Illegal U-turns could lead to a citizen’s arrest

Through the front doors of the Basin Republican Rustler, we see illegal U-turns nearly every day, especially after people have gone to the Post Office. On both sides of first block of West C Street there are no u-turn signs. 

While most people obey the signs, there are many who don’t. As we see the illegal turn happen, we shout out in the office, “Citizen’s arrest, citizen’s arrest!” 

You may have to be of a certain age or have watched reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show” to understand: Deputy Barney Fife gives Gomer Pyle a ticket for making an illegal U-turn in downtown Mayberry. 

Fife pulls away and makes a U- turn in front of Pyle. Pyle gets out of this truck and yells for Fife to stop. Then yells, “Citizen’s arrest! Citizen’s arrest!” When Fife questions what Pyle is talking about, Pyle responds that as a law-abiding citizen of the United States, he has the right to arrest Fife for an illegal U-turn. 

The crowd that had gathered cheers. Pyle tells Fife that he needs to give a ticket to himself. Fife argues. It takes Sheriff Andy stepping in for Fife to do so. 

Not sure what would happen if we really tried to do a citizen’s arrest in Basin. I have said, “Citizen’s arrest!” to a few people when they park after making their illegal turn, but to do a real citizen’s arrest… that would be interesting. The dictionary defines it as “an arrest by an ordinary person without a warrant, allowable in certain cases.” 

In the meantime, please be aware you are not to make a U-turn on that block. There have been some near-miss collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians alike.