Am I wrong?

longtimer · Veteran Member

Am I wrong?

Zeke Bender · Member

It is not possible to drive, hold a cell phone, AND drink a beer at the same time. Lord knows I've tried.

Maybe it's best to keep their free hand occupied!

VeeDub · Member

In short to your heading, yes? Not picking a side here but last I knew there wasn't a law restricting cell phone usage while driving in the state of Kansas. I would think taking away a cell phone from a cop or a deputy would be like taking away their radio at times. I'm sure they've got a lot to talk about and don't need to have anyone with a scanner to listening in. Not to mention with the fact that there area dead spots for their radios and only a cell phone can allow them to re-establish contact where needed. Listen to the scanner sometime and you can hear many of the deputies out in the boon docks coming across as static. And nothing against KACY but after the opps, http://www.arkcity.net/stories/121708/com_0004.shtml. Are we really wanting them to give their opinion on local and state law enforcement. I think it may be a tad bit bias...

Out of curiousity, when you were "patrolling," how many windows breaking did you hear over not having a commercial radio on?

Cisco Kid · Member

"The dangers of driving while distracted by a cell phone are well documented so why is a ban of cell phone use while driving not a policy with local law enforcement?"

Great observation on your behalf. Now common sense would say that your prospective is sound and that the powers to be should give strong consideration to atleast reviewing their policies. The only stumbling point might be "if" the police are unionized then it could end up in file 13. Have you called anyone or shared your concerns with an of the city commissioners?

This makes too much sense for it not to be addressed.

paddedroom · Member

Good subject Longtimer. Along with the cell phones, I have also noticed un-buckled officers patroling the streets. (Protecting us from ourselves)
Also a message for VeeDub, before you attempt to point out any flaws of a Rock radio station, you should recall that our P.D. Is also flawed. http://www.arkcity.net/stories/042809/com_0007.shtml
As are you and I flawed.

longtimer · Veteran Member

VeeDub wrote:

In short to your heading, yes? Not picking a side here but last I knew there wasn't a law restricting cell phone usage while driving in the state of Kansas. I would think taking away a cell phone from a cop or a deputy would be like taking away their radio at times. I'm sure they've got a lot to talk about and don't need to have anyone with a scanner to listening in. Not to mention with the fact that there area dead spots for their radios and only a cell phone can allow them to re-establish contact where needed. Listen to the scanner sometime and you can hear many of the deputies out in the boon docks coming across as static. And nothing against KACY but after the opps, http://www.arkcity.net/stories/121708/com_0004.shtml. Are we really wanting them to give their opinion on local and state law enforcement. I think it may be a tad bit bias...

Out of curiousity, when you were "patrolling," how many windows breaking did you hear over not having a commercial radio on?

#1: There's no law against hitting yourself on the head with a hammer. Is it a good idea to do so just because there's not a law against it? Didn't think so.
#2: No body said anything about taking their cell phones away, just not talking on them while driving.
#3: There were back up secure frequencies for use when we didn't want scanners to hear. I assume it's the same today. If not, pull over to use the phone.
#4: Your scanner is at ground level. The antenna the dispatcher uses is 100' or more off of the ground. Cell reception outside of town is far worse than radio reception.
#5: It's immaterial how many windows I heard break while on patrol. What is material is the question, should the police be listening for criminal activity or idly chit chatting on their cell phones. I prefer them doing their job by listening for criminal activity.

VeeDub · Member

That sounds more like the department getting rid of one person that more than likely didn't need to be there. One person shouldn't nor does it define an entire organization, police or otherwise. And I might be reading to far into your last statement "before you attempt to point out any flaws of a Rock radio station," don't for a second think I'm bashing rock or a rock station. I'm simply pointing out the obvious.

And Cisco, where did you get that quote? Again, I'm not trying to pick sides but please answer how does it make "too much sense" for it not to be added as a new policy for only law enforcement? Washington DC and many other states have laws that make it illegal to talk on a cell phone, outside of a handsfree device, and drive. Why is what's good for the goose not good for the gander? Perhaps it would make more sense to talk to our legislature and get a new law enacted, since driving while talking on a cell phone is so dangerous and so "well documented," and keep our streets we pay our hard earned tax dollars for safe from everyone driving and not paying full attention!

Just my $0.02.

Elle67005 · Newbie

I think it is common sense not to drive and talk or text on a cell phone. But really how many times have all of us witnessed someone talking or texting and barely avoiding a collision. It is scary when you see it. I know its convenient to have a cell phone, as well, it can be life saving. Shouldn't everyone take responsibility for theirselves? Think before you do... is talking on the phone so important that you are willing to risk being distracted enough to put your life and the lives of others at risk???

Cisco Kid · Member

[VeeDub]

That sounds more like the department getting rid of one person that more than likely didn't need to be there. One person shouldn't nor does it define an entire organization, police or otherwise. And I might be reading to far into your last statement "before you attempt to point out any flaws of a Rock radio station," don't for a second think I'm bashing rock or a rock station. I'm simply pointing out the obvious.

And Cisco, where did you get that quote? Again, I'm not trying to pick sides but please answer how does it make "too much sense" for it not to be added as a new policy for only law enforcement? Washington DC and many other states have laws that make it illegal to talk on a cell phone, outside of a handsfree device, and drive. Why is what's good for the goose not good for the gander? Perhaps it would make more sense to talk to our legislature and get a new law enacted, since driving while talking on a cell phone is so dangerous and so "well documented," and keep our streets we pay our hard earned tax dollars for safe from everyone driving and not paying full attention!

Just my $0.02.

[Cisco Kid]

"The dangers of driving while distracted by a cell phone are well documented so why is a ban of cell phone use while driving not a policy with local law enforcement?"

Great observation on your behalf. Now common sense would say that your prospective is sound and that the powers to be should give strong consideration to at least reviewing their policies. The only stumbling point might be "if" the police are unionized then it could end up in file 13. Have you called anyone or shared your concerns with an of the city commissioners?

This makes too much sense for it not to be addressed.


[longtimer]Am I wrong?

In the late '60s and early '70s when I was working in the law enforcement field we weren't even allowed to have commercial radios in the patrol cars because they'd be a distraction, keeping us from having our full attention on our duties. We even had to drive with our window at least part way down in the winter so we could hear glass breaking during a burglary. Our job was to PAY ATTENTION.Today I see Ark City police and Cowley County sheriff deputys driving while chatting on their cell phones on a daily basis, totally oblivious to what's going on around them. Last winter I followed a deputy down E Chestnut @ over 30 MPH in an active school zone while she was chatting on her cell. Today I witnessed another Ark City patrolman cruising Summit while oblivious, prompting this post.The dangers of driving while distracted by a cell phone are well documented so why is a ban of cell phone use while driving not a policy with local law enforcement? Maybe this would be a good subject for "Real Talk" on KACY. Get the Sheriff and Police Chief to tell us why they haven't established such a policy.Opinions???

The quote in question is from longtimers initial post on the thread.

On the quote you are referencing as my own from my posting, you have misquoted and thus misrepresented my statement and opinion.

I did not say that it makes "too much sense" for it not to be added as a new policy for only law enforcement.

What makes too much sense is for the community to investigate and discuss the topic with those agencies that would be directly involved. Such discussions should be centered on whether or not such a policy change would enhance the effectiveness of police operations, and whether or not such a policy change is legal.

For any party to indorse a position at this point in time would not be wise. Doing so could actually discredit the integrity of that person, and adversely affect future credibility that could negatively impact the position he or she my wish to represent, thus projecting that individuals voice as a non-factor of relevance