Posted on 07/10/2006 6:53:23 PM PDT by StACase
My back yard backs onto a pond with a park on the other side where for over 25 years the local July 4th fireworks have been set off. I have an annual party and the best seat in the house. This past July 4th I was with some of my guests down by the pond when a plain clothes cop hollers across the water at me and my guests that if we cross his yellow police line set up at the park entrance he would arrest us. I hollered back, just keep your barricade out of my yard, and that was the end of it, or so I thought.
As it turns out, and I didn't see it, but I am told that some time later this cop came through my yard and told my neighbor's guests they were too close to the fireworks and would have to move. That's why I'm lucky, had I seen it, I'm sure I would have gotten in this cop's face and most probably would have tried to shove him into the pond.
yes
Most LEO's go into it for the little power it brings them.
Hmm? Where was the barrier? Draw a map.
Yes. Not that I can't relate though.
So do you think it's ok for a cop to enter your property and order people around just because he feels like it?
well, you're not in jail, nor scheduled to see the local judge. cops are like any group, you get your Andy Taylors, and then you get your Barney Fifes. even though it's your private property, go a bit easy, they do have to deal with a lot of crap on a daily basis.
He just sounds overly officious. Why not call in and speak to a supervisor if you think it rates it?
Was the cop's issue a safety buffer issue or a crowd control/admissions fee issue?
You personally? Show's I've been to, cops have been called or hired to protect the perimeter from people getting too close, and in the case of water shows... the Coast Guard or police boats enforce the line.
Well, I think that you're very astute. :^)
Not overheated, but you need to learn how to talk to cops.
The first step is get him on record: 'Can you put that in writing sir' (the sir is important, you don't have to mean it.)
Then ask to speak to his supervisor.
If he gives you any answer but '(s)he will be hear as soon as reasonably possible' politely order him off your property.
You don't want to touch him, he'll shoot you, get away with it and get a medal.
Also bear in mind it could be a rent-a-cop. They tread very close to impersonating an officer on a daily basis.
Finally consider you might mess up a good thing. The fireworks might be too close to your house. Making too much noise could end the display for everyone.
Exactly - our family business butts up against the airport - when the blue angels come - we have THE best seat for miles - even better than the vip tent....weve had some troopers refuse us entry to our property - but they quickly back down when you threaten legal action.....Ive also found that a well placed letter, copied to several depts (police / fire etc) detailing your concerns often prompts a visit in which security and your concerns can be frankly discussed
we havent had a problem for years, and weve come to a common understanding
Weve aquiesced in that we no longer go up on our roof with lawn chairs during the show....other than that - we have full and complete access to our property
Yes
Has your letter ever extended an invitation to watch the show from your location? They probably have kids too.
THIS is why we have FAR too many police agencies in this country. Every little podunk town does NOT need its own police force!
The majority of small town police forces are unprofessional, lack training and are overly concerned with their own "power". Barney Fifes with REAL power and no sheriff Andy to keep them in check.
States should outlaw city police forces unless their town has a million inhabitants or more. Otherwise, the county force should be enlarged until it fits the bill. Taxes would be a bit cheaper, too (at least it would be an expense that would not have to paid locally).
You would have been right to tell this jerk to jump in that lake!
Still, I have to agree with some here that warn against too much "overheating". These Barney Fife types just LOVE to show how much power they have and you would give them a perfect excuse.
I'd say be sure and have someone video taping what is going on to prove what really happened.
That's what's been mostly on my mind. I should like to enjoy next year's show.
Are the Blue Angels great or what!!!
They are amazing!
Worth fighting to see.
Are the Blue Angels great or what!!!
They are amazing!
Worth fighting to see.
I suppose your photo is sarcasm of some sort, otherwise, I haven't the foggiest what you're trying to say. Perhaps someone can 'splain.
Bottom Line in this,discuss your feelings with his SGT, They will investigate it, If you really feel strongly,Hire an ATTY for followup and possible action.
Gotta disagree. A little town near me disbanded their force and opted for state police presence. Crime has skyrocketed. They now have Guardian Angels patrolling their streets, in podunk NJ.
Camden?
Sussex.
yeah...that's about the way things will go.
If they are being a prick for no reason, you can get them into trouble....
Depends. If he was advising them to back up for their safety, that's one thing. If he was pushy and rude, I'd have told Chief Wiggam to get off my land.
If the case could be made that the cop was engaged in looking out for the health and welfare of citizens, regardless if he's an ass, your're asking for trouble. If no case can be made for that, combined with the fact that those neighbors guests are on their private land, then you've got some cover.
It's wiser for you that you know you "hold all the aces" before you kick a hornet's nest of those that "have all the guns".
If it remains the case that on the force there's a guy that gets an asswipe attitude when he puts on a badge, which is not as common as many think, you will be doing the department a service by informing his supervisor/chief. Even if nothing is done related to this particular incident, as time goes on and he continues to display an unprofessional attitude, you will have done the department a service by providing higher ups sort of a heads-up on the kind of officer they have.
liability wise it would be a problem - we are that close....but we did interact post 9/11 with regards to security as the interior floorspace of our building falls within the secure perimeter for thier air space command center which is stationed literally 75yds away from our property - no reason for contentiousness - good communication usually resolves any misunderstanding
Best photo I have of the pond for this, it was dredged this past winter. Anyway, the barrier was just on the left where you can see the power generator parked. The fireworks are set off just behind those two trees on the opposite shore. Just behind the line of trees on the left are railroad tracks and there's a bridge we can use. The entrance to the park is just a path.
The contractor was not happy with the weather )-:
My favorite stunt is when they tailwalk the jet down the runway - and then shoot straight up
If you see the Blue Angels, you think, What a country that can do this!!
Makes you proud to be an American. You get a little misty eyed.
You didn't see my adjunct to getting rid of every podunk city police force. I said the County force must be enlarged for the territory.
I didn't say just get rid of them out of hand!
That didn't work for Sussex. County Sheriffs don't patrol.
Is it MY fault people in New Jersey are stupid?
Look who they made Gov!
;)
Hi, Hair. I do the Carnation show every year. Small show, not many problems. We do have access to the cops and the firemen, but usually I have to handle it before they show up. (The locals know ALL the shortcuts)
He had no authority to be on your property without a search warrant. Therefore no, I don't think you are being overheated at all. But I am curious, did you go down and talk to his boss? That a$$hat needs to be put back in his place.
Officer, this is all private property and we'll stand where we like.
If the fireworks are "too close", MOVE THEM!
And by the way, what science did you use to determine "too close"?
You need the Tijeras_Slim Approved Doormat.
If it had been me? I'da stepped outta my trailer with my wife-beater shirt and my Buttweiser, Marlboro danglin' from my lips, a half dozen bottle rockets stuffed in my back pocket... I would have trained my one-eyed glassy stare at the ociffer and told him to kiss mah butt! He ain't got no right to step a dang foot on mah property...
Then I woulda had to yell at Darlene to git back in the trailer and take the rugrats wit her and shut up that damn dog! He's irritatin' the crap outta me...
That's whatta I woulda done, I tell you whut...
Nope. And I moved. ;)
Ha, ha.
Good on ya!
Yes, those thoughts crossed my mind, and perhaps I might even have been intelligent enough to limit my actions to that, but I know I was pretty hot when he was hollering at me and my guests from the park. Managing to contain myself when, as I was told, he came on my property would have taken extra effort.
I've decided to keep a low profile on this incident, our little community is less than friendly to its citizens.
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