Lawyer tickets Portland Oregon Police Officer

[sfb92]

In Portland

an attorney who watched a police officer park illegally in front of a restaurant, then wait around while his meal was prepared, issued the officer a series of citizen-initiated violations.

This is ridiculous, a lawyer files traffic complaints against a cop who parked in a no parking zone while his meal was being cooked.

This lawyer must have a lot of time on his hands to wait around and cause trouble for this cop and then file complaints on him, which could result in the officer having to pay over $500 dollars in fines.

When confronted the officer asked the lawyer "If someone broke into your house, would you rather have the police be able to park in front of your house or have to park three blocks away and walk there?"

While parking zones are there for a reason I think exceptions should be made for emergency services who could get called out at any minute. I can't believe people can even ticket the police, that is absurd. Hopefully the police can return the favor to this good samaritan lawyer. :rolleyes: If this lawyer ever needs the police to come to his rescue hopefully they will follow the speed limit, obey all traffic devices, and find a legal parking spot.

I hope the tickets get thrown out.

Here's a link to the article;
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...XDdngD9056O000

[DeltaV]

Florida law exempts on-duty emergency vehicles from parking laws. We can park wherever we want, even if that's in a handicapped space or on a fire lane. I'm not saying that I'd do that if I were just getting dinner, but I theoretically could.

[mxwelch]

In Portland

This is ridiculous, a lawyer files traffic complaints against a cop who parked in a no parking zone while his meal was being cooked.

This lawyer must have a lot of time on his hands to wait around and cause trouble for this cop and then file complaints on him, which could result in the officer having to pay over $500 dollars in fines.

When confronted the officer asked the lawyer "If someone broke into your house, would you rather have the police be able to park in front of your house or have to park three blocks away and walk there?"

While parking zones are there for a reason I think exceptions should be made for emergency services who could get called out at any minute. I can't believe people can even ticket the police, that is absurd. Hopefully the police can return the favor to this good samaritan lawyer. :rolleyes: If this lawyer ever needs the police to come to his rescue hopefully they will follow the speed limit, obey all traffic devices, and find a legal parking spot.

I hope the tickets get thrown out.

Here's a link to the article;
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...XDdngD9056O000

Sorry, why should his job get him any perks? If I go somewhere for lunch will I be afforded the same treatment? The officer should be setting the example, not abusing his position. Sounds petty but this very thing can turn public opinion against their police department.

[tenfour]

There's times when I park in no parking areas. If I can, I park legally, but sometimes it's because I'm on a call. Sometimes it's because I'm grabbing lunch etc. and I'll be damned if I'm going to park my squad a block away and have a hot call come out. Sometimes it's because if I park it in a certain area I want it visible to me, because I don't want to explain to my Sgt where the big dent in the side came from, or clean some sh bags spit off my window.

Is it a perk? Whatever...:rolleyes:

[mxwelch]

There's times when I park in no parking areas. If I can, I park legally, but sometimes it's because I'm on a call. Sometimes it's because I'm grabbing lunch etc. and I'll be damned if I'm going to park my squad a block away and have a hot call come out. Sometimes it's because if I park it in a certain area I want it visible to me, because I don't want to explain to my Sgt where the big dent in the side came from, or clean some sh bags spit off my window.

Is it a perk? Whatever...:rolleyes:

I can understand wanting to keep it in sight and being close to it but you an I both know what people think in a situation like that. I've had to defend POs many times to ignorant people who perceived something as an abuse of the position. I hear cops ***** all the time about the public who despise them. Things like this don't help. Now I'm not dumb enough to believe that a cop in a big city, or even a small one could park in a normal spot and stay close to his car or keep an eye on it, I'm thinking of the rural areas.

[Lawson]

Sorry, why should his job get him any perks? If I go somewhere for lunch will I be afforded the same treatment? The officer should be setting the example, not abusing his position. Sounds petty but this very thing can turn public opinion against their police department.

