View from the cop: Crime & punishment
View from the Cop is moving to a new site on Wordpress. Blogger Steve Rose of the Sandy Springs Police Department gives his take on crime, offers safety tips and give his weekly picks from the police blotter. Follow Steve Rose to the new blog site.
AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2006 > May > 24 > Entry
Blue lights and high anxiety
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Things are moving along with the Sandy Springs Police Department. We’re down to two crises a day. The things we expected to be problems haven’t been and those things we thought were no-brainers have been difficult and time-consuming problems.
We are close to finding a building of our own for a few years until they build one. The radios are in. The cars are in. The guns are in and my bullet is in.
Stress is your friend?
Stress is a strange force in all of us. Some say there is good stress. Still waiting on that. I can definitely remember several stressful times in my life and “good” is not on the Top 10 list of words to describe it.
You can sometimes tell when your friend is getting stressed out. I like to think I’m perceptive, so I noticed when one of my fellow officers began to show signs of stress.
I went to him and candidly told him I thought he may need a day or two off for some mental-health time.
“Really,” he replied, “I’m stressing out but I didn’t think anyone noticed it.” I told him I caught wind of it by his change in demeanor — as well as the large patches of hair falling out of his head.
Police business produces a lot of stress. Most writers detail how it affects police officers but, if you think about it, cops dish out more stress, on a daily basis, than they receive.
You know that feeling when the police car pulls in behind you and the blue lights come on. Most of the time it’s a stressful situation knowing the officer has seen something he or she interpreted as a violation of the law and that will soon be brought to your attention. In most cases that’s true — except when I get behind you. You’ll know it’s me because I have the blue lights on and my left turn signal on, both by mistake. (See: Policing after 50.)
You never get pulled over when it’s convenient. We do that on purpose. It’s called being systematically unsystematic, or irregular.
Everyone pushes the speed limit to a point. There are a lot of people who don’t actually “stop” at stop signs. Slow rolls and “almost” stops will get by sometimes but beware, there are those officers who are “Lot-L’s.” Lot-L’s are those officers who enforce traffic to the “Letter of the Law.”
I was never traffic-oriented when I worked the street. If you had a good excuse, I was good too. I had a large gray area. Traffic enforcement is much needed. Look at the number of traffic accidents, serious ones, deadly serious ones. That alone is reason for traffic enforcement. Can you imagine what it would be like not having any traffic laws? You may think: “No problem, it would be smooth, like the Autobahn.”
Let’s face it. Most of us don’t drive all that well WITH the rules in place. Forget traffic lights. There wouldn’t be enough wreckers to pull all that sheet metal and fiberglass off the road. (By the way, why do wreckers always leave the big plastic front bumper on the side of the road after a wreck? Wrecker-Art.
Back to stress. Listen to me. Most cops still wait for the initial response from the driver before they decide whether or not to issue the ticket. This is in cases where there is actually a chance that you COULD get a warning. Here are some examples of when you shouldn’t expect a traffic warning.
— You ran over a nun.
— Drag-racing the jets on the new runway at Hartsfield-Jackson.
— Dropping your Prince Ivan Vodka bottle when you open the door of the car to initiate the sobriety test even though it hasn’t been requested.
— Just crossed the center line while reaching for your bong.
Everyone who gets a ticket gets mad. I do recall one guy who, after I stopped him, told me he appreciated me stopping him. I checked him for being drunk.
I got a ticket, many years ago, from a Florida State trooper outside of Lake City. I was going too fast in a construction zone. Some of you know what that means. The fine is generally equal to the GNP of most South American countries. I tried to talk my way out, badge my way out, beg my way out. No good. He said the airplane clocked me. Had it been up to him, he’d let me go but the pilot was calling the shots. I asked him to let me borrow the radio and beg the pilot.
I was devastated. I did what a lot of people do, I complained to anyone who would or who had no choice but to listen to me. I whined for about two weeks before I realized that nobody really cared about the fact that another officer declined to offer me the “professional courtesy.” In other words, I was treated like a common citizen!
I finally shut up and paid the fine.
