Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
    • The Best of Reason Magazine
    • Why We Can't Have Nice Things
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

Culture

Massachusetts State Police Have a Sad Because People Took Photos of Teens Riding Back of Truck Instead of Calling 911

Trawling Facebook as law enforcement tactic

Ed Krayewski | 8.15.2013 2:00 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests
Large image on homepages | Facebook
(Facebook)

see something tip something
Reason

Trawling Facebook is a law enforcement tactic.

From CBS Boston:

State Police are upset no one called them about a dangerous incident on the Southeast Expressway that people photographed, but didn't report.

Troopers posted a photo of the stunt on their Facebook page Wednesday.

It shows two teens riding on the back of a tractor-trailer Tuesday afternoon on I-93 in Dorchester.

"We would like to remind the public how unsafe and illegal this is. This photograph and other similar photographs are circulating regarding this incident. The Massachusetts State Police did not receive any phone calls regarding this incident as it was occurring, yet several drivers took photographs of it," State Police said in the Facebook statement.

Witnesses say passing cars alerted the truck driver to the teens on the back of the truck and he stopped to get them off. Police would've preferred to have sent a cruiser and are taking information on the incident. Picture below:

cops would like a tag
Facebook

Follow this story and more at Reason 24/7 and don't forget you can e-mail stories to us at 24_7@reason.com and tweet us at @reason247. 

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Judge Judy's DA Son Suing Local NY Sheriff For Allegedly Interfering in Child Rape Case

Ed Krayewski is a former associate editor at Reason.

CultureScience & TechnologyNanny StatePoliceSocial MediaFree SpeechTechnology
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Hide Comments (71)

Editor's Note: As of February 29, 2024, commenting privileges on reason.com posts are limited to Reason Plus subscribers. Past commenters are grandfathered in for a temporary period. Subscribe here to preserve your ability to comment. Your Reason Plus subscription also gives you an ad-free version of reason.com, along with full access to the digital edition and archives of Reason magazine. We request that comments be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment and ban commenters for any reason at any time. Comments may only be edited within 5 minutes of posting. Report abuses.

  1. Scruffy Nerfherder   12 years ago

    You endangered your own safety! You must be punished by the collective!

    Straight out of We.

  2. sarcasmic   12 years ago

    "Failure to report a crime is a crime."
    Stasi State Police

    1. Almanian!   12 years ago

      "Failure to report a crime is a crime."
      Stasi State Police Stasi

      Re-fixed

      1. Duke   12 years ago

        WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TATTLE?!

      2. Marc F Cheney   12 years ago

        Failure to report the failure to report a crime? You bet your ass that's a crime.

        1. anon   12 years ago

          We're all criminals now.

  3. jamesrk   12 years ago

    Missed a huge tasering from inside moving vehicle opportunity.

    1. Hugh Akston   12 years ago

      Dude, they could have tested their new copdrones accuracy against moving targets.

    2. setTHEline   12 years ago

      A couple of bean-bag rounds from the 12 gauge also a great tactical option in this instance.

  4. Hugh Akston   12 years ago

    Witnesses say passing cars alerted the truck driver to the teens on the back of the truck and he stopped to get them off. Police would've preferred to have sent a cruiser and are taking information on the incident.

    A dangerous but ultimately harmless incident was resolved peacefully without the involvement of the Staties. CLEARLY THIS KIND OF ANARCHY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO STAND

    1. EDG reppin' LBC   12 years ago

      Goddamit Hugh. You perfectly captured the sentiment of the State Police. And it's depressing.

      1. Matrix   12 years ago

        Goddamit Hugh. You perfectly captured the sentiment of the Police State. And it's depressing.

        FIFY

    2. a better weapon   12 years ago

      *Golf clap*

    3. anon   12 years ago

      I agree. STONE THOSE VIGILANTES TO DEATH!

    4. Pro Libertate   12 years ago

      You know, even given the cops the benefit of the doubt, just how would they have ended the situation without increasing the danger to the kids?

      1. Pro Libertate   12 years ago

        Even giving the cops the benefit of the doubt.

      2. Episiarch   12 years ago

        Well, presuming some cops that are actual human beings with some sense, they pull over the truck, let the kids get off, call them idiots for doing something so dangerous, and then offer to drive them home and tell their parents how dumb they were.

        Considering what cops are today, they probably would have tried to shoot the tires out of the truck or something. For the children.

        1. JW   12 years ago

          onsidering what cops are today, they probably would have tried to shoot the tires out of the truck or something.

          That sounds overly complicated and wastes ammo.

          Better to use non-lethal methods and tase them from the moving truck.

          1. Kaptious Kristen   12 years ago

            Spike strips and a taserin' for the boys and the trucker.

