Furthermore, in this state, there is no stop and identify statute unless the officer has reasonable suspicion that a crime has been, is being, or is about to be committed. You fabricated a homeowners association violation, which you have no jurisdiction to enforce as a pretext for a search." Before Miller could formulate another desperate excuse, the front door of the house next door swung violently open. Out marched Mrs. Abigail Preston, a woman in her late 60s wearing a cashmere cardigan and a fiercely scowling expression. She was the self-appointed president of the Kensington Heights Homeowners Association, and she had clearly been watching the entire interaction through her plantation shutters.
"Officer Miller!" Abigail called out, marching down her driveway with a bizarre sense of righteous indignation. "Officer Miller, I am so glad you're here. I was just about to call the precinct myself." Hayes closed his eyes silently, praying for the earth to open up and swallow him whole.
"Mom, please go back inside. This is an active police matter." "Nonsense." Abigail huffed, stopping at the edge of her property line and glaring directly at Harrison. "I want to commend this young officer.
He is the only one who actually patrols our streets properly. We pay exorbitant property taxes to keep this neighborhood safe, and lately there have been far too many undesirable elements wandering around. Just last week, Officer Miller chased away those landscapers who were parked too close to my mailbox. He knows how to keep our community standards high. The silence returned heavier and darker than before.
Abigail Preston, entirely oblivious to the nuclear bomb that had just detonated on her street, had just provided the final damning piece of evidence. She had publicly confirmed a pattern and practice of discriminatory harassment actively encouraged by the neighborhood and executed by Officer Miller. Harrison slowly turned his head to look at Sergeant Hayes. The judge's eyebrows raised a fraction of an inch. Well, it appears we have a witness to your officer's established pattern of selective enforcement, Sergeant.
Hayes looked at Abigail Preston with an expression of pure, unadulterated loathing. Ma'am, go inside your house. Now. Abigail blinked, taken aback by the sheer venom in the sergeant's voice. I beg your pardon.
I am simply trying to support our local law enforcement. If you do not go back inside your house and close your door this instant, Hayes roared, completely losing his professional composure. I will arrest you for interfering with a federal investigation. Move. Shocked and deeply offended, Abigail let out a dramatic gasp, spun on her heel, and practically sprinted back to her front door, slamming it shut behind her.
Harrison looked back at Miller, who was now visibly trembling, his hands shaking as they rested on his utility belt. The bravado was entirely gone, replaced by the crushing realization that his career was not just over, but that his freedom was in serious jeopardy. Sergeant Hayes, Harrison said softly, you will contact your dispatch. You will request the chief of police, the head of your internal affairs division, and the shift commander. You will have them respond to this location immediately.