"I sometimes wish that people would put a little more emphasis upon the observance of the law than they do upon its enforcement." ~Calvin Coolidge

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Please don’t insult yourself or me by pulling that card!

Well, it has started and I really didn’t think it would, this soon at least. I got a call yesterday to a local gas station in regard to a fuel theft. I rolled up and was met by a middle aged woman that had a small 4 year old with her. I asked her how I could help her. "Ms. Blue" begins to tell me that she rolled up to the gas pumps and inserted her debit card expecting to pump $20 dollars. The transaction processed and returned with a message stating "See Cashier". She got back in her vehicle, drove up to the front entrance of the station and walked inside. She approached the clerk, told her what the pump said and the clerk explained that it was no problem, she would set the pump inside for $20 dollars. Ms. Blue paid for the gas and several other items that she shopped around for and went back to her car. She then saw a vehicle pulling off from the pump that she had vacated. Learning that this person had just pumped her $20 dollars worth of gas and took off, Ms. Blue was naturally very upset, which I completely understood. I interviewed the clerk and came to the conclusion that both stories matched so I went back to talk to Ms. Blue. I explained to her in a very compassionate way that I was sorry for what happened but there was not much I could do but write a theft report for her. The first words she spat at me in an incredibly venomous tone were "Oh I see how it is, you think because I am black I’m dumb!" Then she raised her voice inside the store yelling "That’s okay, when Obama gets in there things are gonna change!" At that point I had a gut full and with my 2 weeks left before I retire I said, "Let me explain something to you, race has absolutely nothing to do with this call or what happened to you so don’t try pulling that card!" She muttered a few other things under her breath and demanded to speak to my supervisor. "Gladly!" I said "I’ll call him."

My Seargent arrived and told her basically the same thing I did. Ms. Blue was adamant that we make the gas station give her the gas. We both again explained that we couldn’t force them to do that. We told her to call her debit card company, dispute the transaction, then come see the manager as they instructed her in the store.

Ms. Blue was raging mad and once again attempted to make it a racial incident. It fell on deaf ears. There was a tattooed guy inside the store who just so happened to be caucasian that gave her $15 dollars to get gas. What’s funny to me is he was the only one to step up to the plate and try to help this lady. Hmmm wonder if she still feels the same way.

I can honestly say that when I handle calls I could care less what color you are. Race has nothing to do with it when you violate a law or need assistance. Right is right and wrong is wrong! Please don’t try to make it a race issue when the bottom line is either you screwed up and did something wrong or you just can’t admit that you’re an idiot. I think we are in for a long hard road in the next 152 days. This is what I won’t miss about this job!

I’m Out And We’ll Talk Later!

11 comments:

TheBronze said...

Great post Theo!

As long as the claim "victim" status, they're never going to go anywhere.

Anonymous said...

Oh for the love of God. I'm so sick and tired of people trying that crap. Excuses, excuses. Good for you, I still have to be PC for a number of years.

Berserk said...

"I don't think you're dumb because you're black, I think you're dumb because you put $20 on a gas pump without leaving your car in front of it to prevent this from happening."

Anonymous said...

This victim stuff has to stop.

Officer "Smith" said...

Thank you Berserk, you took the words right out of my mouth!

Kojak, I think I may have stopped the same person yesterday. She got from east to west awfully fast.

The woman I stopped asked the same question, in the same tone, four times. I answered her each time. Then, when I tried to explain it differently, she said "Just because I'm black you think I'm stupid? You think I don't understand English?"

I'm not sure where this came from... oh, wait, yes I am. It's because she's black and I'm not. Therefore, if she plays the race card I am expected to get scared, back down and not write her the ticket.

Yeah, I don't think so. Press hard, there are four copies.

Demon Deacon Dispatcher said...

Amen!! I'm sick and tired of the race card being used as an answer or excuse for ANY situation. Props to you man. Being PC has never been my thing either.

Evil Transport Lady said...

Ditto here, people need to grow a brain! Race my ass!

Kojak said...

TheBronze It just never ceases to amaze me bro! Have a Great Weekend!

Kvegas911It really does wear on your nerves, but unfortunately times have changed.Have Fun Times This Weekend!

Berserk I thought the same thing, I even asked her why and she told me that she didn't want to walk that far! Trust me she needed the excercise! Be Safe !

Fuzzysdad Amen Brother! Be Safe.

OfficerSmith Believe me she could not have made to you that quick she was big as a house. ahahah. Intimidation has never worked on me either, if anything I will stroke you some more!! Have a good week !

Deamon Deacon Dispatcher It has been a source of frustation for a longtime. Have a good time !

Evil Lunch Lady Preach it sister ! Hope ypu have a good and safe weekend.

Unknown said...

I think the problem is that playing that card so often is like crying wolf. After a while, it loses validity. The answer I so often want to give is "I didn't realize stupidity was a race"

Kojak said...

Angie I love that response! It is becoming way to easy to play the card, but when in works for ya you become ruled by it! Good to hear from you hope all is well.

Southern Bigfooter said...

You know, if some of these people would just watch COPS they would have our procedures down to a science. If you get stopped for a traffic offense and you have an "attitude" then you're getting a ticket for everything we can find. Also, If you're a White Male without a shirt on, then you're damn sure going to jail. Right Kojak? Hahahahahaha.........
The idea that some of these race-baiting IDIOTS thinking that we go around seeking them out to harass them because of their race is ridiculous.