Cops hate me!

[ClayEdgin]

Man, I tell you what I am thinking about behaving better now.

Incident 1 - Chan, Travis and I get pulled over in Hooker, OK (yes, that is the town's real name)
Myth - Cops said that someone reported some "erratic behavior" from 3 guys matching our description at a gas station.
Truth - We saw a giant tire sitting on the site of a John Deere store and wanted to see if we could flip it, so we turned around at the gas station (not getting out of the car, not driving crazy) and went back towards the tire. A cop followed us and it was obvious that he was coming after us, so we turned around again in another gas station and said screw it.
Result - After a half hour of separate interrogations, we were sent on our way. All three of us had the same story about the tire and the cops just figured it was weird.

Incident 2 - Policeman happens upon Travis and I as we are excavating a large tire from a creek
Myth - Cop thinks that we are actually dumping the tire into the creek.
Truth - We pushed that 950lb SOB uphill for 200 yards in the mud and into the back of Travis' pickup!
Result - Cop ran our names, saw we were clean and stood around watching while we struggled with loading the tire because Travis' tailgate didn't drop. We finally talked the cop into helping and he got his shirt muddy.

Incident 3 - Safeway accuses me of smashing a large cement trash can in Tempe, AZ after Scott Porter's contest.
Myth - Safeway reports that they have video of a "large, muscular man" (I'm not making that up!) walking up to one of the large cement trash cans they have in front of the store, picking it up and smashing it on the ground. When management tried to approach the man, he took off on foot and then drove away.
Truth - Dan Harrison and I went to Safeway to get booze and candy after the contest. We saw this cement ashtray about 14" around and 24" long tipped over and the contents were spilled out. There was already a small piece broken off from when it initially tipped over. So I dare Dan to clean and press it, which he does. So the thing is laying on the ground like a keg and I pick it up. Before I even get it to my waist, a piece breaks off in my left hand and the can lands on the ground vertically (standing up straight). We go into the store, buy our goods and on the way out we saw a security guard and employee of Safeway standing there but they didnt' say anything to us. Nor did they try to approach us!
Result - ??? I got a call from the AZ police today (actually my wife did and BOY WAS SHE PISSED) and Safeway wants $200 for a new ashtray. $200!!!!! First of all, their super surveillance video will show who knocked the thing over to begin with and that the piece broke while I was lifting it and breaking it wasn't intentional.

What I found funny is that they would say I took off on foot. Anyone who has seen me knows that I ain't exactly Carl Lewis.

Who knows how this chapter will pan out. I am talking with an attorney friend of mine in Tempe who should be able to let me know what, if anything, I'm liable for.

FEH!

[DaneGarreau]

Lol, those are some funny stories.

[CharlesDMickey]

You are a. :F: and should be locked up!

:M: :KD:

[ClayEdgin]

Kevin Nee, will you be my attorney? hahaha

[Scott Porter]

Wow, that's funny. Especially the Tempe incident.

C'mon Clay, tell the truth. You ran away like a gazelle.

[Mr_T]

The Mad Crusher is at it again! Seek shelter quickly. :eek:

[Ryan Bakke]

clay, you seem like a hell of a guy to me!

Arizona Revised Statue for criminal damage says you dont have to intentionally damage an item. the damage can also be done recklessly. are you sure you wernt already boozed up when this took place? anyway the 200 dollar "ashtry" is under the required $250.00 to make the offense a felony. so the least you are looking at is a class two misdemenor with the city court of tempe. most of the time in my dealings with safeway they want resitution and no criminal charges brought against a shoplifter etc. so if you call the safeway they will likely put you on a payment plan. if you can work that out then there can be no criminal charges brought against you and the matter becomes strictly civil (AKA Judge Judy). but if you fail to make payment they can take you to civil court (not likely worth 200 dollars to them) and i believe they can report the default to a credit bureau. your other option is to avoid it all together and hope it goes away. if it does not however, you will likely have a tempe city warrant out for your arrest and stand the chance of getting hooked on the warrant if you ever come back to AZ and come in contact with the popo. here is the statue:

13-1602. Criminal damage; classification

A. A person commits criminal damage by recklessly:

1. Defacing or damaging property of another person; or

2. Tampering with property of another person so as substantially to impair its function or value; or

3. Tampering with the property of a utility.

4. Parking any vehicle in such a manner as to deprive livestock of access to the only reasonably available water.

5. Drawing or inscribing a message, slogan, sign or symbol that is made on any public or private building, structure or surface, except the ground, and that is made without permission of the owner.

