One small, inconsequential step for smokers

[kyrasdad]

I had to take my cousin to vote today, as her car was down for the count. While she went in and voted, I stayed in the car reading Andy Rooney's new book... sidebar... great book! Anyway, she votes at an elementary school, and I was parked in the parking lot, window down, reading book, smoking a cigarette. A security guard (is it really necessary at an elementary school? I guess so) came over to my car and informed me that I couldn't smoke on school property. Since I have always been a considerate smoker (won't smoke around parents who quit, before NY's new law always sat in non-smoking area when with others at restaurants, won't smoke in someone else's house, etc.), I apologized (even though I was in my own car) and not even thinking, tossed the butt. BIG mistake. Rent-A-Cop goes ballistic. Starts yelling at me that if I want to poison myself that's fine but I wasn't going to poison everyone else by tossing my cigarette on the ground. Never mind it was ASPHALT... but I digress... So then, Rent-A-Cop tells me "get your --- out of that car and pick this f-----g thing up, RIGHT NOW...

Oh contrare...

I informed him that since I paid about 1600 bucks more a year in taxes, JUST on my cigarettes ($2.20 per pack, 2 packs a day, 365 days a year), that should give me the right to smoke wherever I wanted, that I would pick it up, but if he didn't change his tone I was going to light another one and put it out on his face. As I'm picking it up, he's writing a ticket... who knew they could? Anyway he presents me with a 100 dollar fine for littering.

My cousin comes back to the car, sees me and Rent-A-Cop doing a face to face, finds out what it's all about, lights a cigarette herself and says just lets go. Off to Town Hall... I blow my stack at the Mayor... Fine gets dismissed... Mayor apologizes, says since I was in my own car Rent-A-Cop had no right... I drive back past school... Rent-A-Cop is standing at entrance... I flick lit cigarette in his general direction...

Moral of the story... he could have just said "please don't leave your butt on the parking lot" My response... "oh, ok, sorry"

[LuLu550]

1. he was right at first

then totally out of line. You should complain to the superintendent of the school district (I presume he works for the school) and then to the board of education. I do PR for a school district and we would not want a person with an attitude like that representing our district with the public.

[Skittles]

2. um, you WERE littering

I smoked for 30 years and NEVER LEFT A BUTT ON THE GROUND.

[LuLu550]

4. well, I hate smoking, period

and I don't like litter, either, but the guy was out of line. He could have said "excuse me, would you mind putting that in your ashtray, we have lots of kids who play around here.." or some such thing.
He was obviously full of himself and his "power." Talk to the superintendent.

[kyrasdad]

5. I know

and I didn't even think when I tossed... if he was decent about it, there wouldn't have been a problem...

My point was that I was in my own car... and as the Mayor agreed... he had no right to say anything... UNTIL I tossed the butt... which wouldn't have happened since I use my ashtray...

[Droopy]

3. The cop was out of line

He should have reserved his tone and language for real crooks and not blown up on some guy just having a smoke. I've met a few cops like that in my time. It's like they're on some big power trip. I don't think most of them are like that but a few are.

[LuLu550]

6. rent a cop, droopy

some of them have real problems because they want to be cops and can't pass the test or have other problems.. makes them meaner and full of themselves..

[patdem]

7. I agree he was out of line...but to insult his job is not productive...

The man obviously thought he had more power than he should have...but to say all guards are 'rent a cops' and to denigrate everyone for a single person's ego trip is sad. Mostly these people are trying to 'make a living' like you and I!! :grr:

[Robb]

8. Having been a security guy

I've got no problem with Rent-A-Cop. Frankly, my preferred one was "Yes, I'm the hired asshole." :)

Aaaaand back on topic: the guy was so far out of line. Flickin' at him was probably a little over the top, but otherwise: good on ya!