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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2006 > May > 16 > Entry
Morning watch: Things that go bump or burp in the night
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As the Sandy Springs Police Department prepares for the July 1 start-up, we find ourselves in the final stages of personnel hiring and placing officers where they will best help us.
Those officers coming on who have experienced in crime suppression will be assigned to the street-level units. Those coming on with a background in traffic investigation and traffic reconstruction will come on as a specialized traffic officer. Specialized detectives will come on in their specific fields or expertise. Knowing that, it’s easy to see why they have me in the break room with a box of crayons.
We will have three 10-hour shifts. Day, evening, and morning watch. These shifts will overlap with the evening shift overlapping on either side for several hours of double-coverage.
If you have been in this business and worked the streets for any length of time, most likely you spent time on the morning watch. The morning watch is like going to the zoo, watching the Spice Channel, Comedy Channel and the Cartoon Channel at the same time.
To say the least, it is a very interesting trip.
The world is not complete without those people, those being the ones whose elevator’s don’t go all the way to the top, whose dogs aren’t all barking, whose Frappuccino doesn’t rise all the way to the top, those who are just passengers on this spaceship. They are the reason the morning watch officers rarely take sick days. You can’t get this entertainment at home. If you do, move.
I spent about three years on the morning watch. I loved the working conditions. My problem was that I found the adjustment rather difficult. Take sleep for example. I missed it. I couldn’t sleep during the day because my neighbors were so rude that they conducted their daytime activities during the day. All I could hear were the lawn mowers, kids, dogs, the occasional giggling next door when the milkman stopped in. The subsequent argument when the husband returned to retrieve his briefcase. Everyday sounds.
I missed sleep. It doesn’t take you long to realize that sleep affects everything, including your judgment and sense of reality. (See Ambien withdrawal /effects / naked river dancing.) Lack of sleep, unfortunately, is a common side-effect of the morning watch. While some officers can sleep anytime, others struggle. As a group, we had a few choir practices at 8:30 a.m. but it didn’t seem to fit the time of day and later became a problem. (See tequila / naked river dancing / internal affairs.)
I even tried to make canvas shades to increase the darkness but I simply could not adjust to the everyday noises outside. The weed-eaters, the cars, the crashing milk bottles, the SWAT team yelling at my neighbor to drop the gun. These things ultimately kept me from a good day’s sleep.
On the other hand, work was great. I was surrounded by constant entertainment and an occasional shooting here and there. If you don’t know it, there is a whole other culture of people, nocturnal and focused on weirdness, who roam in the nighttime hours.
Alcohol does strange things to many people. After a night of two-fisted drinking, there are some who begin the descent into the daylight with a series of bad decisions. A lot of them involve getting into a car, sometimes not their own. Rationalization, many times, takes a seat on the bench while impulse and immediate gratification gets a shot at the forefront. Decisions that one would normally not consider not only get a good look, but many times get a chance to reveal the reason why they are considered bad ideas during sober times.
Some of them are: — Driving because you’re too drunk to walk.
— Taking back a few of the $1 bills you gave the dancer because you forgot you need cab fare.
— Telling the bouncer, escorting you out of the dance club, to take you out the back door so you can whip his butt.
— Deciding that the hood of the police car, next to the crosswalk, would be a good place to show off your hook-slide.
— Deciding the female police officer, getting out of the police car to check the damage to the hood, would like an impromptu neck and shoulder rub.
— Deciding that maybe it is time, after all to get contacts after realizing that police officer, getting out of the car, is a guy.
— That nothing hits the spot, after a night of drinking, like a greasy hamburger and fries dripping with grease.
— It’s OK to puke in your friend’s Honda.
The morning watch presents a good base of police knowledge and experience.
When I worked the morning watch, Quaaludes were the big thing. Quaaludes were like a few shots of tequila wrapped in a giant slice of barbiturate pita wrap.
You could always spot Quaalude Queens in a bar. They were the ones face down in the ashtray. There’s nothing like a drug that makes you forget to keep your drool inside your mouth and gives you the freedom of choice on trivial matters like where and when you go to the bathroom. Why take the long walk when you can just sit there and go? Nothing says sexy like a girl with her lipstick about an eighth of an inch to the left of her lips, eye shadow everywhere but on her eyes, all the while trying to light her cigarette stuck in her nose.
Unlike drunks, the Quaalude-Perps never really established any running pattern while trying to get away from you. They usually fell and then ran in place. You see they were the only ones who did not know they had fallen. Not much of a challenge.
