Posted: 6/11/2006 3:10:45 PM EDT
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The wifes business trip got canceled today due to some bad weather in Florida. Left me with some free time today. Went over to Maxons in Des Plaines. (Yeah, I know what you're thinking but hey it's close by and you can shoot shotguns, AR's and pistols) So I loaded up the guns. Not too bad. A little on the expensive side but I got to shoot my new Mossberg 590, took my AR for a spin and dumped 100 more rounds through the Glock. All in all a pretty good time. The only thing that freaked me out at all was after I left and pulled onto Rand Rd. a cop turned on after me. I was thinking maybe he saw me pulling out of the gun shop and thinking about giving me a hard time. Even though I was properly transporting I still got a little freaked out. Stayed with me until I got out of Des Plaines. |
 I know that some people in front of me are probably thinking "oh, why is the Cop following me, I did nothing wrong". Usually means I have to DRIVE on the same road as you do to, we have places to go to also, and yes, we will be behind someone...lol. The best was I was driving along on duty and not really paying attention that I went turn for turn with the car in front of me about three times and for about 2 miles, as we pull into the Taco Bell lot, the driver stops right in front of me in the middle of the lot. I get out to see what her deal was, she asked (not rudely) what she had done wrong and why I was following her, I told her "The only thing you're doing wrong is blocking my way to the drive thru window so I can order my buritto." So remember, just cause we are behind you doesn't mean we are trying to nail you, just might be trying to get some lunch 
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That's why I turn when you get behind me. I'll quickly know if you're following or not. If I can't turn, I change lanes. |
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Sometimes I follow people because I'm just patroling. Interesting to watch some reactions. Funny how people's behavior changes when they are (or think they are) being watched by someone who has authority to take action (parents/teachers/cops, etc). I tend to pay attention to all cars ahead of me when I'm driving, mostly so I don't crash into them.
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I worked for a village in the northwest burbs in the Public Works garage and frequently ended up driving cruisers to places for service we didn't do, dealer, alignments and such. I found it very annoying that as soon as you got behind someone they would drop the default 5-10 MPH over the posted speed limit to the correct speed or UNDER, AAAAAAARGH! I usually resisted the temptation to ride their butts so they would change lanes. I know when responding lights and sirens in the fire trucks (I'm a volly fireman) the idiocy of people never ceases to amaze me. How you can be oblivious to a huge red truck, lit up like an airport, siren and horn going full blast, is beyond me. |
Yep, it prompts a massive behavior change from me. I get the hell out of the way because often times, officers want to drive faster than I drive anyway. On an unrelated note I had one speed past me about 60 mph in a 35 the night before last, weaving in and out of traffic. He turned on my road, did a U turn, and slowly went the other direction. Never turned his lights on or anything, so I doubt he was going to a call. Scared the crap out of me though, not because he was a cop but because he made some pretty dangerous lane changes in front of me at a high rate of speed. |
Not to get this horribly off topic and not to turn this into a debate.....but:
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Very possible (I'm perfectly aware of there being a ligit reason to not have lights and sirens blaring when responding to certain calls). I have no way of ever knowing why he was driving the way he was...but I'm shocked he didn't crash into me and the two cars in front of me with the way he was driving. Public safety is important and it is important that they respond as quickly as possible, but this particular officer is lucky he wasn't killed due to the stupidity that I observed. When I first saw him driving that way, I actually thought he was a drunk driver....it was only after he turned around and I saw his lights in the back window (unmarked unit) that I realized it was a police car. I would imagine that someone that'd drive that way in traffic would have a serious purpose, but there is no doubt in my mnd that what I observed was reckless. |
Once I actually pulled up next to an officer at a stop light (in my twenties), rolled the window down and asked if there was any special reason he was following me. He didn't even turn his head to acknowledge me. I guess some people's reaction to getting followed is different than others
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haven't shot there in years. They had a wave of suicides in there for a while. Hopefully it's cheered up in there a little bit. |
Man I cannot stand when people don't get out of the way for emergency vehicles. I saw that in McHenry Township last night, first came ambulance, MOST people pulled over but when the Engine came hauling ass behind the Ambulance, some dipshit almost pulled right in front of it causing a huge wreck. I hate peoples selfishness sometimes. |
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Nothing personal to any sububan LEO's reading this but I'll take a CPD over most of the suburban LEO's any day of the week. CPD (IMO) are some of the nicest most down to earth people I've ever met and had to deal with. I've actually built about 8 Chicago LEO's homes over the past few years. To me, the suburban LEO's tend to have this crazy chip on their shoulders attitude that I have not encountered in Chicago. Maybe I've just met the wrong sububan LEO's (and before you ask, no, I've never had any trouble with the law). Nothing personal like I said, Just an observation. |
I really have not dealt with too many suburban PD but I will have to second the CPD being pretty nice people. Despite their ideology and their gross ignorance of common firearms, I would even rate the CAGE unit (don't ask how I know) members as nice people. |
Nah, Arlington Heights way back in the day when I was a punk kid. I should have been bitchslapped for that one for sure  I don't have that kind of rebellion in me anymore thank god. I actually got pulled over for the first time in ten years like three weeks ago by a really cool officer in McHenry. He could have clearly written me a ticket but didn't. Cool guy. |
There are good people and bad people wherever you look. I think most cops everywhere are good guys but it's that small minority of a-holes that piss everyone off. |
Guy is a real asshole to work for and he's screwed over every employee he's ever had. |
Welcome to capitalism.
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