i got this email....

[kariya_the_dog]

ok, let me start off by saying this first.
I collect Texas police patches. I have been for sometime now and have about 43 or something in my collection.
I get a lot of them through ebay (it's just easier that way and there's a variety on there) but some I get from officers and some I trade off if I have extra.

I have a page set up that shows what I have in my collection. It's mostly just so I can keep track, and if I'm away from home I can show people if I find a potential trader or an officer I know wants to see what I have.
At the bottom it says I don't trade..mostly because I don't like strange people emailing me about wanting stuff in my collection (and because I usually don't get that many extras of things and if I do, they're generally given to some officers I know.)
But at the bottom I do say you can email me if you have any questions.

I never say on that page that I sell patches either nor do I list where I get them from (other than officers I know.)
I've only ever sold 2 patches...and they were to someone on this board.

So today, I get this email.

Subject: police patches
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 12:49:07 -0400
From: "Quinn, Kevin G" <emailwithheld> Add to Address Book
To: me

Interested in talking to you about the sale of police patches. Please call ASAP.

Kevin Quinn
Reporter
KTRK-TV
ABC13 Houston
(713) 504-6681

Now, I don't plan on calling him, nor do I plan on even responding to his email.

I'm sure the guy just wants some dirt about it and will make up some bullcrap story about how the whole world is coming to an end because people collect shoulder patches and how criminals will use this to their advantage and blah blah blah.

I've heard of people purchasing badges through a company before and using them to pose as an officer..but a shouler patch?

I guess I'm just kinda asking you guys why they would want info on selling patches?

[txinvestigator1]

You hit the nail right on the head. I NEVER talk to the media.

[Oldbillplod]

Why don't you respond to his email asking why he is so interested?
He may have a legitimate reason for asking.

[txinvestigator1]

Why don't you respond to his email asking why he is so interested?
He may have a legitimate reason for asking.

I doubt it oldbillplod. The media here is very slanted and bias.

[Oldbillplod]

Surely its worth sending an email asking what he wants, if it were me i'd be a little curious.

[Jynkxxie]

I would call him, just to F' with him though.

[kariya_the_dog]

lol.

The media here isn't all that trustworthy. And from one report to the next, they've done switched all their facts and deny things they say.
Some station here did a "report" on where I work.
At my job we auction off ex police cars for the city. Plain white or the HPD blue. We never sell them with the lights on (dash or overhead) and we always take off all the decals before we run them through the auction lane. (on some ocassions we do run them through with the decals on but they're usually wrecked cars and they wouldn't leave the lot with the decals on anyways)
They brought in a hidden video camera (how nice?) last year I believe it was and said that we sold cars with the overhead lights on and we ran them through the lane like that (and in the 5 years I've been there, I've never seen a car go through the lane with the lights on) and how we didn't remove decals.

So my point is, they say what they want, even though there's proof otherwise, and can and will twist everything around to make them look superior.

[Jynkxxie]

lol.

The media here isn't all that trustworthy. And from one report to the next, they've done switched all their facts and deny things they say.
Some station here did a "report" on where I work.
At my job we auction off ex police cars for the city. Plain white or the HPD blue. We never sell them with the lights on (dash or overhead) and we always take off all the decals before we run them through the auction lane. (on some ocassions we do run them through with the decals on but they're usually wrecked cars and they wouldn't leave the lot with the decals on anyways)
They brought in a hidden video camera (how nice?) last year I believe it was and said that we sold cars with the overhead lights on and we ran them through the lane like that (and in the 5 years I've been there, I've never seen a car go through the lane with the lights on) and how we didn't remove decals.

So my point is, they say what they want, even though there's proof otherwise, and can and will twist everything around to make them look superior.

That would be when I would fill them with a bunch of BS that NO ONE will believe..(except those that can't think without the media)...and have fun making fun of them. You do what you have to do.

[marine19860222]

call him and tell him that you are selling the patches for a good sum of cash for people that want to impersonate officers, then ask him if he is interested. Say in the most sinister voice you can, "but i only sell it to friends and i have no friends, will you be my friend?" keep going on about how you want to be his friend so you can give him a patch and just carry on until he gives up, lol. Messing with people is great.

[Somebody]

lol, just be careful what you say on the phone, or else you will be on the news for being a psycho with tons of police patches =)

[kariya_the_dog]

Hence why I haven't called them.

I'm sure somehow or another it would backfire in my face.
If I emailed him back, he'd probably become suspicious as to why I wanted to know why he was curious about it and if I refused to give info after that, he'd become more suspicious and then my friends would be showing up at my door to arrest me. lol.

[mcsap]

Tell him that you are a collector and don't sell patches. ( you might tade them though

[Zohar]

Tell him you need only two more badges before you can open the gate of time and destroy L.A. and there's no way in hell you're going to give up any of your badges, it will interfere with you goal. Next, immediately deny that you own any police badges, in fact, midsentence yell, "What police badges?" over and over and hang up. Then call him back and ask if he's interested in buying home owner's insurance. Next, see what's put on T.V. from your bizzare fabricated scenario.

I'm tired, what can I say.

[codered]

kariya, 'all ' media have an angle to why' they are asking questions.........in your' case , the media personnel are probably attempting to angle a story on 'how easy it is to purchase LE material 'on line'.

"This is Mud, i purcharsed a shoulder patch on the internet this past weekend, from a Law Enforcement officer. No wonder we have people that pose as cops, when anyone can purchase LE material 'on line' , its as easy as buying stamps at the post office....................back to you Cindy."

[APilgrim00]

I live in Houston. If you want, Ill call him :D