Not everybody hates cops,,,,

[contender]

Not taking away from the offering of prayers for the LEO's killed in Dallas, or their families, so I'll offer this bright spot.

Today,,, my son (LEO) was getting lunch with another LEO,,, and an anonymous person bought their lunch.
He also told me of another officer going trough a drive through fast food joint where the car in front of him paid for the officers lunch.
And 2 more.
A local bakery had an anonymous person order a large cake, paid for it, and had it delivered the Henderson Co PD. The same bakery had another lady order 2 dozen donuts & had them delivered to the City PD as well. These 2 stories made the local news tonight.

Not everybody hates cops,,,,,!

 

[Colonialgirl]

I've met and known some VERY FINE gentlemen that were police officers; TWO of them lived in the same marina in Long Beach where I lived; met and knew some others at the Department where my EX worked for a while.

 

[Don Lovel]

Our Saguache county sheriff's small crew of big deputies are good guys with big hearts and real skills and sense of humor

 

[Pat-inCO]

Not everybody hates cops........!

Agree completely.

One positive item that is related, there are many stories on the news
about black groups providing positive comments and a few even actions
in support of Law Enforcement.

Let's hope it continues and those that are actually domestic terrorists
either get legal come-uppins or "run out of town". 8)

 

[Rei40c]

I think most people (for now at least) are very pro police and appreciative of law enforcement. I've always thought it must be very easy to get not only a negative impression not only of your city, but in the world in general when all you deal with everyday are it's worst examples.

I also think it would be easy to get the impression that most people are anti police. How could you not when looking at the media? Any media. It's all been dominated by negativity for years now. And it's only gotten worse.

Call any news station in any city telling a story of a very great act by a police officer. Then call reporting a very terrible act by a police officer. See which one gets you a call back and follow up. Of course we all know the answer to that. It's the way of the current world I suppose.

 

[gtxmonte]

It only takes ONE on either side of a protest to ruin the whole thing and have it turn into a major ordeal, with each side blaming the other

 

[Kevin]

Glad to hear the good stories Contender. I hope things like that continue.

 

[Rei40c]

It only takes ONE on either side of a protest to ruin the whole thing and have it turn into a major ordeal, with each side blaming the other

That's exactly right. I don't think it's proper to try to consider a bright side to such a horrific event. But maybe, just maybe some in the crowd who may have been hinting at the idea violence is an acceptable course of action will that see that words and movements like this have consequences. Movements fueled by hatred of police (or anyone for that matter) do not stay contained to some imaginary world. They have implications in the real world and manifest themselves everywhere. As others have pointed out in other threads this has been brewing for a long time under the surface. Everyone's seen and felt it, not just the police.

This country is more divided than at any point I've been alive. Disagreement is fine. What troubles me is that in my opinion much of it is not natural division, but rather manufactured intentional attempts to create that division. Starting years ago and filtering down from the very top to even low level protest organizations.

 

[Rei40c]

One positive item that is related, there are many stories on the news
about black groups providing positive comments and a few even actions
in support of Law Enforcement.

I hope so but my concern is this is a PR bandaid being applied as damage control to deal with this terrible event. I don't doubt many do honestly condemn the act. I hope most. But what I know is social media for the last several years has been filled with others, some of which are part of this movement either directly or indirectly calling for, or hinting that violence may be an appropriate course of action.

I've been trying to understand the logic behind this movement and I've come to an important conclusion. If you wish to really understand it you must first realize there is a fundamental disconnect in the America we know and the one they see and exist in today. So how is it that we are producing people who feel entitled and justified to resort to violence?

I'm going to paraphrase about 18 years of my life into a few absurdly short ideas of what I was taught life in America is supposed to be all about. - You have freedoms, you have rights but you also have responsibility for your actions. Work hard, and go and build a good life for yourself and family, be kind to others." That was generally the idea.

This is opposed to what is being taught on many collage campuses today and from many reports even at the high school level. I suspect perhaps even before then, but those places at least. Everyone talks about the sense of entitlement that is being drilled into the generation who is between 20-30 today. They never mention that in addition to this sense of entitlement a real anger is instilled inside of them. A sense of being victimized, needing to strike back, a since of validation for illegal acts for the sake of the "greater good".

 

[contender]

I started this post to hopefully make folks smile at knowing that there are still good people out there, and that most, yes, most people do appreciate & respect LEO's.

I do not want this post to go political.

Yes, we have problems in this country. There is not one defining problem,,, but rather,,, several things that when all put together,,, have us in the position we are currently in.

This post is about the rays of sunshine,,, not the gloom of the storm clouds. We have plenty of that in other posts & in other places.

Many members here,,, are either LEO's or have been at one time. Or, like me,,, have a relative who is LEO. Let us be thankful for them all.

 

[dougader]

Food for thought, and ideas to take into our own cities, counties, etc.

