Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Widewing on January 10, 2014, 09:06:04 PM
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How was your day? Mine was unusual to begin...
7:30 his morning, I was driving to the office like any other day. It was snowing lightly. Traffic on Rte 347 westbound was heavy, but not horrendous. I was riding in the center lane as I approached Smithaven Mall, I noticed a dump truck creeping along, loaded to the gills with what looked like broken concrete. One by one, the cars ahead of me moved left or right and passed the truck. I went left. Once clear, I moved back into the center lane. We had good luck, a green light the intersection of Rte 25 and 347. I crossed over 25.
Perhaps 200 yards further, a green Subaru Outback in the left lane slowly begins to encroach into my lane. His rear bumper is alongside my door. I toot the horn, thinking I was in his blind spot. He kept coming. I steered to the right, half on the shoulder. Now, I'm fully alongside the Subaru. I looked at the driver, and man wearing a flat cap. He looked directly at me and swerved at my Jeep. He clearly misjudged the width of the Wrangler. I have 33” tires that are several inches wider than stock, and they protrude about 1” outside of the lower fender. The Subaru bangs off the Jeep, hitting the sidewall of the driver's side back tire. Realizing that he had really screwed up, the man panics, stands on the gas and takes off. I followed, flashing my lights and pointing to the side of the road. The Subaru driver refused to stop. Traffic prevented him from speeding. We drove about a mile west. Up ahead, a third land begins on the right. He jumps into it to floors the gas. However, as we approach the Town Highway Department facility, Several trucks are pulling out, effectively blocking his way. Traffic up ahead was stopped. Perhaps he realized that further running will only make things much worse, he pulls over. I pull behind. The “chase” lasted at least a mile.
Once stopped, I dialed 911.and turned on the warning flashers. The man walks over to my window and is swearing loudly. Meanwhile, I'm talking to the 911 operator. I rolled down the window. The operator hears his swearing and asked who was yelling. I told her it was the other driver.
“Mister, move away from my Jeep. Go stand on the sidewalk', I said.
“F#%& you!”, he yelled. “I'll stand anywhere I want! Who are you calling?”
“I'm speaking to the 911 operator and she can hear everything you're saying. Go stand on the sidewalk.”
“Is he walking away?”, the operator asked.
“Yes”. I replied.
The man walked over and stood on the sidewalk next to his car.
I described our location and the operator told me she was dispatching two cars.
Hanging up the call, I got out of the Jeep to look for damage. Nothing. No marks or scratches. There was a rub mark on my left rear Cooper. That was the extent of evidence that he had hit the Wrangler. I walked around the to the other side of the Jeep, opened the door and took my documents out of the glove box.
The man, best described as late 50s, 5' 10” tall, big pot belly, lousy taste in clothes, began being abusive again. I won't repeat his language, but suffice it to say that it was extremely vulgar.
“Do you kiss your poor old mother with that mouth?”, I asked.
“FU, blah, blah, blah.”
I turned towards him.
“It's time for you to shut up.”
“Why don't you make me shut up, you four-eyed blah, blah, blah.”
"Listen loud mouth, you want to escalate this higher, I'm right here in front of you. If you were going to do something, you would already have tried. So, just shut up."
Turning red faced, he said, "wait til that cop gets here and I tell him you tried to push me off the road."
I just looked at him “you really are stupid, aren't you?”
I held up my phone.
“Don't you realize that everything you say and do is being recorded!”
His volume dropped, but he still muttered.
“So, explain to me why you tried to force me off the road, and hit my Jeep.”
"It's your word against mine", he said.
Pointing inside my Jeep... "Do you see that thing on my dash? It's called a GoPro. It records everything when I drive. So, what you did is on video."
“Bulls__t!”
“You really are dumber than a sack of dead cats, aren't you? Welcome to the 21st century, Buckwheat.
He starts swearing again.
I walked over to examine his Subaru. He starts walking in my direction.
I pointed at him. “You stay right there.”
He stopped.
His Subaru had taken a beating. He contacted my rear tire just behind his right front wheel well. He had the classic Daytona Donuts. Circular rings of black rubber from the back on the front wheel well to the front of the rear wheel well. The plastic door cladding was badly damaged, and partially detached.
