‘It was wrong’: ‘Permit Patty’ calls cops on 8-year-old selling water, responds to backlash after video goes viral

Hours after video of the incident went viral online and resulted in widespread criticism of her actions, one California woman expressed regret this weekend for appearing to call the cops on an 8-year old girl selling water in front of her house.

According to the SF Gate, Alison Ettel was reportedly caught on video contacting authorities on the African-American girl.

When the video was posted on social media Saturday, it was soon shared extensively and resulted in backlash against the woman for what many considered an overreaction. A number of critics saw evidence of underlying racism in her decision to call 911.

“It just happened again in the Bay Area,” civil rights activist Shaun King wrote in a tweet that also included video of the interaction.

“This white woman called the police on an 8 year old girl selling bottled water IN FRONT OF HER OWN HOME,” he wrote. “They want police to kill us. The girl was causing no harm. They know what happens when they call the police. This is evil.”

Ettel responded to the criticism in statements to media outlets, including an interview with the Huffington Post in which she attempted to explain her motive.

The woman, who has been dubbed “Permit Patty” by a number of social media users, said she only “pretended” to call 911 and said the ordeal began when the girl’s mother began yelling. Ettel said her building’s security declined to assist.

“They were screaming about what they were selling,” she said. “It was literally nonstop. It was every two seconds, ‘Come and buy my water.’ It was continuous and it wasn’t a soft voice, it was screaming.”

She said the incident left her “heart wrenched” and acknowledged in an interview with SF Gate that she regretted her actions.

“It was wrong, and I wish I could take it back,” she said. “Believe me, I wish I never had done that.”

[Featured image: Allison Ettel, Facebook]