Greg Snider was in a Houston, Texas parking lot, on the phone making a business call. While in the lot, a homeless man approached his car and asked forchange. Snider gave him 75 cents and then drove off. KPRC Local 2 News reported on the shocking thing that happened next.
When Snider pulled onto a nearby freeway, a police car pulled him to the side. Greg was surprised by how aggressive the officer was, telling KPRC, “He’s screaming. He’s yelling. He’s telling me to get out of the car. He’s telling me to put my hands on the hood…They’re like, ‘We saw you downtown. We saw what you did.’ And I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? I gave a homeless man 75 cents.'”
Greg Snider (KPRC)
He was dragged out of his car and handcuffed. So what was it that police insisted Mr. Snider had done? Give that homeless man drugs. Again, he didn’t. Snider only gave the man some money.
I-10, the freeway Snider was pulled over on (KPRC)
Snider agreed to let police search his cars for drugs, and they did so for an hour while Greg remained handcuffed. In that time, ten more police cars showed up and pulled over. The search was not fruitful – no drugs were found in the car. That is, because, as previously mentioned, Snider didn’t have any drugs to give. Snider was not happy about the damage police did to his car, or that the police were actually laughing about the mistake.
(KPRC)
Mr. Snider has filed a complaint. Police declined to comment to KPRC about the incident.
More info: KPRC
When I worked for the City of Dallas, at lunchtime I’d pass this man sitting on the ground beside he sidewalk everyday. He had a bucket that you could drop $ in.
PLEASE DO NOT give these people $$. Most of them have family and friends who won’t take them in because they are addicts or alcoholics. They do end up on the streets because they refused help time and time again.
What you CAN do: On the way back to the office, take a Cheeseburger (or whatever you want to buy) to him. DO NOT GIVE THEM $$.
I read an article quite a few years ago that stated once they have been on the streets for two years, they cannot re-join society. It becomes a “life-style” for them.
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A man was arrested on the LBJ Freeway in Dallas. He had been collecting $$. When the police investigated, the man had a large home in Dallas, and two very nice cars. This was his way of making a living!
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Give the homeless food NOT $$.
They though the guy was buying drugs or selling drugs , anytime a police officer pulls over a suspected drug suspect they risk running into and armed outlaw , no real story here .
It is Officers like those involved in this case that give the entire profession a black eye. The Houston Police Chief needs to drop kick those guys out the door and send them back to being Wal Mart Security Guards.
He needs to file more than a complaint. This sorry episode should result in a costly lawsuit for the scummy police of Houston.