“Nice job, probably $3,000 dollars in damage, and for what? Why did you try to run me off the road?”
His face screws up tight and he says, “you think you can do anything you want, you piece of blah, blah.”
“What are you talking about, you mental case? I was just driving along minding my own business.”
The man started to reply, but I interrupted him.
“I'm going to turn my back on you, do not move.”
I walked back to the Jeep and took my paperwork off of the seat and closed the door. I pulled my driver's license, pistol permit and my bother's PBA card from my wallet.
“When is that cop gonna get here?”, the man asked loudly.
“Are you in a hurry to go to jail? They'll be here soon enough.”
No sooner had I said that when two sector cars appeared and pulled up behind my Jeep. The nearest officer got out and asked if anyone was injured.
“No injuries, officer”, I replied. “I never laid a hand on him, though I was sorely tempted.”
The cop smiled and asked the other man if he was okay.
The officer came back to me and asked what had happened. I told him. The second officer spoke with the other driver. Then, they switched. I repeated what happened.
The man made another rude comment, prompting the first officer to tell him to, “stand here and keep your mouth closed.”
I gave my documents to the first officer, the PBA card at the bottom of the pile.
We were each given a witness form to fill out (“between Xs”).
The other driver had his finished in about two minutes. I, on other hand, wrote a detailed report of what happened, the chase and included what occurred after he finally stopped.
Another call came in and the second cop had to leave.
Speaking with the officer, we discussed the man's strange behavior. It was then that the officer said that the man had told each cop a different story, and his signed statement was different yet again. I played a bit of the audio from my phone. “Geez, he's a real loudmouth", the cop noted. "He threatened you twice".
"I wasn't concerned." Lifting my jacket a bit, the officer could see the bottom of my holster.
"Permit?", he asked.
"In with the registration and insurance card."
"Got it."
We continued talking, not about the accident, but about my brother, who he knows from the academy. It was then I mentioned that I had told the man that I had video of the accident. He looked at me.
“Do you?”
“No, but he doesn't know that. Let me go get my, er, "GoPro". I want to see how he reacts. The guy is a technology dunce.”
“Go ahead”, said the officer.
I left the sector car and retrieved my Garmin from the dash. Back to the sector car. I turned it on and when the intro screen came up, I angled it so the other driver could see it (about 50 feet away). I handed it to the officer who could barely restrain a grin. I leaned in the door and we talked some more. The other driver was now pacing around, and finally pulled out his own cell phone. No question, he was very worried. After a few minutes, the officer hands me back the Garmin. He also hands me back all of my documents and said, “you can go to work now. I'll be here a few more minutes with the other driver.”
He got out and we walked to my Jeep, where I opened the door and put my stuff back into the glove box.
The officer walked up to the man.
“Okay, now that I have a better understanding of what actually happened, I want to hear your story again.”
The man went pale.
I walked around the Jeep, checking for anything I may have missed. I watch the officer escort the man to the sector car and seat him in the right rear.
I met him at the back of the Wrangler.
“It appears that he wants to change his story. He admitted trying to prevent you from passing him.”
“He did a lot more than that”. I said. “Did he say anything about why?”
“Something about cars blasting by and driving in some way that made him angry.”
“Clearly, he's a screwball”, I answered.
He nodded. “I've got him admitting to aggressive driving for forcing you off of the road and accidentally hitting your car. He wants to change his statement.”
“A false sworn statement... Compounding his problems.”
The officer nodded.
“Well”, I said, “thanks for your help. It's very much appreciated.”
“You're welcome. I hope the rest of your day is a lot better than the first part.”
"It wasn't so bad..."
I climbed into the Jeep and drove to the office.
The other driver was still sitting in the back of the Crown Vic as I left.
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Talk about a lousy way to start the day. Wonder if that nutcase is still in the slammer
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Nice job, Widewing.
Sucks that the other guy made it happen, but some people....
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Scary stuff there. Glad no one was injured.
