The police in Hamilton City clearly have far too much time on their hands:

HAMILTON CITY — A man riding a bicycle with improper lighting equipment was shot with a Taser stun gun Wednesday night as he ran from a deputy who tried to stop him for the infraction.
After repeated attempts, Glenn County sheriff’s deputy Cale Smith said he finally got the attention of the rider on Sierra Street, who jumped from the bike and began running.

After a half-block chase and several warnings from Smith that he would use the Taser, he did.

Sgt. Scott James said only one probe struck the man, identified as Omar Herrada Rivera, 39, and he received no shock.

Smith caught up with him near the garage of a home, and took him into custody after a brief struggle.

James said Smith was fully justified in firing his Taser, because Rivera was running toward a home, and could have endangered people inside.

“Improper lighting equipment?” What does that mean? Not having legally required reflectors? Riding at night without a headlight and a tail light? The latter would be nearly all bicycles in North America. “Could have endangered people inside?” Just about anyone anywhere doing most anything could endanger anyone else. This is an excuse to arrest people? To shoot at them? (Oh, why not? It’s a great excuse for war…)

The report goes on to say that “deputies don’t deploy Tasers against subjects who are driving or riding a bike because of the risk factor.” Risk factor to whom? The officer, who might not hit what he or she aims at?

The Best of Charles H. Featherstone