I was waiting for the bus one day, early in the afternoon. I was talking with a guy standing there. Suddenly, Durango police officers come in a pickup and start hassling the guy about alcohol. I hadn’t noticed, and he didn’t appear drunk. I’ve handled a lot of driving under the influence cases, watched a ton of real police videos and seen much better conduct from police officers with more experience.
The guy who contacted the man at the bus stop was young, blond, rather Naziesque. He hustled him away from me who was asking about his Miranda rights (which apply at the first contact with police not just in an interrogation room on TV). They then cited him for an open container violation with a $75 ticket and a mandatory court appearance. No question the Colorado statute needs to be updated, and no question this town needs a better prosecutor.
The bus driver, whom I sometimes consider an acquaintance, said he had passed out on her bus. I asked if she had thought of calling for emergency medical help instead of the police? Then I realized, I can’t wait to leave Colorado. Other places do it better and with real change. They let him leave with his bottle of vodka, and that’s all. Maybe Durango needs a housing, work and police solution.
Christa Turnell
Durango