Because you probably dont have to worry about needing to jet out the door and into your car and out of the lot in a hurry when the next armed robbery in progress comes out over the radio.

[Curt581]

Sorry, why should his job get him any perks? If I go somewhere for lunch will I be afforded the same treatment? The officer should be setting the example, not abusing his position. Sounds petty but this very thing can turn public opinion against their police department.

It is petty and it doesn't take certain things into account... things like a loaded 12ga shotgun mounted prominently between the front seats, accessible to anyone with a tire iron.

Or would you prefer that I remove the shotgun and walk into the restaurant with it in hand? Oh, yeah... that would go over REAL big with the soccer moms picking up Happy Meals for the critters.

[sfb92]

Sorry, why should his job get him any perks? If I go somewhere for lunch will I be afforded the same treatment? The officer should be setting the example, not abusing his position. Sounds petty but this very thing can turn public opinion against their police department.

mx I don't think where he parks is a perk but more of a necessary requirement.

He could have to respond to a call at any minute, also as others have said he could have rifles/shotguns in the car, a laptop, a host of other equipment, and also he's driving a police car. I'm sure some people would love to vandalize/break-in to a police car.

In a lot of cities I've been to it's very hard to find a parking spot, so maybe this was the only place he could park and be able to see his car/get to it in a hurry.

I think people need to realize the police can do some things while working that the average citizen cannot, because it is necessary for keeping us safe as well as the officers.

[Roger Dat]

Mx while i understand your comment from the civilian perspective it is completely wrong. Sorry headquarters its going to be about 5 minutes for me to return to the vehice prior to heading to that active assualt.

Next time your on the road and some bone head does something stupid and you think to yourself wheres a cop when i need one? Just remember hes walking 3 blocks back to his patrol car so he wouldnt offend you by parking in a no parking zone to get a meal that he most likely will only be able to eat 1/4 to a half of between a steady stream of calls.

[CelicaGuy]

I have parked in a "no parking" zone while on duty. It was at a local pizza joint, it was me and two other officers out for dinner. We parked in the "no parking" zone, for the reasons listed above. Sure enough we got a call of an accident w/ injuries all the way across town. I am sure that every LEO in here has been eating and had a call come out that they had to run lights and sirens to. It's not a perk it is a necessity.

[Hockey9019]

I have parked in a "no parking" zone while on duty. It was at a local pizza joint, it was me and two other officers out for dinner. We parked in the "no parking" zone, for the reasons listed above. Sure enough we got a call of an accident w/ injuries all the way across town. I am sure that every LEO in here has been eating and had a call come out that they had to run lights and sirens to. It's not a perk it is a necessity.

For security? :confused:

[CelicaGuy]

No, hockey do you not remember I got hired PT at a PD!!!!

[txinvestigator1]

It is petty and it doesn't take certain things into account... things like a loaded 12ga shotgun mounted prominently between the front seats, accessible to anyone with a tire iron.

Or would you prefer that I remove the shotgun and walk into the restaurant with it in hand? Oh, yeah... that would go over REAL big with the soccer moms picking up Happy Meals for the critters.

So what do you do when taking a report call say...at a multi-story offfice building?

[txinvestigator1]

I was always subject to calls while eating. I, and my partners, always parked in normal parking slots. The 3-4 seconds it takes to sprint to a real parking space as opposed to an otherwise illegal spot is insignificant.

I had to run out and to calls many times.

The relationship with the public is strained enough. It is a small and simple way not to alienate them further and just park normally when not on a call.

And if your alternative is parking 3 blocks away then maybe you need to find another place to eat.

And if you read the article, the officer allegedly was a smart *** to the guy. Acting officious and doing these types of things does not gain public support, and it is just not necessary.

[CelicaGuy]

Can a citizen ticket someone in your states? I have NEVER heard of this here, or anywhere for that matter!!!!