LEICESTER, Mass. (WHDH) — One local woman is turning heads. Whether it’s riding her bike or driving a car Stacey Schnee’s lack of clothing has some people upset.
“They weren't really sure what to do. They called their chiefs, they called their captains. They called this person and that person,” said Stacey Schnee, for “Topless Equality.”
Schnee was pulled over along Route 9. Police say she was causing a scene.
“We did have people coming into lobby calling on phone, vehicles driving by, with people taking pictures. One vehicle turned around to take more pictures,” said James Hurley, Leicester Police Chief.
Officers confronted her, but Schnee wasn't arrested. She was left to peddle on home. Why? Schnee was wearing a pair of pasties, flesh colored stickers that partially cover her up.
“My stand was because my nipples were covered I wasn't doing anything wrong. I’m also making a statement for topless equality to get the word out that women should be able to go topless,” Schnee said.
Schnee who has had gender re-assignment surgery, says she does everything a man would do topless, such as working in the yard. Police say the law is clear on nudity but pasties may be another thing.
They say they just want to stop Schnee from stopping traffic.
“The shock value and the distracted drivers are our concern,” Hurley said.
To settle the confusion caused by the pasties, the chief contacted the district attorney's office for guidance to see if Schnee was within her constitutionally protected rights or if she should face charges.