Coconut,
That brings another question, what are your officers comfortable with us doing during a pullover? Is it acceptable to talk to the driver while you're processing whatever you need? - Different officers have different comfort levels, so I can't presume to speak for them on that. However, as long as you're not going out of your way to directly interfere with what's going on you should be fine, and if you stay out of the road even better. We're responsible for people's safety during the stop, and if you're out in the road the officer will probably tell you to move away. You're also one more person he has to pay attention to, so that may make him nervous. I've already told them you guys are out there to observe, and if you do your stuff civilly you won't have a problem. I suspect the reason the drunk guys had issue with you the other night could be because there were three of you, all shooting from the same spot on the sidewalk, which made it appear you were just trying to be intimidating and obnoxious. Just my opinion, mind you. And yes, here in Keene you are safe coming out to shoot stuff alone, but I would caution you on your interactions with the KSC folk, as a lot of them, especially when drunk, look for reasons to hassle anyone. And if they do hassle you, please don't be afraid to ask for a hand from us. We work for you too.
You also haven't addressed why the guys are allowed to pull over and switch on their lights just to get me to ride over. However, thinking they "punked" me is completely wrong. I wouldn't be out if I wasn't enjoying the night, and I don't mind pedaling a few feet whether it's a legitimate stop or not. - That's not exactly the case nor was it our intention, I wish you would've asked me that night and I could have shown you what we were doing. Long story short, as you know scrap metal prices are skyrocketing, so some people have gotten the idea to steal anything made of metal and sell it to scrappers. It's usually copper (pipe and cable) that they take, lately it's steel. The day before your CW thing kicked off we got zapped for over $8000 in storm grates stolen (yes, "they" pry them right out of the street). Many of our grates have been partially paved over, so you can see when "they" are going for one because the blacktop on the edges is being pried and carved out. Obviously, you as an avid biker knows what would happen if you bike (or jog or drive) onto one of these stormwater pits that has had the grate stolen...anyway we had been checking the ones on Main St. and some side streets. I was the guy checking the one down near Wyman Way and, yes, when I saw you pedalling like mad to get down to me I hurried and finished my business and drove off. Later on, when it looked like you guys were just hanging out near the Colonial, I told my guys to wait until they were a ways North or South, or on a side street to make car stops, to make you work for it. And yes, that was me your friend overheard on foot talking about giving you a workout. At that point we thought you guys were trying to make a nuisance out of yourselves and insert yourselves into car stops and such. Sorry 'bout that, glad you enjoyed the night (except the end).
I'm surprised you remember that, and I'm thankful I got my bag back. Is there a procedure for opening a case to try and catch people that perpetrate small theft? because I never heard anything after that day, so I assume they got away with it. - I remember most folks I interact with. Flag me down if you see me driving around tonight, I'll let you read the report...
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Topic: Copwatch Invited for Ride-Along - Got Questions for a Keene Police Lt.? (Read 24500 times)