A Follow up to my previous question.

[LYKOS]

I didn't read any of the responses since my last post. I don;t need to. I know when I'm being antagonistic and what to expect. Perhaps some who responded with curt and condescending answers should take that into consideration when dealing with civilians in the future...

I want to follow up on this subject especially since it seems to have went in my favor. No worries, I'd of posted a follow up had it not.

Here is the email I sent the dept on Saturday morning. I have omitted my name and address to maintain some sense of anonymity.

"10/31/09

To whom it may concern.

Tonight I got home from work around midnight. As is my usual routine I sat in my window to watch the foot traffic beneath. I live in the XXXXXXX building, second floor on the First street side of the building.

A friend of mine was walking home from XXXXXXXXXXX and I got his attention. He stood on the sidewalk as I sat with my feet over the edge talking to him.

For the first time since I moved into the Hancock a Roanoke city officer told me to get out of my window. He did so, over his cruisers PA system, from the intersection of XXXXX and First. Very professional (sarcasm).

Not five minutes later another officer came over and told me not only to get out of the window but to close the window as well. I told him I'd climb out of the window but I wasn't about to close it. I climbed out of the window.

He parks his cruiser in the XXXXX parking lot and I ask him what the problem is.

He was nice enough, professional enough and I have no complaints about his conduct, other than the fact he was talking to me to begin with. I explained that I have sat on my window ledge from time to time for the 17 months I've lived in the XXXXXX building. He asked if I had ever had an officer question me about it. The answer was short; "before tonight, no."

I asked if sitting on the ledge is illegal. He said he didn't know. But he didn't want people calling in thinking that I was about to commit suicide. He said that he has had to deal with many calls about the mannequin on the ledge at the XXXXXX and didn't want to start dealing with calls about me. I tell him that since he was acting professionally and not being antagonistic that I would not be back in the window tonight.

I must ask a question at this point. How many calls have you had on me committing suicide in the year and a half I've been sitting on my window ledge?


He leaves and I have an opportunity to think about this situation. I don't like policemen attempting to direct my actions outside the realm of the law.

So I call dispatch and ask for the downtown supervisor. They told me he would call me shortly and he did. I did not catch his name and that was a mistake on my part. I asked if sitting on the ledge is illegal. He said he couldn't see how it is since this is my home and my window.


Here are the questions I need answered.

Is sitting on the ledge illegal? Please cite the city ordinance or Va Code that prohibits such action.


If not illegal can I expect to be left alone or to be harassed when sitting in my apartment's window?


Thank you"



Yes I left out the part about the beer. That was simply to protect myself from having any sort of written "confession."


Today the Zone Supervisor called me concerning my email

He identified himself and said he wanted to talk to me on the phone rather than simply send an email.


We exchanged pleasantries I went over the story again, this time admitting to the beer.

He told me that there is nothing wroing with me sitting on my ledge or in my window. He explained, as some of you did, that they are concerned for my safety and an officer may stop to ask if I'm all right but they won't "make" me get out of the window if I am ok.

That is entirely fair and I have no problem with that.


He gave me his name and cell number, as well as that of one of his Sgt's, and told me if I had any more problems to give him a call.


He was professional, polite and seemed more concerned with serving and protecting me than "policing" me.


There was no mention of taking a tiger by the tail, being selfish, or any of the other phrases I read before I posted my last response to the other thread.


Gentlemen, as I mentioned before, I have respect for the job but the man doing the job must earn my respect. This Lt. did so by being polite and professional. (There was never a moment I did not know he was in control of the call)

Had he told me to stay inside so as to not shock and frighten people on the street in such a professional manner I'd of accepted his words as gospel.


It's approach guys. It's all in your approach.


Look at my previous post. I started off with respect and acknowledgment and was met by some with smart alec answers and antagonism.

So, in my final post I responded in kind. Please try to remember that the next time you dare a civilian to knock that chip off your shoulder.


It'll help your day go by easier, help reinforce their faith in our police and it might just make things a little safer.


be careful out their folks.


Peace

[Kimble]

This forum isn't meant to be your private soapbox. Don't create another thread to b!tch about the responses you got to another thread, that's something a 3-year old would do.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

It's the Lieutenant's job to hold hands and wipe away snot bubbles from public noses. Congratulations!

[PapaBear]

So, to quote a popular song of the early 60's - "Hit The Road Jack!"

No one is concerned what responses you got from the agency. No body cares that you contacted the agency with your childish, immature rhetoric. As stated in a previous post, quit thinking about yourself as an individual and think of the community as a whole.

It appears from your meanderings that the officers, with whom you were in contact, told you exactly what we told you about concerns.

You have no respect for anyone! You don't even respect yourself.

Enjoy the rest of your life.......................

[Samuel]

I kinda think this yo-yo "respects" HIMSELF far more than anyone else - far more than he deserves to boot...

[Joeyd6]

You can respect the job,but if you don't respect the cop from moment one, you end up with the short end of the stick. Cops don't need to earn your respect, you are to show it. Arguing with a cop is disrespectful and gets you nothing but in more trouble. I have never seen anyone argue with a cop and win, never.

I will bet that Lt had a meeting with street cops and they were all laughing about you, your complaint and the conversation with the Lt. I had that same laughing conversation with the Lt who then told us to make sure the complainer understood that a lawful order is to be followed when given, not questioned.

Hope you don't slip off that ledge and hot your head........