‘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.

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.

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[sirencott]

He called a minor an adult to get police to be more aggressive. This world is so up shits creek without a paddle

[babyblue]

The fact that he called her a woman and not a girl… so gross

[kitkat]

He could have just gone out, said hello and asked her what she was doing. Absolutely ridiculous.

[kevc]

The caller should be arrested and prosecuted for making a false call, wasting police time and be made pay for the callout.

[cosmic-creepers]

What a sad sad man. He knew it was his neighbours child yet referred to her as “a little woman”
Just weird.

[JohnnyDrizzle]

The officer should write him a ticket for wasting law enforcement time

[anonymouse]

The fact this guy is scared of a 9 year old girl says a lot more about him than it does anything else.

[draconiclady]

There should be a mandatory fine of $1000 for calling police for this absolute nonsense because, clearly, public shaming isn't enough. How is a 9yr girl spraying for bugs "scary"? It doesn't take a genius to realize what's really going down.

[Antny.]

“How many did you kill?” “How many trees did you save?”
now THAT is a woman who should be proud of herself for raising a very knowledgeable young woman!!

[toricollins]

It’s impossible they were so scared they chose instead to call 911. They did that on purpose. It’s disgusting behavior to do that to a child.

[Nicki]

Hearing her ask if she's in trouble broke my heart so bad.

[keifer]

"Am I in trouble?"

What a good kid, man. Nice to see the cop reassure her

[F-R]

Am I in trouble? That nearly made me cry.

That officer was so kind to her. Well done Sir!

[lynnl]

The messed up part about this was she was his neighbor. He knew who she was but acted like he didn’t. Why not call the non emergency number?! He’s full of it and a miserable human.

[Crystalthomas]

The mom asking how many trees did you save, warms my heart. Smh

[lookdawg]

He said woman because if he had said girl the cops wouldn't even have come.

[MilkTast]

it warms my heart to not only see kids outside, but such an intelligent young girl trying to do right for the environment. Most kids her age are usually on their phones.

[HurricaneLisa]

By that disgusting troglodyte calling a 9year old child a “woman” made him feel justified in calling the cops. He knew good and g*damn well that she was just a kid especially since he lives right across the street 😩

[mikeaskme]

He knew who she was and still got the police involved, shows what is really in his heart. What a sick man.

[lebbo]

"I don't know what she's doin, but it scares me."

That tells you E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G you need to know about that neighbor.