One of my favorite stops was a small coffee shop on Roswell Road just up the road from Abernathy. It was a nice little stop-off between the bars and wherever they thought they were headed that night. The manager was a short and very stocky Bohemian girl who loved it when I did my 3 a.m. stop for coffee. I would get coffee and then sit in the parking lot writing reports. There had been a shooting, inside the shop, about a year earlier. The owner never fixed the place up after the shooting so there were a couple of bullet holes in the sheet metal wall and some scarred countertops.
The manager, as I found out later, announced to the drunken crowd that I was the one who did all the shooting that night and they had better behave or else I could do it all over again. This was, in fact, a fictional statement. I did recall however, that this particular group of drunken 3 a.m. patrons seemed very courteous and made a stellar attempt to give an air or sobriety during my few minutes in the shop. The only noticeable ones were those on Quaaludes, face down in their waffles.
Most officers loved the morning watch but after a few years it’s hard to stay on it. Those who do either become incredibly adapted to the conditions, lack of sleep or become completely weird, or weirder than usual.
I had a ton of fun, although looking back it was a lot more dangerous than what I could handle now. There’s a new generation of nocturnal creatures, some who use a new generation of drugs to get them into trouble. Every once in a while I pull some late hours and stop off at the local coffee shop on the way home. I always take a moment to see if by some chance and for old time’s sake, someone just happens to be face down in a waffle.
Good times.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Carolyn
May 16, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
I can well imagine what kind of trash you could find out now in the early mornings. Most would probably have a gun handy.
By cheryl
May 16, 2006 1:07 PM | Link to this
Steve, white noise is your answer to sleeping during the day. Get a box fan and put it on high. It drowns out the “daily” noise so you can sleep. If you don’t like the breeze, point it against a wall. I use it every night. Hope it works.
By Steve
May 16, 2006 2:29 PM | Link to this
I was at The Drunk ‘N Dine, aka The Dunk ‘N Dine when you shot the place up. I was having a LumberJack, Fries, Bowl of Chili and a Salad with the ‘House’ dressing. 3AM sharp.
By Capt
May 16, 2006 3:02 PM | Link to this
I worked morning watch at Grady as a Paramedic for over 7 years before I became supervisor of the morning watch shift. You are correct in saying you cannot buy that kind of entertainment. By the way there is nothing better than the open faced roast beef sandwich for lunch at 3 am at the Majestic on Ponce de Leon. If you have never been in the Majestic on a Friday or Saturday night after 2am but before 5am you have been missing the best free floor show in town. Try it…you will be amazed what some humans beings can and will do.
By Victoria
May 16, 2006 3:21 PM | Link to this
Dear Officer Rose - I have a question for you that I hope you won’t think too silly but has been on my and my husband’s minds.
We watch quite a few real-life crime shows and have always wondered: isn’t it dangerous for the officer to lean in over the detainee and buckle them in? Aren’t you afraid of being headbutted? Has that ever happened?
By QQ
May 16, 2006 3:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as hard as I did reading this report. You see, I was once one of those QQ’s :) However, back in the day, we didn’t have the gumption to even think about getting up off the couch let alone drive a car — which we didn’t have anyway, thankyoulord — and eating, well, that was just too much effort, best to just sit here and……where was I?
By John
May 16, 2006 5:26 PM | Link to this
I worked rotating shifts for many years, days, swings, and midnights. The fan works better than anything else in the world (except, perhaps for Ativan (see your doctor!).
By susie
May 16, 2006 5:44 PM | Link to this
This is great. I laughed out loud.
By amy
May 16, 2006 6:20 PM | Link to this
One of the funnier columns in a while, seeing as things have been so busy in Sandy Springs…will be out and about listening for stories of the morning crowd come July 1st; good luck!
By Jay
May 16, 2006 8:55 PM | Link to this
Officer Rose. Nothing makes me more angry than seeing expired license plate registration on cars running the streets. What can tax-paying arrest fearing citizens do to get these yahoos off the street. I would assume that if they have not bothered to renew their tags, the insurance money went for beer and bumper stickers.
By John
May 16, 2006 9:37 PM | Link to this
Steve, all I know is that “we” had a lot of good times working morning watch, you for Fulton County and me for the City of Alpharetta. The many “choir” pratices at Winding River Village, a trip to Alabama and catching a case of the “kneealses”, according to the bartender. Glad to see you found a job that meets your requirements. Truly a fond memory…..John
By Supreme Princess
May 17, 2006 8:34 AM | Link to this
Once again, I am laughing and giggling during work hours. Oh, good times! Thanks Officer Steve. But one question, what’s up with July 1st? Is something coming or just summer in general?
