‘Quit catering to rich people’: Internet calls out Surfside Mayor after he supports Gisele Bundchen over ‘unacceptable’ police interaction

FLORIDA, MIAMI: In a recent turn of events, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett voiced his support for supermodel Gisele Bundchen following an unsettling traffic stop encounter with local police.

The incident, which left Bundchen visibly distressed, has prompted Mayor Burkett to call for improved empathy and responsiveness from law enforcement.

Surfside Mayor comes out in support of Gisele Bundchen after traffic stop incident

Expressing his dismay over the incident, Mayor Burkett addressed Surfside's Interim Chief Henry Doce in a letter obtained by Local 10 News. 

"I was dismayed yesterday to watch a video interaction of one of our residents speaking to one of our police officers. As one watches the video, it becomes clear very early in same that the resident is upset and frightened," Mayor Charles Burkett said.

"The frightened resident tells the Surfside officer that she believes a stalker is following her and that she is afraid."

Mayor Burkett condemned the dismissive response Bundchen received, stating that such conduct contradicts the values expected from law enforcement in Surfside.

The incident unfolded when Bundchen was stopped by police for erratic driving in Surfside, Florida. Although the officer let her go without issuing a ticket, bodycam footage captured Bündchen's emotional state as she recounted being pursued by a paparazzo.

Despite expressing her fear and distress to the officer, she was informed that little could be done to address her concerns locally and was advised to file a report with Miami Beach police.

"I'm so tired," Bundchen said through tears. "Everywhere I go I have these f**king guys following me. Nothing protects me. I can't do nothing. I just want to live my life."

"I can't prevent them from doing their job, which is to take pictures," the officer responded as she sobbed. "I don't know how that's allowed," she told him.

He asked if he could do anything else for her, and she said no, then thanked him.

"This response is wholly unacceptable and not reflective of the values, judgement and service residents expect from their police," stated Burkett's letter.

"I have always supported our police, and all the men and women who choose to honorably serve. What I saw on that video and the actions of the Surfside union boss at our recent meeting indicate that the past command staff leadership and union leadership, have lost sight of their mission."

"We are all counting on you to refocus our police department’s primary mission back to serving our residents," the letter concluded.

Internet slams Surfside Mayor

In the wake of Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett's support for Gisele Bundchen following an unsettling police interaction, social media condemned the Mayor and praised the police officer's actions.

A user said, "Kudos Officer."

Another asked, "Good job officer, you did what you were supposed to do."

Another user echoed this sentiment saying, "He was kind and respectful." 

"I'm failing to understand what the officer did wrong...?" read a comment.

Another said, "Why does she deserve a letter from the Mayor? Enough already. Sick and tired of celebrities getting preferential treatment. I know she thinks she’s superior than the rest of us but she’s not."

Another user commented, "Unfortunately it comes with the territory of being famous."

One wrote, "The officer sounded very professional and kind. Shame on you Mayor."

Another said, "Quit catering to rich people end of the story."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.