Someone told me recently, in a community meeting, in front of an audience, that if we double the size of the existing number of officers assigned to the Sandy Springs area, the cops will be bored and therefore will harass people. I didn’t understand that. I didn’t care for the comment either. I figured that was coming off an Ambien prescription. (See: Reactions / River Dancing / 3 a.m. / Waffle House)
She contended however, that this happened to her in another (smaller) city.
In all the years of policing in Sandy Springs, I don’t recall any periods of boredom. I would hope that time away from calls would give cars time to patrol. I know that the residents here desperately need to see some patrol-car time in their neighborhoods.
Traffic enforcement generates more complaints than any other function in the police department. The officer will, in just about every case, be professional but when the tickets gets issued, someone is leaving mad and the story changes every time it gets told. To me, that’s OK. It’s part of the healing process. My friend Sully said, “If most cops would take the time to violate the law more, they’d understand how we feel.” (Sully had a drinking problem but he meant well.)
Regardless how you feel, traffic enforcement is a necessary inconvenience in a city like Atlanta and its monster traffic. What got us here is what you should be mad about. Deep pocket developers and greedy politicians continue to build and build until all you can see are endless subdivisions.
Remember when on GA 400 in morning rush hour, you could drive north, against the city-bound traffic, with no problem? There are no more windows of opportunity.
Look on the bright side. If we cram any more cars on the road, speeding will be a thing of the past.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By GARRY BROWN
May 24, 2006 7:04 AM | Link to this
No truer words spoken. HOOAH!!!!!
By edge770
May 24, 2006 8:47 AM | Link to this
Steve, good point.. I think where the issue lies is these mega monster enforcement scenarios we see (click it or ticket). Sorry, a city (any city) does not belong on the interstate performing traffic enforcement. Only GSP and county units should be on 285,75/85, 400 and 575. If your going to do enforcement, do it near playgrounds or neighborhoods. City pd units should be more community oriented, with a touch of making sure people don’t speed too fast, or hit pedestrians. Motorcycle units that hide in the trees with laser, just lose that credibility factor. If I get stopped by a unit, I want it behind me seeing what I did. Not the radar man and 10 cops waiting to pull you over. concentrated enforcement activities are testing the patience and respect of citizens.
By Kevin
May 24, 2006 9:24 AM | Link to this
Well written…there is at times humer in a stressful situation….
By Lewis
May 24, 2006 9:51 AM | Link to this
Once again officer Steve has nailed it! I have a suggestion. Why don’t police stop people for being good drivers? Kind of a “police pat-on-the-back” deal. They could give the good driver a prize or reward. This way citizens like me would look forward to a cop stop.
By Eric
May 24, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
Traffic enforcement IS necessary… I just seem to notice they never do it when it is needed the most… rush hour, busy intersections where people use lanes illegally… it always seems they want to pull you over for speeding (or whatever else) on Saturday, at 8:00 am, when there is no traffic.
I pray DAILY that some Roswell City Cop would have the guts to enforce the left turn only/solid white line means do not cross regulations at the intersection of Holcombe Bridge Rd and Old Alabama Rd… but never EVER do I see a cop there when it is needed the most.
By ED S
May 24, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
I look forward to welcoming the new police force in Sandy Springs. Clean up our streets please!. Write as many tickets as you can. It will bring in more money for Sandy Springs. Maybe the drivers passing thru Sandy Springs will use GA 400 and clean up the mess on Roswell Road. Tickets will move them off Roswell road.
Good job city of Sandy Springs. Keep up the awesome work. Fulton county who??
Ed S
By madison
May 24, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
Thanks for reminding why I hate cops. You speed in a construction zone and try to get out of it because you are a cop. I get a ticket from one of the North Fulton finest because as he told the judge “a portion of the car crossed a double yellow line entering the turn lane”. The portion had to be half a tire at most but I had to pay it because I didn’t have a little badge to flash.
By Ed Stone
May 24, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
The Sandy Springs Police Department ought to have a lot to do, considering the story on page B3 today about the man attacking Jews walking to religous services in Sandy Springs. Keep in mind that the General Assembly, in its wisdom, has chosen to disarm people walking to religous services as a matter of criminal law, see OCGA 16-11-127(a), so they have nobody to rely on but the Sandy Springs Police Department.
By KP
May 24, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this
C’mon. You’re telling me that a lot of these traffic citations issued are clearly for fundraising? The Lot-L’s are just doing a “better” job of fundraising. And with Sandy Springs being a new city, they could use all the funds they can get.
