Best personal encounter with a Chicago cop, that may or may not have ended up with you getting beat down, and may or may not have been videotaped and shown on television
Stumble out of The Continental, 4am. Skip across the street to an ongoing construction site, a new building half born and abandoned in the night. Follow your friend as she scampers inside, all the way to the top. Police immediately pounce as if they were on a stakeout. You, adventurous friend and other photographer friend on street get tossed in the back of a paddy wagon. They drive. They drive and drive. You and your friends can’t believe you’re going to jail. Trespassing. You don’t know where the cops are taking you. Your photographer friend snaps off a shot, you worry it will infuriate already infuriated police. Suddenly, the wagon stops. Get out. Walk the line. Photo friend stumbles over. You think you’re going to jail for sure now. Cops get back in wagon. They take off. Where are you? The middle of Humboldt Park. Why the hell did they drive you there and just leave you? Find a cab. Venture back to Continental.
Audience choice: Asking for, and getting, directions
Best audience comments: Being followed on my bicycle after the officer ran a red light and stopped in the middle of the intersection, almost prompting a collision; Cop laughed at my bumper sticker and decided not to ticket me…it said “No Intel Inside” with the Intel Logo and Bush`s photo inside it…; Cops constantly hitting on girls in Wrigleyville and then letting them drive drunk; Er, when he let me ride his segway; i am under a gag order…it was a lot of fun; One drove up alongside me recently after I was in a car accident at Washington & Peoria. He didn’t ask if I was OK but told me to get out and exchange info with the other driver, then drove off. I was unable to get out of my car due to the extreme damage; Years ago, I asked a cop for directions and he forced me to pull over and ended up searching the trunk! I asked, “Is this common procedure for everyone who asks for directions?”
Best of Chicago 2021: Michael Workman's Personal Best Newcity invited fourteen writers to share their "personal Best of Chicago”—a collection of voices expressing their city in their own very personal ways, that together offer universal insights into what we all cherish about our life in this place.
Best of Chicago 2021: Ted C. Fishman's Personal Best Newcity invited fourteen writers to share their "personal Best of Chicago”—a collection of voices expressing their city in their own very personal ways, that together offer universal insights into what we all cherish about our life in this place.
Best of Chicago 2021: Tanner Woodford's Personal Best Newcity invited fourteen writers to share their "personal Best of Chicago”—a collection of voices expressing their city in their own very personal ways, that together offer universal insights into what we all cherish about our life in this place.
Best of Chicago 2021: Kekeli Sumah's Personal Best Newcity invited fourteen writers to share their "personal Best of Chicago”—a collection of voices expressing their city in their own very personal ways, that together offer universal insights into what we all cherish about our life in this place.
