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speedsix wrote: ...no flame, but the batman/robin thing is a cheap shot..

Blindref757 wrote:I'll try and address some of the concerns.

I never saw his truck. I have no idea where it was or how he got to me. I thought I was being really nice to offer to get him some free help. This isn't 1952 in Mayberry...I wish it was. I teach 4th graders how to add, subtract, multiply and divide...that's my specialty. Someone else in my community specializes in helping disabled motorist from Dallas and I'm glad they do. They have the tools, the training, and safety net in place to provide this service (guns, tazers, radios, and backup officers). My taxes pay for the truck, salary and the gasoline for this service...I think it is totally appropriate to call and request that service when needed.

When he declined free assistance, my red flag went up. At that point, he went from stranger in my personal space to suspicious. I've hung out with a lot of LEO's and they conduct field interviews all the time on suspicious people walking down the street who are somewhat out of place. A lot of local PD's have a local database with this info in it so that other officers who happen to encounter suspects are informed of other suspicious activity. I don't think it is all that wrong to have a "person of interest" database for community PD's.

He did not appear to have a weapon...and I'm certain he would say the same of me. My hand on my hip at 4:00 was a very natural stance and there is no bulge other than the spare tire that I have in all directions! I think my local PD is much better when they are in the crime prevention mode instead of the crime solving mode. I called them simply for this reason. It might behoove me to program the local PD number into my phone for this type of call, because you are correct that it wasn't a 911 emergency. I guess it has just become somewhat ingrained in our society that 911 is the number to the PD. I'm guilty. Another reason for the immediate 911 call was in case of the MWAG situation that you propose--even though there was practically zero chance that that call would come in from anyone.

I hope you don't think I'm flaming back...that isn't my goal. My purpose for sharing this story was simply to share how important it is that we be aware of potential threats and how (or how not) to deal with them. Most days, I put my gun on and never really think twice about it. However, each encounter where I have a conscious thought about having a gun on my hip is a learning opportunity. At least it is at this point in my CHL experience.

speedsix wrote:...going to the trouble to report this guy may have saved someone else a bad day...thanks for taking the time...another officer may have run into him later that day...a check may have revealed a warrant...you don't know the good you did by asking to have him checked out...