Teen to Police: Keep On Keepin' On

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to . I am 18 years old, a recent graduate from , and I have been pulled over once by the Kirkwood Police. I made an illegal right turn on Essex.  I knew what I did was wrong, and I can say today that I have never made that mistake again. The police officer was extremely kind in the way he conducted the stop, and only issued a warning.

My only other interaction I have had with the Police happened over the past week. I lost my wallet and headed to the Kirkwood Police Station in order to report my lost item. I was greeted by an extremely friendly dispatcher behind the glass window, who put me in touch with an officer who took down my information. He even took my social security number! GASP!!! This is just a formal way of making sure that you are who you say you are. We live in Kirkwood, not Gotham city, and I trust that these officers aren't going to use my social to take out a loan.

Even though I am a teen, I have never once felt targeted by the police in any way shape or form. Furthermore, I could give you a long list of my peers willing to say the exact same thing. I am grateful that I live in such a safe city where I can trust the officers protecting the peace and the citizens.

Teens, now I'm talking to you: Don't be sketchy. Don't sit on Rochdale late at night smoking cigs. Don't have a fire in your backyard when it hasn't rained in two weeks with 100+ degree temperatures. Smokey Bear would not approve. Don't hang out with people that are picking fights with others. If you choose to drink or smoke weed, which is stupid in the first place, don't keep pictures on your phone or facebook of you and your friends having SO MUCH FUN. Don't keep things in your car that your parents wouldn't approve of. If an officer chooses to pull you over, be respectful, and they will respect you. Know your rights, and educate yourself to your full potential.

Lisa, while it seems that it would be out of a police officer's rights to search your son's phone, it actually isn't. Look at the case United States v. Finley. The results of this case are actually pretty shocking. The ruling states that if an officer is suspicious of an individual, he/she has the right to search a phone if it is within reach of the driver. The phone itself is treated as a container, just like a glove box or any other compartment in the car. I also find it hard to believe that the officer just reached in and grabbed you son's phone.

Ms. Jennings states, "Teenagers in this town have a big, big target on their backs. They know it and they live in fear and with the fact that they could be harassed any time they step outside their front doors."

Not really. I trust the men and women in uniform who have sworn to protect my friends and me every day.  

-Will Haenni

Thank you to Will Haenni for submitting this Letter to the Editor. To submit a Letter to the Editor, email owen.skoler@patch.com.