Sometimes we deviate from dumb criminals to share an occasional story about ridiculous enforcement. Criminals certainly don’t have a monopoloy on poor judgment. An Atlanta man was arrested for helping out a fellow MARTA passenger when the token vending machine failed to operate. Thanks to gunner over at SayUncle for bringing to light this absurd turn of events. Original story here.

Transit police handcuffed and cited a man who sold a $1.75 subway token to another rider who was having trouble with a token vending machine. Transit authority spokeswoman Jocelyn Baker said Friday that the officer “acted within the law� after he spotted Donald Pirone, 42, selling the token Nov. 30 inside the West End subway station

Instead of giving Pirone a warning, the officer decided to handcuff him and give him the misdemeanor citation under a 1992 state law that bars passengers from selling Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority tokens, she said.

“What you’ve got to keep in mind is that fare abuse is a chronic problem,� Baker said. “It costs MARTA millions of dollars every year.�

Baker acknowledged that Pirone sold the token at face value and did not make a profit. But the law is the law, she said.
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As for the handcuffs, Baker said the officer felt they were necessary.

“Our officers do that for their own safety,� Baker said.