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So, I almost got run over by the Cambridge Commissioner of Police this morning on my walk. And surprisingly, for someone who is generally not tremendously articulate when in "high stress" (ok, for me lots of things are high stress as I am generally high strung[grin]) situations, I was pretty coherent and didn't even swear a blue streak.
This is what happened. I was walking from my apartment to the Whole Foods on River Street, down Inman Street, across Mass Ave to Pleasant Street, through Central Square. It's a nice Cambridge stroll, if you like the old houses etc. Anyway, it was about 8:30, height of rush hour and there were a lot of cars and people about. Inman Street is one way from my place to Mass Ave, where into runs Mass Ave at a T at the Central Square Post Office. This is a pretty big intersection where I have heard there have been a lot of pedestrian accidents, so they have created two huge crosswalks to cross Mass Ave and with lights for all traffic to stop for the peds. As with many may intersections in Boston, no right turn on red. Given the volume of traffic, I rarely jaywalk here.
Anyway, traffic was backed up onto Inman Street and this is the only reason that I noticed the Police Commissioner's car. It had Official plates that said "City of Cambridge" on the top and "POLICE COMMISSIONER" on the bottom. It was a high end Acura though, so I am hoping that is a personal purchase. Nice car, official plates.
As I am walking nearer to the intersection, most of the cars clear out. The light changes to red and the very front car is Mr. Police Commissioner. I get to the cross walk right when the WALK light comes out. Lots of people are crossing, at least 20, but I am the one furthest to the left, closest to the corner.
Police Commissioner dude, after coming to a complete stop at the light makes a right turn on red. Idiot. He brakes, literally an inch from my knee. He doesn't hit me, but really damn close. I yelped, and slammed my hand down on his hood. He thinks he's hit me. Instead of getting out of the car, however, he rolls down his window and asks if I am ok. I'm fine but irritated. There are lots of people watching now. I feel the harsh heat that can only mean the redness of hives building on my neck. Fucker.
This might not be verbatim what I said, but close "It's not surprising that people hate cops when idiots like you feel you can ignore simple rules like right turn on red. At minimum you should get a ticket. Hitting a pedestrian in a cross walk probably even carries jail time, jackass."
I know I called him a jackass. And I mentioned the hating cops part because they are immune to laws. I'm not sure it was all that concise though. Then I walked away.
(This is, of course, an absolutely unrelated picture from the Boston Aquarium from a few weeks ago. The lobster is very blue.) |
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03/14/2008 10:04 AM |
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