# Policeman pepper sprays pizza at traffic stop. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 3, 2013, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241 "2013-08-03T13:21:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/21 "2013-08-03T17:36:49Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > This happened in September. Assuming the kid reported it then, they’ve been investigating this since then and only now are charging him. So I don’t doubt the veracity of the story even if some of the details aren’t clear. My complaint is mainly that the story is shittily written to not even address any of these points. It’s just a re-written press release from the DA. I dunno, maybe I expect more out of my journalism. No wonder it’s all going to shit. I assume the DA is pursuing this on more than just a hunch. But I would like to see more information than what is in that article because, as written, it doesn’t make much sense. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/22 "2013-08-03T17:49:29Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Googling it provide a number of hits.Maybe he took the pizza out of the car before spraying it? As the other officer was the one who was doing the ticket, maybe he could have done it without the guy noticing it. > > It seems to be in too many sources, such as LA Times to be BS. > [@Zebra](#): > > Do we know what kind of car the kid was driving? Maybe it’s a convertible? > Is there a dash cam from the cruiser? Maybe it was one of those traffic stops where the cops had the kid(s) get out of the car and sit on the curb while they do their cop-stuff (I see that periodically here in OC). In such an instance, it’s not hard to imagine the deputy removing the box from the back seat, doing the deed, and putting it back. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/23 "2013-08-03T18:13:55Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Maybe it was one of those traffic stops where the cops had the kid(s) get out of the car and sit on the curb while they do their cop-stuff (I see that periodically here in OC). In such an instance, it’s not hard to imagine the deputy removing the box from the back seat, doing the deed, and putting it back. I wondered something like that too. If that was the case, or in any case where the officer had access to the pizza, there was probably a search involved. If they got home in time to eat the pizza, the search probably didn’t turn anything up. I can imagine a search that’s unfruitful resulting in a frustrated cop…a frustrated cop with pepperspray that want’s to get back at the kids by making their pizza spicier. Also, I’m thinking they might not notice it in the car if it’s the kind of pepper spray that doesn’t fog but just sprays out a stream. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/24 "2013-08-03T18:17:06Z")
Yeah. We can’t be sooo certain that the kids would have noticed the spray. Sometimes, people can be oblivious. There are people who have been SHOT and didn’t know it until later. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/25 "2013-08-03T18:27:43Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > My complaint is mainly that the story is shittily written to not even address any of these points. It’s just a re-written press release from the DA. I dunno, maybe I expect more out of my journalism. No wonder it’s all going to shit. > > I assume the DA is pursuing this on more than just a hunch. But I would like to see more information than what is in that article because, as written, it doesn’t make much sense. Agreed. Presumably if the DA is charging the cop there must be much more substantial evidence than the uncorroborated suspicions of a teen who happened to get sick after eating a pizza after a traffic stop. It’s difficult to imagine how a cop could have sprayed the pizza without the kid noticing. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/26 "2013-08-03T18:32:03Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Agreed. Presumably if the DA is charging the cop there must be much more substantial evidence than the uncorroborated suspicions of a teen who happened to get sick after eating a pizza after a traffic stop. It’s difficult to imagine how a cop could have sprayed the pizza without the kid noticing. You! On the curb! Turn around! NOW! I want to see your fucking backs, and nothing else! Now stay there! Fucking kids. Dope dealers, all of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/27 "2013-08-03T19:47:43Z")
Environmentally friendly roll-on? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/28 "2013-08-03T20:48:30Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > I wouldn’t have doubted it either, until I heard from all the experts here at the SDMB on pepper spray and its ingestion here. Well, if it were a trial, they have certainly raised a certain degree of reasonable doubt. Who’s up for an actual experiment? Let’s get a pizza and a pepper-spray thingie, and try it out for real! Anybody like theirs super-hot? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/29 "2013-08-03T20:51:49Z")
Were the teens eating the pie in complete, choreographed unison? How do 5 kids eat pizza after one of them bites into it and begins doing the Curly Shuffle as his face and gut feel like they are being consumed by the insatiable fires of hell? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/30 "2013-08-03T21:01:32Z")
That pizza was coming right at him! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/31 "2013-08-03T21:16:37Z")
