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ArtDeco · 01-28-2013, 08:34 PM

Just got back from a wicked time in the Quarter as Mardi gras season gets going. 8 parades in 3 days, whew. Couldn't help but notice how cool the cops were in NO. I went to school there, so I know to give 'em respect and they do likewise to you. They were kind to everyone,giving beads out to the kids, one gave my son a fake spear from a float. One day, I sat a few yards away from the action with my dog as my kids were racing for beads. A lieutenant from NOPD left the parade and came up to me. Uh oh, I thought. He walked up and said "I'm gonna cut you some slack. There's not supposed to be dogs within 200 yds of the floats, but you and your kids aren't bothering anyone. Keep it that way and you're fine".
Apart from thanking the cop, I couldn't help but wonder how GPD would handle that. I probably would've been ticketed, or at least told to scram. Made me realize how BS alot of the stuff is that our players are cited for. Throwing sandwich bread? Driving too close to a garbage truck? Scooter violence? Why don't our cops use their judgement like these NO cops did?

revthejedi · 01-28-2013, 08:45 PM

NOPD has to choose their battles considering the things that go on in New Orleans. I'm in the city almost weekly and those guys can be absolute jerks.

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atlantagator86 · 01-28-2013, 08:59 PM

I think you'll find police in most tourism areas to be MUCH more tolerant and that should be expected.

Tourism is HUGE in New Orleans, especially now as they try to rebuild the city. The last thing they want is for people to not come back or to tell their friends about a bad experience with the police.

I suspect you'd find a completely different attitude from the NOLA police once you get away from the French Quarter and tourism areas.

I don't think GPD is significantly better or worse than police anywhere else. One of my best all-time experiences with police was with GPD in 1984 after we won the first SEC Championship. West University was PACKED with people celebrating and GPD was there in force but they stayed back and let people do what they were going to do and only intervened if somebody was doing something that was dangerous to themselves or somebody else.

UPD may be a different story.

geauxgator1 · 01-28-2013, 08:59 PM

GPD is out of control. However if the citizens continue to allow it, then it's nobody's fault but their own. You get the government you deserve, as the saying goes.

petro · 01-28-2013, 09:00 PM

To their credit, the local taxpayers sprang for a special 20 hour 'Teabag Tolerance' class. It's that type of specialized training that really defines a PD. G-ville citizens need to pony up that tax money for specialized training courses. Like 'how to spot a terrorist on a scooter'. Or...'oooooohhhhh!!!! I smell something'.

GPD. Saving the world. One jaywalker at a time.

**OaktownGator** · 01-28-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtDeco

Just got back from a wicked time in the Quarter as Mardi gras season gets going. 8 parades in 3 days, whew. Couldn't help but notice how cool the cops were in NO. I went to school there, so I know to give 'em respect and they do likewise to you. They were kind to everyone,giving beads out to the kids, one gave my son a fake spear from a float. One day, I sat a few yards away from the action with my dog as my kids were racing for beads. A lieutenant from NOPD left the parade and came up to me. Uh oh, I thought. He walked up and said "I'm gonna cut you some slack. There's not supposed to be dogs within 200 yds of the floats, but you and your kids aren't bothering anyone. Keep it that way and you're fine".
Apart from thanking the cop, I couldn't help but wonder how GPD would handle that. I probably would've been ticketed, or at least told to scram. Made me realize how BS alot of the stuff is that our players are cited for. Throwing sandwich bread? Driving too close to a garbage truck? Scooter violence? Why don't our cops use their judgement like these NO cops did?

Good to hear the good stories when they happen.

I won't comment on GPD... you know the saying - "if you can't say anything nice...".

malscott · 01-28-2013, 09:20 PM

Generally speaking, the University Police departments are the worst. And if correctly graded...UF would grade out champions! GPD is a close second. They should send those guys into gang infested areas of big cities so when they get out they would be grateful for people that are simply speeding or guilty of minor infractions. All these overzealous guys end up shooting innocent people when they should be blasting the gang-bangers and thugs in a big sweep. The problem is many times some cops, and I'm saying 'some' often act not much different then the chumps they're going after. Power hungry...above the law attitude. It's always the nice cops that get shot too. Maybe that's why a lot of them are asses? We're slowly working our way into a complete and total police state. So , be prepared. Especially when they get all the guns. Cops, government and criminals have the weapons. I have personally had some pretty decent experiences with cops all over the place. Then again, I don't break any laws. Except for one time I was pulled over for speeding. I was going 50 in a 40MPH zone. I got out of the car and he told me, your a lucky man, I had my hand on my gun. I must have looked too clean cut and he wanted to shoot me. A tad trigger happy. A old white guy in a Lexus...must be profilin' me.