Speeding and weaving in heavy traffic = bad, speeding, as long as you’re not doing 100+, in the fast line in light traffic should not warrant a ticket. Just my .02. That’s also probably why I’m not a cop. That and they don’t make enough money.
By mary
May 24, 2006 1:59 PM | Link to this
I loved my first ticket at age 46. I-10 to Penny Farms. I got off the highway behind a construction truck. Topped the hill and was flashed to pull over. The police officer said i was going 76 in a 55 and watch out it goes 55 then 45 then 35 then 55 with in five miles. That was for my return trip home. He said well seeing this is your first ticket i can give you a ticket fro 250.00 and 3 points or 350.00 and 4 points. I said ” I will take the Blue Light special for the day $250.00 and 3 points. Thank you very much… On the way home I went 35 mph until i reached I-10.
By Rich
May 24, 2006 2:22 PM | Link to this
Yeah, my wife tells me all the time to be careful coming home from work. I tell her everytime, “Don’t worry, I am only moving 1 MPH”. Speeding on the highways has become kind of irrelevant. I guess that’s why you never see a police officer on I-85 clocking speeders. There are no speeders?
By frank
May 24, 2006 5:53 PM | Link to this
Agree that traffic enforcement is necessary. People need to comply with the cops and stop. The darn lawmakers keep putting a burden on the police to pull back when the suspect starts driving crazy. The laws encourage drivers to drive crazy so the police back off.
By Angry
May 24, 2006 6:43 PM | Link to this
Cops need to ticket tailgaters who think they own the road and get ticked off if someone is obeying traffic laws by doing the speed limit. Tailgaters should have their licenses permanently revoked.
By juan
May 24, 2006 7:11 PM | Link to this
I love the Fulton Co. bulls. I got pulled over in my drive way upon reaching home. My car was off and I was about to exit the car when I saw the flashing blue lights around the corner. The officer said, “that was very dangerous driving”. After checking my ID and insurance and realizing that I lived in Sandy Springs and was indeed home, he got in his car and left. No ticket, nothing. If you’re gonna pull people over get the ones who don’t live here and use Sandy Springs as a cut through daily. For example those who don’t have Fulton Co. license plates. Leave the locals alone and maybe they will support the police department more.
By danial
May 24, 2006 7:37 PM | Link to this
Very good points made Steve. Not much else to say. However, in response to frank, police are told to ease off a suspect driving erratically because if they don’t the suspect may become more desperate and do something stupid and hurt someone. It is for the safety of others, the officers, and even the driver that these laws are made.
By Joe
May 24, 2006 7:45 PM | Link to this
I know I’ve spent some of my time griping about “Don’t they have anything better to do?”, but after seeing how much worse people have been driving in the last few years, I honestly think they need to cops just for traffic violations. Speed limits were put there for a reason, and contrary to what some believe, are not merely a “suggestion”. If you get caught speeding, swallow that ticked-off feeling, smile no matter how much it hurts, and thank the officer. They’re doing their job and trying to keep things safe for everyone. I’ve received two tickets in my 20 years of driving, and deserved both. Anyone who thinks they shouldn’t be given a ticket for breaking a traffic law needs a short, sharp lesson in reality.
By nona
May 24, 2006 8:20 PM | Link to this
While we’re on the subject of tickets: How about enforcing the ‘GORE VIOLATION’. Not only do those who violate the gore create a very dangerous situation for existing traffic but especially for those of who obey the gore and the yield. BTW: for those who have no idea what a ‘GORE VIOLATION’ is, it’s crossing the vee painted lines on the entrance/exit lanes versus driving to the end of the vee and gradually and safely entering or leaving traffic.
As a side note: just because you are entering the highway with no regard for through traffic there is no reason for me to oblige your stupidity or ‘me-first’ attitude. Watch for oncoming traffic and merge SAFELY. Trust me, I drive a much larger and heavier vehicle than you and though we may both lose the use of these vehicles, I’ll still see tomorrow and buy another vehicle.
By Steve
May 24, 2006 9:32 PM | Link to this
I have no problem with traffic citations and enforcement. Let’s face it, if you aren’t breaking the Law or doing something extremely suspicious looking, chances are you won’t get pulled over during your lifetime, no matter what TV shows try to display to the public.