B. Criminal damage is punished as follows:

1. Criminal damage is a class 4 felony if the person recklessly damages property of another in an amount of ten thousand dollars or more, or if the person recklessly causes impairment of the functioning of any utility.

2. Criminal damage is a class 5 felony if the person recklessly damages property of another in an amount of two thousand dollars or more but less than ten thousand dollars.

3. Criminal damage is a class 6 felony if the person recklessly damages property of another in an amount of more than two hundred fifty dollars but less than two thousand dollars.

4. In all other cases criminal damage is a class 2 misdemeanor.

sorry for the long post but the advices are free....an atorney is not...then again u get what u pay for.

[Chris McNatt]

tell them you will pay the fine if they upload the video of dan pressing the can overhead


edit: hahaha the story of you and dan overhead pressing a concrete ashtray is one of the funniest meathead stories so far..

someone should make a thread about meathead experiences like clean and pressing concrete ashtrays, or trying crazy stuff just to see if you're strong enough in public

[Kevin Nee]

hahaha i love those stories...and yes i will be your lawyer...on one condition...i get to come hang out and join in on some of these stories.

[ClayEdgin]

That's right Ryan, I forgot you were a police officer. Dan and I were definitely sober - not a single drink imbibed by either one of us before the incident. You'd think that this is likely a drunk stunt but really it was just immature and impromptu!

I've been thinking about it and I would probably pay the $200 on a couple of stipulations:

1) I can make payments (mortgage + 2 car payments + child = broke Clay)

2) I get a copy of the video for my personal collection

And I would definitely upload the video here!

Kevin, if you come out for the contest we're having in May I'm sure we can get you into some kind of trouble. We know where all the good buffets are too. We can even go by the Tire Welder and try to flip some 2,000lb tires that are 12 feet tall...

[Luke Paskins]

Well I've been arrested for drug dealing (I'm completely staright-edge) for violent behaviour (two drunks attacked me as I stood at the bus stop) breach of the peace (chasing after some thugs who were throwing stones at my front windows etc... :confused:

In Ireland you get noticed by the police if you're the wrong colour or dress differently etc..or stand out physically as in strength athlete etc.. :(

I once got pinned against a wall overlooking a cliff edge by two cops who proceeded to beat up on me and tell me to leave the country (despite the fact I'm Irish)...I had to use force to get out of that one and the only reason they couldn't pin anything on me is becuase they couldn't physically force me into the patrol car...had to push them on to the ground and run... :EP:

Moral of the story: if you look different, you'll get police attention... :disgust:

[Rafael D.]

someone should make a thread about meathead experiences like clean and pressing concrete ashtrays, or trying crazy stuff just to see if you're strong enough in public

I think a contest might be in order with vids as proof. The more public place the better. Without actually destroying anything or breaking any (major) laws. The winner would get :confused:

[ClayEdgin]

The winner would get :confused:

Arrested! ;)

[rod johnson]

I hate cops period.

Jeff not all cops are jerks. We do have a job to do, and yes some times we seem rude and nasty. But most of us are really cool people and are alot of fun to hang around. You should try and get to know a few. And no i am not offended by you saying you hate cops. Every body has there own oppinion. I just think it is a sham that some cops give good cops a bad rep. Any way have a great day.

Officer Rod Johnson

P.S. Clay, even though i'm a cop that sound like something i would do.

[Mac Smith]

I've been harassed by police officers alot throughout my life. But like Rob said, most officers are great people. It's just a few got beat up in high school and figured that being a cop is their way at getting back at the world.

I won't get into a debate about profiling and looking different, thereby being harassed by police officers is the norm for someone who does. All I can say is cops have an extremely stressful job and should be commended for what they do, but like I said before a few bad apples spoil the bunch. And this is coming from a Black guy who grew up in 'Da Hood'. LOL!!! :M:

[ClayEdgin]

I should point out that my father in law is a retired policeman and is a hell of a guy. When I told him what happened he said "My advice to you...is to stop doing dumb shit."

[Matt Stiefel]

"My advice to you...is to stop doing dumb shit."

...and a very wise man.