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You sure handled that well. :aok
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:rofl
All the problems in the world and people still still go looking for it :)
Being able to own a gun in the USA is a good reason to be polite to strangers :)
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:rofl
All the problems in the world and people still still go looking for it :)
Being able to own a gun in the USA is a good reason to be polite to strangers :)
Yep the stranger may wrestle the gun from you and shoot you with it, as it happens.
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People are just fantastic!
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Boy the ignorance of some people nowdays is just incredible. I garuntee you had you slapped this nitwit he would have started sniveling he wants to sign complaints and then he'd sue you. Foul mouthed little cowards is what they are.
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The police gave me a form with the man's name and insurance info. I went online and researched his background.
He's 57. Lives about two miles from me. Has two prior arrests dating to the 1990s for domestic violence. One dismissed and the other pleaded out to disorderly conduct. A third arrest in 2004 was a DUI, fine and 6 month suspended license. These items surely came up when the police ran him through the system yesterday. Divorced in 1997. He's is currently employed.
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Boy the ignorance of some people nowdays is just incredible. I garuntee you had you slapped this nitwit he would have started sniveling he wants to sign complaints and then he'd sue you. Foul mouthed little cowards is what they are.
Exactly, Rich. This is why you ignore anything they say. He's an angry old man, who was looking to reverse his stupid judgment. Unless he was to assault me, I was not going to lay a hand on him. Of course, I let my phone document his behavior. I have a lot of LEOs in my immediate family and I have learned how to deal with people like him. What they say doesn't matter. What they do is what is important. His mouth was running, but his posture was non-aggressive. He was frightened at the situation his temper had created. At no time after the stop did I feel physically threatened. Yet, at the same time, I made him keep his distance. Likewise, before I exited my Jeep, I was already calling for assistance by the police.
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Nicely handled Widewing - as the saying go's, ya can't fix stupid!!.
My day was no where near as "interesting" as your's - though my wife and I put an offer in on a house yesterday!
Fingers crossed, we'll be creating our own piece of happiness in the desert lol..........5 acres, no neighbours, 1896 sq foot, 1000 sq foot 3 car garage (that's going to be my man cave for making noise errrr music in).
Hope today is going better for you fella,
Wurz
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No offense, but staying in your vehicle until a patrol car arrives would have been a little wiser. However, keeping the person talking was a good idea especially if it's being recorded.
If the guy had went ballistic which may have resulted in pulling and firing your weapon, unfortunately this would have gotten yourself in hot water for this crazy individual, definitely not worth it even if justified.
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Nicely handled Widewing - as the saying go's, ya can't fix stupid!!.
My day was no where near as "interesting" as your's - though my wife and I put an offer in on a house yesterday!
Fingers crossed, we'll be creating our own piece of happiness in the desert lol..........5 acres, no neighbours, 1896 sq foot, 1000 sq foot 3 car garage (that's going to be my man cave for making noise errrr music in).
Hope today is going better for you fella,
Wurz
I hope you get that dream house! Good luck.
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Drive a powerstroke ;)
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I carry concealed also, but in my state you are required to disclose that you are carrying a weapon as soon as an officer officially confronts you. Even if not required I wouldn't flash my weapon at an officer, ever. "Sir I am carrying a concealed handgun and I have a permit to do so" would suffice.
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widewing, i think you handle that situation properly, that guy was a dweeb. hope he gets what he deserves.
there's just one thing that bugs me. why bring up your brother to the officer? he doesnt have anything to do with the situation.
semp
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widewing, i think you handle that situation properly, that guy was a dweeb. hope he gets what he deserves.
there's just one thing that bugs me. why bring up your brother to the officer? he doesnt have anything to do with the situation.
semp
Like it or not, it changes your status from John Q. Citizen to "family of an officer". It should not effect how the facts are handled, but it does induce a level of professional courtesy. It also provides for a nearly instant character witness. Now, if you've robbed a store, having a brother on the department won't make any difference. However, that brother will get a call and informed of the issue.
