another pet peeve about the movies (1 Viewer)

[Lew Crippen]

I’d have a problem with that as well, but there is no reason to assume this to be the case (at least from what you have written).

 

[ThomasC]

Sorry for going OT, but it's damn confusing having a Philip_G and a Philip_T posting in the same thread, especially when they both live in Denver, CO.

Back on topic, I've seen cops at my hometown AMC 24 and I have no problem with it.

 

[Keith Mickunas]

I believe that all law enforcement officers are obligated to uphold the law at all times. By that I mean that if a cop was out of his jurisdiction or off the clock and saw a crime he has to do something. Regardless of what the guys at the movie theater wear, they'll be acting as cops. Even if they wore security guard uniforms all of their actions involving a crime would have to be consistent with their real jobs, which means they'd probably have the ability to do more in response to some situations than a security guard could.

 

[Garrett Lundy]

Is it still 1975?

Seriously, in this age of $50,000 custom choppers in every county it hardly should be suprising that your typical "biker" belongs to the "professional community" (How my father would refer to the economic class of lawyers, doctors, politicians, and business owners) which are hardly the archtypical "Bad-Ass 1% hellraiser". In my area the average bike is rider by two people, cops with the larger than average income (welfare seems pretty "averagel" here), and the military (we are bordering Ft. Drum NY). So between Cops & soldiers I think you'd be harder pressed to find a less rebellious group of people.

 

[MarkHastings]

Why do we complain when we see cops doing nothing? If a cop is doing something, it means there is something bad or illegal going on. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be near a cop when he is "Doing something" because this means I am probably not in a safe place...especially considering someone is doing something illegal with a cop standing there.

Don't get mad - enjoy the security

 

[Paul_Medenwaldt]

Phillip,

A call to the management of the theater should clear the situation up for you.

Also if your concerns are warranted then you should attend a local city hall meeting and make the city councial aware of the issue.

Paul

 

[Philip_T]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. There was an investigation into several Denver police commanders double-dipping. While no charges were filed, it looked pretty fishy.
Story here
and here
and here
and originally here

 

[Jeff Gatie]

One of the biggest, baddest biker gangs around in my area are the Blue Knights. If you haven't guessed by the name, they are all motorcycle cops. They ride alongside all the "outlaw" gangs at biker rallies and charity events; doing the "Toys for Tots" run every year (pretty funny seeing 250lb. bikers on huge Harleys with a teddy bear strapped on the back). My brother is a local cop and he likes to say "We aren't afraid of any gang stuff because we got the baddest gang in town".

 

[Tommy G]

My dad used to work side jobs all the time and yes they are paid by the establishment not the tax dollars. There is really nothing wrong with this. Most of the establishments he worked for just wanted the "presence" of a Police Officer in uniform as a preventive measure. It's usually places where teenagers are present.

 

[Lee L]

In Raleigh, the police department allowed its officers to moonlight when off-duty and wear their uniform while doing so. I know they looked into the practice a couple of years ago when a new chief came on board but I don't remember if they changed it or not.


I think many municipalities allowed this since they could not pay their cops that well and it allows the officers to make some extra money. Also, it does increase overall visibility of the officers they have.

 

[Shayne Lebrun]

Double-dipping, i.e. collecting a cheque from the public coffers, and a cheque from the private enterprise, would be bad.

Shows of appreciation, like 'Hey, officer, thanks for swinging by while you're on your beat, here, have a coke on the house,' on the other hand, I got no problem with. Within reason.

 

[Philip_G]

I have no doubts that the DPD is crooked as hell, too many reports of financial mishaps, police brutality etc..
however, this isn't police, these are county deputies. And this is not in denver propper.

 

[Jason Seaver]

When I worked at a theater in Worcester, there was always a uniformed officer there Friday and Saturday nights; the theater paid for his presense. I always just assumed it was like police details at a concert or sporting event.

Not that I ever recall seeing him do anything, especially the night when Halloween 5 premiered, every gang in town showed up, and the crowd got out of control.

 

[Paul_Medenwaldt]

It looks like your hostility is towards the police in general and not with them on the grounds of the theater.

There are several Targets in the area that hire off duty police officers to stand in the front lobby and make sure everything is kosher. They are dressed in there official officer uniforms.

Like many have said here, give the theater a call and find out exactly who is paying the salary for their time while on duty at the theater.

Paul

 

[Mark Philp]

As others have mentioned in most cases the police officers are "off duty" (Yes I know, they're never really off duty) and are paid by the business. Usually they find having actual police there is more effective then private security guards.

 

[John Thomas]

I think the main beef here is seeing someone sitting around, doing "nothing" and getting paid for it. Jealousy rears its ugly head.

 

[Tommy G]

John, I think you hit the nail on the head. If someone wants to pay someone for doing nothing then so be it. It is the physical presence that is what they are paying for. I don't hear too many people upset that there are bouncers at bars and as a result their drinks are more expensive. The bouncers are there for a reason and that is the threat if you get out of hand there will be a a brawny gentleman who will escort you out.

 

[Colin Davidson]

As a former deputy sheriff I worked several "off-duty" jobs to supplement the meager wages paid by the county. As an example I worked traffic control, crowd management, one TV movie (as I recall the title was 3rd Degree Burn)and one TV show (Northern Exposure.)

These "off-duty" jobs were fully sanctioned by the department and county government who realized that these jobs provided extra income so we could live at a decent wage.

As a separate example - say the company you work for decides to send you to school for your MCSE. Pays the full way including the cost of classes and your wages while there. After you are certified you decide that there is some great money to be made working your days off contracting to others. Should you NOT be allowed to do this since it is profiting from the money your company invested in your certification?

 

[Philip_G]

Quite the contrary. But thanks for the assumptions. You have no idea what my profession is.


Bottom line, they're pretending they are there on "official business" by being in uniform, when they're anything but. Period, end of duscussion.

Now, back to my vacation.

 

[JamieD]

And again, you have given no good reason as to how you know that. So no, it's not the bottom line. But who (besides you) gives a darn?