A young man gets into a pickup truck and starts driving out of a parking garage near TD Garden. A passerby tells a police officer the driver might be under the influence of alcohol, so the officer stops him.
After talking to the driver, the officer determines the driver had been drinking, but isn’t sure if he’s impaired. Then, the driver identifies himself as Philip Davis, the 22-year-old son of Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis.
Comments
Will the Globe run a story when the commissioner calls the officer on the carpet and tells him, in Belichickian fashion, to "do your job"? Likely no.
Its not a story until you find the commissioner complicit. That, of course, would require actual reportorial work. So for now we get Rush/Hannity-like nonsense.
yes, let him drive drunk.
Why would this surprise anybody??!! Typical...
Can't wait for the follow up story! What, there won't be any????
This really does happen all the time, believe it or not. And I must admit that I've done it as well - irrespective of the person's family or station in life. I've sat curbside and waited for fathers to pick up their sons and daughters and handed the car keys over to the parent. I've sent sailors and marines on shore leave back to their ship via cab, while their rental car keys accidentally fell into a sewer. A good cop understands the human condition - and we should be about public safety, not arresting the world.
When an officer weighs the draconian consequences of a DUI arrest, the possibility of letting an impaired person drive home and suffering an accident, versus just taking away the persons keys or offering a ride to someone - some of the more sympathetic among us will opt for the latter versus the former. Having said that, going to the extreme in this situation - driving someone home - was very probably influenced by who his father is. It would've been better for all concerned to just take away his keys and call him a cab.
When your only tool is a hammer, all your problems look like nails.
HardWorkingCop, While I understand that you're trying to be compassionate, you are not doing the job you are hired to do, and you are not doing anyone any favors. Those who drive while under the influence of alcohol need to be held accountable for their dangerous, selfish, criminal behavior. While you may believe that the consequences are "draconian," your personal belief is not the point. I understand, and generally agree with, your quote regarding problem-solving tools. However it does not apply in this specific case. You are a part of the problem, not part of the solution, when it comes to getting the message across. (The message being, do not drink and drive.) Driving under the influence is not just a "problem," it is a serious crime. In my view, your efforts are misguided and counterproductive. We as a society cannot treat driving under the influence lightly.
madeline, until the state takes away discretion from police officers we will use it to resolve the situation as we see fit. Thank you.
If you want to end preferential treatment at the police department, start with the Mayor's son.
What kind of world would it be if the Police Commisioner's son couldn't get a safe ride home. There has to be some perks for holding high office. This is America! Don't forget! I am sure the other poor drunks won't mind. Why can't we loosen up a bit? After all, the kid is only 22 years old. I am sure this will never happen to him again. Just because the kid drinks a little too much doesn't make him a alcoholic.Where would we be without special treatment FOR FRIENDS AND REALITIVES? I was lucky I drank and drove for over 25 years and never got caught. I have now been sober for over 35 years. I think I was a better driver when I was drinking. Of course I am a lot older now.
Easy Does It! First Things First, Live and Let Live, and Keep It Simple! If you find that you have a problem......DON'T DRINK NO MATTER WHAT!