Raindogblue

Float IV

 

 

 

 

 

Assholes and Arm Bars

 

Last night, the Wagon called for a car on Third in front of the Church of the Infinite Being.
When I arrived, the tall EMT points at the drunk.

"He wants to fight."

He's right.

The drunk's pacing. His shoulders are squared and tense. He's jutting out his, bearing his teeth.  His hands are clenched and ready to strike.

I stand, pause, and let him take me in.

He's too angry, but if he'd look he'd see he'll lose if he fights.

The drunk is younger, but I'm bigger.

His stance is from instinct and not training or ability.

I try to talk him down. I speak in a calm, clear manner.

You don't want to fight. You want to go to Detox. They'll take care of you.

"Fuck you! I ain't going anywhere!"

You don't want to fight. Go to Detox. They'll take care of you.

"Fuck you."

The Jedi Mind Trick does  not work.

He advances, recedes, and advances.

He's testing my resolve.  He's looking for an opening to strike.

I look him in the eye.

You're under arrest. Put your hands behind your back.

He rocks forward. His hand is clenched and poised.

I don't give him the chance.

I grab his right hand with my left, anchor his elbow with my right hand, and force his arm behind his back.

He struggles. With his left hand, he grabs my shirt.

The Wagon's EMTs move to help.

I don't want them to be hurt. 

I turn the custody hold into an arm bar. I press his shoulder down, raise the wrist high, and step forward at half speed.

I drive the drunk down. His forehead hits the sidewalk.

As I cuff him, he screams, "You're an asshole! You didn't have to do that to me."

 

 

Sunset

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left Alley, Right Alley, Take Down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jail Trip Treats

 

 

It was a two Otter Pop night.

I had four this week.

My favorite flavor is pineapple.

 

 

A Moment of Violence

 

 

 

There is a moment:

A car prowler with an arm

full of stolen property.

 

He is defiant to my commands.

He advances, cocks his arm back.

I see the hammer in his hand.

 

Then, he is on the ground.

His arm is up in a bar,

his wrist is reversed.

My knee is in his back.

 

He's lost his breath.

The hammer is out of reach.

 

I call for cover,

but the fight is done. 

 

 

 

On The Fourth

 

Due to the extreme fire danger to due a dry spring and hot summer, the city paired eight officers with eight fire inspectors to attempt to combat illegal fireworks. 

Patrol ignores firework calls. There is not enough officers to handle one in hundred calls.

Patrol has to hire officers just to make minimums.

 

Nights is ordered in early. Afternoons stays late.

Extra staffing in called in to handle the crowds and traffic for the public displays downtown and in the South Village.

The Afternoon Lt. considered canceling scheduled vacation days to have enough officers on the street.  

I worked OT with an inspector following aerials and motors from park to school, from street to yard. 

In our jurisdiction, if the firework showers or emits, it is legal. If the firework shoots, explodes, or bounces, it is illegal. The fines are $500 for possession and $1000 for using illegal fireworks

He issued the citations. I drove, provided the muscle, confiscated fireworks, and cleared holding calls. We filled the trunk and part of the cage. 

The inspector issued eight tickets.

I did not arrive home until after 0315.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off Beggar's

At 10, off Beggar's, I take a holding Suspicious.

A transient is rolling in the street between two parked cars.

I roll to the corner and step out.

He's under a car. I light him up with my flash.

He waves, stands, and says, "Hey. 

I know you want to know what I'm doing."

He shows me his hands, then points to the glass.

"The last time I was in town, an officer told me to clean up my mess. I didn't do it. So I am doing it now."

He has been using his hoody to sweep the broken glass from car prowls and tossed bottles into piles.

"I can't reach it all."

He's OCD and won't leave until the job is done.

Let me help.

I pull a paper bag out of the trunk.

We can sweep the glass into here.

He eyes the bag. 

"That's a fine bag."

It's for seized fireworks.

Using an empty cardboard six pack carrier, I help him for the next 20 minutes. 

Job done, he's sweating.

"I won't have been able to do that without you."

I grab the bag, hand him a Gatorade from my raid bag, and wish him a good night. 

 

 

 

The Sergeant's Quote

Per the sergeant,  in answer to question,
"Not my circus, not my monkeys."