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Exactly, Rich. This is why you ignore anything they say. He's an angry old man, who was looking to reverse his stupid judgment. Unless he was to assault me, I was not going to lay a hand on him. Of course, I let my phone document his behavior. I have a lot of LEOs in my immediate family and I have learned how to deal with people like him. What they say doesn't matter. What they do is what is important. His mouth was running, but his posture was non-aggressive. He was frightened at the situation his temper had created. At no time after the stop did I feel physically threatened. Yet, at the same time, I made him keep his distance. Likewise, before I exited my Jeep, I was already calling for assistance by the police.
These things are for real, and the stupidity of some of these time bombs out rolling around is hard to believe. I once had some nitwit ride me off the road for what he, later admitted the reason, was that he didnt like seeing a white guy zipping around in a sports car in his Hood. He got out of his car with a baseball bat and came at me. The only reason I didnt kill him was I saw a little girl in the back window of his car watching. This guy acted the Loon and almost got himself killed with his 6yo daughter in the window watching.
He had no real back ground. He even said he had no reason to start the altercation, yet, he started a violent encounter for no reason whatsoever and who knows what would have happened to an unarmed citizen.
No I laugh and wave at these fools and try to roll on. If your backed into a corner then your backed into a corner.
Morality and Politeness has just crumbled in modern society. Kids arent taught responsibility anymore, how to use the words "Sir" and "Ma'am", and always think they should have something coming their way "wheres mine". "I cant be at fault". To many boys being raised by Mommies and to few Institutions teaching them how to respect others and elders. Thanks to my old man and the USAF for teaching me different. The rudeness and disrespect I see on a daily basis is just disgusting.
Yes we do run detailed background checks out of car units now and clowns like this often have a history. Ive handled a few real beauts. I wont talk about them here but the kind where 40 shells casings are left on the street.
And over nothing. A rude, ignorant comment or a minor fender bender. Nothing.
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These things are for real, and the stupidity of some of these time bombs out rolling around is hard to believe. I once had some nitwit ride me off the road for what he, later admitted the reason, was that he didnt like seeing a white guy zipping around in a sports car in his Hood. He got out of his car with a baseball bat and came at me. The only reason I didnt kill him was I saw a little girl in the back window of his car watching. This guy acted the Loon and almost got himself killed with his 6yo daughter in the window watching.
He had no real back ground. He even said he had no reason to start the altercation, yet, he started a violent encounter for no reason whatsoever and who knows what would have happened to an unarmed citizen.
No I laugh and wave at these fools and try to roll on. If your backed into a corner then your backed into a corner.
Morality and Politeness has just crumbled in modern society. Kids arent taught responsibility anymore, how to use the words "Sir" and "Ma'am", and always think they should have something coming their way "wheres mine". "I cant be at fault". To many boys being raised by Mommies and to few Institutions teaching them how to respect others and elders. Thanks to my old man and the USAF for teaching me different. The rudeness and disrespect I see on a daily basis is just disgusting.
Yes we do run detailed background checks out of car units now and clowns like this often have a history. Ive handled a few real beauts. I wont talk about them here but the kind where 40 shells casings are left on the street.
And over nothing. A rude, ignorant comment or a minor fender bender. Nothing.
I dont know where you live rich, but around here where i live it's a middle class neighborhood. but I have seen a change in the past 3 or 4 years from people being azzzdoughnuts to a little more polite. I dont get amazed anymore when i see people both old and young hold the door open for anybody. actually I am more amazed if they dont hold the door open. it's not a perfect city or county or whatever, but I think around here it's a change for the better.
semp
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I carry concealed also, but in my state you are required to disclose that you are carrying a weapon as soon as an officer officially confronts you. Even if not required I wouldn't flash my weapon at an officer, ever. "Sir I am carrying a concealed handgun and I have a permit to do so" would suffice.
I did mention it to the second officer, when I handed him my documents.
"I'm carrying a concealed firearm, permit is in the pile."
He didn't ask to see it or ask what type. He merely nodded.
For the record, it's a Ruger GP100, 4 inch barrel. My preference in winter, as it can be hidden under a heavy coat. Too big for warm weather. For that, a Colt Mustang .380 is my choice.