That being said, what bothers me is all the idiots driving that will likely never see a ticket. Today alone going in to work, I saw a lady stopped dead in the middle of Hwy 92 in Roswell in a lane next to a left hand turn lane into a shopping center. She had waited, accidentally or on ppurpose due to the backup in the turn lane, too late to get over. So, she is stopped in the middle of a lane of traffic that normally travels around 45 mph. Needless to say, people were slamming on brakes, screeching, swerving, and I believe there was even a fender bender from it, but as I had passed it and was trying to focus on what I was supposed to be doing I couldn’t be sure. Then, I see here finally turn left … AFTER the light had long changed from yellow to Red, and from that second lane no less, as she never got over.
Then, less than two miles down the road, I pull up to a stop sign. A few seconds later a lady pulls up to me with a book propped up on her steering wheel and a handsfree set stuck in her ear. Now, she did appear to have things under control, but she did draw a long honk from someone behind her when the light turned and she sat there for a good 10 seconds not even realizing.
These people are every bit as dangerous as speeders (who in many cases are driving with more focus on the road so despite the speed probalby have just as good or better reaction times). Do these drivers ever get tickets? I am guessing it would be hard to prove in court without cameras, but still.
This is the annoying part of driving and tickets. Some of the more attentive drivers gobble up all the tickets, while some of the more dangerous ones drive on without ever thinking they have done anything wrong.
Also of note, I am always polite to police when pulled over and never try to lie my way out of a ticket, yet I have never gotten a warning. Meanwhile, my current girlfriend is now eleven for eleven in getting out of speeding tickets. No wonder the insurance companies think men are more dangerous. I haven’t even been pulled over half that many times, but no warnings for me .. zilch.
These are some of the reasons I find traffic enforcement to be irritating. Be fair to all, and don’t forget that driver distraction, and not speed, is the biggest cause for accidents behind traffic congestion.
Thanks
By JJMB
May 24, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this
I don’t see much, if any, traffic enforcement in north Fulton. In fact, I see about one police unit a month on the road.
Law enforcement in the Atlanta area is a national joke. Fulton? Dekalb? City of Atlanta? All are run by a bunch of crooks! I’m surprised the feds haven’t taken over here. Wait, the feds are a bunch of politically fearful cowards. They would not dare challenge the inept minorities running the monkey show here.
Meanwhile, drugs are rampant, people are killed everyday, and no one seems to give a dmmn.
By tom wells
May 25, 2006 2:12 AM | Link to this
In this article the humor is not throughout, but when it shows there are flashes of absolute brilliance!
Examples: “Don’t expect ONLY a warning when …”
And the quote later from “Sully”
Keep up the good work, guys (— as long as it’s not ME getting the tkt!)
By Tim Taylor
May 25, 2006 2:21 AM | Link to this
You know when I was young..say 28 years ago…they were too many cops…now they’re not enough of them…LOL…Go figure!!!
I wish they (we as tax payers)could afford to put a cop on every street.
I live in a community that has the “baddest” cops around…they will not greet you in any way, they will not speak to you when meating them on the street, they think they have “RAMBO” tattooed across their forhead or something.
Our Sheriff department is different…they are people like you and I and will go out of their way to say hello and be a role model that our sheriff, Gene Sorrells, wants them to be.
I wish there were something I could say or do to get our police department more intune with the community instead of alienating them.
Thanks for the ear
Tim Taylor brcrkd@alltel.net
By Lynn Marsh
May 25, 2006 5:35 AM | Link to this
I wonder why there’s never any discussion of the numbers of lives that would be saved and accidents that would be avoided if every driver would just STAY BETWEEN THE LINES! Such a simple proposition — something we all supposedly learned to do in our pre-school coloring books.
Actually, there are two basic rules of driving that are so easy to remember, no matter what a person’s education level, language or brain power: (1) STAY BETWEEN THE LINES; and (2) DON’T MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVES (that is, use your turn signals for changing lanes; and when you’re going to make a turn, remember to hit the turn signal a few feet BEFORE you hit the brakes.)
