A routine traffic stop in downtown sparked outrage after a police officer issued two “improper equipment” tickets over what witnesses call a minor cosmetic scuff on a vehicle.
According to bystanders, the driver had parked legally and was simply returning to their car when the officer approached, pointing to a tiny scratch on the bumper. Rather than issuing a warning, the officer wrote two separate citations, claiming that the scuff constituted multiple equipment violations.
The driver, shocked and frustrated, attempted to explain that the damage was purely cosmetic and posed no safety risk. But the officer reportedly refused to relent, insisting on enforcing the citations.
Social media erupted after the driver shared photos of the scuff and the tickets, with commenters calling the incident “petty” and “ridiculous.” Legal experts weighed in, saying such strict interpretations of vehicle equipment laws are rare but can happen — and often make for viral headlines.
The incident has reignited debates about traffic enforcement, officer discretion, and the sometimes absurd outcomes of minor violations.