            And they should do the spike strips like they did in the opening of The Walking Dead, so everyone gets a taste.

          2. cw   12 years ago

            But they would have had to shoot those teens if one of them appeared to reach into his waistband.

            Officer safety.

        2. Pro Libertate   12 years ago

          Even the pullover is fraught with risk. What if the truck brakes too hard?

          1. Episiarch   12 years ago

            Hit up the driver on his CB and tell him the situation, and to pull over slowly. See? Rational answers. That the cops would never have considered.

            1. Pro Libertate   12 years ago

              Are you sure the officers would be safe in that scenario? Wouldn't it be better to simply explode the truck?

              1. DontShootMe   12 years ago

                ^this I wouldn't want to report this because I'd be putting the innocent truck drivers life at risk. Who knows what the Staties might do?

        3. Francisco d Anconia   12 years ago

          They look like Hippies, which means they probably have pot. Better send a SWAT Team. Officer safety...

          1. mr simple   12 years ago

            Soon they'll be able to drone it without having to leave the office, unless those damn terrorist-loving hippies get their way!

      3. Mad Scientist   12 years ago

        This is about job security, not saving dumb kids. They'd need at least 20 cops to shut down all the traffic on the highway. They'd need a helicopter (maybe two) to provide aerial recon. The mayor wanted to stand in front of a podium and appear concerned while receiving minute-by-minute updates. Reporters will ask if there are any bad potholes on that stretch of road that could bounce the kids off, and then they'll get some traffic engineers on the hotline to confer. New laws could be passed to mandate cameras on the backs of semis to ensure that no kids are hanging on. THEY WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING!

      4. The Last American Hero   12 years ago

        They probably would open fire on a vehicle matching a totally different description. See, the danger to the kids wouldn't be increased at all.

  5. Dave Krueger   12 years ago

    At a bare minimum, they should have been searched for drugs and put into foster care.

  6. WTF   12 years ago

    Of course the cops have a sad - they missed out on an excellent chance to inflict violence on some punks.

  7. creech   12 years ago

    Call the cops? And risk they shut down the Interstates for a few hours, or days, to look for these punks?

  8. The Rt. Hon. Serious Man, Visc   12 years ago

    Missed opportunity to rough up the big rig driver and then cite him for violating some state regulation.

  9. anon   12 years ago

    Holy shit, teens did something stupid and it was corrected without the state police locking them up for years in a foster home!?

    A GREAT INJUSTICE HAS OCCURRED!

    1. Drake   12 years ago

      And civilians acted like adults without permission from the State.

      1. Matrix   12 years ago

        OMG... It's worse than we thought!!

        SOMALIA!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Apple   12 years ago

    I just keep thinking how awesome it would be if traffic suddenly cleared up and the truck never got below 50 for the next 500 miles.

    1. playa manhattan   12 years ago

      500 miles in the wrong direction.

      1. EDG reppin' LBC   12 years ago

        So seven hours later, the truck stops in Buffalo, NY. But the kids stay anyway, because it's better than South Boston. Barely.

    2. cgr2727   12 years ago

      Wonder if the the stasi, I mean staties, would have even noticed on their own since they're busy cruising at 95 in the left lane with no lights or sirens. But only because they are specially trained in this highly skilled practice of flexing the right foot towards the floorboard, otherwise it's a heinous offense against state order.

  11. Warty   12 years ago

    I wonder at what point the kids realized that was more stupid than cool. Probably right around the time the truck got on the highway, is my guess.

    1. Episiarch   12 years ago

      Probably right about the time they realized they couldn't get off until the truck stopped, and that they had no idea when that was going to be.

      Hey, maybe they should have called the pigs on themselves! That would have gotten them off the truck!

    2. The Rt. Hon. Serious Man, Visc   12 years ago

      If cops were more trustworthy I actually don't think it would have been a bad thing for the cops to be the ones to take them in, give them a dressing down, and make sure their parents knew how stupid they were acting.

      1. setTHEline   12 years ago

        "If cops were more trustworthy"...operative words here. Like saying, if dog excrement didn't taste so bad and had more nutritional value I'd definitely consider eating it.

    3. JW   12 years ago

      I can see The Boy doing this, WAY too easily.

      "But...but, we didn't think that would happen!"

      1. Brett L   12 years ago

        But...but, we didn't think

        God, I was a dumbass when I was 14-17. I hope my son also lives long enough for his experience to catch up with his intelligence.

    4. Francisco d Anconia   12 years ago

      Like this?

  12. Raston Bot   12 years ago

    Clearly those boys are still riding on that truck in the rain since men with guns and a state license to kill did not fatally escalate the situation.