By Steve
May 25, 2006 5:59 AM | Link to this
Screw this “click-it-and-ticket” thing. Make it “you-speed-and-you-bleed”. Any way, not using a seat belt will help to “thin-out” the gene pool. Good riddance. I would imagine that a good number of those 90+mph folks think that “not only do they own the road” but “will not die…ever” and therefore do not need a seat belt. I get up at 3:00am in order to avoid the traffic. I drive from Grayson to the airport and would not be fit to work with if I had to navigate every morning through the myriad of pinheads who have somehow received permission to operate a motor vehicle. Thus I breeze to work (for the most part)without having thousands of those “I must ride his bumper” people scraping my backside to get nowhere fast. However, even at 3:15am there are those (drunk or sober…not sure) who routinely pass me (I at 70) like I was sitting still. These idiots have to be doing 110+mph. In all my years of going to work at o’dark thirty, I have seen one, count it, one idiot pulled over for using 285 as the autobahn. I still stand and cheer when that sweet memory comes back. So, the “bleed if you speed” thing should be enforced. Idiot speeders 110+mph should be (you fill in the blank) when/if they are caught. Oh, and as for those on Hwy78 who just must zig-zag in and out of traffic and to whom you pull up behind at the next light. They have a reserved place when they die where they will be stuck at an eternal red light. Now, I don’t care who you are, that’s funny….Oh, and for those “thump-a-ta-thump-a” cars which think that we all love to have our ear drums sucked out, they will be at that red light also…next to Grandma and out of her car will play eternally (at a zillion decibles) the song “God Bless America, land that I love”. ‘nuff said.
By Italian from The bronx N.Y
May 25, 2006 6:40 AM | Link to this
Very funny, happy to see some of you southern cops have a sense of humor. Because a few months ago I hated every Georgia cop. The reson is my son, was beat up, and called an italian from New York,and a gun was c** and put to his head. Thank God that he was going into the Marines 2 days latter, or else he would have fought back and most likely would have been arrest or shot. The sad part was that it was a georgia Cop working off duty in a strip club that did this to my son. can you emagine how I felt when I seen him with 2 black eyes, a swollen nose,and bruses on his face. This was done by one of you Georgia cops, My son would not tell me where to fine this low life scum, Because he would have met a real Italian Bronx Boy.I would like to know if all of you southern cops are so prejudice, or is it just a few. My son is now a U.S Marine, He will be going to Iraq to fight and risk his life for people like this A.O Georgia Cop.
By Jim
May 25, 2006 9:38 AM | Link to this
Glad the plan is coming together for the Sandy Springs Police Department. If a situation arises and you need another bullet let me know. I have one left over from my military service you are welcome to but give me some notice,things being the way they are with snailmail.
By Lester
May 25, 2006 9:50 AM | Link to this
From an ex-Georgia cop, Most people have no idea what police officers endure. First of all for every ticket that is issued that officer is assigned, along with the violator, a court date. So for every ticket that is issued and not paid the officer must appear in court to make a case. Second, with every criminal case (either city, state or felony case) that officer has to appear in court as well. For every call or incident that officer has to make a police report and assign it a case number. What these things amount to are extra hours of work and many off duty hours spent in court. Most police do not appreciate the added stress of having to add traffic court to their already busy and hectic lives. However it is a necessary evil. What the public needs to realize is that if they choose to live and operate in a crowded city such as Sandy Springs, Roswell, or any town in suburban Atlanta, then they choose to live with bad traffic and crowded roads. Without police traffic enforcement, can you imagine what it would be like. As far as the jerk Italian-boy from the Bronx is concerned. I am also am ex-Marine and did fight for our country in Desert Storm. I know how hot-headed punk enlistees can be, and my guess is that your son deserved a taste of the real world Southern style. Ive been to the Bronx before and big deal. If he would have acted biligerant in one of their bars the same thing or worse would have happened. He’s lucky he didn’t get arrested his butt thrown in jail. I support the police and yes I have gotten tickets from them because I deserved them. Keep up the good work comrads!
