The Tail Still Wags

In the ongoing COVID-19 battle, one thing has surfaced. Everyone has an opinion, most opinion-writers have no idea what "Stay in your lane" means and I'm damn glad to be sitting on my back porch, drinking coffee and trying to keep my dog from barking at the terriers behind us. 

While I'm thinking about it... The dog is no longer in the fight, but the tail still wags. One of the many opinion pieces cast upon the shoal waters of the internet was one by a (possibly soon to be ex) cop presuming to tell other cops how do their jobs. It's been taken down, put back up, taken down... 

In the world of ideas as it presents, the best way to get noticed is to be taken down by YouTube, or get grayed out by Facebook. Since there is little chance of this regarding Bikecopblog, I write to a more select audience. For you, not what you should do, but what you might think about: 

Had I not retired (It's fabulous, by the way. Thanks for asking.) what would I be telling other cops about the realities of COVID-19 and how we should comport ourselves.

1. Be safe. Goes without saying. I said it, anyway.

2. The people you trusted in January 2020 are the people to trust now. If there is one thing a veteran cop knows, that some of the newer folks are learning, it is the value of an opinion one can trust. The sergeant you could always talk to, the lieutenant who still remembered what it was like to work the street. The old salt who doesn't talk a lot, but was worth listening to whenever he/she had something to say. If you are worried about doing the right thing, keep the lines of communication open. Ask, listen, think. The resources you accessed pre-'rona are still valid.

3. Whoa, Turbo. Not every minor violation of a law, regulation or sign is a call to arms. Slow down and ask yourself - "What is my exit strategy?" Citizens didn't much care to be lectured when I was working patrol. I'll bet it's even worse, now. How far are you willing to go to enforce a health department pronouncement against two people standing five feet from each other? It wouldn't be a bad idea to know that before you get out of the car, rather than after the yelling has commenced and someone has given you "The Deuce."

4. Are you sure? Several Brighton cops had to apologize after they misunderstood a sign. Do you know what you're talking about?

5. Empathy. This long-term shelter-in-place is a new experience for everyone. I was in high school the last time this many people died of "the flu" or anything like it. This is the first time a wholesale shutdown (as opposed to the targeted quarantines my folks talked about) has been attempted in our collective memories. People are reacting emotionally  - they are angry, afraid, puzzled, confused. Just like you.

6. Finally, social media is like gin. It's fun for a while, but the hangover sucks. All except Bikecopblog.

You're in our prayers. When this is over, I owe you a marg on my back porch.