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Hello Greenwald,
"He's breaking the law......." So does every one of us every day when we go 26 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. As cops, we 'forgive' many transgressions in 8 hrs. of patrolling - speed, not signaling at least 150' (WI) before a turn, rolling stops, not turning into the correct lane - the list is endless. The bummer is there are no stats for all the violations we let go - only the ones we don't.
I assume you are a LEO, you have my respect and I know you have job to do. But don't give us that BS about breaking the law, I see every day that I am on the road police officers in their marked cars doing exactly what you have listed above. Plus not using turn signals, not turning on there head lights when their wipers are on (FL state law) Parking marked their take home cars in front of their homes (city code says no no) blowing through red lights etc. and paying no attention to others that do the same. Maybe you can explain that to us citizens.
Oh BTW, if I park my motorcycle on your front lawn am I in violation of something??? After all its not on the sidewalk...............
There are so many nit picking laws no one can obide by all of them, not even the cops and no one can enforce all of them, the jails won't hold us all.
Morning Gene.
To answer your two questions, I'm a retired LEO - 32 1/2 years on the streets - last 7 as a Motor Officer.
If you park on my lawn, yes - we have a problem. You're trespassing on private property and would be prosecuted.
As for 'my' sidewalk, it isn't really 'my' sidewalk. Municipalities have a statutory 'right of way' from the center of every street laterally past that grass between the curb line and sidewalk and including said sidewalk. Most people don't know that. Yeah - you can refuse to shovel the snow or cut that grass, but then the City will eventually do that for you and add it to your tax bill. Not recommended.
As for the rest of your comments, sort of validates my earlier commentary.
Thank you Kevin for straight forward answers, the side walk and swale belong to the city here as well, but we don't have a problem with snow removal. I was planing to visit you and likely park on your lawn, but considering your having me prosecuted I decline to make the trip.
And yes, I believe we agree on several matters. Being retired gives us lots to time to watch, view and criticize others in this rapidly changing world. I guess its called people watching.
Have a nice day,
If there were an emergency, do you really want the officer to have to run a block to get to his patrol vehicle, while you or your family is in danger. Sure it is fun to bash the police and the government, but I think most officers are really trying to be there for the citizens they protect.
Thanks!
And it is I whom is envious of where you live - southern Florida.
The best vacations of my life have been in West Palm Beach and Key Largo.
Nice corner of the world you live in - enjoy it.
Golly Kevin this is a little off thread, but the world keeps getting smaller. You mention Key Largo, we may have meet depending when you were there. My wife and I owned and operated the Pilot House Restaurant and Marina from 1969 to 1978.
Actually we did not have any side walks in the Keys, except Key West, just park the bike any place you want. We never even took the keys out of the car for fear of lousing them.
If you want to stop by here you can park on my lawn, maybe it will kill some of the darn weeds that want to pop up.
Ride Safe,
I think the cop did nothing wrong except maybe not give the kid citizen his badge number. He, the cop probably should have been more professional in his replies even if it was a kid he was talking to.
He should have said, "listen kid, I've been riding out here in the heat for the past 6 hours patrolling, keeping you, your family and friends as safe as I can. I needed a cold drink; I hope you can give me break this time. If not, here's my badge number; tell your old man, I said, hi."
Parking a bike on the sidewalk for a minute or two should not be a big problem as long as you still have visual of it. You could always move it, if you had to.
Back in the old days a kid wouldn't be questioning a cop why he was parking on the sidewalk. Not the kids fault either, just too much reality TV.
Here in Taiwan if someone messes with a cop to much, he might end up as an ingredient in an egg roll.
DW
My problem is not with the cop on the sidewalk, any more than it is with a UPS delivery driver who double parks for a minute to make a delivery. That is as long as he was not blocking traffic, like a person in a wheel chair, from using the sidewalk.
My problem is with his officious, "I'm a cop and I'll do what I want" attitude. It's a haughty "better than you Mr. Citizen" attitude I see in a lot, but certainly not all, cops. That's why I call him a jerk and I stand by that remark at least for this one situation.
Kevin, I still ask, can an officer refuse to give his badge number when asked? He can just flat out say "no"?
Interesting points, Kevin, and as always I appreciate your feedback. I missed your post where you answered the question.