Early Warnings

Sirens pierced the early morning air. The officer triggered the record command of his built-in surveillance system. He pulled his radio car to the side of the tree-lined road, behind the Volkswagen Passat. There was little traffic as yet, just the occasional early tourist on his way to the various Lake Mead campgrounds and marinas a few miles ahead.

With a slow, sure stride, confident this was his last pull over for the night, the officer strode purposefully ahead, well within sight of his forward-facing camera. He glanced seemingly casually over the VW, noting road dust and the occasional ding along the car’s body. The trunk had a small bit of white and teal cloth caught in the latch, but nothing truly notable caught the officer’s eye.

He walked over to the driver’s side window, tapping on the glass with his Mag-lite. The sound of an electric whirring cut through the early morning stillness as the window electronically opened, revealing the driver to the police officer, but not the waiting camera.

“You’re weaving, son,” the officer’s voice was clearly caught by the surveillance recording, followed by a muttered reply, almost undistinguishable. With a visible nod, the officer shone his light into the car then glanced back at the driver. “Well, I suggest you pull over and get some sleep before you continue on, son. Late night shifts can have that effect. Drifting off behind the wheel is a dangerous hazard.”

The officer straightened then slid the light of the Mag-lite over the empty backseat. “I’ll let you off with a warning, but I’ll ticket you if I see you again. Get to bed now.”

A muttered reply once more issued from the driver and the officer stepped away from the VW, returning to his own vehicle. As he slipped into his own driver’s side seat, he left the camera recording. It captured the civilian vehicle signaling then slowly pulling back onto the road. A few electronic beeps and plastic clicks issued forth as the officer typed in the vehicle’s license plate. No red flags lit the screen and the officer nodded to himself as he said aloud, for the recording, “Oh-seven-sixteen. Silver Volkswagen Passat spotted weaving on Lakeshore Road. Driver Gregory Sanders stated he was 'coming home from the late shift and must have drifted off'.” No apparent signs of intoxication. Issued friendly warning and let Mr. Sanders go. No charges or citations being filed.”

Finally, the officer clicked off the recording device. He shook his head and turned his radio car for the city, not giving much more thought to the apparently sleepy driver he’d just pulled over and let go. It was the end of a long night shift and time to go home, and that was just what he intended to do. The officer drove off into the ever growing light of the dawn.