I had just finished work around 5 am and decided to stop off at the local plaza that has a 24 hour store to pick up some stuff for breakfast. There are always a few cars that seem to park themselves overnight with no hassles, but the parking lot is large enough to accommodate many cars. I pulled up towards the store where I saw one car parked. It was a very dark smoky grey, almost black, with tinted windows. If you aimed your headlights at the right angle towards the side of the car, just before noticing the several antennae, you might see a slightly lighter smoky grey outline of POLICE written on the side. This is not a post about police cars being designed so as to not look like police cars, which are normally white with blue and red lettering and several lights sticking up from the roof. This is about police cars sitting in an almost empty parking lot with exhaust fumes coming out of the vehicle. And no driver, or occupant sitting in said vehicle. Unless someone was laying back with the seat in a reclining position, it seemed to be empty which was a slight cause for concern - one can not be too wary when spotting an unmarked police vehicle lurking in the dark with an absent driver.
However, mystery solved when he was spotted at the checkout counter of the drug store. Buying a snack and chatting with the cashier, he was. Another customer and I had a little discussion about this after he left the store. None of us had quite the nerve to confront him on the minor issue of his idling car (which brings a maximum $5,000 fine). The other customer wished he had one of the bookmark things the cops hand out as a 'reminder' to not idle to put under his windshield. I wished it had been a bit lighter (the dawn, the tinted windows and the obvious POLICE sign on the car) and I could have taken a picture to send to the newspapers as was done recently when a city councillor parked in an handicapped spot.
Yes, it does seems there are different rules...
I was given a 'warning bookmark' when a cop drove past and I was delivering newspapers to this very same store. Yep, ran out of the car into the store, dropped the papers in the rack and ran out before the automatic doors could close on me. Seems, I should turn off the ignition every time I make a delivery.
The old double standard is alive and well, obviously.
ReplyDeleteDouble-standard for sure! But I still wouldn't want their job. Too risky for me! I appreciate what they do for us.
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
You should have taken it for a ride just to teach him a lesson.
ReplyDeleteMany cops don't practice what they preach, which obviously doesn't serve as a good example for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteNow, that's ridiculous. There are apparently more noxious emissions caused by turning off your engine then restarting it than there are by leaving it idling a few minutes. Plus, it's way harder on your car to stop then restart the engine. Do they want us to do that at traffic lights and stop signs too???
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the others, quite the double standard. :(
ReplyDeleteJazz: the double standard is bad enough, but this was a little too blatant and completely unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteSueAnn: I wouldn't do their job either and it is appreciated - though not their attitude (at times!)
Geewits: that might have been fun! I'm sure there are lots of 'toys' inside to play with, too!
Pauline: no, they do not always stand as model citizens.
ReplyDeletePinklea: not at traffic lights and stop signs, no. and not while going through a drive-thru, either. I guess this one figures not while shopping, either!
Sistertex: I do actually wish I had told him that there was a car idling outside that needed a ticket... but of course, I didn't think of it before he left.
If I were that cop, I would be a little concerned about someone hopping into the car and stealing it. Yes, definitely a double standard.
ReplyDeleteSadly, double standards will never die.
ReplyDeleteSusan: yes, it's not like there aren't many kids out way past their bedtime with nothing much to do...
ReplyDeleteGail: it's what keep the hierarchy of the uniform going.
In London they send a wheelclamping team after you if you park in the wrong place. One day I saw one of the wheelclamping team's trucks parked in a no-parking zone, with all the cars about clamped. I got short shrift, though, when I pointed out the hypocrisy of it. Wish I had brought my camera!
ReplyDeleteOne rule for one....
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
I'll bet he goes there often for his snack and does the same thing. Next time you can have a little note prepared to stick under his windshield!
ReplyDeleteDouble standard and environmentally unsound. Cops are a mixed lot - some good, some bad. Like any other profession, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThat's just not right-- on so many levels. The environment, possible theft, tickets. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteOh well....
Have a good weekend.
jj
Maybe it's a silly law anyway? I dunno. I woudn't swap their job for mine, I know that much!!
ReplyDeleteLouise: I'm sure you did. they likely don't appreciated having their faults pointed out - and quite possibly had an excuse handy.
ReplyDeleteCJ: especially if it is up to you to enforce said law!
XUP: I picked up some of those 'idling info' bookmarks that were at the library... I'm ready!
SAW: true. but this just seemed stupid on so many levels. maybe I should have taken down his license plate and reported him?
Joanna: yes, though it really was the stupidity of shopping and leaving the car running and untended. surely nobody with half a brain would do that?
Sag: I don't know how well it is enforced. when I was stopped while delivering the papers, the cop had me idling for another 8 minutes while he prattled on about it. he missed the irony of that when I pointed it out.
I found this story kind of spooky and disturbing. I've never seen a Police Car that looks like that---with a pale word 'POLICE' that isn't exactly readable and also where the windows were so dark.
ReplyDeleteDid he have a Uniform on??
I'm not sure I would have gone into the store, especially at that hour of the morning. You are brave!
A birdie told me it's your birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sanna. May it be a beautiful, relaxing, sweet day.
ReplyDeleteNaomi: Yes, he did have on a uniform. And it wasn't that brave, I am working outside every night and there are three 24 hour stores in this plaza. But, I agree, I find those cars a little disturbing - especially since I may have to find a cop and wouldn't recognize this one if I was in an emergency.
ReplyDeleteRuth: Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAm off to see Alice and Wonderland - not sure how 'relaxing' that will be, but it will be fun!
I enjoyed your description, it felt like the intro to a detective novel. I won't comment on double standards because enough well made comments are here. I enjoy your posts! And happy belated birthday.
ReplyDeleteMim: thanks. I try to play with my writing skills every now and then!
ReplyDelete