Redheaded Jill

I’m remembering lots of police encounters today, and this one is probably my favorite to memory.

When I was a sophomore in college I was headed back to Tennessee for the fall semester. I had several house plants in the back seat of my car. The floor was lined with clear trash bags in case the plants tipped over. I was driving my grandparents old buick. (It was a TANK.)

I had just reached the edge of Jackson, Tennessee when I was pulled over for speeding. The area I was driving in was under newly constructed and the speed limit had dropped from 55 to 45 over the summer.

The officer was very kind and understanding. I told him I was head back to college and he said, “Yeah. This area has a new speed limit, a lot of college kids haven’t driven this road since last year so just be aware. Drive safe.” As he was walking away he peaked into my backseat and saw the plants. He kind of paused and then sighs real big. He goes, “Miss, you don’t have drugs or drug paraphernalia in the back of your car… do you?” I was like, “What? No way! I go to a super conservative Christian school! I promise I’m not like that.” He nodded and said, “Ok… have a good night.” As he was almost back to his car I realized he was afraid the house plants were nefarious. I hollered out the window, “They’re house plants! That’s a philodendron! I promise!”

That poor man… he was so clearly tired and didn’t want to have to deal with me if they WERE nefarious plants. But honestly, not many college kids (in my experience) were toting around house plants, hahahaha.

What’s your funniest police interaction?