Punisher Decal gets me PUNISHED!!!

[Owens]

Hats off to TonyStarks

This was an unfortunate event, that sad to say could easily be repeated at another place and another time.
However, it was satisfactorily resolved by cool heads and hesitation to immediately react. Very High Road in my opinion. Something that I at times don't do very well.
A lesson for all to learn from. Situation resolved, sounds like a new friend made. All gain from this.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Gameface_XD]

So is it against the law to be in a gang? I always thought that it was 100% legal. If you are in a gang does that provide probable cause? I always thought that it didn't.

I like the way the officer appologized. Soundle like even though he made a mistake the department he works for is run well. I would feel lucky that your local law enforcement handles things, even thier own mistakes, so well.

 

[Chui]

"When i returned home from work, i had a police officer parked out front. I thought great, here we go again.
It was the original officer who arrived at the scene, who was being a total jerk. He walked over and introduced himself and extended his hand for a shake. I shook his hand, as he apologized to me. He said he realizes he was wrong for what he did and asked that i accept his apology. I did. He explained why he acted that way and said theres no excuse for his behavior. We talked a bit, i told him about myself and why i had the decal. He also had a BATMAN pin on his uniform which i commented on....

He gave me a $50 gift card for Outback steak house which i reluctantly accepted. I told him i was PO'd by what happened and i was considering writing a letter of complaint. I told him that i would not write the letter if he remembers this incident for the next time he pulls someone over. He then said it will definitely not happen again. I invited him inside for coffee which he declined but i know i will be seeing him again."

Good on him! You should offer him time at your local range and pick his brain about the gang situation. I'd also remove the sticker.

I'd also write a commendable letter to his supervisor while providing him a signed copy.

 

[Zen21Tao]

So is it against the law to be in a gang? I always thought that it was 100% legal. If you are in a gang does that provide probable cause? I always thought that it didn't.

Here is my understanding.

Some places like Sunnyside Washington, have passed local ordinances that make it illegal to belong to a street gang. However, in most cases NO it is not illegal to a 'member' of a street gang. However it is illegal to participation in any crimes the gang commits. This includes merely having knowledge of illegal activity and not reporting it (“accomplice after the fact”).

As for probable cause, if a gang has a history of widespread criminal activity and someone is representing themselves as a member of that gang then it is reasonable to believe that that person may be involved in the gang’s illegal activities. So yes, gang membership is probable cause. But this is a very gray area though.

Also, it all depends greatly on the size and scale of the gang. There has been recent precedent set where the Federal RICO act has been used against MS-13 because it has been deemed to be an “International Criminal Organization” rather than a local street gang. I do believe that if is used to RICO deems an group a “Corrupt Organizations they it also does become illegal to participate in that organization (i.e. be a member of that group).

 

[JCF]

I'd also write a commendable letter to his supervisor while providing him a signed copy.

Just FYI... the officer's initial conduct was wrong and, if explicated to his superiors, is likely to subject him to negative scrutiny one way or the other, regardless of whether he made it right to you in his own way later, and regardless of whether you compliment him for doing so.

I'm not saying you should or you shouldn't write a letter... that is your decision. Just food for thought.

 

[bogie]

Guys, it's probably a case of "lowest common denominator."

For instance, the local cops get a lecture on people moving blotter acid in the region.

The next day, they pull over a kid with his stamp collection, and send it in to the lab...

 

[roscoe]

I don't know how I feel about the $50 gift certificate. It doesn't pass the 'smell test' in my book. I would probably send it back and tell him thanks, no hard feelings. Or maybe give it to charity.

In terms of whether to write the letter - maybe talk to the seargant and get a feel for whether this is a pattern of conduct.

 

[chickenfried]

My vote, just a nice letter for the sgt. not for the cop that apologized.

 

[Caimlas]

I'm not sure telling him you had "drugs" in the car was wise ... while technically you did, many officers would see pointing out that you have legal, over the counter drugs in your car is just you being a smarta**.

No way, man. If they, for whatever reason, find justification for a search and find that painkiller, they could arrest you for lying to a police officer (I believe). not reasonably, of course, but I don't believe there's anything to prevent jerks from becoming cops.

 

[glummer]

Tecumseh

I am sorry but your completely wrong. Do you know what the definition of stereotype is? An assumption based on FALSE information. Meaning that right off the bat it is wrong.

He is not completely wrong; you are.
Of the first five dictionaries I looked at, four do not even mention falsity in connection with “stereotype.”
And the fifth only says “often” false.
The only common characteristic they all mention is “oversimplification.”
Look it up.

You cannot justify profiling or stereotyping when it is based simply on experience.

What else COULD it be based on? It's called inductive reasoning, and all scientific laws are based on it.

 

[Chui]

Get an Oxford Dictionary or an older Black's Law Dictionary. One would not use a Webster's Dictionary to define Quantum Physics terms; the same applies here.

 

[kellyj00]

i didn't read all the threads in this post.
I'm glad, however, that police are treating gang members with such disrespect.

Get rid of your silly comic book bumper stickers. I don't own any bandanas in red, blue or Black...nor do I own a white sox ball cap. Supposedly, these are gang affiliated in my area.

I've never heard of a gang that had Nascar stickers, go with that if you must individualize your vehicle.

 

[ptmmatssc]

I'm appalled that people would recommend getting rid of the sticker because it could be seen as a gang symbol to another gang . With that line of thinking , you better not buy a beemer or mercedes , since you don't want to get car jacked . Just stick with the festiva. People go on and on about the RKBA and how you don't need to show a "need" for a right . Well , that sticker falls under free speech and the same applies . Some people want to blend in and assimilate to those around them . Others actually like being individuals and act/dress/decorate to their own liking . I say , if you like the sticker , then keep it .

I've never heard of a gang that had Nascar stickers, go with that if you must individualize your vehicle.

Lol , I guess doing what others are doing is being an "individual" these days .

 

[RobMoore]

I'm sorry for skipping the 3 middle pages of the thread, but I feel justified in asking why you aren't talking to a lawyer instead of accepting gift certificates.

We all seem to hold our second amendment sacred, but I see this as a clear violation of the fourth, and it should be dealt with as such.

I'm an LEO, and I can say from my side of the fence that we need to be "slapped in the face" with the bill of rights every now and then.