‘Am I in Trouble?’: Neighbor Calls Police on 9-Year-Old Girl Spraying for Bugs

Former New Jersey councilman Gordon Lawshe has faced criticism after calling the police on his 9-year-old neighbor, Bobbi Wilson, who was walking around their neighborhood killing spotted lanternflies. In a call to the non-emergency line, Lawshe reported seeing a "little black woman walking and spraying stuff on the sidewalks and trees" in Caldwell, adding, "I don't know what the hell she's doing. Scares me, though." When an officer arrived at the scene, he discovered that the person in question was not a grown woman, but a young girl who was doing her part to eradicate the invasive species. Bobbi proudly showed the officer the jug she was using to catch the harmful insects, demonstrating her commitment to protecting her community's plants and trees.

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The incident has sparked outrage and accusations of racial profiling, as Lawshe's decision to call the police on a young black girl engaging in an innocuous activity raises questions about his biases and assumptions. Bobbi's mother, Monique Joseph, expressed disbelief when the officer informed her of the situation, noting that their neighbor, a former local councilman, "could've just rang the bell" instead of involving law enforcement. The officer acknowledged the absurdity of the situation, reassuring Bobbi that she was "obviously fine" and not in any trouble. New Jersey has actively encouraged residents to participate in the "Stomp It Out" campaign to combat the spotted lanternfly infestation, making Bobbi's efforts all the more commendable. In fact, her dedication to the cause had even been featured in a local newspaper article. Despite the young girl's positive intentions and actions, Lawshe's reaction, as captured on the officer's bodycam footage, was to call her a "weirdo," further highlighting the inappropriate nature of his response to the situation.

Reporter:
Sierra Gillespie:   / sierragillespie  

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