Montreal artist says his gold car, teeth have led to police profiling
Judith Plamondon, QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, February 27, 2015 07:02 PM EST | Updated: Friday, February 27, 2015 07:10 PM EST
MONTREAL - You could say Corey Shapiro's gold-plated BMW is eye-catching. In fact, it's repeatedly caught the eye of the local police, says the well-known Montreal artist.
He says he's been pulled over five times in the four days he's been driving the $85,000 car.
"The police think I'm a criminal, but I'm not a pimp or gangster," said Shapiro, who admits that his ample jewelry and diamond mouth-grill make for an intimidating appearance. "If I were one, I would hide instead of driving around in a golden car."
Shapiro shared snapshots of his interactions with police with his 86,000-plus followers on Instagram, saying cops asked him questions like "Why are you in this area?" and "What kind of work do you do in those gold teeth?"
"It's profiling based on my appearance," he said. "People ask me why I wear $3,000 shoes or diamonds in my teeth. I have the right to dress how I want without having to provide ID."
Shapiro compared his situation to that of black people who are pulled over because of racial profiling, although in his case, he said, "At least they target me because I have an eye-catching appearance not because I'm Jewish."
Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafreniere said he has invited Shapiro to meet with cops in his neighbourhood.
"Our officers should only do criminal profiling, not profiling on other bases," he said. "If the police have acted the way he's described, I'd be disappointed."
As for his new car, which was given to him free of charge by a local dealership seeking to gain publicity, Shapiro says he has no plans of giving it up.
"It's a perfect car for a business man like me, who always wants to reach the summit, looking for gold."
Corey Shapiro says he's been pulled over five times in the four days he's been driving his $85,000 gold-plated car. (JUDITH PLAMONDON/QMI Agency)
Montreal artist says his gold car, teeth have led to police profiling | Canada |
Judith Plamondon, QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, February 27, 2015 07:02 PM EST | Updated: Friday, February 27, 2015 07:10 PM EST
MONTREAL - You could say Corey Shapiro's gold-plated BMW is eye-catching. In fact, it's repeatedly caught the eye of the local police, says the well-known Montreal artist.
He says he's been pulled over five times in the four days he's been driving the $85,000 car.
"The police think I'm a criminal, but I'm not a pimp or gangster," said Shapiro, who admits that his ample jewelry and diamond mouth-grill make for an intimidating appearance. "If I were one, I would hide instead of driving around in a golden car."
Shapiro shared snapshots of his interactions with police with his 86,000-plus followers on Instagram, saying cops asked him questions like "Why are you in this area?" and "What kind of work do you do in those gold teeth?"
"It's profiling based on my appearance," he said. "People ask me why I wear $3,000 shoes or diamonds in my teeth. I have the right to dress how I want without having to provide ID."
Shapiro compared his situation to that of black people who are pulled over because of racial profiling, although in his case, he said, "At least they target me because I have an eye-catching appearance not because I'm Jewish."
Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafreniere said he has invited Shapiro to meet with cops in his neighbourhood.
"Our officers should only do criminal profiling, not profiling on other bases," he said. "If the police have acted the way he's described, I'd be disappointed."
As for his new car, which was given to him free of charge by a local dealership seeking to gain publicity, Shapiro says he has no plans of giving it up.
"It's a perfect car for a business man like me, who always wants to reach the summit, looking for gold."
Corey Shapiro says he's been pulled over five times in the four days he's been driving his $85,000 gold-plated car. (JUDITH PLAMONDON/QMI Agency)
Montreal artist says his gold car, teeth have led to police profiling | Canada |
