In a curious episode involving a Waymo driverless taxi, two teenagers were detained after they were seen drinking alcohol and brandishing what appeared to be a firearm from the car window. This alarming situation unfolded when internal cameras captured their antics, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement.
The Incident Unfolds
The San Mateo Police Department responded to a call from Waymo representatives alerting them to the behavior of two passengers, who seemed to be intoxicated and had a suspicious object in view. Police surrounded the parked Waymo vehicle at a shopping center on El Camino Real and initiated a safe extraction procedure for the individuals involved.
Upon inspection of the vehicle, officers discovered that the two boys, both 15 years old and residents of San Mateo, were actually wielding an Orbeez water gun, which is designed to shoot gel-like projectiles. Additionally, the officers found backpacks and an open container of alcohol inside the taxi.
Safety Concerns Raised
As police spokesperson Jeanine Luna pointed out, the scenario was particularly alarming due to the danger posed by toy guns that resemble real firearms. “We’ve seen many youngsters modify toy guns to look like real ones, which can lead to dangerous misunderstandings,” she noted. The officers emphasized that while the water gun and Orbeez might seem harmless, the implications of such actions, especially when done from a moving vehicle, can be serious.
In response to this incident, Waymo issued a brief statement outlining their policies regarding the use of internal cameras, mentioning that footage may be accessed in urgent circumstances to ensure safety. While they declined to comment on the specifics of the case, they recognized their obligation to cooperate with legal requirements should law enforcement require data for investigations.
Moving forward, the San Mateo Police Department plans to analyze the internal camera footage as part of their inquiry and will present any possible charges to the district attorney’s office for review.
