Prostitution and Drugs~

It is just another way of showing gratitude to the men and women who have served our community
And if the establishment has a problem with them not paying, they should have called the police department, and ask to talk to whoever runs things down there, and get it settled.

 

Craig I get it now, your argument is if people are down on their luck we should lend a helping hand. It is okay for fire fighters and soldiers to get freebies, but not cops.
Police Officers are paid to do a job so much in fact that it is just wrong to give them anything for free, because as you interpret the law it is illegal.

So to sum it up, if it were up to you, we would help anyone and everyone that is down on their luck, as long as they are not in law enforcement. If they are in Law enforcement they are out of luck, to change their luck their only hope is to pick a different career path. Because what matters most is coffee and doughnuts in these here United States.Most importantly that when I need help, to call a hooker or a junkie because they understand the importance of a cup of coffee and a doughnut.

Sorry Craig it is going to take more than coffee and doughnuts to get me heated up to such a degree that I would support a protest.

On a side note I would like you to know that I realize why this subject is so critical to you. It is not your fault, it is a side effect of your indulgence, I believe those who follow Jerry's life lessons call it 'the munchies"

 

Somebody got their panties in a wad......


Well it depends on what your definition of simple is. I'll use "simple" in a couple of sentences and let me know if we are on the same page.

1. It was simple to send those Red Coats home with their tails between their legs a couple of hundred years ago.

2. It was simple to remove my reply

De Orc you sent me a message saying I had 1 more chance to stay here. You said if I ever talked to you like that again you would throw me out......

De Orc this American doesn't turn the other cheek like most UKers do...


Warned you but of course you wont listen is that simple enough for you?
Was that simple enough for you ?

 

I think you nailed it. I told you that before. Yes I think only fireman should get freebies. Just them. Not anyone else. Not soldiers. I am against soldiers getting freebies. Just fireman. Why? because 25 years ago I got high. Thats why. you really know how to read people. You are so perceptive. You know best. You are right. How does it go with you? Oh yea...When a cop takes an oath to protect and defend and uphold the law of thier community(which includes graft, which is a crme)They are allowed to accept small tokens of appreciation for patrolling a diner that gives them free crap more than they would patrol another diner that doesnt offer free crap. I bet you are the kind of guy that has a flag on your truck., but finds it ok to speed up when a traffic light turns yellow. Or go just a bit more than the speed limit. after all, you have a flag decal. that means youre american and dont have to abide but such trivial crap like traffic laws.

 

HAHAHAHA. I cant believe you brought up the war for independence. Thats funny. You forgot the war of 1812. Are you seven years old?

 

Can't say I really know Craig.

 

Really are you 7 years old? Craig as often as you jump from what is, to what might be, to the end of the world. Kind of like a monkey does swinging from one limb to another, I bet bright shiny objects distract you too. How on earth did you ever find this forum? Were you pounding on your keyboard and you accidentally ended up here? Are the keys stuck little buddy?

Why don't you stop embarrassing yourself, call your hookers and druggies and get some much needed help.

 

For you "New Kids on the Block" I suggest you think before you type.

The points that Craig and DeOrc make are very good and valid points. This started with donuts and coffee but as DeOrc pointed out when does it stop? Is it "free gas when I'm off duty"? A nice hot meal for free?

Yes, businesses give stuff to cops. It's nice to have a cop car in your lot at 3am. Anyone that has ever been in that situration knows it. That's why they do it.
However, when a cop is hanging around at your establishment because of this what happens to the businesses that don't? They may be held up but instead of patrolling the cop is eating his free donut.

A business loses money by giving stuff away. Some can afford that while others can't. Is it fair to those that can't pay for this when a cruiser is not in an area that it's supposed to be in? Is it fair to the person that just had their home invaded?
If you don't think this happens you are beyond stupid. I've seen it first hand. Cops out of their jurisdiction just shooting the breeze nowhere near where they were supposed to be.

When a new cop joins the force they are dedicated to serve the community. I respect cops - not a job I want. However, they do "learn the ropes" yet I pay their salary.
Hey, the cops in my town are quick to respond but if you think I'm going to tell you they are all upstanding citizens guess again. I know a few cops. Had two living on my block at one time. Father and son actually and great guys.
Bet they've eaten their share of donuts, let a few friends off etc. It happens.

I don't think they ask what the "perks" are when they hire in. I could be wrong but I think they learn this over time.

Now I'll tell you all a "perk" story and actually from the days when I managed the truck stop. The owner made me hire a friend's kid for maintenance.
His first day he asked me "what are the perks". I told him he worked 8 hours and got paid for them.
Second day he had to come in late because he had a "hair appointment". I'm serious here.
Third day I fired him.

Now I have way more respect for Military, Cops and Firefighters but if they go into their respective fields for "perks" they are no better than anyone else.
In fact they're worse.

 

Clembo

I do think before I type and believe I have answered the question about cops and doughnuts. In my interpretation of the law coffee and doughnuts do not infringe on the no gratuity law. How ever in your example of cops shooting the breeze making it impossible to respond to a call in a timely matter, is not comparing apples to apples. That is where law suits come in and Police forces are investigated. Police officers not doing the patrols they are assigned, again apples and oranges. If you or any other member here would like me to get on the band wagon in which our chant might be, please don't feed the cops because they may neglect their duties and jeopardize their jobs. I apologize but I can not, and will not subscribe to that thought process.

Now as far as the member you mentioned Craig all I have to say is that I have read most of his current posts and JMHO all he does is makes pointless and meaningless posts that stretch a thread farther than its intended lifespan.

All though this may show my naivety it is my understanding a moderators position is to be the calming voice of reason when things are out of control not to become a force adding to the momentum of it. I know that is just me but felt I would share.

