Last week I was socializing inside Grog House with my wristband on, legally drinking a beer, and I was harassed by a Gainesville Police officer.
I am 23 years old. I was asked to show my ID. Then they wanted another form of ID.
Already perturbed by the unnecessary questioning, I politely presented the officer my UFID. Next, he asked me to step out back with him and remove my free hand from my pocket.
He continued his demeaning interrogation for the next 15 minutes and asked me for my social security number.
After he radioed my information in and concluded that his witch hunt was going nowhere, I was finally permitted to return to the bar.
I can only imagine how many other bar patrons have been unjustly harassed like this.
The arrival of police officers at the bars at any given time is as unsettling for me as it must be for a sweaty-palmed 18-year-old with a fake ID. That should never be the case.
I feel that the GPD underage drinking campaign has exceeded its bounds. This is an overly aggressive police campaign trampling the rights of law-abiding citizens without reason.