By Dan
May 25, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Good points, folks. Traffic is out of control in Atlanta, but many fail to realize some of the reasons why. I’ve lived in metro Atlanta since the early 1970’s and I have seen the city grow and grow, the traffic along with it. Believe it or not, Atlanta traffic, especially rush hour, even had its bad days and shutdowns back in the 70’s. That’s right. I can remember cars slowing to a crawl on Piedmont Road near the old Broadview Plaza—now the new Home Depot mega-store—and there were even Atlanta traffic helicopters back then. But Atlanta was much smaller back then. Does anyone remember when GA 400 was a ghost highway? I can. I recall one June morning in 1982, I was heading north on 400 to spend a day in the mountains, and my car was just about the only one on the highway, north and south! I thought, why did they build this road? My point is, as the city has expanded in all directions over the past few decades, and as people have chosen to live farther and farther out in order to obtain affordable housing, commute times have increased along with everything else, and this factor alone causes much of the driving stress and anxiety. Who wants to leave the house two hours in advance just to get to work in the morning? Many people have to do this, some leave for work even earlier. I often wonder if people really contemplate these daily realities before they decide to move so far out just to have their dream home. Sure, it’s wonderful when you’re home, but it’s insane out on the roads. Everything has its tradeoffs, and everything is bought at a price, I guess. It’s whatever you’re willing to put up with. And because so many people choose to live so far from where they work, everyone has to pay the price with increased traffic everywhere. All the angst of sitting in stop and go traffic makes people crazy, so when the cars start moving smoothly again, we naturally want to make up for lost time by speeding and, sometimes acting recklessly. It’s a no-win scenario, and it’s a sad fact of Atlanta life.
Developers play a huge part in all this, of course. They buy and develop the land, the builders come in and construct the McMansions, and they know people will buy those homes, no matter how far out they are built. Many people see a big new house with an affordable price tag, good schools, and all the other amenities of suburban life, so they grab it up and then think about all the other stuff after the fact. Or…on the front end they are willing to make the traffic sacrifice in order to have everything else they want, thinking “maybe it won’t be too bad.” Sadly, too many of us have made just that kind of decision, and now we are all paying for it with tremendous traffic flows not only on our expressways, but on surface streets as well. And because we are so spread out now, we are completely dependent on our cars and trucks to get us from point here to wherever. We’ve painted ourselves into the proverbial corner and cannot see out way out.
Speeding and reckless driving result from our trying to make up for lost time on the road, our obvious frustration at the sheer volume of traffic out there, and all the other daily frustrations that go along with life in the city. Add all these up and you get one big traffic jam!
I wish I could offer a quick-fix solution. I can’t. It boils down to what you’re willing to tolerate on a day-to-day basis. You can move closer to work, if that is an option for you. You can telecommute, again, if that’s an option for you. You can start a business out of your home, etc., etc.
Just remember the next time you’re stuck in standstill traffic: so are all the other poor souls around you. Seize the moment to relax and think about all the things you have to be thankful for once you finally reach home. Traffic won’t seem so bad for a moment.
By peter
May 25, 2006 3:23 PM | Link to this
Police would get much more respect from the public if they didn’t flagrantly break the laws they’re sworn to enforce. I know several officers (APD mostly) and every single one them love talking about the times they get pulled over then flash a badge and get away with it.
It’s not that police don’t violate the law as often as the rest of us, it’s just that “professional courtesy” allows them to walk away unbooked.
Just as a matter of interest when was the last time anyone saw an officer of the law driving the speed limit?
Penalties for policemen who are cited should be higher than those for civilians.
By Lee
May 25, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this
Here’s the problem I have with traffic citations - too often, a ticket is issued not because the driver was endangering public safety, but because the police officer is under pressure to write tickets in order to generate revenue. I roll through a stop sign at 3mph and that is $75-100 in the bank. A policeman catches someone breaking into my home, and now the city / county has to pay to process the criminal, the District Attorney’s office has to prosecute, in many cases, a court appointed attorney has to be provided, and then there are court costs to try the person. If everything goes right and they are convicted, there is now a cost to lock them up and a cost to administer parole when they get out.
The citizens want the police to patrol the neighborhoods looking for the criminals. The police administrators, councilmen, mayors, city managers, etc. want them on the side of the road generating revenue.
In my 35 years or so of driving, I’ve had about 6 tickets. Probably four of them were of the bullcrap variety, you know, rolling through a stop sign at 3mph.
