Enjoyed your accounts of those’easy encounters’ Kelly, but it immediately made me think of a Tecumseh police friend who died from gunfire in a ‘routine’ late night traffic stop a few years ago.
But I’m also thinking of all those readers ‘of color’ that might be thinking… “he got off bc he’s white”. Yes, we’re weary of the racial discussions (I certainly am) but, I’m reminded of this bc of a recent (Caucasian) game warden encounter with a young (black) fisherman.
Approached and asked for his fishing license, the young man calmly replied he didn’t have one but that he was only 16 yrs old. Upon request he produced an old drivers permit that showed he was really 20. The discussion turned into a ‘back n forth’ where the young man got louder exclaiming “so now I suppose you’re just going to shoot me like all you white cops like to do to us young black men?!”
Point is - you acted responsibly and enjoyed a taste of Americana where many citizens are having their outlooks poisoned by the media’s) inundation of ‘critical race drama’. Everyone’s lives (on both sides of a badge) are moving ever closer to a slippery edge but I’m glad (& appreciative) of how you handled the contacts and their outcomes.
Hi Carlos .. Indeed, it's those 'ordinary stops' that can so often turn ugly. So many heartbreaking stories over the years.
Common decency and respect go a long way ((unless I happen to be turning myself in for being over the crappie limit, then I might throw some shade just for fun. ;)
The national conversation is not constructive in so many ways. I hope younger generations will find a "cure" with time. I don't think it will improve very soon.
I always just try to tell folks to be cognizant that LEO have absolutely no idea who they are approaching... and firearms safety makes me know to keep my hands visible and keep others around me informed of my status, armed, unarmed, loaded or empty.
On the range the gun is always pointed down range and when at rest the action is open so all know it's unloaded. In the car the LEO doesn't even know if a firearm is there so information is key for safety precautions that never stop, from the car to the house to the range to the field..
Ha! ... He actually said he had a stop about a week earlier of another guy (speeding) who had been stopped in the other town too. He got warning first stop... and then a ticket.
Enjoyed your accounts of those’easy encounters’ Kelly, but it immediately made me think of a Tecumseh police friend who died from gunfire in a ‘routine’ late night traffic stop a few years ago.
But I’m also thinking of all those readers ‘of color’ that might be thinking… “he got off bc he’s white”. Yes, we’re weary of the racial discussions (I certainly am) but, I’m reminded of this bc of a recent (Caucasian) game warden encounter with a young (black) fisherman.
Approached and asked for his fishing license, the young man calmly replied he didn’t have one but that he was only 16 yrs old. Upon request he produced an old drivers permit that showed he was really 20. The discussion turned into a ‘back n forth’ where the young man got louder exclaiming “so now I suppose you’re just going to shoot me like all you white cops like to do to us young black men?!”
Point is - you acted responsibly and enjoyed a taste of Americana where many citizens are having their outlooks poisoned by the media’s) inundation of ‘critical race drama’. Everyone’s lives (on both sides of a badge) are moving ever closer to a slippery edge but I’m glad (& appreciative) of how you handled the contacts and their outcomes.
Hi Carlos .. Indeed, it's those 'ordinary stops' that can so often turn ugly. So many heartbreaking stories over the years.
Common decency and respect go a long way ((unless I happen to be turning myself in for being over the crappie limit, then I might throw some shade just for fun. ;)
The national conversation is not constructive in so many ways. I hope younger generations will find a "cure" with time. I don't think it will improve very soon.
I always just try to tell folks to be cognizant that LEO have absolutely no idea who they are approaching... and firearms safety makes me know to keep my hands visible and keep others around me informed of my status, armed, unarmed, loaded or empty.
On the range the gun is always pointed down range and when at rest the action is open so all know it's unloaded. In the car the LEO doesn't even know if a firearm is there so information is key for safety precautions that never stop, from the car to the house to the range to the field..
Be good (and safe) out there.
Kelly, Only you.
1st officer called 2nd and said I forgot to tell him light was out!
Ha! ... He actually said he had a stop about a week earlier of another guy (speeding) who had been stopped in the other town too. He got warning first stop... and then a ticket.