View from the cop: Crime & punishment
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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2007 > February > 22 > Entry
Tone down the daytime bling
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Police departments have a lot of walk-in people. I noticed two women, one older than the other, standing near the front desk. The older woman had the look of fear on her, not like someone who was in line for a copy of a police report or permit.
She had just been robbed. She was putting her groceries in her car when she was approached by a man who demanded her ring—big ring—on her finger. She screamed, apparently very loudly. The man got into a car and left. The other woman was her daughter who was nearby, returning a shopping cart when she heard the scream. She was very visibly upset. Most people don’t see the after-effects of a traumatic event. The robbery victim was lucky. The robber left and nobody got hurt. The idiot never even got the ring. It was a big ring.
Here’s some good advice. Tone the jewelry down in public. Unless you’re going to a dress-up event, less is better. There are people who will foolishly try to rob you in broad daylight. This guy was a doper, looking for quick cash. Be smart out there citizens.
Yesterday’s e-mail count 87
Answered most of them. I’m trying to wind down. Detective Sandy is fired up about heading for Vegas. It will be a good break. No rest, but a good break.
Yesterday’s phone calls 14
I didn’t get to call everyone back. Among those I did return calls to involved:
- Dogs are driving me nuts barking every night.
- UGA professors have bugged my home. (Regular caller)
- When can I shoot someone breaking into my home? (Frequent question)
- Anything going on? (TV station-regular call)
- Anything going on? (Same station, short attention span apparently)
- The vet said the dog would be okay. (Detective Sandy talking about our stressed out neurotic Shitzu or Shih tzu if you want to be proper)
- “We had a robbery recently.” Were your robbed at gunpoint? “No, our home was broken into.” Oh, you were burglarized. “No, robbed. Someone robbed us.” By breaking into your home? “Yes, robbed by breaking into our home.” Well ma’am, you were burglarized, not robbed. Robbed is someone pulling a gun and pointing it at you. Burglarized is the illegal entry into your home. We’re kind of picky about that. “What does it matter? Robbed, burglarized? Who cares? Anyway, have you had many robberies?” You mean burglaries? “No robberies, you know, when they stick a gun to your head and demand the money. Hey listen, if they break into your house and then pull a gun on you, what is it?” Probably robbery and burglary, maybe home invasion. “When can you shoot them?”
- How come you guys write so many tickets? My friend’s cousin’s neighbor got one. He said the cop wrote him for 60 in a 35 MPH zone. He swore he was only going 36 in a 35. Man, that cop must have a quota. You guys have quotas? That’s not right man. My DUI lawyer said you guys have quotas. That is so not right.
Oh well. Today is the longest of days. We head out for Las Vegas around 10 p.m. Well-needed break in the action for me. My friend Dan, ultimate Styx fan, is ready for the Styx concert. He promises not to act giddy. I told him to be cool because he was going to meet the guys in the band. They’re just like us only creative, musically talented, younger looking, more intelligent, and with fabulous hair sporting no bald spots. Other than that…Dan laughed at the idea of childish fan worshiping. Then he said skipped off saying “Oh My Gawd—Oh My Gawd—Oh My Gawd!
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By scubber
February 22, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
I have two questions not on subject to above warning, regarding abandoned cars left on side of highways.
1) What percentage of these cars are stolen? * I have been in dire straits financially beofre and lived in towns where I did not have a friend to turn to in a time of need, but a lot of cars are left for days aside of the highways. Most of the vehicles I see are not junkers that have just made their last throes of life, I have seen nice cars - Mercedes, Corvettes, New SUVs, etc. The owners of such expensive surely would not leave them vulnerable to theft or damage.
1a) by the way, is there a midnight thiving crew that goes about and steals the license tags from overnight abandoned vehicles?
2) Post 9/11, I recall reading that vehicles left under bridges would be immediately towed, for fear that they could be loaded with explosives. I have never observed this rule enforced. Is it ever enforced?
