by Unusual Weather Conditions in Louisiana
The southern US states typically do not encounter snow and ice, but a recent winter storm brought unusually cold weather to regions unaccustomed to it. Among them was the town of Sterlington in Louisiana, with a population of about two thousand people.
Police’s Harsh Reaction to Road Conditions
While residents of northern states wouldn’t even blink at a small amount of snow and ice, the situation in Sterlington got out of control, and the police lost patience. In a social media post, the local police department, which has seven members, stated:
If we find you stuck in a vehicle without four-wheel drive and blocking traffic, we will be issuing citations.
They added that the situation had “crossed the line of absurdity” and that people had been asked “countless times to stay home if they do not have a four-wheel drive vehicle.” The department noted that utility and emergency services “cannot help people if we cannot travel on our main roads” due to stuck vehicles.
Public Outrage and Criticism
This statement sparked a wave of outrage. One popular comment pointed out that owning a two-wheel-drive vehicle is not illegal, and that the authorities should have been better prepared and capable of clearing the roads. Others noted that people aren’t driving for pleasure but are simply trying to get to work.
Police Stand Their Ground and Continue the Pressure
Despite the initial wave of criticism, the department continued to insist on its stance and mocked the “hilarious ignorance” of those complaining about their threat. They also challenged so-called “Google lawyers,” inviting them to come to the office and speak with the chief in person.
You know, amidst all this chaos, we have to find time to laugh. Here is a perfect example of one of the ‘Google lawyers’…
Scale of the Incident and Its Consequences
This situation undoubtedly does not cast the department or the town in a very good light, especially considering that the entire uproar was caused by just 2.58 inches (66 mm) of snow. The events in Sterlington raise important questions about the preparedness of authorities for extreme weather in regions where it is rare, and about the balance between ensuring public safety and having reasonable expectations of drivers. The police’s reaction, aimed at stopping road chaos, also proved quite confrontational and raised serious doubts about the legality of such actions and their proportionality to the actual threat.