Does IFSA still use the lame WWE-type names? I vote for Clay "The Fugitive" Edgin. Or maybe "Ashkicker." I'm sure someone far more creative than me can think of better ones.

[Nicolette L.]

I've been harassed by police officers alot throughout my life. But like Rob said, most officers are great people. It's just a few got beat up in high school and figured that being a cop is their way at getting back at the world.

I won't get into a debate about profiling and looking different, thereby being harassed by police officers is the norm for someone who does. All I can say is cops have an extremely stressful job and should be commended for what they do, but like I said before a few bad apples spoil the bunch. And this is coming from a Black guy who grew up in 'Da Hood'. LOL!!! :M:


Mac- Can you believe the shoot out? Wow talk about an ambush. My heart goes out to all of the officers involved.

[JohnWietzel]

Tell them you will pay the $200 if they provide the video proof to you and you get to keep the "smashed" ash tray. That way you can practice pressing it!

Regards,

John Jr.

[MarkSikora]

Clay, face it, you DESERVE to be locked up.

If for no other reason: Felonious hanging out with Dan Harrison. :F:

I can picture the security guards at Safeway. Thinking, "Hey, those guys a screwing w/ the trash can, let's go beat some ass!" Then walking out and seeing you and Dan. Then thinking "Hmmmm, let's just go back to the break room before something REAL bad happens."

The are probably used to seeing weird shit like that and then going out and talking to George and Lennie. Only this time, they got two Lennies. "Honest, I was just going to lift the garbage can George." hahahahhaahaha

Hey, we will be back in AZ the second week in March for Spring Training. If you want, we can stop by Safeway and pay off your fine. Let us know, we can always get it back in steak and cake (and Makers Mark) after some other contest.

Great stories. :LOL:

see ya

Mark Sikora

[TravisClary]

Why is it that my name came up in two of the three stories you mentioned. See the type of person I have to deal with. With Clay there is always a cop around because. :marv:

[Mac Smith]

Mac- Can you believe the shoot out? Wow talk about an ambush. My heart goes out to all of the officers involved.


Yeah, that was some crazy stuff!!! I am friends with several Metro officers as well as many North Las Vegas officers. I'm glad that fugitive got what was coming to him. Too bad he took one of Vegas' finest with him. My heart goes out to his family and the rest of the officers as well.

Clay,

I dig the Clay "the Fugitive" moniker!!! And listen to your father... 'STOP DOING DUMB SHIT!!!'LOL!!!! :LOL:

[Jesse Marunde]

I've been harassed by police officers alot throughout my life. But like Rob said, most officers are great people. It's just a few got beat up in high school and figured that being a cop is their way at getting back at the world.

I won't get into a debate about profiling and looking different, thereby being harassed by police officers is the norm for someone who does. All I can say is cops have an extremely stressful job and should be commended for what they do, but like I said before a few bad apples spoil the bunch. And this is coming from a Black guy who grew up in 'Da Hood'. LOL!!! :M:

we've all had our good and bad times with cops. I hated em when I was a trouble maker, but when I matured, I respected them enough to want to join them. Fact of the matter is, there are jerks in every ocupation. just imagine life without em...

Jesse

[Nicolette L.]

Clay--
<a href="http://www.glittergraphics.us" alt="Myspace Glitter Graphics, MySpace Glitter Words, Myspace Graphics, Glitter Graphics, Glitter Words" target="_blank"><img src="http://mid.bpcdn.us/bpgggh/agoodfriend45346.gif" border="0"></a>

[JEFF VANCO]

I have the balls to say what I think.

That's why my posts get deleted.

Where I come from cops arrest people who protect themselves, start fights when they are off duty at every club I've worked at, talk so much sh*t and can't back it up period unless they pepper spray you or pull their piece. The only cops I like are black cops - the majority of them came up in the same place they patrol. The white cops aren't from the city and straight out of the classroom - always walking me out of my house in handcuffs, embarrassing me in front of my neighborhood because I told someone to f**k off or knocked some kid out who tried to steal from me. Yet my neighbors house was b&e'd and it took them an hour to drive down the block and come secure the place.

You ask anyone across the river who the biggest gang in Detroit is and they'll tell you striaght up it's the police.

