I would first like to thank and show my great appreciation for all of the positive feedback and encouragement we've seen here in the past week or so. The fact that a number of people have felt so inclined as to leave comments on the H.C.C.W. just goes to show that such things are necessary in these crazy times (times- are of course- crazy everywhere), but the fact that most felt the need to not only comment anonymously (which is encouraged), but to also actually omit the specific instances which brought them here speaks volumes on its own. I do, however, understand completely. This alone just goes to show how out of control things have gotten.
I do feel the need to point out that a police force is indeed an extremely essential component of any properly functioning society- no matter how quiet such a society may be. Also, it should be noted that anyone who voluntarily takes it upon themselves to uphold and enforce the law at a potential risk to their own well-being should of course be greatly commended. A very influential person in my past once told me "You don't have to like the man (or woman), but you should always respect their position." Meaning, one may not like their local mayor, or their boss, or the president for instance, but the title and the rank must be respected. With that being said, we should all respect the idea and the authority of a law enforcement official. However, such things are most certainly not a free pass to "bully", "intimidate", and "abuse" their constituents. Most of the officers I have encountered in my day-to-day life have been civil, seemingly decent people- and I would hope that they have good intentions as police officers. But such trust and faith can easily be taken for granted and quickly wiped away. I, for one know that I have only a fraction of the admiration for police that I had as child (and that's a sad statement to make). It's scary to think that folks would rather not even bother to ask the police for assistance when needed, mostly due to either unpleasant experiences in the past, or outright lack of faith in their skill and willingness to do their job to the best of their ability.
That being said, I'm sure that most would have nothing but respect and admiration for the local law, but only if the feeling was mutual.
I agree 100%, the position should be respected. But their position is to serve and protect. Therefore, they are not fulfilling the position, but rather abusing it.
ReplyDeleteI was pulled over in New Buffalo in daylight with my two children in the car with me. I had passed a car (who was turning left) on the right, yet I had crossed over a white line while doing so (a law I had probably learned at age 16, but later forgot). I thought I was within my legal rights. The cop asked me if I knew why he pulled me over. I stated no and he pointed out an illegal pass. I politely asked, "I passed a car illegally?" At which point he began to yell at me "Ma’am, you need to be quiet and let me talk!" I was quite shocked at his rudeness and so were my children. Needless to say at that very instance, my children no longer saw their hometown officers as their protectors but rather as bullies who verbally attack law abiding citizens, including women. A trait I never want my son to learn. It's a shame; not only for our community's children, but that this group of people can stain what was once looked upon as a highly respected position. I blame the leadership. I remember the days when we had a chief of police who served on the school board and coached little girl’s softball. He knew the meaning of serving and protecting and he taught it to his squad. Unfortunately, he moved onto a different position. I don't know the current New Buffalo Chief, I'm not even aware of his name. But I've definitely seen his leadership in action and sadly to say, he failed to fulfill the call of his position.
For Post: I would have to say that I have never really had any problem's with the our local law enforcement. I have a weekend home in New Buffalo Twp and when I am in town the local Sheriff's car always drives by my home and the deputy always waves (and it's not always the same one). I think that like anything else you can always have a "bad apple" in every group but my dealing with our local Sheriff's has been fine. I have been stopped in the city of New Buffalo by the the local officers for speeding, and I think those guys are bored or something so I must have gave them something to do. I have even seen more Sheriff's on police Harley's than ever this year and my kids loved it. One day when we were walking down to the beach two Sheriff's stopped on their Harley's just to say hi to us and to show our kids their bikes, my hat's off to those officers because they made my kids day. I not real sure about our small local departments but I think the Sheriff in Berrien is doing a fine job whith his people(sorry I'm not sure of his name). As for the bad officers I hope that you can learn something from the nice ones that I have dealt with over the past year that I'v been coming to this area....And good job on this Harbor Country Cop Watch site, I hope it makes people feel better....
