Profiling Bicyclists a New Police Strategy?

Photo: Broward Sheriff's Office

Reginald Monroe, accused of riding without a bike light; but police searched him and allegedly found drugs.

​Based on a scan of recent Broward County mug shots, it appears local police are using the lack of a bicycle light as the basis for stopping and then searching a person they suspect of carrying drugs.

Check out the mug shot slideshow on the Sun-Sentinel's website. If you search it for the charge "Riding bike With No/imp Light," you'll get 23 arrests. Of those, 17 were also busted for drugs. Of the 23 arrested, 16 are black.

The lesson: If you're a drug dealer, it might be time to spend some of those profits to pay for a bike light. Consider it a capital expense -- though not quite the kind you can write off on your taxes.