Driver who demanded cop buckle his seat belt says no regrets - My29 WFTC Minneapolis-St. Paul

Driver who demanded cop buckle his seat belt says no regrets

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  • Driver who demanded cop buckle his seat belt says no regrets

  • Monday, December 3 2012 8:34 AM EST2012-12-03 13:34:51 GMT
    He rolled up alongside a Detroit police officer and shouted, "Where's your damn seatbelt?" while his home video camera was rolling. Now, Steve McClain of Southgate says he's in trouble with the law for reckless driving.
    He rolled up alongside a Detroit police officer and shouted, "Where's your damn seatbelt?" while his home video camera was rolling. Now, Steve McClain of Southgate says he's in trouble with the law for reckless driving.

By Maurielle Lue
Fox 2 News

SOUTHGATE, Mich. (WJBK) -- The viral video has been viewed more than 72,000 times.  It shows 60-year-old Steven McClain trying to pull over a Detroit police officer he says was driving recklessly with a K-9 in the back and not wearing a seat belt.

"You are required by law to wear a seat belt.  Put your damn seat belt on.  Pull it over," McClain shouts at the officer in the video.

In the end, it was McClain who was cited for reckless driving, seen in the video swerving in front of the officer to make a stop.

"When the light turned green, he took off at such a high rate of speed, and I could see it was a K-9 unit, so I was concerned for the possibility of a dog being inside," McClain says.

"I said, 'Sir, you need to wear your seat belt,' and he started laughing."

"It set me off.  I was mad as hell."

What was his plan after he stopped the officer?

"I just wanted to speak with him, express my concern for the animal's safety, and I would require him to put a seat belt on.  If he refused, I would call the Southgate Police Department and have them come and ticket him."

McClain has made a hobby of catching violators.  He has a collection of pictures snapped from a McDonald's parking lot of city officials and police officers he says don't buckle up.

McClain says the problem spreads well beyond city limits.

"Look at Brooks Patterson.  How much did it cost the taxpayers for his months of rehabilitation?  He should be fired.  How is it possible he has a top position in our government and cannot follow the most basic laws?"

McClain pled not guilty to reckless driving Tuesday and will face a judge again on December 14.

"That was many years of frustration built up and I just let loose.  I feel much better.  I don't regret it," he says.

  • Maurielle LueMaurielle Lue

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