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How about a little credit where credit is due.
Published Friday, February 1, 2008
I was a little disappointed this morning having coffee at one of the local service stations. I found out that the people we call police officers were not allowed to stop there but for an in and out for coffee.
Fine, I can take that. They can go out and drink there coffee in their car. They can keep their cars running day and night, you pay for the gas bill. They are not as good a citizen as you and I. They don't have the right to have meetings in a warm place to unwind.
I have been in this filling station a number of times, as a matter of fact I guess that I am just as bad as our police officers only they are in and out "normally" in 10 to 20 minutes. Probably in a lot shorter period of time than you normally take for coffee, and I have been there when they have had calls and they are gone immediately, 15 to 20 steps, they start their cars and they are gone.
It is a nice central location. I think that it should be a sub-station. They
can get to any part of town in a matter of minutes. I thank God their Sergeant knows that and so do they.
I many times come home between 1 and 1:30 in the morning and used
to stop there and try to unwind. I don't stop any more because I know that regardless of which bunch are on duty, they are busy. They don't just set around and sling the bull as you and I do when we have coffee. Even during the day, if they are training new officers, and we are fortunate to have new officers, or discussing new policies when they are done, the Sergeant breaks it up and they are on their way. Actually, many times they don't get what you or I call a coffee break.
We are fortunate as if they have been there for a half an hour so they give us something to complain about.
Just live in their shoes for a month and then talk about all of the fine points or their coffee breaks and how much more dangerous it would be to have your break was at the Courthouse. Not only for the patrolman but for the citizens, when you get a call to the north or west part of town. I wouldn't want to be on the side street when they are taking off. But then again, it may give us more to talk about.
Yes, I am concerned. I am even concerned about Global Warming, but I don't know all of the facts about that either, so I will leave it alone.
Clarence Hess
Fergus Falls
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by DogLover (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People just need to mind their own business. The officers are "On Duty" and are also making themselves approachable by just having coffee. I agree, let them have break in peace.
I'm sure many of the complainers wouldn't like their breaks monitored. I could care less if they were shopping in Walmart. These people don't get scheduled breaks. It comes when it can happen.
If you see them having coffee, offer to share one with them. or, atleast say thanks for doing your job. (it's a thankless job most of the time.)
Gas station breaks have been that way for years... in all cities. Big crime deterrant! And those people wish to stop that!?
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