Trick question from the police

[FindersKeepers]

So i'm coming home shortly after dark on my recumbent bicycle. A car behind me is going slow( thought little of it) I run a stop sign, it was safe enough.
Sure enough, blue lights. I pull over and he gives me a warning for no red light on rear. I have a 1300 lumen light up front that makes his personal flashlight jealous.

He was not a an a hole. He ID's me and ask if I have " any guns knives or drugs he needs to be concerned about " ? No "I, say". I had a legal folding knife in my saddle bag.
If I declared it, does he now have legal right to search? I answered truthfully according to his question, did not declare my legal knife because it was really nothing to concern him.

I was not afraid to be searched, but I don't give free passes. Did I handle it right? Should I declare a legal knife?

I think you handled it fine -- because he didn't have to be concerned about your knife.

I have the little flashing red light thingy on the back of my bike and a strong LED front light. I don't ride after dark at night much, but sometimes I ride early in the morning before it gets completely light.

[FindersKeepers]

You seem to need many things explained to you, that knives can be dangerous is one be one of those things.

Knitting needles can be dangerous and I've had those in my bike bag before.

There's a HUGE difference between having an object (that is completely legal to have) and intending to harm another with that object.

The officer asked if he had anything that "should concern him," and since resister had no intent of using the knife on the officer, it was not "of concern."

Resister answered truthfully.

[FindersKeepers]

In the fall, I pulled out of a gas station on my way home from work. It was dark, maybe 7:30. I pulled into the left lane because I would have to turn left at the light. Next thing I knew, I saw flashers behind me. I pulled into a parking lot and a deputy sheriff came up to the car:

Deputy: Sir, are you ok?
Me: excuse me?
Deputy: Are you ok, have you been drinking?
Me: Excuse me? (I don't drink)
Deputy: You were swerving all over the place. May I have your license?
Me: Here's my license but I don't drink, I wasn't swerving, I'm a lawyer and I want to see the dash-cam.
Deputy: (after running license) I am going to let you off with a warning.
Me: Deputy, If I was swerving, I should get a ticket, let's go to the station and watch the video.
Deputy: Thee is no need for that. Have a nice holiday, sir.

The reality is they were looking for drunk drivers w/o probable cause by feigning that I was swerving. If I reeked of alcohol, he would've arrested me and said 'oops, I didn't have the cam on' but he doesn't need the cam.

Great story. You knew just what to say.

Others should really know their rights better, too. I would never have thought to say that.

[resister]

The kicker is, he did not mention me running a stop! All in all, I count my blessings.

[Don]

So i'm coming home shortly after dark on my recumbent bicycle. A car behind me is going slow( thought little of it) I run a stop sign, it was safe enough.
Sure enough, blue lights. I pull over and he gives me a warning for no red light on rear. I have a 1300 lumen light up front that makes his personal flashlight jealous.

He was not a an a hole. He ID's me and ask if I have " any guns knives or drugs he needs to be concerned about " ? No "I, say". I had a legal folding knife in my saddle bag.
If I declared it, does he now have legal right to search? I answered truthfully according to his question, did not declare my legal knife because it was really nothing to concern him.

I was not afraid to be searched, but I don't give free passes. Did I handle it right? Should I declare a legal knife?

I assume when they say that they mean on your person. If they ask about "in your vehicle" that's a whole different matter. Your bicycle is a vehicle.

[resister]

I assume when they say that they mean on your person. If they ask about "in your vehicle" that's a whole different matter. Your bicycle is a vehicle.

You hit the nail on the head Don ! he said" on you" Well, you is me and "me" aint a vehicle.