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widewing, i think you handle that situation properly, that guy was a dweeb. hope he gets what he deserves.
there's just one thing that bugs me. why bring up your brother to the officer? he doesnt have anything to do with the situation.
semp
Like it or not, it changes your status from John Q. Citizen to "family of an officer". It should not effect how the facts are handled, but it does induce a level of professional courtesy. It also provides for a nearly instant character witness. Now, if you've robbed a store, having a brother on the department won't make any difference. However, that brother will get a call and informed of the issue
I agree with Widewing 100% in this department. Having a father as a police officer and at least a half dozen other family members does make a difference with other officers in cases where it is your word vs another party, believe me. It's just an extension of the "blue wall", it may not be "fair", but it just makes you a known quantity. My pops was president of my country's police association, and we have an uncommon name, so I often am asked by police from all over if I'm related, and have never had to bring it up, it just comes up on its own.
One thing I will say is that as smart of a thing the whole "gopro/GPS" trick was, why not actually just BUY an in car video. Widewing, your obviously a tech savvy person, I'm amazed you don't already use one. I've been using the Blackvue cams for about a year now, and myself was late to the party, but it's already saved me once in a case similar to yours, without the confrontation part. It's less than 100$, pretty much runs itself, and is HD and has a very wide angle lens, and catches pretty much everything except a rear end, which it'll get more or less anyhow, even though without the actual vehicle in the frame, it'll still be obvious on playback. In this case you had 2 understanding officers, sometimes you'll get that 10% guy who shouldn't be in the job and doesn't care, and is just PO over being called away from coffee to an accident of any kind. Having video is end of story if you're in the right, no matter who you end up dealing with.
Even for tickets you don't deserve, they are fantastic, in my case, I had an officer pull me over saying he saw me roll a stop sign, when in reality I had already stopped, twice in fact, because of an indecisive driver at my 9 oclock, but the officer missed that part, which can happen. Instead of it turning into an ugly argument, or an unfair ticket, I explained to him I had video running, and if he would let me play it back on the spot, if he felt I wasn't stopped from it I would shut up and take my ticket, as I could have been mistaken too (I was positive I wasn't). I pulled out my Ipad, and put the video up on it from the camera, which clearly showed me stopped for about 5 seconds prior to playing chug a lug stop and go with the guy who I in fact had right of way on, but yielded too because I was worried he was going to plow me. The cop actually laughed, and explained how from his viewpoint he made the mistake, and then we talked about other stuff for about half an hour.
Anyhow, I'm glad it turned out well, and you kept your cool with an obviously unstable hot head. Now go buy yourself an in car camera, or a couple of them. I run one on my bikes as well, and won't drive without it now.
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Teddy would be proud.
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These things are for real, and the stupidity of some of these time bombs out rolling around is hard to believe. I once had some nitwit ride me off the road for what he, later admitted the reason, was that he didnt like seeing a white guy zipping around in a sports car in his Hood. He got out of his car with a baseball bat and came at me. The only reason I didnt kill him was I saw a little girl in the back window of his car watching. This guy acted the Loon and almost got himself killed with his 6yo daughter in the window watching.
He had no real back ground. He even said he had no reason to start the altercation, yet, he started a violent encounter for no reason whatsoever and who knows what would have happened to an unarmed citizen.
No I laugh and wave at these fools and try to roll on. If your backed into a corner then your backed into a corner.
Morality and Politeness has just crumbled in modern society. Kids arent taught responsibility anymore, how to use the words "Sir" and "Ma'am", and always think they should have something coming their way "wheres mine". "I cant be at fault". To many boys being raised by Mommies and to few Institutions teaching them how to respect others and elders. Thanks to my old man and the USAF for teaching me different. The rudeness and disrespect I see on a daily basis is just disgusting.
Yes we do run detailed background checks out of car units now and clowns like this often have a history. Ive handled a few real beauts. I wont talk about them here but the kind where 40 shells casings are left on the street.
And over nothing. A rude, ignorant comment or a minor fender bender. Nothing.
So the guy was anoyed because you had a better car than him and he pulled a baseball bat?
if you had shot him would it be self defence?
Everyone has a better car than me :)