Controversial Sterling
Heights Councilman Paul Smith has alienated a wide array of people in Sterling
Heights – fellow council members, the mayor, the city manager and some
department heads – but I wonder if he has now been targeted by the police
department.
Heights Councilman Paul Smith has alienated a wide array of people in Sterling
Heights – fellow council members, the mayor, the city manager and some
department heads – but I wonder if he has now been targeted by the police
department.
Smith, a tea party-style
Republican who is up for re-election on the Nov. 5 non-partisan ballot, has
loudly opposed the 2.5-mill tax hike for police and fire on that same ballot.
Republican who is up for re-election on the Nov. 5 non-partisan ballot, has
loudly opposed the 2.5-mill tax hike for police and fire on that same ballot.
So, it’s a bit
interesting that he was ticketed by the police on Saturday for a minor traffic
issue (improperly changing lanes) and the city’s PR Department followed up with
a detailed, five-paragraph press release about the incident.
interesting that he was ticketed by the police on Saturday for a minor traffic
issue (improperly changing lanes) and the city’s PR Department followed up with
a detailed, five-paragraph press release about the incident.
Smith isn’t talking, but
it is highly unusual, at the very least, for any city to issue a press release
about a basic traffic violation. To make such a move one week before the
election is highly questionable.
it is highly unusual, at the very least, for any city to issue a press release
about a basic traffic violation. To make such a move one week before the
election is highly questionable.
I’ve seen police press
releases about suspicious deaths that were shorter in length than this
announcement.
releases about suspicious deaths that were shorter in length than this
announcement.
To be fair, Smith
apparently was belligerent after he was pulled over and he ignored the officer’s
command to stay inside his vehicle. The officer who handled the stop said that
Smith had been driving his minivan slowly on Van Dyke but was also weaving a
bit. After the cop rode alongside of Smith to assess the situation, the
councilman abruptly switched lanes in front of the patrol car without using a
turn signal, according to the release.
apparently was belligerent after he was pulled over and he ignored the officer’s
command to stay inside his vehicle. The officer who handled the stop said that
Smith had been driving his minivan slowly on Van Dyke but was also weaving a
bit. After the cop rode alongside of Smith to assess the situation, the
councilman abruptly switched lanes in front of the patrol car without using a
turn signal, according to the release.
Police Chief Michael
Reese said dash-camera video from the cop car showed that the stop was handled
properly. It could be that Reese requested the issuance of a release to diffuse
a possible political sideshow, with Smith claiming he was besieged by the PD.
Reese said dash-camera video from the cop car showed that the stop was handled
properly. It could be that Reese requested the issuance of a release to diffuse
a possible political sideshow, with Smith claiming he was besieged by the PD.
The first-term
councilman has had past run-ins with the police over minor matters, including a
recent episode in which he snatched a pro-millage sign from the lawn of a local
car dealer and went inside to berate the management in front of customers.
councilman has had past run-ins with the police over minor matters, including a
recent episode in which he snatched a pro-millage sign from the lawn of a local
car dealer and went inside to berate the management in front of customers.
It should also be noted
that the Sterling Heights police unions have endorsed two challengers who are
hoping to unseat the outspoken incumbent.
that the Sterling Heights police unions have endorsed two challengers who are
hoping to unseat the outspoken incumbent.
We’ll see next Tuesday
whether Smith emerges unscathed and just keeps rolling along.
whether Smith emerges unscathed and just keeps rolling along.
"To be fair, Smith apparently was belligerent after he was pulled over and he ignored the officer’s command to stay inside his vehicle."
Enough said…