unsat exchange with IL Conservation Police

[jasper275]

Many will say I'm overreacting, and will assault my character, but here's what happened.

I drive to a local lake because it's 71 degrees and sunny in my older caddy with my significant other. I park on an elevated parking lot about 150 feet from the lake's shore. I'm puffing on a cigar standing outside my car gazing down on the beautiful lake, glad to be away from the vileness of humanity. A couple of young guys have a stringer of crappie lakeside. I see a green Dodge pickup with a "Conservation Police: Illinois Department of Fish and Game" moniker on the sides of the pick up. It heads my way and parks next to me. Out roll 2 conservation cops, with glocks on belts and nylon thigh straps. I'm thinking, is cigar smoking illegal? Younger cop, about 25, block-headed, about 250 pounds, grins at me and asks "Are you fishing?"

My first thought (thanks THR) was "5th Amendment," I don't have to answer this kid. My sarcastic next thought was "Yah, I always fish from an asphalt parking lot 150 feet from the lake with no visible poles or fishing gear." I answer "no." He then looks me over, not apparently satisfied with my answer. "What are you doing, just hanging...round?" I'm starting to really think about invoking my 5th. I'm thinking "What the hell is it any of your business what I'm doing? I'm actually trying to escape harrassment by LE goons like you." I respond "Just enjoying the beautiful day, the lake, and the loud red-winged blackbirds." He responds "Yah, they are pretty loud, yep."

The 2 cops amble away in their camo utility pants toward the lake. They pull up the stringer of crappie looking for illegal bass that have to meet a certain size limit.

My problems: No probable cause to say anything to me other than "good afternoon sir, a gorgeous day, isn't it?"

underscores in my mind that we're a Police State.

explains why I don't hunt or fish--I'm at the further mercy of laws

 

[rbernie]

So lemme get this straight.

A couple of cops see you at a lake. They come by, ask you a couple of innocuous questions to determine if you might be thinkin' about fishing without a license or loitering for illicit purposes, and leave when you answer them with completely innocuous answers. They do not badger you, poke thru your belongings, or otherwise hassle you. And that somehow corresponds in your mind to a Police State?

I don't think that you know what a Police State really looks like, my friend.

Many will say I'm overreacting, and will assault my character, but here's what happened.

I am not assulting your character. I am suggesting that you are lacking in perspective.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

Know a few refugees from Chicago and Illinois at my gym, doctors, lawyers, and accountant types who got sick of the garbage. One, the doctor, has recounted a couple stops he got stuck with because, alirght lets say it, he was black. And he's one of the most clean looking and refined individuals you could find black or white. He had to deal with cops when reporting stabbing or gunshot wounds, and pretty much told me most of them are on power trips and tend to not be brightest bunch.

He says really good things about our local law enforcement and how they tend to be more realistic and sensitive, don't make trouble where there is none. Plus he told me of all the corruption problems that run rampant through the Chicago and Illinois police forces. And that there has always been a suspicion that cops get up the ranks by making arrests, good or bad, so they are out at every bit to get someone. And if that means harassing and giving cops all around a bad name, I don't think they care.

 

[BCCL]

Also keep in mind, they may have had prior complaints with people in that area.

I had a similar thing happen, but after they talked to me awhile, they actually gave me a description of a car that the occupants had been harassing folks fishing there and told me to call the police if I saw anything.

 

[RobNDenver]

I'm puffing on a cigar standing outside my car gazing down on the beautiful lake, glad to be away from the vileness of humanity.

Seems like you can't escape. I'm thinking you bring the "vileness of humanity" whereever you go . . . but that's just my uninformed opinion.

I am wondering why you drive. . . after all you are subjecting yourself to the capricious interpretation of traffic laws. . .


Not so High Road.

 

[TCB in TN]

Guy minding his own business, needs checked out because someone, somewhere, might be doing something wrong? WOW! It is sad where our country has come!

Further more it is sad that folks just have to be critical of him for being bothered by it!

 

[Mal H]

Since this thread can go downhill along several different paths, I'll close it before the journeys begin. And, perhaps more importantly, it's off topic for THR.