Policing.......

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Added: Sat. Jan 24, 2009 10:54am
Posted in: Law

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Thank God for policemen/women.  We’d behave really badly were we not afraid of legal consequences, wouldn’t we?  I mean, I wouldn’t but some might.  But, sometimes policemen bring good news.  Sal and I went for a stroll on our hike-and-bike trail by the beautiful river that flows lazily through our downtown area.  We parked my gansta cah under a bridge, locked ‘er up and off we went.  After a much longer walk than we anticipated, we finally arrived back to my car, tired and ready for a glass of wine.  As I got into the car, I noticed a ticket on my windshield.  After cursing the ridiculousness of such an infringement, I took the ticket and began to read it.

“Your vehicle has been inspected by an Austin Police Officer.
Items visible in your vehicle (with a small box for checking next to each example):
*Wallets, purses, brief cases, back packs
Cellular phone or accessories
Laptops
DVD, CD video displays, LCD video screens
Other ____________________
Nothing seen; Good Job!

Your vehicle can be burglarized in less than 2 minutes.  If you see any suspicious activity, please call 911 immediately.”

The box beside, “Nothing seen; Good Job!” had been checked. So, here was a ticket that allowed as how I had just made an A+ because I didn’t have anything visible in my car that a thief could or would have wanted to steal.  On the one hand, I was thrilled!  Good news from a police officer.  On the other hand, that meant that I was so pitifully poor and technologically challenged as to be devoid of all the bells, whistles, DVDs, LCD video screens and other gadgets that any successful entrepreneur would have in clear view for the world...for bad guys or good ones alike who envied me my toys.  Hmmm.  AND, then I felt just a bit violated knowing that some person had been sniffing around my car, looking inside with great suspicion to determine what I owned.  I mean, what if I had had my inflatable husband, Steve McQueen, perched in the back seat?  I only used him while traveling on the highways and byways when alone...Steve and my gun that is, but still...

In the long run, I applaud the APD for looking out for me.  It must have been a slow day for drug dealers and other criminals who might be perpetrating a crime worthy of arrest, or my policeman was probably one who had been demoted for some reason and wound up on ‘car inspection duty’ that day.  Here’s the thing though...when I DO have all the toys that will fit in my car, damn skippy I’m going to have them on display for all the world to see as visual proof that I have stuff worth stealing!  What will they give me then...an ‘F?’

KK