Werz wrote:Wow. I was thinking exactly the same thing. And you know that the TV news would take notice and publicize it, too. Free extra publicity.
But baiting the cops seems to be preferred because it's like a bouncer beating up a drunk: it's fun, it's easy, and there's an arguable justification for doing it.
MyWifeSaidYes wrote:If every caller could provide perfect AND complete information to the dispatcher, maybe.
But what about the trail of blood behind the MWAG that the caller forgot to mention? Or the group of people behind him trying to flag down help?
Neither situation means the MWAG is actually a bad guy, but I would like someone to investigate.
That won't happen if the call is dropped at the dispatcher.
The police SHOULD respond, but not treat the OC'er like a criminal without cause.
Here's the way I envision all of it happening....
Billboards (as they are less likely to refuse controversial advertising than say TV or Radio) that have pictures of people walking down a normal street with a gun on their hip. No long guns, let's start with what people normally carry. Add some big text like...."THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A CRIME.....VISIT NOTACRIME.ORG FOR MORE INFO"
This does it two fold...one educates the public. Two...guess what, police are the public as well. So you are educating them at the same time. Police can and have had a liability for not responsding to calls. Werz may be more help for Ohio, but I believe police/dispatchers can't successfully get sued for how they handle something. However, I know cases in other states where they have successfully been sued for not responding and not being busy.
Now, how I envision the call going after the call is received and the officer finds the subject...
OFFICER: "Hello sir, how are you today?"
MWAG: "I'm good. What seems to be the problem?"
OFFICER: "Well, we received a call of a man with a gun and I'm just out investigating to make sure it's nothing that's going to go bad."
MWAG: "Cool, well, I'm just out for a stroll and like to have my own protection with me."
OFFICEr: "Alright Sir, well, you have a good day."
Not much too it, but for one to play nice, both need to play nice. I can play hardball with the best.