Buckle up, you’re in for one bumpy ride.
Last May, Democratic Ulster County Legislator Jennifer Schwartz Berky was pulled over for a minor speeding infraction, and in response, the lawmaker had an epically insane meltdown caught on dash-cam video. Despite her lawyers’ best efforts, the footage was recently released to the public — and it’s a doozy.
During the 26-minute meltdown, Berky pretends to hyperventilate, says she’s having a “panic attack” and that she “suffers from PTSD,” claims she’s broke, accuses the officer of unfairly targeting her, tries to use her governmental position to get out of the ticket, repeatedly emits a screeching sound, and fake cries.
Yes, this clearly unstable human being is responsible for making laws, which is super comforting.
At the start of the video, Berky confesses to talking on her cellphone while driving, which is illegal in the state of New York, but is told by the officer that he will only be writing her up for speeding. Berky was pulled over for going 43-mph in a 30-mph speeding zone, according to the officer.
But Berky was unhappy with this and goes on to claim she was unfairly targeted, while spewing every excuse imaginable. Here are some of the gems which flowed from Berky’s mouth:
“Please don’t give me a ticket, I’m broke. I’m completely broke. And if you tell people, it’s going to hurt me.”
“Please don’t give me a ticket, I can’t afford it.”
“Why would you pull me over instead of someone else? … I’m broke! I’m totally broke! I’m totally broke! This is very upsetting to me.”
“I’m having a panic attack! [uncontrolled breathing] … I’m gonna take it to the court, because [uncontrolled breathing and screaming] … I have PTSD!”
“I’m going to tell [the court] you singled me out!”
“You’re not gonna let me go even though I’m a county legislator?”
“I always do everything right and I follow the law and I was at the same pace as every other car!”
“I couldn’t go slower; they honk! They honk at you!”
“I am late for a job meeting … and this is my career!”
“I don’t feel safe anymore. I don’t feel safe anymore.”
The officer, impressively keeping his cool while dealing with insanity personified, explains to the lady that he’ll cut her a break and write her up for a seatbelt violation only, a much lighter violation in comparison to speeding.
This somehow made Berky even angrier: “I’m protesting this in court. First of all, it’s not the right charge,” she says.
After more of the same, the officer does as the Democrat wishes and writes up the initial speeding violation. (Yup, you guessed it, this made her wildly unhappy, too!)
Berky has since offered up an apology for her antics.
“The video released earlier this week of my town of Ulster traffic stop captured a tough moment for me,” she wrote via Facebook. “Like so many working families, I too face tough times and stressful situations. As a professional, a public servant and a mother, I know my interaction with Police Officer Gary Short was unacceptable. I want to apologize to Officer Short and thank him for his patience and professionalism with me during a very difficult time.”
“I hope to use it to grow and learn how to better represent the diverse working families who reside in the great city of Kingston,” added Berky.
The legislator is up for reelection on November 7.
As noted by The Daily Caller, Berky has degrees in art history and urban planning from Columbia University.
Shocking, I know.
Here’s a condensed version from The New York Post:
And the recommended full version:
