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Two questions about online shopping?

What were these two police officers looking for when they stopped me?

  • I was walking home from the bus stop late one night on my way home from school (college). I was carrying my book bag with me. As I was taking a shortcut through a shopping mall parking lot a police cruiser with two officers inside pulled up beside me. They never asked me for identification or even what my name was but they asked me a few questions: Where are you coming from? Where are you going? Why are you walking through the parking lot? etc. One of the officers at one point said "Your bag looks awfully heavy". But he didn't actually ask me what was in my bag. They didn't tell me what the point of all this was. I answered all of their questions, e.g., I told them I was returning home from school and had just gotten off the bus and was walking home and cutting through the parking lot and and my bag was full of books. They said to have a good night then drove away. What was that all about? Were they fishing for something? Did I legally have to answer their questions? I wondered at the time whether I had the legal right to refuse to answer their questions but I figured since I have nothing to hide and it would be better to keep them happy rather then annoy them I'll just answer their questions. But I still wonder about it.

  • Answer:

    Think objectively a moment. Why would a student with a bookbag be at a mall late at night? It is a little out of the ordinary, and with the incidence of bombers isn't it worth just a little attention from the officers? If it were me I would just answer their questions without hostility. I would personally be glad they were on the lookout for possible safety issues. It is sad but true that there are a bunch of nuts out there. You must come across as a good honest person or they would have asked you for ID and asked to look in your bag. YOu must have reassured them that you were exactly as you said-- coming home later after school.

John North at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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No one but those two cops know. Maybe there were burglaries in the area, and they thought your bag might have stolen items in it. Maybe there had been vandalism in the mall, and they thought you might have spray paint in it... It could be any number of things...

Citicop

Likely just checking you to see if you looked suspicious enough to seriously question. Yes sir and no sir are good responses.

Chinacat

You did rite. I WOULD think you WOULD be glad They were out and ABOUT plus They didn't even search you!!! You got it easy.. They sound LIKE They were kinda cool cops & i DONT even LIKE cops THAT MUCH. .I guess its BECAUSE WHEN They stopped me I did HAVE something to worry ABOUT a traffic warrant I didn't take care of lol.& I went to jail lol but I got out a few hour later but I WAS mad making excuse'es ITS BECAUSE I was in a Cadillac... DONT sweat it.

Jerry Tanaka

Who knows. Maybe they were just bored or curious as to why anyone would be wandering through a parking lot at night.. You could have been stealing hubcaps or something. You did not have to answer their questions, but if you did not, they might have taken you in on suspicion of something and then you would have had to answer to a judge, so you did the right thing.

BruceN

I think they were just doing their job and taking care of the neighborhood. You know, somebody walking late at night...let's check it out and see what this person's up to. Preventative action, maybe, getting to know the people in the neighborhood and who the good guys are, too. Maybe you're one of the good guys, they saw that, and they won't bother you the next time. Who knows? I like the fact that police in my neighborhood get to know the characters, and the good guys. If you have nothing to hide, I wouldn't worry about it. I would be glad to know the officers are doing their job. Take care..

luchadora

You only have to legally tell the cops your name & age.

Jim Bob

All police have a right to speak to anyone they want to. You also have a right to refuse to speak to them. But your intuition is correct and you handled it right. By stopping to chat they police do not need any reason. Your reaction can give rise toan articulable suspicion for a stop - a brief detention during which you are not free to leave. Your actions can then raise the police suspicion to probable case to arrest if they should find out you are wanted, you have contreband or a weapon.

Schmoolie

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