The stories are true, but the names have been changed to protect the innocent and sure why not let’s protect the guilty too.
A completely unknown sports blog writer spent Friday night of the NCAA tournament riding shotgun in a squad car. Have you ever tried to keep track which teams are winning and how your bracket is doing while going to a code 12 on the 265? Well it’s intense (or so I have heard and by the way that is not the real code either that is classified, but it is a number 1-100). There is nothing like trying to find out if Louisville is beating Cal while going to a noise ordinance call. Even better is finding out about Michigan State and New Mexico State while issuing a citation.
It was a cool night with a storm moving in and there was something strange in the air (possibly Cajun steak on the breath of the blog writer). It started with getting the attention of a police officer in his vehicle to let the writer into the police station. The writer waited in the breakroom until the sergeant came and asked if he wanted to sit in on a staff meeting. The staff meeting would be symbolic of the night in general, basketball mixed with police work. In the corner sat a giant big screen tuned to the only station played in work places during the month of March, CBS. As the officers learned about special areas to focus on and people and vehicles to be on the lookout for, the blogger was distracted by Michigan State vs. New Mexico State and the tiny ticker in the corner of the screen informing of all the recent and current scores.
The writer was assigned to his officer, who proved to be an all around great guy and great officer, and waited by the breakroom while the officer started the vehicle. Then they were off. First stop a side street off a main thoroughfare where the speed limit changes. This was radar gun paradise and sure enough Duke was up big. Five minutes in and they had the lights going that first stop is thrilling. Then as Georgia Tech was closing on Oklahoma State and they were leaving the stop they were dispatched to a car accident. There is nothing more thrilling than a double-digit seed making a run to the Sweet Sixteen and a full siren and lights run to a scene. As you are accelerating and cars are pulling to the sides the blood really gets to pumping and the adrenaline kicks in (or so they tell me).
Accidents are unfortunate even without injuries, because people have been scared, their property smashed, and embarrassment for having messed up. This was similar to the range of emotions the blogger was feeling as he received a text message informing him that Louisville, who he had making a run to the Sweet Sixteen, was losing to Cal. After the accident the officer was dispatched to a noise disturbance, as the officer went to check on the problem the blogger sat in the vehicle. Something eerie happened in two parallel worlds at what must have been the exact time a text informed the blogger that Louisville had been defeated the officer stepped in puke. Again all two similar the blogger’s bracket was puked on the same time as the officer. As disappointing as not being able to wear a bulletproof vest the blogger’s bracket was now destroyed.
What could possibly cheer up the officer and the distraught blogger, both feeling a little nauseas at this point? Surprisingly it was the police world that provided a lift to the spirits of both. A driver decided to run not one not two, but three stop signs in a row. It was something miraculous the third one ran as the lights were flashing, much like a last second shot hurtling through the air with lights flashing and horns sounding the triple non-stopper is a sight to behold.
It just goes to show you at the end of the day whether you win, lose, or step in puke there is something beautiful and exciting to hang your hat or police utility belt (yes it is just like batman's) on every day. If you ever get the chance to take a ride along with the police or a last second shot don't pass.