Oh yeah, to the Italian from the Bronx, your son’s lying to you. He just got a good ole-fashioned butt whooping and made up the story about the cop and the gun.
By Sean
May 25, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
I sometimes hear people bemoan the bad relationship between civilians and police these days - cops make people feel nervous instead of safe, and they’re looked on as adversaries/ Personally, I blame speed limits. Seriously - when does your average more-or-less law-abiding citizen ever interact with an on-duty cop? When one pulls in behind them in traffic, and they wonder if they’re about to be pulled over. It’s not the cops’ fault, mind you - it’s the lawmakers who set silly speed limits. I mean, really…55 on 285? Who drives like that?
By Lt. Steve
May 26, 2006 9:12 AM | Link to this
Madison sure has a lot of steam worked up over this. I’ll bet if she was me, she’d give it a shot too. Hardly a reason to remind someone to hate us. What’s the deal. Someone pour your beer out? What’s the scoop. Got to be better than this. Fess up.
By Lt. Steve
May 26, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
I’d like to respond to the comments by the Italian from the Bronx. If this is true then you should continue this story with some follow up action by you and your son, with the internal affiars unit of that department. If he was beaten like you said, this could be a matter investigated by the FBI for a civil rights violation. My question is this: What have you done. Even if your son is serving now in the military, there is no excuse for this excessive force to have occurred and with no accountability. If this happend, you have an obligation to your son, your family, and everyone else on the planet to see these officers are made accountable or, (don’t get upset but..) let the facts be investigated to see if the story was as it was told to you. If investigated many excessive force complaints that were fabricated to cover something else. This is serious stuff. It should done right.
By Bill
May 26, 2006 2:01 PM | Link to this
There have been a few comments about the autobahn which are incorrect. I have been to Europe a few times, most recently this March and have driven on the autobahn. The big difference in driving here and driving there is that most Europeans obey the traffic laws. It is illegal to pass on the right and in most cases all trucks must stay to the right and can’t pass anything. When you do pass another vehicle you move back into the right lane so that faster cars can pass. Oh, and there are speed limits even on the autobahn. The German Police use unmarked surveillance vans parked in a Parkplatz to monitor traffic and photograph violaters. The Dutch use an extensive system of speed cameras. The people of Europe drive in a civilized manner so if you get a chance to drive over there, do it and enjoy the trip.
By Kellen
June 5, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this
I recently became a police officer in a smaller metro city. I would like to reply to a variety of comments you all made. When an officer is speeding and his lights and sirens are not activated, he or she is generally en route to a call for immediate service that due to departmental policy will not justify the use of sirens. For example a domestic disturbance, a fight, burglary in progress (you can be heard from a distance). If I run a red light and all cops and citizens do, I will give a warning due to my infraction and the same thing for a stop sign. I am the same person before I put on that vest, badeg, and .40 cal. I treat every one with repsect. If I am writing citations for traffic offenses, I will write every one I stop INCLUDING ATTRACTIVE WOMEN! I am consistent. I enjoy the work I do. I do not like being in court on my off days. I work 12 to 14 hours a day. I am human and I enjoy doing other activities besides dealing with societies issues. People who are not police can not fathom what it is we go through. A bad day at work for me and I can wind up on the 5 o clock news or in federal court being sued. A bad day for a civilian and they just go home and hope for a better day. I am not making excuses for corrupt police they need to prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I interact with thre public and smile and wave hello to children and the elderly. I do not believe I am superior and civilians are inferior. I have sworn to serve and protect, but this is more of a cliche than a mission statement. I swear to go home every night to my family, crime was here long before me and it will be here long after I am gone, All I can do is work my a* off while I am here and try not to do something stupid like get myself or a brother/sister officer killed!!! Rest in Peace to All Fallen Officers -525
By J.W.Gray
June 6, 2006 8:39 AM | Link to this
AS TO THE COMMENTS MADE REGARDING POLICE OFFICERS,SPEEDING,WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC,BUT NOT HAVING THE BLUE EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND SIREN GOING,THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THEY HAVE RECEIVED A CALL OF AN ARMED ROBBERY OR OTHER LIFE THREATENING FELONY IN PROGRESS AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO WARN THE PERPETRATORS THAT THE “CAVALRY” IS COMING. “JIM DANDY TO THE RESCUE”