  13. Fist of Etiquette   12 years ago

    If you see something say something. What if those had turned out to be terrorists? OR WORSE?

    1. EDG reppin' LBC   12 years ago

      Nothing is worse than terrorists. Except Nikki.

  14. Archduke Trousersenthusiast   12 years ago

    What's important is the police officers made it home safe at the end of the shift.

    1. Mad Scientist   12 years ago

      And nothing else happened!

  15. Raston Bot   12 years ago

    So if these boys died by cop and not from falling off a truck on the highway, would it still count as Darwinism?

  16. BakedPenguin   12 years ago

    Well, this is at least as bad as putting up Lite Brites of Mooninites.

    Also - Southies!

  17. Adam330   12 years ago

    Dear State Police,

    Stop acting like goons and maybe people will trust you enough to call you in situations like this.

    1. sarcasmic   12 years ago

      That's just it. I wouldn't call the cops because I just know that the kids would have ran, and been beaten into a bloody pulp for it. Maybe even killed.

      Police are violence. Period. Don't call them unless you want violence.

  18. cw   12 years ago

    Sometimes regular citizens take the initiative.

    That scares the shit out of statists.

  19. meister574   12 years ago

    Why would anyone call the cops. They would just have their phones seized as evidence and maybe arrested if they dare photograph or video the cop they called.

  20. SugarFree   12 years ago

    If only all trucks dragged cameras behind them to watch the back these sorts of heinous crimes wouldn't occur. It just so happens that my brother-in-law sells drag cameras. I'm sure he'd give us a great deal.

  21. The Late P Brooks   12 years ago

    Something tells me the truck driver would not have emerged unscathed, if the cops had gotten involved.

    ------

    Not exactly a victimless crime, they could have caused a traffic jam had they fallen and gotten hit.

    We all know how stupid you are. There's really no need to prove it over and over and over.

  22. Robert   12 years ago

    Why were they riding the back of a truck instead of calling 911?

  23. Invisible Finger   12 years ago

    Every call to the police incurs costs that will be reflected on your next tax bill.

    So call the police sparingly.

  24. Invisible Finger   12 years ago

    The trash collectors in my neighborhood do this all the time. What's the big deal?

  25. MasterDarque   12 years ago

    I cant believe none of you guys can see the danger here. Clearly those are potential terrorists trying to hitch a ride to do God knows what to God knows who. Big Sis says "If you see something say something"

  26. Warfario   12 years ago

    Who the hell would call the cops anymore, they are as likely to arrest you as anyone else.

  27. Mustakrakish   12 years ago

    Ooh! Thay could have hit the truck driver with kidnapping too!

    1. Mustakrakish   12 years ago

      *They

  28. Drake   12 years ago

    You are assuming the Massholes on I-93 would stop. Not a sure thing.

  29. Drizzle   12 years ago

    And had I eaten my chicken raw instead of cooking it first I would have gotten the screaming shits.

    Your point?

  30. DontShootMe   12 years ago

    Yeah, to stop a Masshole you need rain. 85 mph bumper to bumper, plow through any obstruction, but let a raindrop hit the windshield and it's full on brakes.

  31. anon   12 years ago

    Fuck, North Carolina is full of Massholes?

Please log in to post comments

Mute this user?

  • Mute User
  • Cancel

Ban this user?

  • Ban User
  • Cancel

Un-ban this user?

  • Un-ban User
  • Cancel

Nuke this user?

  • Nuke User
  • Cancel

Un-nuke this user?

  • Un-nuke User
  • Cancel

Flag this comment?

  • Flag Comment
  • Cancel

Un-flag this comment?

  • Un-flag Comment
  • Cancel

Latest

The Original Alcatraz Closed for Costing Too Much. Alligator Alcatraz Should Too.

Autumn Billings | 7.14.2025 5:05 PM

The Department of Justice Just Sided with RFK Jr. Group's Claim That News Orgs Can't Boycott Misinformation

Jack Nicastro | 7.14.2025 4:58 PM

Hundreds of 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detainees Don't Have Criminal Records

C.J. Ciaramella | 7.14.2025 4:00 PM

There's Probably No 'Smoking Gun' in the JFK or Epstein Cases. We Should Be Allowed To Look Anyway.

Matthew Petti | 7.14.2025 3:45 PM

2 New Jersey Journalists Face Criminal Charges for Publishing Information From a Police Blotter

Jacob Sullum | 7.14.2025 3:30 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS

© 2024 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

r

Do you care about free minds and free markets? Sign up to get the biggest stories from Reason in your inbox every afternoon.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

This modal will close in 10

Reason Plus

Special Offer!

  • Full digital edition access
  • No ads
  • Commenting privileges

Just $25 per year

Join Today!