Austin Police Arrest Young Jogger for Jaywalking, Video Goes Viral [WATCH]
Austin, Texas is serious about crime. Highly serious. If you do not abide by the law, you can expected to be dealt with quickly by police.
One criminal who was recently brought down by Austin's swift justice was a 24-year-old woman by the name Amanda Jo Stephen. Stephen was jogging across the street one morning when she was ordered to stop by law enforcement.
Senior Chris Quintero witnessed the crime take place.
"I was sitting at the Starbucks at 24th and San Antonio," said Quintero to University of Texas paper, The Daily Texan. "Then I hear a cop shout at an innocent girl jogging through West Campus with her headphones on."
The police ordered the woman to show identification but she did not stop. So the officer did the responsible thing and grabbed the young woman, placing her in handcuffs.
The woman pleaded with the officers that she "didn't do anything wrong," although that is not entirely true. She was reportedly jaywalking, which is not only illegal, but a serious problem in Austin. She was also being uncooperative with police, refusing to give her name.
Stephen has since been charged with "failure to identify" and "failure to obey a pedestrian control device."
Quintero, who filmed the arrest with his phone, uploaded the video to the internet, invoking an angry response. Apparently most people think crossing the street doesn't warrant being handcuffed.
Austin police chief Art Acevedo sees no issue with the actions the officers involved, however. Their goal was to crack down on jaywalking and increase pedestrian safety and, in his eyes, they succeeded.
"Our goal is to change behavior, and not necessarily to write tickets or take people to jail," Acevedo said during a press conference. "This week, we're actually focusing on pedestrian violations. The initiative will continue for some upcoming weeks, utilizing the resources of district representatives."
Acevedo went on to say that Stephen complicated matters by not cooperating, and that he wouldn't have been as "generous" with her. He then reminded people to look on the bright side.
"It's kind of interesting what passes for controversy in Austin, Texas," said the chief. "Thank you Lord that there's a controversy in Austin, Texas that we actually had the audacity to touch somebody by the arm and tell them: 'Oh my goodness, Austin Police, we're trying to get your attention.' Whew! In other cities, cops are actually committing sexual assaults on duty, so I thank God that this is what passes for a controversy in Austin, Texas."
Ironically, it was those comments that caused increased the controversy surrounding Acevedo and his police force. He has since apologized for his comments.
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