Felt Up

Kid walkin’ down the street, mindin’ own business 15 maybe 16 years old. Lone cop in squad car activates flashers, screeches in front of oncoming early afternoon traffic, rockets up ONTO sidewalk to accost him. Kid looks stunned, offers his best here-comes-a-grownup-what-now smile. Cop utters unintelligible commands. Kid produces papers of identification. Cop reaches up, pats him down: on both breasts,  arms, waist,  thighs, flanks. 30 seconds later boy is walking again in my direction, tucking away his papers and trying to look nonchalant as cop zooms manfully back into own lane, dousing the big blue flashers.

Another victory for public safety… or  not?