There's something about a cop......

Every once in a while, there's a story that captures the public's imagination. They say that every picture tells a story - and today's Vancouver Sun tells the tale of this fair maid who was taken into safe custody by the Vancouver Transit Police for impersonating a passenger in a car occupying the Highway 1 HOV Lane** in Burnaby, Vancouver.

** Note for the benefit of my sister ...... HOV Lane = High Occupancy Vehicle Lane (2+ people)

Of course the story was a serious one - and the young girl's chauffeur was fined $109 for travelling in the HOV lane with a mannequin. What captured my attention was the range of comments the story attracted! Here are just a few...

"There are a group of us from Abbotsford and Chilliwack that use mannequins which
were purchased at a Vancouver Auction 2 years ago, there are ways to make the
Manniquin look alive and so far, this is the only person to be caught, of course
we don't drive Expencive cars, just everyday cars! If you are looking for a
manniquin to get home faster, check out ebay, tons of deals on there! They are
less than $109.00! "

"Finally Const. Shipley has a date he can take home and introduce to his mom."

"Great!! Now what is he going to do on those long rainy Abbey evenings? "

"Cute couple. The other guy looks jealous."

"The cops have once again broken the law. They have zero right to seize the mannequin. The only law that was broken was the HOV 2 occupant law. Once again the cops look like idiots making things up as they go along."

"Now the cops are Home wrecking - this may be a long term relationship that they are destroying "

"She's cute. What's her phone number?"

"Wow, I must say I'm surprised by everyone's comments. I'm glad the guy got caught, serves him right! And yes, I agree the fine should have been bigger. HOV lanes are there for a reason, to encourage carpooling. And yes, HOV lane restrictions are in effect 24/7 365 days of the year"

Needless to say, HOV lanes have yet to arrive on Gabriola - and when they do, you can bet that the mannequins will be better dressed that this!