ReplyDeletegreetings harbor country first i would like to commend the watchfull 1for providing us with this outlet its been a longtime coming.i have lived in new buffalo for 18 years. in that time i have watched the new buffalo police department degenerate into a bunch of ; to quote another blogger; jackbooted thugs. when i first moved here this was a nice place to live. the cops friendly and polite. in last ten years or so the old timers have gone and anew generation of short timers have come through here. i dont know where or how they are recruited/ but they must really be scraping the bottom. i sincerely hope that this forum will bring some change.
ReplyDeletea few summers ago i had a just left gym with a friend of mine. We went and got some food to eat and went to the park at the beach.A car pulled up and i knew one of the people in the car.We exchanged a few words but my friend mostly was the one talking to the people in the car. We only spoke a few minutes and then they drove off. My friend and i finished eating and was just talking in the car at the beach parking lot. There was a cop parked a few yards behind us.I turned around and waved at the police officer. Within seconds the cop car was pulled up to the passenger side.Then from there the cop asked me if there was anything wrong? and if this man was bothering me? I politely replied "No" Then the cop proceed to ask more questions. "Do you know those people?Are you friends? Do you hangout with these people?" my friend replied "Yes" to all these questions. Then the cop went on saying "Well you tell them i am going to get them. those bastards cannot get by me. you tell them i am watching their every move and when the slip i will catch them."Then the cop drove away and we left.
ReplyDeleteWe left the beach parking lot minutes later.I was driving threw town on my way back to the high school to drop my friend off. I was pulled over right before you turn onto the school road. One of the only female cops i believe in town pulled me over. She walked up to my driver side window and asked if i knew why i was pulled over. I said "No" her reply was "the reason why i pulled you over was because we have to check suspicious cars to make sure nothing illegal was going on."So i hand the officer my license and insurance car. She then walked back to the car to do whatever it is they do. I then started to get nervous like everyone does when they are pulled over. So i played with the light on the inside of the roof of the car. Then my cell phone rang and it was for my friend so i handed it to him. About 15 minutes later of waiting, the female cop walked back to my driver side window. She handed me my belongings back and then asked "What were you stuffing?"I asked "Stuffing?I do not even know what that word means." her reply was "Well i saw you stuffing something in your car."i replied "I do not even know what that word means" and explained about all the movement i did while i was waiting in the car. Which was playing with the light and just grabbing my phone. Then she asked me to step out of the vehicle.So i did as i was told.She then made me put my hands on the roof of the car and to spread my legs.( At this point i felt like a criminal and did something wrong which i never did.)Then she frisked (searched) me. She found nothing illegal and then asked if she could search my car. I said "Yes" She then proceed to call over her monitor (walkie talkie) to get a male cop out at the scene. My friend then was asked to step out of the vehicle and did so. We waited behind my car and right in front of the cop car. She then searched my car. The only thing she found was a pack of cigarettes, which was my friends(i was only 17 at the time of all of this). After the searching was done she said she found nothing and told me to be more careful. Then she just kind of stood there. I started walking towards my car and she started raising her voice and said " I could not go back to my vehicle" and a few other things i do not really recall. We stood there for another 5 minutes. Then we were given permission to leave.This all happened in one day within 15 minutes apart. All my friend and i wanted to do was get something to eat and relax and eat. And after we were done eating take him back to the high school for his basketball game.
When the cop came up to the car at the beach i felt that politeness was out the door. i was scared that a cop would speak to citizens of the town that way. i feel that this was totally unnecessary and the chief of police should defently work on that quality. And then within 15minutes after that i was pulled over by another cop. i was totally violated when i was accused of something i have no idea what the meaning of the word is.(The word stuffing? does anyone know what that means?) Then i was completely,utterly embarrassed and violated when i was frisked by the female cop. I felt she touched and grabbed me too much and felt private areas way to long, this was not necessary at all. These cops need something to look up to. The older cops who should know how to be: generous,kind,helpful,calm and involved with the community should teach and set examples for the younger/rookie, freshly new cops. As a citizen i believe and feel that these cops need work and to improve enormously.
Stuffing: Material used to stuff; esp: a seasoned mixture used to stuff food. You would be a stuffer. Meaning; One who stuffs.
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