I am gonna call BS on the cop doing this… As someone who has been around pepper spray discharges on multiple occasions…pepper spray does not just “spice things up” daves insanity sauce does that. When someone fires pepper spray everyone within 20-30 feet will know about it. Assuming the pizza was still hot, just air convection from heat rising off the pizza would carry enough capscaisin to make people back away or turn the car into a very unpleasant environment. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/32 "2013-08-03T22:48:46Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Who’s up for an actual experiment? Let’s get a pizza and a pepper-spray thingie, and try it out for real! Anybody like theirs super-hot? > [@drachillix](#): > > As someone who has been around pepper spray discharges on multiple occasions…pepper spray does not just “spice things up” daves insanity sauce does that. When someone fires pepper spray everyone within 20-30 feet will know about it. Assuming the pizza was still hot, just air convection from heat rising off the pizza would carry enough capscaisin to make people back away or turn the car into a very unpleasant environment. I like spicy foods. If the pepper spray turns out to be edible, I’ll add it to my spice cabinet. We need a test, and I’ll volunteer! If pepper spray is available at Wal-Mart, I’ll pick some up. Now what kind of pizza should we use? A friend of mine is coming by next Wednesday. He might be game, although he doesn’t like spicy foods. Maybe we can invite some friends. Making it double-blind might be difficult without them. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/33 "2013-08-03T22:59:44Z")
**Musicat** : [Pepper spray is available at Wal-Mart.](http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Pepper+Spray&adid=22222222220208185220&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=b&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=26516960893&wl4=&veh=sem) Cheap, too. If you do this – be careful! ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/34 "2013-08-03T23:04:16Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > **Musicat** : [Pepper spray is available at Wal-Mart.](http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Pepper+Spray&adid=22222222220208185220&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=b&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=26516960893&wl4=&veh=sem) Cheap, too. > > If you do this – be careful! I thought I might try the tiniest spray first – not double-blinded, just a preliminary test, but I’m not sure those devices can spray such a short burst. Or if the cheapest ones can be repeatedly used. Anyone have any experience with these things? Can I just spray a millisecond burst from a few inches away from, say, a cracker without needing a gas mask? (And if I need a gas mask, it kinda makes the likelihood of a cop doing it at close range on a pizza very doubtful.) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/35 "2013-08-03T23:27:43Z")
Is this thread reminding anyone else of the movie Airheads? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/36 "2013-08-03T23:32:01Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Is this thread reminding anyone else of the movie Airheads? Haven’t seen it. Should I, before trying a test? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/37 "2013-08-03T23:37:39Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Haven’t seen it. Should I, before trying a test? A couple of guys take over a radio station to get their demo tape played. One of them has a gun. Turns out the “gun” is just a plastic squirt gun that he filled with hot sauce. Near the end they show him squirting it on a taco. As the thread shifted to people talking about trying this out, it reminded me of that scene. I would, however, suggest that it’s a better idea to watch an almost 20 year old Adam Sandler\* movie then eat a pizza laced with pepper spray. \*“Adam Sandler Movie” is such a common saying now, but IIRC it’s really more of a Brendon Frasier movie. ETA, it is on Netflix. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/38 "2013-08-04T00:48:43Z")
> [@Neidhart](#): > > …and even if you did bite off a piece you’d spit it out instantly and go running for the milk. New to the world of peppers, are you? 😉 I’m far from the only person who looked at this story and said, “You can do that? That sounds awesome!” F’rinstance: > [@Musicat](#): > > I like spicy foods. If the pepper spray turns out to be edible, I’ll add it to my spice cabinet. > > We need a test, and I’ll volunteer! > > If pepper spray is available at Wal-Mart, I’ll pick some up. > > Now what kind of pizza should we use? And we will be requiring a full report. How soon will this thread be moved to Cafe Society? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/39 "2013-08-04T00:56:58Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > And we will be requiring a full report. How soon will this thread be moved to Cafe Society? Only if I don’t throw up or end up in the emergency room. [I’m having second thoughts after reading this.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_spray) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/40 "2013-08-04T01:02:55Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Only if I don’t throw up or end up in the emergency room. > > [I’m having second thoughts after reading this.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_spray) I’d suggest working your way up. If you can’t get past a lower Scoville level, you aren’t going to be able to handle pepper spray. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241.md?page=3)