Jurisdiction

[PappaGun]

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. I guess that pretty much settles it as far as jurisdiction is concerned except for the fact that they have to actually witness a violation. I think the embellishment he gave the Dallas PD officer (about exiting the freeway and illegally turning into the parking lot) was something he came up with to justify his stop to the Dallas officer.

It's illegal to turn into a parking lot?

[srothstein]

Yes, it is illegal to cut across private property to avoid an intersection. And technically, even to drive across the parking lot of another business as was done by the OP.

Transportation Code Section 545.423. CROSSING PROPERTY.
(a) An operator may not cross a sidewalk or drive through a driveway, parking lot, or business or residential entrance without stopping the vehicle.
(b) An operator may not cross or drive in or on a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, or business or residential entrance at an intersection to turn right or left from one highway to another highway.

[OldCannon]

You could have shortened the entire story to this:

"Duncanville Police Officer"

Andybody that is in or near Duncanville would just nod their head in unity, knowing what you went through.

I mean, those guys make Barney Fife look like Albert Einstein

[marksiwel]

Here is what I assume happened
The Duncanville Officers were on TOO long of a Lunch break, they saw you "breaking" a law in theory, they pulled you over.
Then when their boss asks them "Where were you"
"We pulled over a dangerous guy, he was a willy one, almost had to pull my gun out"

Doesnt it make you feel good to know they are out there protecting and serving?

[ninemm]

The thing is, I drove across the parking lot to the only exit that IS controlled by a traffic signal.

[gigag04]

It's more like I was driving so slowly and turned so slowly that I must have had a bunch of illegals in the back.

That's exactly my point. Whatever it takes. Like being pulled over for DWB, but in this case DWM.

Couple of points: If the OP couldn't see a patrol vehicle trying to pull him over do you really thing the patrol car could discern the race of the person operating the vehicle? Also, there isn't that Texas peace officers can do regarding illegal aliens. The best bet is to arrest them for something and put an INS hold on them and then it is up to INS to come and pick them up to be dealt with according to FEDERAL immigration law. Unfortunately, INS is spread a little thin so....illegals get treated the same as everyone else. They bond out and carry on.

Maybe the OP looked suspicious and the officers made a valid stop to investigate? Some call this fishing...others call it proactivity. Not saying this was the case (obviously since I didn't observer this), just offering another possible explanation. As far as attitudes and comments made on scene, again I can't comment as I wasn't there.

[Keith B]

The thing is, I drove across the parking lot to the only exit that IS controlled by a traffic signal.

If you originated in the parking lot, and did not come from a main thoroughfare across the parking lot and then exit to another thoroughfare, then it is not a violation of the code. Notice the sidewalk statement in there. The sidewalks are on the perimeter of the businesses, and if you only crossed one perimeter without being stopped, then you were legal (or at least legal the way I was taught to interpret it by my Lieutenant.)

[ninemm]

On the attached aerial photo (for those who haven't figured it out - double click the attachment to enlarge it), the yellow line represents what I think the Duncanville officer assumed I had done (and what a lot of people do). The upper left most X indicates where he most likely first saw me as he exited the BBQ place (when I saw them, they were approximately where the "n" in the word "Spring" is - at the rear of the fist row of vehicles immediately adjacent to the restaurant entrance) and the second X indicates about where his last opportunity would have been to see the vehicle driver (me). The seat placement in this vehicle makes it very hard to actually see the driver's face. I can't remember exactly what it was the Dallas PD officer said that makes me think so, but it was my impression that he (the Dallas PD officer) believed the Duncanville officer stopped me based on the address to which my vehicle is registered (Oak Cliff) and the name on the vehicle registration. Someone not familiar with Hispanic names might think my name is Hispanic. They'd have to be pretty inexperienced to think so, but it has happened on a number of occasions. As I stated earlier, I wasn't privy to the huddle conversation the four officers had. All I know is that the Duncanville officers got in their car and left without even glancing back at me.

[chabouk]

The thing is, I drove across the parking lot to the only exit that IS controlled by a traffic signal.

That's funny, I frequently do the same thing, while shaking my head at the people who pile up at the uncontrolled business drives trying to turn (usually trying to turn left into heavy traffic).

[ninemm]

If there's any traffic to speak of, I'll do almost anything to avoid turning left out of any parking lot onto a four lane divided roadway, even if have to turn right and go down and make a legal U-turn (where not prohibited).

[bizarrenormality]

I can't remember exactly what it was the Dallas PD officer said that makes me think so, but it was my impression that he (the Dallas PD officer) believed the Duncanville officer stopped me based on the address to which my vehicle is registered (Oak Cliff) and the name on the vehicle registration. Someone not familiar with Hispanic names might think my name is Hispanic. They'd have to be pretty inexperienced to think so, but it has happened on a number of occasions.

What difference would it make if you were Hispanic?

[ninemm]

None, really. I only mentioned it becuase the Dallas officer implied to me that the only reason I was stopped was because the Duncanville offcer assumed I was Hispanic and/or a lawn maintenance contractor (with all the rights and privileges thererunto appertaining).

[marksiwel]

None, really. I only mentioned it becuase the Dallas officer implied to me that the only reason I was stopped was because the Duncanville offcer assumed I was Hispanic and/or a lawn maintenance contractor (with all the rights and privileges thererunto appertaining).

I dont understand or dont want to understand why it would matter if you were Hispanic or a Lawn Maintenance contractor

[PappaGun]

Transportation Code Section 545.423. CROSSING PROPERTY.
(a) An operator may not cross a sidewalk or drive through a driveway, parking lot, or business or residential entrance without stopping the vehicle.
(b) An operator may not cross or drive in or on a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, or business or residential entrance at an intersection to turn right or left from one highway to another highway.

This is the kind of hooey that made this guy of the 70's harbor suspicions for the fuzz.
Talk about fishing expeditions.
Laws like this and what they evolved into and the interpretation thereof make me want to run for office.
Well, maybe not.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

ninemm:

Thanks for sharing. Sorry for your inconvenience and frustration
at the time, but I have to say that your story cracked me up.

You had contact with 2 different PD's, neither ever asked for ID,
and you were carrying. I have also had several contacts with both
local LEO's and DPS troopers while assisting stranded motorists,
but none of them have ever asked for ID since I've had my CHL
and began carrying.

Usually during a stop the LEO's will at least look in your windows to
see what might be lying around.

You have a 33 round clip for your Glock -
do you need a little set of wheels to carry that bad boy around?

If you were able to conceal your Glock with the 33 round mag inserted,
I think your holster would have to be a combination IWB/Ankle rig!! :-)

SIA