THE BORE
General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: Loki on December 03, 2006, 03:33:45 AM
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I wanted to post this so as to get some feedback as to whether anyone has ever heard of anything like this transpiring:
I filled in for a waiter tonight at this restaurant I used to work at, and one of the other waiters told me that at the end of the previous night's shift, he was out front drinking ginger ale out of a clear plastic cup when two police officers approached him and accused him of drinking beer in public. He explained to them that it was just ginger ale and said that they could taste it if they like, which they refused to do. He said that he told them to smell it then, which they did, and they insisted it was beer. They then proceeded to write him up for this despite having no evidence of any wrongdoing. But the best is yet to come...
They then head into the restaurant where the other waiters are counting the night's tips. So they walk over to the head waiter who was counting the money and ask him who's in charge, and he replies that he is (seeing as how he was the most senior waiter on the staff that evening and the owners had already left; he's also a part-time manager when he's not the head waiter). They then proceed to write him up -- on what charge I have no idea, but apparently it's related to the fact that the other dude was in front of the restaurant "drinking beer" and this guy said that he was in charge. So they all go down to the precinct (they weren't arrested, just given summonses and a court date, but they went down to the precinct to protest the tickets) and are basically told that there's nothing they can do about it until the court date, and that the officer's word is final. The guy who was allegedly drinking out front even requested that they give him a breathalyzer test right there on the spot to prove that he wasn't drinking beer, but they refused, saying that "it's not their policy to do so."
Now I ask you: has anyone ever heard of bigger bullshit than this? Honestly, I was at a loss for words, and I can't believe that something like that could happen in America. The worst part is that these two guys are honest, hardworking immigrants who will now have a tainted view of this country (one even said to me, "man, I come from a fucked up country where people will just kill you (Yugoslavia), but even there they wouldn't do this"). I'm assuming (hoping) that these charges are misdemeanors, and that even if found guilty it will have no effect on their future bids for citizenship. Might as well throw a couple of other ridiculous cop stories that I heard today in here as well, because I'm honestly shocked that stuff like this can go on:
The head waiter (the one written up by these cops) was telling me that his cousin received a ticket for crossing the street while on a cell phone. This is in Queens, NY, mind you. Apparently the cop said that she wasn't paying sufficient attention to the surroundings as she was crossing, and he wrote her up. She had the crosswalk light in her favor, too. Unbelievable. How can this happen? People here cross streets on their cell phones all the time, and I cannot believe that there's a statute which says that you have to pay a certain amount of attention while crossing the street. It's wise to do so, since failing to could be injurious, but I can't believe that it would be illegal.
Lastly, the daughter of the owner of the restaurant was telling me how her brother got a ticket while driving his mother's car for apparently "going through a stop sign" which never existed. Seriously -- the cop accused him of going through a stop sign that wasn't there. When he pointed out to the cop that there was no stop sign, the officer got belligerent and accused him of harrassment. The summons stood.
What the hell is up with this country? I'm not positing that this is some nationwide trend, but I'm aghast that one seemingly has no recourse against the authorities in such situations. Yes, these two workers will have their day in court, and will hopefully be exonerated, but why should it even have to get to that point? Something is seriously wrong here. Is this America or communist Russia?
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I have a shaded view of cops as well. They are either out to get everyone or just you. I ride my bike a lot and i've gotten a ticket cause I did not have proper side bags for things I was taking home in a backpack. Yeah so what I had a large backpack on. I wasnt in the middle of the street and I have a mirror to see behind me.
I've also been accused of being drunk in public a few times. Walking home from the bar at 2:30am one night I get lit up. I live 8 houses down and 8 houses in. Which is basically 2 blocks. I was tipsy but I was not drunk. I had my old ID on me with my old addy so the next thing they do is take me to my mom's house and give me a ticket. I was so damn close to home it wasnt funny.
For me to hate the police would be a understatement i hate them. They dont do a good job and they pull that type of shit your describing. And the way you cant prove your innocence to them right then and there, thats bullshit.
If you are near the guy that was said to be drinking tell him when he goes to court that they need to make a point that they both went to the police station and requested to be tested. That should give them some credibility as they both went there to the police station. And if they still had the bottle of ginger ale that would be something to bring into court maybe.
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My initial reaction: in communist Russia, road fork you.
Really though, I'd be so upset about this. I probably would have been bawling my eyes out because it's so totally unfair. I'd be like "HERE, DRINK THE DAMN THING IT'S GINGER-FUCKING-ALE!" [And subsequently get myself arrested.] I don't understand why they didn't give the guy a breathilizer. Don't you have to have a breathilizer or some other kind of test to be accused of something like that?
I'm sorry I have no knowledge about the actual legalities of the situation. If I see my dad tomorrow I'll ask him if I remember. He's an ex-cop, current firefighter, and just knows everything about everything basically. NY laws are different from PA, but maybe he'll know something if I get to see him.
At any rate, this whole thing just sucks.
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In some states they are required by law to give you the breathalyser. In others however it is not required, all you need is suspicion of being drunk or drinking. Thats the bullshit part, and the fact the denied him from taking one at the police station just anger the shit out of me. Cause that would have helped his case when it comes time to go to court.
Seriously thinking about it your friend should have thrown the damn bottle at the cops face and splashed them or something. Fucking cops they are here to protect us but all they do is shit like this.
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It is in the nature of man to do whatever is convenient for him to do that he can get away with.
On these words I'm walking out to Tim Hortons, and since it's 4AM here and the streets are derelict, to honour this emotionally powerful story I'll pay particular attention to burn every red light on every street corner to symbolically spite the authorities abusing their powers.
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Broken window theory of urban policing gone craaaaaazy.
I don't have a major beef with police officers, but any job where you give someone power over so many other people is going to result in abuse. I've had someone close to me suffer a lot as a direct result of police, so I know it can get much worse than what you're talking about.
I'm really not familiar enough with any oversight mechanisms to give any sort of advice or comment further than that.
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I don't have a major beef with police officers, but any job where you give someone power over so many other people is going to result in abuse. I've had someone close to me suffer a lot as a direct result of police, so I know it can get much worse than what you're talking about.
By no means was I suggesting that these stories are as bad as it can get in terms of police abuse affecting someone's life; it's just the nature of these incidents that gets to me -- they're so arbitrary as to be frightening. It's like the cop just said to himself, "hey, let me assert my authority," (cue Cartman "you will respect mah authoritay!") and proceeded to act like an idiot. Unacceptable.
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Take it to the ACLU and see if they'll support it. It's a long shot, but if it gets a little publicity, there'll be hell to pay from community outcry.
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Get a lawyer and sue.
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I'd sue too. But first, I would call their precinct and find out their vacation days and try to get your trial scheduled for their weeks off.
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cop responsible should be put in jail for life