And in today's "so I'm sitting at home when I see a cop car speeding by" thread

[RagingInMiami]

In almost exactly like what happened in May 2005(where does the time go?), I was sitting at my computer when I see a car come speeding by with a cop car hot on his tail. A few seconds later I hear a loud crash. A few seconds after that, I was out the door with my camera.



The kid on the ground was a passenger in the car behind him, which was stolen. The driver of the car took off running and was arrested 30 minutes later down the street.




Calling for back-up





The teen jumped out the car holding this pocketknife, but the cop had knocked it away and it fell under the cop car.


Meanwhile, another driver who was minding his own business ended up swerving into a stop sign to avoid hitting the teen in the stolen car, who had shot into a busy thoroughfare from a side street (my street).


That man was transported to the hospital.


Pretty soon, the entire street was filled with cops.


It wasn't long before a couple of TV photographers were on the scene.

[CC]

1. What has happened to Florida since I left

ages ago. Great pics and hope you sell some. :scared: to see what has happened to a once laid back easy going state. BTW I am betting on your Bagpiper winning the contest. Are you ready to win number 5?
Pop in once in a while to let us know you are ok, though understand busy. We will find someone to chase you down if you don't, ask F. Gordon.

[RagingInMiami]

5. I'm sure there are parts of Florida that are still laid back and easy going

But it's definitely not Miami.

Thanks for the compliment on my bagpiper picture. It's been a very long time since I won a contest, mainly because our photo group has gotten very large and competitive, so I will gladly take another win.

But if there is one thing I've learned in these contests is that no matter how good I think my entry is (and granted, I am biased), there is no guarantee the voters will agree with me. Either way, it's all in fun, and I do enjoy the competitive nature as well as the opportunity to show off our diverse photography styles to the rest of DU. And there hasn't been any winners who did not deserve the win.

[superconnected]

2. I've never seen a cop in tenny shoes before. In WA they wear

black dress shoes. Seems more practical to wear running shoes. :)

Good pics.

As far as the dumbshit on the ground (I've had my car stolen before), good thing I'm not on his jury. My only answer would be "gas him." I just can't sympathize with car thieves. In my area they average 10 cars before their caught and then only 2 weeks in jail.

[RagingInMiami]

6. This cop is from the Miami-Dade Public Schools Police Department

Which polices the fourth largest school district in the country, the others being New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

But it is actually the second largest school police agency behind the Los Angeles School Police Department, which means that these guys are not your typical school resources officers that deal with truancy and hand out "say no to drug" stickers (like they did when I was a kid).

So I guess he wears sneakers in case he has to chase a teenage gangbanger on foot, which I'm sure happens frequently.

And speaking of sneakers, the cops on Miami Beach are not only allowed to wear sneakes, they are also allowed to wear shorts and earrings and let their hair grow long (not just the undercover cops either).

But don't let that laid-back appearance fool you. They will still bash your head in if you piss them off.

[Eurobabe]

3. Holy crap....

Nothing like that ever happens here, once in awhile a cow crosses the road, and holds up traffic...

[Samurai_Writer]

4. We don't even have cows!

But the town dogs think they own Main street. They won't move for anything!

[F.Gordon]

7. Just out your front door........

Very good journalistic series.

I've had the opportunity to get some "happenings" but I always took a pass on it. Wouldn't know what to do with the pixies other than post them here.
:shrug:

[JeffR]

8. These are terrific

You should shop these to the Herald.

[RagingInMiami]

10. I did but they weren't interested

As nobody was killed or shot. This kind of stuff happens so often down here that it's not even news anymore.

[JeffR]

12. Their loss

but yeah, it's not the city I remember, I guess.

[Blue_In_AK]

9. Lots of excitement in your 'hood, Raging...

Nothing ever happens around here except maybe a moose or two walking down the middle of the street. :) These photos are fantastic.

[RagingInMiami]

11. Thanks

I have to be careful these delinquents don't see where I live or else next time I shoot them, it won't be with a camera.

[Deep13]

13. So the cops pretty much have nothing to do in that town.

Did they need all those police cars?