[srojv]

You do have the right to say how you feel but so do I. Usually the only people who hate cops are the ones breaking the laws. It is funny that people will complain about the police when they get caught, I love it when I have to deal with some maggot who is telling me should'nt you be out arresting a rapist murderer etc. instead of harassing me. Of course my thought is I could be out there doing that if this asshole didn't break the law. Just remember for every asshole cop there are dozens of good ones out there helping your family finding your lost child putting away the rapists so they don't get your mother, sister, daughter breathing life back into your father or mother when they have a heart attack. Catching that drunk that might go down the road and take out your family. And yes even helping you when you need it despite how you feel. There are cops out there that do bad things and they should be fired or arrested but don't put lump us all together and I will try not lump all that bad guys together. (LOUSY TILL YOU NEED ONE)

[Luke Paskins]

I'd have to disagree...there's no reason to hate cops: that's too strong altogether...but the good cops are heavily outnumbered by the guys who were too dumb to get into college and now see out their 35 years of policing just waiting for that fat goverenment pension and free car etc...tax breaks, cheap insurance etc... :disgust:

However, that's just how it is over here....In the big urban centres in America, I imagine it takes a lot of courage and moral fibre to be a good cop: these guys really do perform a valuable public service... :marv:

If you really don't like the way the cops work, there's an easy way to do soemthign about it: join the force and be the kind of cop you'd want to see more often... :IMHO:

[srojv]

Fat pensions cars tax breaks cheap insurance man I wish it was like that in America I have to work 2 jobs just to make ends meet most police here don't make enough to support their families. By the way I didn't go to college I don't consider myself dumb I like most people I became a Police Officer to help people and I would't give it up.

[Luke Paskins]

Good call man, I did sound elitist there. I didn't mean it like that...in Ireland the education system is pretty intense, most american undergrads wouldn't cope with our high school system...hence the police force over here is like the priesthood: an economic safety net for those who didn't get through the system that well...although things are changing slowly.

If you can, get a year's transfer, the public sector over here is ridiculously overpaid...and the work would be less dangerous than what you do man.

Sorry if I sounded ignorant before.


Luke.

[srojv]

No offense taken.

[Mac Smith]

we've all had our good and bad times with cops. I hated em when I was a trouble maker, but when I matured, I respected them enough to want to join them. Fact of the matter is, there are jerks in every ocupation. just imagine life without em...

Jesse


Jess,

I actually moved to Vegas to become a cop as well. So I do admire and respect them, well most of them that is. Everyone is going to have their opinions on cops, all based on their experiences. Most of the friends I grew up with didn't have the pleasure of knowing good cops, so to this day their only experiences have been with bad cops. So I understand both sides of the coin. Because I guarantee that if I had not met some good cops while in college, I would have the same attitude that they have. Unfortunately I have had more run-ins with bad cops than good cops. But the good cops I know have had tremendous positive impact on my life, so that is why I know that good cops do exist.

But its still fustrating when I get pulled over for driving a nice car in an exclusive community for no reason and they ask me "whose car is this?". Or when I call the cops to my house because it's been vandalized and the first thing out the cops mouth is "Do you live here and/or Do YOU own this house?" Yeah it sucks!!!!

[Jesse Marunde]

But its still fustrating when I get pulled over for driving a nice car in an exclusive community for no reason and they ask me "whose car is this?". Or when I call the cops to my house because it's been vandalized and the first thing out the cops mouth is "Do you live here and/or Do YOU own this house?" Yeah it sucks!!!!

I feel you bro. But isn't it nice that you can answer YES to those questions!? haha you da man!

JEsse

[srojv]

I ask that no matter what you look like because, you need to know that for complaint purposes. If you rent the landlord has to be the one to sign the complaint. So it does not matter what race you are.

[Nicolette L.]

Just curious what ever came of this? Do we have pics yet? Do you need some bail money?

[ClayEdgin]

The officer I spoke with indicated that Safeway would call me to settle this, but so far no call. I'm not going to make that call myself! They either think it's too much trouble to collect and forget about it or they are under the impression that I'm supposed to be calling them, get pissed, and put a lien against my driver's license or something. Or maybe, JUST MAYBE, they reviewed the video again and realized I wasn't the one who initially knocked it over and broke it and they're pursuing the real hooligan.

[DaneGarreau]

Maybe they are afraid you and Dan are going to club them in the knee with a lead pipe :p