By Samantha
February 22, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Hmmm… not sure why I am writing. I never write anyone! Least of all people I don’t have a clue about. I happened to receive a google alert telling me my keyword “Styx” has appeared in the news. That led me to your page in the AJC. It appears that leads to your post about a concert in your area you are planning to attend. Then after reading todays post hoping for some tidbit I can include on my website about a member of the band being arrested for something unusual i realized you seemed as fed up with people who refuse to use proper terminology as I am. (webmaster by profession) Just thought I would send a little note to let you know.. the universe has seen fit to connect me to your blog to learn the difference between robbery and burglary. I promise to use both correctly in any and all instances in the future. Thanks for the lesson! Samantha, Dayton Ohio
By Lt. Steve
February 22, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Most of those cars are not stolen. Some are and some are but have not been reported yet. Patrol officers frequently run and re-run the tags on cars they pass to see if they’ll get a hit on it. In some cases they do but most of the time it’s a car that broke down and the owner is slow to remove it. If it stays too long, usually someone smashes and grabs whatever’s inside. You are right about the license plates. They take them all the time. If the bad guy uses them for too long, they get caught. Officers are constantly inputing tags into the laptops. We had a bank robbery yesterday. We have had more than usual. I still don’t know why anyone would rob a bank.
By Missandie
February 22, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Wow Samantha, you must be a really big Styx fan. You should fit right in with Dan. Glad it led you to our adorable Lt. Steve, Public Information Officer extraordinaire!
By MrCub
February 22, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Make sure to hit In-n-Out burger. I’ll be in AZ next week and that is my first stop after getting off the airplane.
Let me know if you need directions to the one in Vegas!
By Keith Lynch
February 22, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
Mr. Rose: I think you should concentrate your work towards improving people’s lives!
By Georgia
February 22, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
I think you should start a “Stupid Criminals Hall of Fame” web page.
I admire your profession. I have several family members in law enforcement/fire department.
Keep up the good work, you have one supporter over here in Buford……
Oh and to Keith Lynch Get a life. The man is a cop, and puts his life on the line for jerks like you, and maybe needs a little humor. I know my family members sure do. Det. Rose writes a great column/blog. I look forward to his blogs.
By scooter11
February 22, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
I think people rob banks ‘cause that’s where the money is.
By Ricky Phillips
February 22, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
…Steve, Very funny…and you probably thought we never see this stuff. Cheers and catch you on the flip side, Ricky Phillips (STYX BASSIST)
By Lisa from Des Moines
February 23, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
Dan is allowed to be “Giddy” at a Styx concert! Have a great time and tell the boys in the band “Hi” from me:) I’ve discovered you blog (which I find highly amusing. Brings a smile and some chuckles to my day:)Oh—and it is educational too—burglery vs. robbery—never thought about it much. Now I know if one ever happens to me. Styx brought me to you and I plan to keep reading!
By Ralph
February 23, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
My very first rock concert was seeing Styx’s Kilroy Was Here tour in 1983 at the Omni. I was 15 and my mom wouldn’t let me go alone. I ended up going with my buddy and his older sister who was like 22 at the time.
Domo Arigato Mr Roboto
By Babs
February 23, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
I like pizza
By Daytunaguy
February 24, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Regarding Keith Lynch comment: People are responsible for improving their own lives. Law Enforcement is not about improving people’s lives.
By julie
February 26, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
I don’t know about you Mr. Lynch but Det. Rose’s blog is a great improvement to my life.
By Keith Lynch
February 26, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Please understand that first, I never compared myself with Mrs. Rose Parks, only the resistance she composed against an injustice system that was placed upon her. Second, I believe Mr. Rose column has and will improve peoples lives, but it should never be a one sided affair. Every one of us knows that an apple tree has at least some apples rotten to the core and I only wish to expose them so the injustice that I have experience never happens to anyone else. The reason I wrote my book was not to make money but to get justice for my late wife, children, and my self. Not one person has asked law enforcement officials if what I’m saying of the injustice they had committed is the truth. I know the truth and if your not affair of the truth ask question of your officials. Let The Truth Be Told! www.kllundypublishingllc.com
By LynchMOB
February 27, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
For the last time Lynch…stay off these blogs and go back under your criminal rock…WE ARE ALL SICK AND TIRED OR YOU WHINING…No one believes you…No one cares…and you might belong in an asylum more than a jail, but you definitely are not fit to walk among proper society…YOU ARE IGNORANT TRASH
By Keith Lynch
March 1, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
It really amazes me when I read the negative postings by some of the people that read Mr. Rose’s blog. Not one person every said, What if this man is telling the truth, or why haven’t any of the officials who’s names are mentioned in his book and website responding to his remarks? If I said anything wrong about what happened to me, one would believe I could be sued. I’ve learned early in life that the wheel that makes the noise will get the oil. Until I receive justice for my wife and family I will continue to make noise because one day someone will listen and read about “Georgia’s Dirty Justice System!” www.kllundypublishingllc.com