Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Oregon attorney slaps a policeman with an illegal parking complaint
The Canadian Press ^ | 19 Apr 2008 | The Canadian Press

Posted on 04/22/2008 7:23:04 PM PDT by BGHater

PORTLAND, Ore. — A lawyer who watched a police officer park illegally in front of a restaurant, then wait around while his meal was prepared, issued the officer a series of citizen-initiated violations.

Eric Bryant said he was sitting at the restaurant March 7 when Officer Chad Stensgaard parked his patrol car next to a no-parking sign and walked inside to wait for his food, the Portland Mercury reported Thursday.

Bryant told the weekly paper that when he asked Stensgaard about his car, the officer asked Bryant: "If someone broke into your house, would you rather have the police be able to park in front of your house or have to park three blocks away and walk there?"

Bryant filed a complaint as a private citizen alleging several violations, including illegal parking and illegal operation of an emergency vehicle.

Stensgaard was issued a summons to appear in traffic court in May.

The fines could total $540.

"Citizens should be concerned that he used his status as an officer of the law as justification for breaking the law," Bryant said.

Cathe Kent, a spokeswoman for the Portland Police Bureau, said Stensgaard would fight the complaint in court, "as he rightfully should."

Parking is limited on city streets, especially with many construction projects downtown, she said, and officers remain on duty even when they're picking up food.

"We are emergency responders and need to be ready to take an emergency call," Kent said Saturday.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; US: Oregon
KEYWORDS: abovethelaw; bryant; cultureofcorruption; donutwatch; ericbryant; oregon; parking; police; revenuetickets; ticket
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-106 next last
To: Steve Van Doorn

As you can see, this thread has progressed from the usual predictable cop worship to recognizing the real world of the occasional cop that abuses his position. When the abuse is not just a power trip, it is often due to the pressure of meeting monthly traffic citation quotas. In any event, cops are just like us and they also need to be accountable for their screw-ups.


41 posted on 04/22/2008 8:18:01 PM PDT by balls
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

As someone that has spent a little time on the job … the rule was, if your restaurant of choice didn’t have a parking space in front, pick another one. Only exception, if you called your order in and wouldn’t be more than 5 min. in pickup (and your partner was driving) … good to go, so to speak. ;-)


42 posted on 04/22/2008 8:19:15 PM PDT by doc1019 (Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13 ... nuff said.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: clee1
He then flipped on his lights and pulled through the red light, then turned off his lights and continued up the road at an unhurried pace.

it does not bother me when police officers do this... i apply the Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18 principle here...

"Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain."

i see it as the officer benefiting from his labor... just like i would not fault a grape picker from eating a few grapes while he's working...

43 posted on 04/22/2008 8:19:41 PM PDT by latina4dubya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: eldoradude

Most of the cops I see can afford to miss a few meals if ya know what I mean.

They’ve already been well-fed. Excessively so.


44 posted on 04/22/2008 8:20:09 PM PDT by Emperor Palpatine ("There is no civility, only politics.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
Perhaps the lawyer would like a ticket every time his car was a few inches too far from the curb, or maybe be stopped for 2 mph. over limit. Or a ticket for not having his headlights properly aimed.
Hair splitting works both ways and the police have the upper hand. As a practical matter-leave the cops alone.
45 posted on 04/22/2008 8:20:41 PM PDT by count-your-change (you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rwilson99

Another JBT boot-licker I see.


46 posted on 04/22/2008 8:23:00 PM PDT by Emperor Palpatine ("There is no civility, only politics.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: latina4dubya
"...just like i would not fault a grape picker from eating a few grapes while he's working.."


I would. Its employee theft. If you have several hundred grape pickers doing that the cost could be enormous.
47 posted on 04/22/2008 8:25:08 PM PDT by Emperor Palpatine ("There is no civility, only politics.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Emperor Palpatine
Most of the cops I see can afford to miss a few meals

I'm always happy to see them dining heartily, putting on a few pounds for a healthy pensioned retirement...

48 posted on 04/22/2008 8:34:49 PM PDT by eldoradude (Jimmy Carter, exiled former U.S. president, committed suicide this morning...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: clee1

The police officers do that all the time here in Phoenix. Just part of daily life, I guess.


49 posted on 04/22/2008 8:36:40 PM PDT by arizonarachel (Our miracle is finally here! Check my profile to see a pic!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Steve Van Doorn
I don't know if you live in a large city but I see it now and again...grabbing coffees. Watched one double-park while a firefighter got some cash from a cash machine. That was actually kinda funny. From the right angle, that would have been a good picture.

It's not too frequent, compared to the police, because fire trucks operate out of central stations - they don't have to patrol a certain part of a city where there's no facility available to them to do their job.

Cops spend 6-8 hours a day in police cars, dealing with people at their worst and writing reports on their steering wheels.

I'm willing to let them have a small one here and there.

50 posted on 04/22/2008 8:39:58 PM PDT by Psycho_Bunny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Unless the cop had needlessly harassed the lawyer or had a reputation for doing so unto others, this is pretty ridiculous behavior by the lawyer. Yes, some cops to have a chip on their shoulder, thinking that the general public has nothing but contempt for them. What a great way to plant that thought if it wasn’t already there!


51 posted on 04/22/2008 8:49:20 PM PDT by GLDNGUN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: count-your-change

“As a practical matter-leave the cops alone.”

Agreed - let sleeping dogs alone.

Having said that, the fact that an American citizen has to submit to the behavior of an out of control cop says much about how far America has gone down the path to a police state.


52 posted on 04/22/2008 8:50:00 PM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: inneroutlaw

Ping.


53 posted on 04/22/2008 8:50:05 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Emperor Palpatine

I agree. Make them carry sack lunches and use urinals. No meal or potty breaks. Keep those public servants working.


54 posted on 04/22/2008 8:52:29 PM PDT by CindyDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: JBCiejka
I live in a small town, and maybe I have a different picture of things, but they are always there where you need them.

I spend a lot of time in two small towns.

It seems that they are always there when you don't want them and never there when you need them.

I've decided that I just don't want to be involved with them, regardless of the circumstances.

55 posted on 04/22/2008 8:54:09 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper

You talking about lawyers or cops?


56 posted on 04/22/2008 8:57:03 PM PDT by CindyDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: count-your-change
As a practical matter-leave the cops alone.

What?

Why?

57 posted on 04/22/2008 8:57:54 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Mr_Moonlight
why some sleazeball lawyer would want to play 'Meter Maid', to a Cop no less, in order to raise a ruckus is a complete mystery to me.

It's an ancient concept known as "karma".

58 posted on 04/22/2008 9:05:38 PM PDT by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: eldoradude
The Cop could have placed a sign in the car window, reading:

OUT TO LUNCH


59 posted on 04/22/2008 9:41:57 PM PDT by Buddy B (MSgt Retired-USAF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Emperor Palpatine
Its employee theft.

i guess people are not capable of analogical thinking nowadays... that's much of what is wrong with our society today... it's really very sad...

60 posted on 04/22/2008 9:45:51 PM PDT by latina4dubya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-106 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson