To Catch A...Grandfather
A man in his 60s talking to a 2-year-old in McDonald's? Naturally, the retired cop witnessing this calls for backup! SFist blogs the Marin Independent Journal story by Gary Klien:
Units arrived on scene, initiated an investigation, and determined there was negative suspicious activity, as the male subject was the juvenile party's grandfather. The elder party advised units that he had effected a conversation with the juvenile "about nonsense" in order to "keep her entertained."
via freerangekids
Oh yeah any time I'm out and I see any male speaking to anyone under 18 I call the police. It's the only safe thing to do. The hell?!?
Fink-Nottle at July 27, 2009 5:50 AM
Every 2-year-old gets comments from strangers. If that prompts suspicion, it says more about the observer than the situation.
Pseudonym at July 27, 2009 6:49 AM
How dare a middle-age man talk to his granddaughter! Disgusting! What's the world coming to?
Cousin Dave at July 27, 2009 7:16 AM
On a happy note, I never heard of that blog before, and it's great! I especially love the story about marshmallows.
NicoleK at July 27, 2009 7:38 AM
How fucking stupid. Said cop couldn't watch and oh, see if the guy tried to abduct her first? But wait, he would have, since he had to take her home! All 2 year olds get talked to. They're cute. It's a sad world where they can't be.
momof4 at July 27, 2009 8:15 AM
Now who was it that said they didnt see ant bias twords me n from the justice system a week or so ago?
lujlp at July 27, 2009 9:47 AM
Lujlp,
I HATE the ant bias twords you. (Just kidding)
Fink-Nottle and Luj are correct. If you are male, you are a suspected rapist/pedophile if you are talking to anyone under 18. Next time you are at a park, if you see a man alone near the playground equipment, watch the looks he gets. It won't matter one bit if he has a child playing there. Welcome to the hysteria.
E. Steven Berkimer at July 27, 2009 11:54 AM
That retired cop needs an active-duty shrink.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at July 27, 2009 1:10 PM
Hmpf. Nuts.
I suppose I can understand it to some degree, think about the filth and horror that cops have to deal with on a daily basis, the base and the disgusting and the cruel, towards even the most gentle, helpless, and innocent members of society.
The cop may have been totally off base, and cynical as hell, but if ANYONE is "entitled" if you will, to the mental state of suspicion that cop displayed, well, if not a cop, then whom?
I'd be more disgusted if it were someone in the restaurant that called for police intervention.
Robert at July 27, 2009 5:42 PM
Robert,
There was a point where I would have agreed, based on what cops deal with. But the presumption of guilt isn't acceptable. Simply talking to a child, because you are a man, is now suspicious and warrants calling police?
Talk about guilty until proven innocent.
E. Steven Berkimer at July 28, 2009 8:28 AM
"think about the filth and horror that cops have to deal with on a daily basis"
Which this retired cop no longer deals with (assuming his life is now relatively filth-and-horror free).
In any case, aren't cops highly trained professionals, setting forth on a daily quest to discern good from evil and set in motion the wheels of justice in an appropriate manner? If anyone would be able to know the difference I would expect it to be an experienced officer.
In any case, I hope his fries didn't get cold.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at July 28, 2009 12:19 PM
Leave a comment