'I smell bacon:' Teen fined for shouting insults at police

One Weyburn boy learned the expensive way that shouting “I smell bacon” and other profanities at officers is a bad idea.

The youth, who cannot be identified because of his age, was fined $150 for shouting at Weyburn Police Const. Kalin Weibe three times over the course of an hour.

His case came before court in Weyburn Tuesday with Judge J. D. Kovatch because he was contesting the ticket and claiming it was not him, but rather his friend, who shouted at the officer.

The boy was a passenger in a friend’s vehicle when he violated a traffic law on Nov. 23, 2016. Weibe was conducting other traffic stops at the time but testified in court that he was able to identify the youth by his voice. Weibe wrote the youth a ticket.

The first incident occurred at 12:13 a.m. on Coteau Avenue in Weyburn. The officer had another driver pulled over when the car carrying the young man who appeared in court in the passenger seat. His friend who was driving drove past the constable.

Weibe testified he was conducting the traffic stop when the car drove by with the passenger side window rolled down. Weibe heard a loud, unintelligible scream from the car. In his own testimony, the teen admitted it was the F-word that was yelled at the officer.

Around 30 minutes later, Weibe had another driver pulled over on Government Road when the same thing happened. Weibe testified he clearly heard one of the teens in the passing car shout, “I smell bacon.” The youth in court did not contest that is what was shouted.

Fifteen minutes after that incident, Weibe said he had another car pulled over on Railway Avenue when the same thing happened. This time the passing vehicle shouted, “What the ****?!” At that time, the officer was able to get a partial license plate and alerted other officers to what was happening. 

A short time later, another police officer pulled the teens over on Highway 39 and Weibe joined them.

Weibe told the judge in the three prior incidents he had been unable to visually identify the youth who was shouting at him but, through multiple previous interactions, he recognized the young man’s voice.

The accused maintained through sentencing that it was his friend who was driving who shouted at the officer. The driver did not get a ticket.

Judge Kovatch said the charges were still relevant.

“I would say you were both participating,” said Judge Kovatch. 

He added their intent was clearly to distract the officer during his traffic stops which fell under Traffic Safety Act 214.3. The judge also noted that the driver of the Cavalier could have been fined also.