Police Encounter: No Parking Zone

Neo Deist · Dec 21, 2016

Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok. :shrug:

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

freethinker44 · Dec 21, 2016

You would have a faster response time if you packed a lunch and ate in your car, THEN you wouldn't need to rationalize breaking the law. Problem solved.

lewisnotmiller · Dec 21, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok.

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

Meh, you gave him a different perspective on the issue, and he seems to have decided to consider it. Seems like a positive outcome to me.

Neo Deist · Dec 21, 2016

freethinker44 said:
You would have a faster response time if you packed a lunch and ate in your car, THEN you wouldn't need to rationalize breaking the law. Problem solved.

Been there, done that, got tired of sack lunches. There is something to be said for a nice, hot meal.

Neo Deist · Dec 21, 2016

lewisnotmiller said:
Meh, you gave him a different perspective on the issue, and he seems to have decided to consider it. Seems like a positive outcome to me.

That was the point.

Far too often, we run across people that are LOOKING for a confrontation so that they can film it or whatever. Instead of getting all mad and huffy puffy behind my badge, I hit them with logic using a calm voice. Not only does that throw them off, but it makes them think. Doing the unexpected works wonders.

psychoslice · Dec 21, 2016

Good on ya, cops represent authority and there are those who don't like authority in which ever way, so they take out on you cops, I would like to see them walk in your shoes for awhile lol.

beenherebeforeagain · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok.

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

lol! Did you also commit the terrible offense of leaving your vehicle running while you were inside for a few minutes? I've encountered several times the argument that police waste gas just so they can keep their vehicle comfortable...'why do they keep the engine running while they're directing traffic around an accident; it's wasteful and bad for the environment,' and so on...the real reason is much more prosaic, and makes much more sense...

Koldo · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok.

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

Do you mean you had no other option available to buy food, and still remain close enough to your car, besides breaking the law ?

Revoltingest · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok.

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

This reminds me what firemen (including firewomen) go grocery shopping with the firetruck, & wearing full gear.
It's a combination of being on the job & having to take care of personal business simultaneously (at the same time too).
You're up against a tough problem.
Some cops really abuse their ability to bend the laws, & they wreck it for legitimate actions.

I once had a maintenance guy who was also a reserve deputy sheriff.
He kept his sheriff cap on his dash so that he'd get a free pass when
driving drunk.
Do me a favor, eh? When you catch him at this, please arrest him, &
make him do an embarrassing "perp walk". I'll give you bacon.

BSM1 · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok.

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

So, did you get the Hunan Chicken? I love Hunan Chicken...

Neo Deist · Dec 22, 2016

BSM1 said:
So, did you get the Hunan Chicken? I love Hunan Chicken...

General Tso's actually...

BSM1 · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
General Tso's actually...

Second choice...

9-10ths_Penguin · Dec 22, 2016

Revoltingest said:
I once had a maintenance guy who was also a reserve deputy sheriff.
He kept his sheriff cap on his dash so that he'd get a free pass when
driving drunk.
Do me a favor, eh? When you catch him at this, please arrest him, &
make him do an embarrassing "perp walk". I'll give you bacon.

My grandmother's next door neighbour had an official-looking sign for his dashboard that said "Toronto Police chaplain - on official business." Never got a parking ticket.

Supposedly, it was legal because he wasn't impersonating an officer, only a chaplain... and there's no law against impersonating a chaplain.

9-10ths_Penguin · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Been there, done that, got tired of sack lunches. There is something to be said for a nice, hot meal.

So then you weren't actually parked in the no parking zone to be ready in case of emergency; you were parked in the no parking zone to get a lunch you liked better.

YmirGF · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok.

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

I'm wondering how monumentally stupid someone has to be to approach a police officer in this way? Did you unfasten your gun, at least? Especially nowadays, approaching a police officer in a provocative way could be interpreted as aggression.

PS: You are welcome to park wherever you damn well please in my corner of paradise.

Revoltingest · Dec 22, 2016

9-10ths_Penguin said:
My grandmother's next door neighbour had an official-looking sign for his dashboard that said "Toronto Police chaplain - on official business." Never got a parking ticket.

Supposedly, it was legal because he wasn't impersonating an officer, only a chaplain... and there's no law against impersonating a chaplain.

There's corruption in Canuckistan too !?

BSM1 · Dec 22, 2016

Revoltingest said:
There's corruption in Canuckistan too !?

Go figure, eh...

9-10ths_Penguin · Dec 22, 2016

Revoltingest said:
This reminds me what firemen (including firewomen) go grocery shopping with the firetruck, & wearing full gear.
It's a combination of being on the job & having to take care of personal business simultaneously (at the same time too).

I've never understood why firefighters - at least here, anyhow - are paid to sleep on the job. Here, a firefighter works his weekly 44-hour shift all in one solid stretch. IMO, it would be a lot better if they worked an 8- or 10- hour shift, with night coverage by a separate shift.

I'm sure performance suffers by the time you're on hour 40 with only a few hours of interrupted sleep, and it would be better for nighttime response times if the fire crew was ready to go like they are during the day.

Revoltingest · Dec 22, 2016

9-10ths_Penguin said:
I've never understood why firefighters - at least here, anyhow - are paid to sleep on the job. Here, a firefighter works his weekly 44-hour shift all in one solid stretch. IMO, it would be a lot better if they worked an 8- or 10- hour shift, with night coverage by a separate shift.

I'm sure performance suffers by the time you're on hour 40 with only a few hours of interrupted sleep, and it would be better for nighttime response times if the fire crew was ready to go like they are during the day.

I can see advantages for a crew who most of the time are just waiting for something to do on an urgent basis. By working a week's hours during just a few days, they have more flexibility on their time off. This can make the job more attractive.

oldbadger · Dec 22, 2016

Neo Deist said:
Had an odd yet interesting moment tonight. I went to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant tonight, and I always park on the side of the building which is not actually a parking zone. Delivery trucks use that spot for unloading stuff, but they usually run before 10am. Anyway...

As I am coming out of the restaurant with my chicken and noodles, some guy walks across the street with his cell phone up as if he is recording. Of course he walks straight at me. Ok.

Here was the conversation:

Dude: "Officer, I have a question. Why makes you think you can just park wherever you want to? That is clearly a no parking zone, yet here you are. If I parked there, you'd give me a ticket. What makes you above the law?"

Me: (inner sigh) You realize I drive a marked police vehicle, and that I respond to emergencies?"

Dude: "Yeah, so..."

Me: "So picture this...your wife is at home and some guy is kicking on the front door. He has a gun and if he gets in, he may rape and/or kill her. She dials 9-1-1. Do you think she wants me parked on the 4th floor of the parking deck across the street, where it would take me 5 minutes just to get to my vehicle and get out of the deck, OR do you think she wants me parked right here where I can jump in and have the fastest response time possible?"

Dude: "Oh...uhm..."

Me: (blank stare)

Dude: "I guess I never thought of it like that. Hey man, I was just...never mind, sorry to bother you."

Me: "Merry Christmas to you!"

He walks off.

Nope!
What do duty-cops think they're doing, going shopping whilst on duty?

Look, most of us don't mind you buying some grub mid-shift, but it surely has to be good diplomacy to choose venues with quick close legal parking?

Another thing.... many cafes offer free grub to cops...... It's much better not to take such advantages, because free meals lead to other freebies and before you know where you are things have got to the point of absolute corruption like it was in the London Met in the 60s.

Ok..... Come on.... Roast me!
Aaaarrrgggh....!

Police Encounter: No Parking Zone

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