By Carey D!
May 17, 2006 9:21 AM | Link to this
This has to be one of the funniest articles I have come across on AJC in a long time! I really appreciate the insight and to have a potentially volatile subject matter presented without the stereotypes and racism that, however unfortunate, associates it self with police work. This was very humorous and most of all I believe we all have seen the characters you described. Keep writing and keep us all laughing, almost nothing is better than a good laugh in the morning however, an early morning giggling neighbor is even better!!!
By Lt. Steve
May 17, 2006 9:33 AM | Link to this
Jay commented on expired tags. He is absolutely right. Another problem is folks putting fake decals on the tags. If you peel off the decal off one tag and either re-apply it (I don’t know why you would) or put it on another car, it curls up. Officers find a lot of them. As far as John’s comments, he and I did some serious running around back in the ‘day.’ He was nice enough to leave his apartment unlocked during the morning watch hours. We called it the north precinct. Never dull. Good times.
By STEVE ROSE
May 17, 2006 9:34 AM | Link to this
To Victoria: It has. I was more afraid of being bitten or spit on. It does happen to officers. In some cases two officers will buckle the bad guy.
To Supreme Princess: We are moving right along and will take over police operations at midnight on July 1. Right now, we have completed all but a couple of spots as far as hiring. About half of the officers will come on around June 19th. We’ll spend that time in transition training and orientation. Although the Fulton officers can’t come on until July 1, they can come in on off-time to train and get used to our polices and procedures. We have new cars ready to go and should have uniforms, new badges, patches, gun, belts and equipment, etc. and other items in hand in a week or two. We’ll also have the report system in place so the weekly e-mails regarding incidents, etc. will also resume. I miss making fun of perps. We’re good. I’m sure the press will be on hand.
By Hun
May 17, 2006 1:17 PM | Link to this
Lt. Steeeeeeeeeeeeve, Ah yes, the memories of Choir Practice, fun times were had by all. I heard a rumor of football scoreboards with holes in them, not sure how that happened. I have to go now, my mom is calling.
By David
May 17, 2006 4:43 PM | Link to this
I worked morning watch as a dispatcher/911 operator for Dekalb for nearly 6 years. You’re absolutely roght about the types of people that are out in the middle of the night !! It was actually very entertaining at times. I’m on evening watch now & enjoy the faster pace, but I do miss the “all-nighters”. Here’s a tip…Sears has room darkening shades made from heavy guage vinyl. Get your sleep or you’ll look like those QQ’s about 0300 hrs. Stay safe out there !!
By Grandpa Jack
May 17, 2006 6:19 PM | Link to this
Soft ear plugs work fine, just like at the range. Only concern is being deaf, so dog or wife or alarm system must be fully operational. “* :) :) :)*”
By James Doohan
May 18, 2006 1:24 AM | Link to this
“choir practices”, being cops getting wasted after their shift in the wee hours then driving themselves home drunk from whatever bar they were at…….
By Border Bandit
May 18, 2006 3:52 PM | Link to this
Steve,
Very funny article. I’ve been reading them off and on since my parents moved to the Atlanta area a few years ago. I’m a Border Patrol Agent in southern Arizona, and have worked Graveyards for most of my 11 years. It is a great shift, especially during the summer (100+ from May till October.) The best thing is playing “Hide and Go Seek” in the desert in the middle of the night. Stay safe, and good luck with the new department
By Ranger883
May 22, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
Steve- You nailed it. It’s so true. I couldn’t have summed up the shift better. I recently got off of the morning watch roller coaster to join the daylight crowd. Kudos to you and good luck with the Sandy Springs thing.
By Stephen
May 25, 2006 5:44 PM | Link to this
I did the “morning” watch thing for three years straight as a 911 operator. Besides the lawn mowers, weed whackers, Marta is not Smarta buses running to and fro there are the phone calls (Oh did I wake you…? Uh duh its 12 PM… I wuz asleep!)
Kids screaming while playing, the World War Two era Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress passing over the house at 1 PM in the afternoon…(Makes one want to go German on it.)
Then having two days off to live among the daylight people then back to nights. Crank up a lawn mower at 11 PM… fat chance… I would have a cruiser come poking around if I did that..
Yeah it can be fun sometimes… buuuut. One can tend to get cranky…