I had two interactions with police this am: one generated a question the other a compliment. To the compliment first.
Was in town this am and noticed a long line of temporary no parking signs where parking is usually permitted. Everyone was filled with vehicles. I had to run into a store right there, so swung in to one becomeing empty, ran in quickly, did what I went in for, and exited. As I came out, the local cop on the beat wandered by and I asked him about it.."Will I get towed if Im here?". He replied that "Those spaces are rented for $25.00 per day at times for special occasions, but as far as Im concerned, unless I get a call in comlaint, I dont have them towed." As my next place to go would take some time I said I was gonna move. He looked up the street and said "Thers one comeing out right now..grab it. " Someone pulled right in, but we stood there and chatted for a couple of minutes. That was really refreshing...totally polite and helpful. So a compliment to that officer. Hes the kind of cop I remember growing up. Just a good guy, doing his job.
The question was engendered earlier in the morning. As I left my home on a busy 4 lane highway I noticed a freshly killed deer in the right lane. Traffic was swerving to avoid it so I hit 911 and reported it. As always he noted the location, then read my phone# back to me, asked if that was correct, and asked my name. I declined to offer my name, told him Imjust a good citizen trying to help prevent an accident and dont give out that info, though I know with the phone # he could get it easily. . He replied "Its just for our records." Ive had this happen on numerous occasions when I call in to report some problem along the highway, and there in lies my problem/question. Why the fuck do they want my name. The government/police seem to be on an insatieable quest to "Gather information on the citizens.". Not that I have anything to hide, but when I grew up I always cherished my privacy, and right to be anonymous. Today, the more they want the less Im inclined to give up. The only reason I can see that they might want to have my name/phone is in case I was calling in to set up an ambush. But this is a rural,small town area, and that shit just doesnt happen here. Why this lust to "Get somthin on'em?" What if I call in to report a problem, the officer shows up, and then is inadvertantly hurt in some way...then they come looking for me, and I could become embroiled in and expensive legal hassel for just being a good citizen. Makes me not want to bother anymore. Would appreciate any reasonable replies.
And again, compliments to the first officer. Job well done.
Was in town this am and noticed a long line of temporary no parking signs where parking is usually permitted. Everyone was filled with vehicles. I had to run into a store right there, so swung in to one becomeing empty, ran in quickly, did what I went in for, and exited. As I came out, the local cop on the beat wandered by and I asked him about it.."Will I get towed if Im here?". He replied that "Those spaces are rented for $25.00 per day at times for special occasions, but as far as Im concerned, unless I get a call in comlaint, I dont have them towed." As my next place to go would take some time I said I was gonna move. He looked up the street and said "Thers one comeing out right now..grab it. " Someone pulled right in, but we stood there and chatted for a couple of minutes. That was really refreshing...totally polite and helpful. So a compliment to that officer. Hes the kind of cop I remember growing up. Just a good guy, doing his job.
The question was engendered earlier in the morning. As I left my home on a busy 4 lane highway I noticed a freshly killed deer in the right lane. Traffic was swerving to avoid it so I hit 911 and reported it. As always he noted the location, then read my phone# back to me, asked if that was correct, and asked my name. I declined to offer my name, told him Imjust a good citizen trying to help prevent an accident and dont give out that info, though I know with the phone # he could get it easily. . He replied "Its just for our records." Ive had this happen on numerous occasions when I call in to report some problem along the highway, and there in lies my problem/question. Why the fuck do they want my name. The government/police seem to be on an insatieable quest to "Gather information on the citizens.". Not that I have anything to hide, but when I grew up I always cherished my privacy, and right to be anonymous. Today, the more they want the less Im inclined to give up. The only reason I can see that they might want to have my name/phone is in case I was calling in to set up an ambush. But this is a rural,small town area, and that shit just doesnt happen here. Why this lust to "Get somthin on'em?" What if I call in to report a problem, the officer shows up, and then is inadvertantly hurt in some way...then they come looking for me, and I could become embroiled in and expensive legal hassel for just being a good citizen. Makes me not want to bother anymore. Would appreciate any reasonable replies.
And again, compliments to the first officer. Job well done.