Thanks, Tyrone!

 

[Scout943]

 

[Goldstar225]

I for one realize that the vast majority of our fellow citizens support us. In my city we have good support and interaction with most of them, even many that we arrest. During this time some in our city are posting on social media advocating getting a gun and hunting cops, even advocating going into our homes and killing our families. We know who they are and they were not our fans even in the best of times.

The one thing I resent is a rush to judgment. Just as we are expected to (and should) gather as much fact as possible before acting, all we ask is that our countrymen do the same. Unfortunately most of the information released immediately after an incident is done by those with an agenda with little concern for the truth. By the time facts are presented, the next hot topic obscures it.

 

[tinman]

Was on duty yesterday when a 20-somthing black kid came in carrying a small plastic shopping bag. I noticed he held it flat, as if it held an object shaped like a hard-cover book. He walks over to me, shakes my hand and hands me the package. He then proceeds to apologize for what happened in Dallas saying (in part) "I had to do something". I can't really describe the expression on his face....best I can say is that it was a sad and searching look. Then I realized that he also looks very, very tired......almost old......not a look normally associated with someone so young. After he concluded his business he again stopped to speak with me, again shaking my hand before he left, that same lost expression still on his face. Inside the bag was a tray of brownies, store price tag and receipt still attached.....
Today is my anniversary date.....37 years in this uniform. In that time I have experienced many things. Some pleasant and courteous.....and too many......not so much. I have seen things that no one should ever have to see and I accept the task of taking those images to the grave with me. In that aftermath I dealt with all the associated emotions and eventually developed the obligatory thick skin and gallows humor that comes with such life experiences. But interacting with this young man, with his simple gesture and sad smile, has touched me as deeply as I can remember. Naturally my thoughts and prayers are focused towards the DPD......but they now extend out to this young man, who I believe is searching for an answer. I wish him success.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I had another positive experience with LE this morning.

I was sleeping in my recliner and about 05:20 was awakened by CRASH,
CLANK, RATTLE, and other noises I don't remember. Still VERY groggy
I was down the stairs with my 750 lumen flashlight to see what the
(delete your favorite expletive from here) had happened.

A raccoon had pushed in the basement window and the window and
raccoon were in the basement bath room. WHAT do you do with about
thirty pounds of mad raccoon in your basement?

I called the PD and was told it would be three hours before Animal
Control would be on duty, would that be acceptable. I somehow
managed a polite reply that it was not my first choice.

About five minutes later an officer arrived and, sure enough, the
raccoon was "hidden" behind my clothes drier. I was asked to guide
a second officer with the Animal Control truck in once he arrived.

Second officer there with cable type catch sticks (don't know what the
real name is) and the two of them spent about five minutes convincing
the raccoon that his presence was not wanted, and getting him in to
custody. - - Once the subject was detained, they wanted to take a
picture and would I do that? SURE! As they were about to take the
subject outside one of the officers asked about the gun on my hip.
I said it was a P220 Compact and he said NICE, then asked the other
officer if he didn't have one of those. The other officer said "no mine
is a P320". All was well in my part of the world.

They took him across the street to the Moose Lodge and its seven acres
of open space and released him. As they were coming back I asked if
they had ever released someone from custody that had departed so
quickly. The both got quite a laugh from that.

As I said, all was well in my part of the world! 8)

 

[vito]

I have no reason to hate cops, in fact one of my sons was a patrol officer and is still in law enforcement, but when dealing with the police don't forget what their job is. They are not paid to seek justice, or anything like that. Justice is in the hands of the courts. Police are there to arrest people who have committed crimes. If you are ever questioned by anyone in law enforcement, remember that they are not truth seekers trying to achieve fairness and justice for all, they are seeking facts upon which they can base an arrest which will lead to a conviction and take a crime off their board and mark it as solved and closed. It is not a minor thing that if read your Miranda rights they will tell you that anything you say or do can and will be used AGAINST you in a court of law. If you say or do something than tends to show that you are innocent of the crime under investigation they are not obligated to use that information nor to assist you in any way.

So be friendly and supportive of cops, but when dealing with them they may not truly be your friend. They can act like your friend, they can lie, they can claim to have evidence which does not exist, etc, etc., and their goal remains to be able to arrest you or someone for the crime that has been committed. A casual remark can get you into enormous trouble, and/or cost you a lot of money.

