My first (non)LEO encounter

[crakkajakka15]

Yeah i think assault is another possible charge since he threaten to place you in handcuffs. Dosent look like they have arrest powers anyway. These people are trying to clean up the street by enforcing the law, BUT THEY DONT EVEN KNOW THE LAWS!!!

Phone number and email address on end of video. Sounds like we need to e-mail them some OC training memos, and file complaints


unreal

[Penguini66]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Definitely NOT police:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7TU7YtizB0

WOW! Not even really sure what to say. On one hand, I've got to commend them for taking a stand. We need more people like them in this world. On the other hand, from this incident, it seems at least one of them is on a power trip and has forgotten that police/LE power is granted to LE from the people. These guys, while their presence is probably greatly appreciated, I would assume that no power has been officially given to them by the local people. Extra eyes and ears taking a proactive stance: Yes. But no more official power granted to them than what you and I have as regular citizens. Essentially, this guy stepped out of bounds simply by telling someone "what to do" under the false pretenses of impersonating law enforcement.

If it were me, and even as awful as the experience was, I'd want to give them a second chance by going to the top of their "command" with a training memo first before trying to start any trouble. At least to see what their official response to the incident would be. Catch more flies with honey as they say. When it goes south, at least you can't second guess yourself for not trying.

Then, at least we'll know where the open carry litter pick-up day should be.

[guyferg]

Here's more info on this group

http://malcolmxpark.org/?p=386

[knighthawk06699]

Originally Posted by truecrimson

The wrap up to our weekend in Philly was accompanying my fiances family fishing in the Delaware river at Frankford Arsenal. I was OC as usual. I had asked if the fishing area/park was local, state, or federal, and was told local.

There were a few other people fishing when we arrived, and backed into a spot. Monicas brother and I set up the chairs, got out the food and drinks, and he showed me how they rig for fishing in the river. He got his line in the water, and I got Monica's rerigged for the different type of fishing, then passed it to him for baiting. Then I began working on rerigging my line. By this time we've been there about 30 minutes setting up. It was a new rigging method for me, and it took a couple of tries, and watching her brother to get it.

I was working on mine when this large Hulk Hogan looking guy (not uniformed) walks up to me. I said "Hi", and he immediately said "I need you to cover that thing up!" It took a minute for my mind to catch up, and that was a minute too long for him. He asked if I had a "permit". I said yes. He immediately launched into a tirade of how OC isn't legal, an LTCF is for concealed only, he is a LEO and doesn't carry openly, there are children here, etc, etc, etc.

PA Patriots advice on not speaking to LEOs was moot as I couldn't get a word in edgewise. I don't remember all the details, but I do remember he was rude, angry, authoritarian, demanding, physically menacing, and threatened to call park rangers, state police, and 12th district police, and handcuff me himself. I kept trying to say it's legal, but he kept cutting me off. I offered him a brochure, and he refused. He never asked me to identify myself, or to show him any documents.

I asked for name and badge number and he gave me his card (Eastwick Bike Patrol 12th District), and said "If you want to bust balls, I can bust balls". I said I just want to write a letter. He launched into another tirade against OC, and about ball busting, said he was a LT with Narcotics, then said the magic words; "This is a federal reserve.", and he threatened to call the Federal Park Rangers and have everything from my car to my fishing gear confiscated.

At that point I caved. I was out of my territory, and for all I knew it might have been Federal land. I figured it would be better to comply and research it later, rather than be headstrong but wrong and screw myself. So I went beyond compliance, took off my gun and holster, and placed them in the glove compartment of my vehicle.

That seemed to satisfy him, and shortly after he left. Monica was almost in tears during the incident, and very upset afterward. Even now she doesn't want to talk about it. She is afraid I am going to ruin our lives with this. After a while she loosened up again, and we had a good time fishing. She caught 3 stripers, and a red eared sunfish. I caught lots of seaweed.

Upon arriving home I began researching whether it was indeed Federal land, and contacted Rich, and Greg about it (thank guys). According to their translation of the info we can find it is in fact not Federal Land, and I'm pissed. To top it off, when I started looking into where to mail the letters I discovered that the "Eastwick Bike Patrol 12th District" listed on this jokers card is not a division of the PPD, but a community watch type organization. I called the 12th District to confirm and was told that "Eastwick Bike Patrol" are not LEO, and there is no one with this gentlemans name working in the 12th district at all, let alone overseeing community watch programs. He is not a sworn LEO.

Well, that's it as best I can recall. I'm livid right now, and upset that I caved in to a civilian crime watch asshole.

That is impersonating a Officer of the Law a felony!!! Hold him to that, he didn't need to be a dick and he did not need to lie and say he was Leo. Unacceptable this shit has got to stop and today!!!

[reverserboy]

The OP should persue this matter. That asshole needs to be put in his place. It's likely not the first time he's pulled something like this. Being harassed by cops is bad enough. We don't need it from wannabees who like playing cop.

[Asmodeus6]

It started to quack like a duck when he kept interrupting you...
When he said officer I would have said badge.

When he continued yapping I would have simply ignored him. No badge, no cop.
Period.

I had an off duty police officer step into an argument in my store once. The first thing he did was open his badge wallet and say "I'm a police officer" What is the problem here?

I'd nail this guy.

[soberbyker]

This may not really matter since the guy was not really a LEO but the 12th district in Philly is in the SOUTHWEST part of the city, the arsenal is in the NORTHEAST section, what was he even doing there pretending to be an LEO.

Bill.

.

[gnbrotz]

I agree that this should be pursued. You know how to reach me if there is any way at all that I can be of additional assistance.

Now we just need a list of the public parks that are actually in the twelfth district so we can go see how nice they are.

[granuale]

Originally Posted by gnbrotz

Now we just need a list of the public parks that are actually in the twelfth district so we can go see how nice they are.

They're not nice at all. This area is pure ghetto - I'm a couple minutes away, and drive through on occasion. Not a good area to be in at all. I suggest if there is an open carry event/demonstration there, you leave the wife and kids at home.

To the OP, I hope you do file charges against this guy. After watching the video posted, It's clear they mean to impersonate the police. If all they wanted to be was a town watch, I think that would be great. The uniforms, badges, and titles however show these guys have a screw loose and need to be reigned in.

[chrisjames_71]

As an LEO my advice would be:

1. File a police report ASAP, we don't take too kindly to folks impersonating us. Even if it was in his "community watch program's" area, he still can't tell ya to cover up.

2. Ask to see his/her official id (NOT his badge, his creds), let them know a business card doesnt cut it and for your safety, feel free to request a uniformed officer to respond. Can always call 911 and make him ID himself to the dispatch.

3. Stay safe