An overflowing toilet could make a woman go to jail & pay $300 fine. Reasonable?
By MarieJ23
@MarieJ23 (1040)
United States
October 19, 2007 1:48am CST
I was watching an early morning news today and I find this certain issue funny and ridiculous. Okay here it is:
A woman in Scranton, Pa could face up to 90 days in jail and could pay $300 fine for swearing over her overflowing toilet. LOL. She said she was yelling for her daughter to get a mop because the water is already going to the kitchen. A next-door neighbor police officer who was off duty heard her and ask her to lower down her voice and when she didn't listen the officer called the police.
Wow! Isn't it ridiculous that a person will be put behind bars and will be given a ticket by doing such in her own place?
What is your idea on this case? Are the police officers correct in their judgement? Or this is just insane?
4 people like this
9 responses
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
13 Nov 07
I saw the news coverage of this story too. However, I have to wonder, how many times has the neighbor, who happens to be a cop, heard her screaming or yelling at 'something' or someone. So without knowing what type of neighbor she is on a day to day basis, it would be hard for me to judge his decision. Although, I do live with a police officer, and he has had to make the decision to step up or step out of situations in which he didn't know what was actually taking place until he asked or found out by observing the situation. So, again, hard to say, but if she in fact is normally a quiet neighbor and was yelling (how many of us wouldn't) about the toilet, then yes jail time and fine are extremely crazy.
2 people like this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
19 Oct 07
I think the policeman overreacted... if i were in the position of the lady and i see the toilet overflowing with the water about to reach the kitchen... i would certainly shout at the top of my lungs... her's was a natural reaction whick is understandable... but the policeman's was unnatural and unnecessary...
2 people like this
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Yeah that sound like what some police officers would do. They love to show their authority. I sure would hate to need his help in any situation. How did he know what the problem was? It doesn't sound like he even gave her a chance to explain. What ever happened to the "Trust and serve" they are supposed to live by? What did they arrest her for for disturbing his peace(sleep)? It's police persons like him that make you dislike all police. If he had done the right thing he would have shut off the water for her. But then that's wishful thinking where he is concerned.
1 person likes this
@aaidjs (1149)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
19 Oct 07
Hello, I cant believe it!!We all give our money for police departments and they have to make there jobs correctly!!I ll put that policemen in the jail!!And what kind of person is that neighbor?There are a lot a job for psychiatric!!I am happy that I live in good neighborhood were people help each other!!Regards Silvana
1 person likes this
@kwenge (2487)
• Kenya
19 Oct 07
Gosh! that was soo rude and its also an interference of personal space. I have never heard of something like that. People even fight in home and shout at one another but taking them to jail - i have never heard! Maybe the neighbor has been harboring somethings/hatred and she/he got a chance.
1 person likes this
@AD11RGUY (1265)
• United States
19 Oct 07
It's friggin' insane! What kind of loser lives next door to her? Let alone this loser is a cop? One of the most swearing people I know are cops! I can't imagine hearing a scenario like this and having the urge to call the police. If the words were clearly audible, I would have gotten up to offer assistance. At least that's what we neighbors here do. Some sense of community!
@shaggin (72141)
• United States
16 Feb 11
That is ridiculous. I think she should be allowed to say whatever she wants in her own home. She was freaking out because her toilet was overflowing and she didnt know what to do. In times like that she should be forgiven if she says things she might not other wise say. The off duty police officer should have just minded his own business as far as I'm concerned. Maybe instead of calling the police on her he should have offered to help her with her problem. Sounds like the guy was a real jerk.