Someone close to me was called to the scene of an arrest of a young man, his son, who was caught with marijuana in the car. The police commiserated with the dad, saying they coudl tell that the young man was not a bad kid, but that they were just doing their duty. They casually asked if the car belonged to the young man. The dad, who owned the car, answered that no, he owned the car but the young man was the only one driving it right now. The police seized the car, later claiming the dad had "admitted" it was his son's car. Despite the easy task of looking at the car's title to determine who, in fact owned it, the local police would not release the car and it took 5 months, and significant lawyer cost, to finally get the car back. After 5 months in the inpound lot the car needed about $2,000 in repairs to get running again, which just added insult to injury to the dad who was the lawful owner. His attorney told him that had he said NOTHING to the police when asked about the car beyond stating "I own this car" they would not have had any grounds at all to hold the car. This is what can happen when you respect the police, trust that they are on your side because you know you are one of the good guys, and open your mouth in casual conversation. Be forewarned.

 

[contender]

Well said vito.

This recent rash of cop bashing & these protests affirm that people do not understand the job of the police, and are not willing to let the justice system work as intended.

But I have said before, this thread is more about the good things I've seen in people who do not hate cops.
Last night, on the nightly news,, I applauded the fact they showed this mother who was wounded in Dallas, while trying to protect her child, was also protected by the police, and she was praising them. These BLM idiots need to see that & wake up & realize the power of her words.

Pat-inCo,,, I had to laugh a bit at your recent break-in. A coon in the basement is the exact type of call I get. AC used a "catch-pole" to detain this burglar. Yet w/o charges being filed, they released him. All good.
I recall a case where the local County SD asked for my assistance in capturing some bats. They had spent about 2 hours trying to get some bats, and called me. The Lt. said to me; "We've been trying for two hours to catch them & we've only arrested one." I was about 2 hours away, but told them I was coming. When I got there, the Lt. said; "We have one more in custody" & I cracked up. I caught 6 in less than 20 minutes, and they allowed it was enough. All 8 bats were not released due to physical contact with a person. They got the ultimate sentence.
Still a very funny conversation!


Now is the time to be calm, peaceful, and reflect upon how much good our LEO's do. In watching the news last night, I couldn't help but think this.
"What if the cops just decided to stop patrolling these areas where they are being attacked & where the protesters are rioting? What if they stopped responding to the calls for help in those places? What if they let these anti-cop people decide what laws they want to live by & refuse any law enforcement assistance to anyone?" Simply put, CHAOS!

 

[Pat-inCO]

What if the cops just decided to stop patrolling these areas where
they are being attacked & where the protesters are rioting?

I was thinking much the same thing. While they can not refuse service
to a given neighborhood, I'll bet they . . can . . slow the response to
the area while they gather sufficient forces together to safely go into
said area.

It was interesting, at least to me, that in yesterday's DRUDGE there
was a comment from one Texas Police Chief that stopped just shy of
calling the BLM people domestic terrorists. That article is no longer on
DRUDGE so I can not post the link. Once that title is clearly associated
with the group, I believe we will see a major change in how the public
in general responds to violence against Law Enforcement.

One or two criminals responding with force against LE has been the
history for as long as there have been LE. When you get dozens to
hundreds of them in a mob situation, IMO, you have terrorists and
they should (must?) be treated as such! :evil:

Least someone get their knickers in a knott . . . .

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.

BLM is anything but peaceable. :evil:
- - - - - - - - -

Even with additional time to reflect on yesterday morning's wake up,
I am still VERY happy with the officers here.

 

[opos]

Living in a big So. Cal city (sanctuary city at that) with bad gang problems...illegals on a minute by minute basis...drug and crack houses...safe houses for illegals, etc the LEO's here have a huge plate full....I know several and they are great guys and do their jobs with great dedication...My personal view is that much of the difficulty here (and we do have some) can be laid right at the feet of "management"...We have a silver haired "movie star" Sheriff that is at the center of the anti CCW fight that has occupied the courts for years..California has many counties that are "shall issue" counties and a CCW permit is a simple thing...but try and get one in most of the larger counties and it's only for friends of the Sheriff or powers that be..a law abiding good citizen with outstanding references and never a problem just as well as apply for an astronaut's license to land on mars...We also have a female (?) police officer that spends a lot of time "on the air" explaining how good things are going to be...

Some of the Sheriffs are pretty "black booted" about the job...and I got to question the motives of their behavior on occasion. We know a woman that is a really hard core alcoholic...lives in a van..no license...no insurance...has had a number of DUI arrests and convictions...has been arrested for shop lifting booze...in short a career offender...We know the Sheriff's folks know about her..they know where she lives and fail to serve warrants (or have in the past) when she had them due...Kind of makes a person wonder what kind of a deal she's made to get away with so much?

These LEO's in the large border/sanctuary cities do have their hands full..we are very careful to play by all the rules....on several occasions we have visited friends East of San Diego and right on the border...I have a big SUV with dark windows and it's almost a given we will get stopped by the border patrol if we are on a back road to our friend's farm...we have, on occasion had a rifle or two to shoot at his place (fully legal) and was glad we had followed all the rules to a T about transportation of any guns in this area...you do it wrong and get caught and you will probably get arrested and the guns confiscated.