OK, I can understand Hummers getting picked on. They’re big, showy, and have a reputation for a certain kind of driver that would make a very tempting target for any law enforcement.
But why the Scion hate?
The Scion tC is an inexpensive, sporty little coupe targetted at young drivers, modders, and gear-heads. It’s definitely racer-friendly, but I didn’t think that they were quite that wildly skewed. But the XB?
My Box?
Toaster-on-wheels?
Yeah, I admit, it looks different. But does it really scream out “BUST ME!! DANGEROUS DRIVER!!”? Does anyone think they’re going to see Vin Diesel flying past the screen in one of these any time soon (F&F 7: Screw Aerodynamics!)?
I love my XB, but when I look at them I don’t think “street racer”. I think most people driving XBs are a bigger risk of something like this.
Maybe that’s it… Often stereotypes are there for a reason, and just as Hummers tend to attract a certain type of aggressive personality, the job of police officer also attracts a certain type of person. That type that was, perhaps, somewhat physically-oriented in their youth, a “jock”? Maybe authoritarian roles also bring out those that enjoyed holding power over others, aka: a “bully”? And if, as I proudly claim, the XB represents the “nerd” car… Maybe the temptation is just too much for some to resist renewing old rivalries?
"What do you mean the ticket fine is 'my lunch money'?"
(As a caveat, and to make sure that every cop in the city doesn’t decide to get that ticket ratio to number 1, I will say that no, I don’t think that EVERY police officer is a frustrated bully working out his power-trip fantasies on the public. My best friend, who has saved my life almost as many times as he’s put it at risk, is exactly the kind of person you would want protecting society, your home, and your family. I’ve known many wonderful and honourable men and women in the service. Of course, I’ve also been attacked and beaten by two different cops, so it’s hard to say. Gee maybe stereotypes aren’t right 100% of the time…)
