A white man called the law on a Black girl spraying an invasive laternfly nest. |
Caldwell, New Jersey became the latest place where a white person called the cops on a Black person. A former city council member called the law on a 9-year old Black girl who was spraying for an invasive animal species.
The eastern United States has a lanternfly plague and the animal is known for destroying plant life. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that if you spot these insects, you can kill them. They are not venomous and do not bite. However, they are destructive to crops.
Bobbi Wilson was hoping to do her part in the state’s battle against lanternflies. Using a home remedy she’d discovered on TikTok, the girl went out in her Caldwell neighborhood to fight the invasive species, spraying the trees and sidewalks with a solution of dish soap and apple cider vinegar.
A Republican councilman called the law on a Black girl. |
Yet that simple act got the police called on Bobbi, who is Black, after a neighbor dialed 911 saying he was suspicious and scared, according to her mother, Monique Joseph.
Joseph said police told her that her neighbor, Gordon Lawshe, called for their services on Oct. 22, reporting his suspicions about Bobbi Wilson, 9, who was out that morning spraying insects, per the outlet.
In a recording of the call, obtained by The Daily Beast, Lawshe told the responding officer: “There’s a little Black woman, walking, spraying stuff on the sidewalks and trees on Elizabeth and Florence. I don’t know what the hell she’s doing, scares me though.” He added that the girl was “real tiny” and had a hood on.
New Jersey mom furious at 911 caller. The cops scared the little girl who was just minding her business. |
Considering if Lawshe was implicating that Bobbi was carrying something, the law would have came guns drawn ready to put down. Some figured it would be a Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice or Jonathan Crawford moment.
Caldwell Mayor John Kelley apologized for the traumatic experience Bobbi faced.
“I’m troubled by it and I am so sorry your daughter had to experience that and thank you for sharing,” he said. “This is not something that is a part of Caldwell, it’s just not. It saddens me and I’m glad you shared this with us and with the public.”
The asshole threatened a lawsuit against the mother and child after he gotten criticism from residents.
He is a former council member and Republican chairman for a local county.