live in a city with street lights... it's pretty easy to see within vehicles.

You have clearly made up your mind. So what is your point?

[TEXASCOP]

The officers are not doing anything illegal and they are not violating your rights. Its a public roadway, drive the speed limit, don't violate the traffic laws and you have nothing to worry about. All the times that they have followed you I guarantee you have committed a traffic violation and they have yet to stop you. Trust me its dang near impossible to drive any distance without committing some chicken sh#t traffic violation.

[Ispbear]

When you leave work, are you leaving the downtown bar/ college hangout area down past the hospital. Could it be that the locals are watching your driving to make sure that you haven't been drinking. It seems alot more likely they are profiling collage age kids that might have been out partying than the color of your skin. No offense, but I don't know any officers that I work with that give a damn about the color of your skin, it seems like you are the one that jumps to that conclusion too easily. I'm not going to say their isn't a racist idiot out there, but they are alot farther and fewer in between than what you think.

[GoodCivilian]

When you leave work, are you leaving the downtown bar/ college hangout area down past the hospital. Could it be that the locals are watching your driving to make sure that you haven't been drinking. It seems alot more likely they are profiling collage age kids that might have been out partying than the color of your skin. No offense, but I don't know any officers that I work with that give a damn about the color of your skin, it seems like you are the one that jumps to that conclusion too easily. I'm not going to say their isn't a racist idiot out there, but they are alot farther and fewer in between than what you think.

thanks guys for all of your in put.
I work down town (Addisons) i never said it was BECAUSE I'm Black. I could understand the fact that they're watching out for drunk drivers( that makes more sense than anything) but the fact i seemed to be FOLLOWED almost through out the entirety of my commute is what is upsetting. Maybe i should just go down and let it be known that I'm heading from work and not drinking at that hour. It's sad that college kids get such a bad wrap because of the carelessness of a few.