“… Call me irrational but I avoid the police like the plague.”

Let me tell you something that makes this absolutely impossible for me to do – I live directly across the street from an approximately 80-member police department! Looking out my front windows, I can clearly see the SWAT vehicle in the police yard! (Only now, when I don’t see it, I wonder who’s dog was shot!)

Four years ago when I moved in, living this close to a police station did not bothered me.

I am not a wackjob with COPS SUCK tattooed across my face, nor am I a criminal, I am neither stunningly beautiful or a freakish sea hag, I am an average jane.

But officers have not been particularly friendly when crossing their path on the way to my car or to the local convenience store – no acknowledging smile, nothing, ever. I’ve completely stopped trying to make eye contact, to forge a brief “community” connection, so to speak.

Well over a year ago, I was three feet from accidentally being hit by patrol car without so much as a mouthed “oh shit” or “sorry” from the officer.

Two weeks ago, I was exiting my vehicle at about 11pm and an officer drove past me, slowed down to about 2 mph and just stared at me as he drove by, no half smile, no comment, nothing! We just stared at each other for about 10 seconds like two deer in headlights! Thankfully, he drove on. (Did I breach Civilian to Cop etiquette by not offering up the requisite subservient response “yes officer?”)

I truly feel I am the “them” in the “Us vs. Them” mentality.

Yes, I did too!

To: Just Another Guy (#11)

Your statement regarding the police couldn’t ring more true for me:

” … now I don’t even want to talk to them — they’re just looking for an excuse to steal my stuff, or worse, lock me up. And what with everything being a crime these days, I have no idea what laws I’m currently breaking — but I’m sure there’s a few.”

In fact, just last week over coffee with a friend, I asked her “Ten years ago, were you afraid of the being pulled over by the police? She responded that no, she wasn’t, beyond the potential for receiving a moving violation and the hassle and expense involved with that.

Then I asked “what about now?” She said that yes, she was afraid, in fact, terrified and even though she should have NOTHING to worry about aside from a moving violation citation – i.e. no drugs, no weapons, no outstanding warrants or unpaid tickets, no previous criminal history or probation issues, no driver’s license, registration or insurance issues, no potential for DUI (she only imbibes alcohol at home) – even with none of those issues hanging over her head, still that was absolutely no guarantee that she wouldn’t be accused, assaulted and arrested for something!

Unfortunately, I completely agree. Call me irrational but I avoid the police like the plague.

Ignorance is bliss as they say.

“Passing Gas” Gets Student Arrested:
http://www.wftv.com/news/18039603/detail.html

(My apologies – don’t know how to insert hyperlink)

I remember a time when I really thought the police were the good guys, now I don’t even want to talk to them — they’re just looking for an excuse to steal my stuff, or worse, lock me up. And what with everything being a crime these days, I have no idea what laws I’m currently breaking — but I’m sure there’s a few.

Of course I wouldn’t bid on anything from this site; I wouldn’t want to be guilty of receiving stolen property.

Who do the cops work for again? I have to think that “respect for police” may be at a 100-year low…and for good reason.

Of course, no mention of the deputy being arrested and charged with strong-arm robbery…

Indeed. Including this particular one, carried out by an opportunistic armed thug in a government-issued costume.

Sickening.

Well, no, not unless the cop’s kid’s bedroom is now an extension of “the evidence room”.