 

Elmosworld I believe that my post was fairly straightforwards now if someone wishes to take it out of the context that I can not do anything about. Now I will not sit back and allow members to verbaly abuse me that I draw the line at. People can argue all they want I have no problem with that but dont use foul language, do not advocate violence or racism. Are those three things to much to ask?

 

I really don't see a problem with a little freebie here & there for the people who protect us. Obviously there is a line that shouldn't be crossed but I'm willing to give the policeman, fireman, etc the benefit of the doubt. If it goes too far then shame on them but a cup of coffee or a doughnut? Big deal.

 

De Orc in this context these 3 things are entirely reasonable.

 

David I quite agree with what you say. But that was not the point I was trying to make, what I was saying is that if it is against the rules laid down by the police forces themselfs then it is legaly wrong. Now it makes no odds if you agree or disagree with those rules unless you are able to legaly change them. Under the law so to speak ther is no such thing as not quite illigal LOL so the size of the gratuity is not the issue.
Here in the UK it is actualy against the law for police officers to take any gratuity but having a free cuppa still happens, I assume it is the same in the USA?

 

DING DING DING!
Guys, do you think that the people that protect would cross the line? Going into a BestBuy and just taking a TV? No. They get some coffee and doughnuts! The business that GIVE them to them, are being generous, just as a little way of showing gratitude.
I highly doubt the line will be crossed, any time soon, if ever

 

Yesterday 2 hawaii cops were arrested in vegas for pot. In april a ny cop was charged with rape while on duty.(I guess he wanted her to show her gratitude). Last year 3 ny cops were arrested in vegas gor stealing from a jewelery shop. Yep. All cops are stand up guys, who would never cross that line. Hows it feel to be right?

 

Elmosworld,

I type these things on reflection from when I worked in a truck stop. I gave out a lot of coffee and donuts.

The question here is not really about a business doing this as a "thank you". It's not really about a "thank you" at all and any smart business owner that can afford it knows it. It's about presence of officers.

As for comparing apples to apples or oranges you're dead wrong I'm afraid. Cops will hang out where other cops are to shoot the breeze. They hang out where there are freebies. Doesn't matter whether or not they indulge.

Here's a good example. I live about 2 blocks from an all night gas station. A Speedway actually and they cater to cops. You can wander in there at 2 AM and find 3 or more cops very often. Frequently from 2 or even 3 different police forces. It is within my city limits but there are two bordering towns. Cops meet there, eat donuts, drink coffee and shoot the breeze.

I live in a small city of about 30,000 people. Our actual downtown area is really only about 2 blocks long. I work smack dab downtown on the corner of the "main" streets. It's about half a block from the police station.
There are also 4 bars in that same radius.

In the last week 2 businesses had windows broken. The Dollar General had a large window broken. A beer bottle was found inside.
The other? Right next door to us. It's retail space for lease. My boss owns it.

No cops called to alert the business owners of this. We discovered it the next day when we came to work. Not sure when the Dollar General opens up but we don't open till 9 am so where were the cops? Would seem to reason that they would drive by areas a half block from the station.

Apparently they don't because this is the SECOND window we've lost this year and both times we had to call it in.

Now my boss wants to talk to the mayor about a "beat" cop. I disagree. Put a cop in a car away from coffee and donuts and just have him park by the various bars. Move around a bit. Let people know he's there.

Should a real emergency take place he's already got wheels. In the meantime he could be pulling in money on DUI's, vandalism etc. It's actually a pretty quiet city and the majority of stuff happening is within walking distance of the police station in the wee hours of the morning.

Can anyone tell me if there is anything wrong with that picture and if it happens anywhere else? Believe me it does.

 

Craig gives some pretty extreme examples here but makes one hell of a point. They cross the line.
Don't bother me with the "apples and oranges" line on this one Elmo. I'm not saying it's because they took some coffee and donuts offered to them.

What I am saying is cops are people like all of us. I have the utmost respect for them as a whole. I've known some good ones and some bad ones but will tell you all this. It ain't all Mayberry.

A cop in a bad environment will break the rules. It's actually the extraordinary one that doesn't IMHO. Tough streets call for tough cops. The badge gives them power and depending on their personality and where they are they can change a lot.

I've known cops that carry "throwaway" guns in case they need to use them. Had one hand me a knife one day to check it out. Then he pointed his gun at me saying "he pulled a knife on me". He was making a point and sucked me right in.

Cops have a lot of stress, a lot of power and a lot of responsibility. Anyone that doesn't think they can turn "bad" is just plain naive.

 

TM what exactly does Taking no Gratuity mean to you? Again I have to ask that you re-read your post to say that the line will never be crossed any time soon if ever is rather foolish. Read up on Al Capone, Police corruption has gone on for as long as we have had Policemen, It is only a few but they are the ones who can ruin a police force.

This is going on in Boston right now

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/01/us/police-corruption-trial-under-way-in-boston.html

In 2000 you had this one

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/957612.stm

And it is not just in America here is one in Jamaica

http://www.go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=11537

During the 70's and early 90's we had our own fair share of corruption cases over here as well.

 

This is starting to be comical, Clembo shame on you for asking me to read before I type.If we all stop and reread this thread we are all saying the same thing differently, including Craig A.

Like any other profession, there are good ones and bad ones.Seriously though if you think free coffee and doughnuts is what turns a good cop bad, then my friend you are the naive one.

Clembo I am sorry your town is having to endure reckless vandals, I truly hope they catch that individual, or individuals what ever the case may be.

 

It seems as though you guys WANT to prove that cops are evil, and don't deserve some coffee here and there, yes there are the exceptions, but you guys make it sound like all cops are committing crimes and need to stopped. For the most part they protect us for danger, and I respect what they do, I don't have a problem with some coffee and doughnuts, but apparently some people do.