Zydeco musician Joseph “Jo Jo” Reed again found himself on the wrong side of Eunice Police officers after allegedly interfering with an attempt to get a broken car out of the roadway.

According to Eunice Police Chief Ronald Dies, Reed arrived on the scene as police attempted to have a vehicle, broken down at the intersection of Moosa Boulevard and Hwy. 190, towed out of the lane of traffic.

Reed, whom police say had no connection to the driver of the vehicle, allegedly stopped and began yelling that police and the wrecker company had no right to tow anyone’s vehicle.

According to Dies, Reed used “very descriptive profanity” with both the officer and the wrecker driver.

Dies said the officer told Reed numerous times to leave the scene before arresting him on charges of remaining after being forbidden, disturbing the peace and interfering with the duties of a police officer.

Reed was released on a summons.

The issue of police towing vehicles is a sensitive one for Reed, who spoke out at the July city council meeting.

Reed said he was stopped for no reason, and was asked to show his license, registration and proof of insurance.

According to the officer, Reed’s insurance card was expired. The officer proceeded to confiscate Reed’s plates and have his car towed.

Reed was later able to get his plates back from the DMV in Lafayette after providing proof his insurance was current.

While an officer is entitled to seize license plates if the driver fails to provide proof of insurance, Louisiana Revised Statutes prohibit, effective Aug. 15, 2010, impoundment of a private passenger car, pickup truck, van, recreational vehicle or motorcycle that is stopped, while being operated by a Louisiana resident, where such vehicle or operator, or both, present no imminent danger to the public and where such operator is unable to provide proof of insurance.

Under that law, which was Act 82 of the 2010 Legislature, a Louisiana resident shall be issued a notice of non-compliance, a citation or violation ticket, and allowed to proceed, assuming it is a first violation.

Reed alleged racial profiling and discrimination by the Eunice Police Department for his being stopped and his vehicle towed.