27-07-2005 21:44									#1
	How does police presence make you feel? Put an end to popups!

I just got back from biking. Again I found myself biking in places where not many people go; train yards, harbour areas, deserted factories. Mainly because of the spectacular scenery they offer and because those are the places most people just ignore and never go to they are simply forgotten, theres something fascinating about that. Some of the facilities are reused by a number of hi-tech firms such as F-secure, have turned the place into Helsinki High Technology Center. The places are guarded and they have CCTV cams here and there. I saw some police cars there on patrol every now and then. So I began to wonder how people react when they have police around them.

Given the recent debate in here where the flight or fight response was brought up I thought it would be interesting to see whats apolytoners attitude towards law enforcement. So how does police presence make you feel?

Last edited by laurentius on 27-07-2005 at 21:53

	27-07-2005 21:52									#2
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depends. I hate having a police car driving behind me but when I am walking downtown, I like to see them around. Although there are some idiots in the force, I believe the vast majority really want to try to help people and protect the public

	27-07-2005 21:53									#3
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IIRC I read some research that people feel less safe when police is around. After all, if police is around, it must be for a reason: the area is unsafe!

	27-07-2005 21:53									#4
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Gee... I wonder what I'm going to vote.....

	27-07-2005 21:56									#5
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I'm whiter than white, so I don't feel unsafe with more police around.

	27-07-2005 21:57									#6
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Maniac: Yeah I though about that too. I cant say I feel that way myself. I'm not scared, if theres some trouble I'm more than willing to help the police out, I'm almost looking forward to the action

	27-07-2005 21:57									#7
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I don't feel unsafe, but I feel like my every move is under scrutiny... nobody likes to be watched.

	27-07-2005 21:58									#8
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safe and uneasy!

	27-07-2005 21:59									#9
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Damned Paiktis! I knew I should have included that option

	27-07-2005 21:59									#10
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"Damnit I have to not speed." isn't an option.

	27-07-2005 22:07									#11
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Depends. I hate to see police cars when I'm biking - it's not like I'm gonna follow all of the crazier traffic rules - but the one that's hoovering around Ågatan when the pubs close is reassuring.

Mostly, I'm fairly indifferent.

	27-07-2005 22:35									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Maniac IIRC I read some research that people feel less safe when police is around. After all, if police is around, it must be for a reason: the area is unsafe!

Yes, but then again over here police doesn't patrol to catch criminals, but rather to target drunk students, pedestrians disobeying traffic rules or likewise when on a bike etc...
that means they are looking for me

So I dont like to see them. They make me nervous, and sometimes they're real *******s too. They can break rules and there's nothing you can do or say about it. If you do, you will be threatened most likely.
But, sometimes there are good policemen too

	27-07-2005 22:41									#13
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More safe, except when I'm driving.

I got pulled over for speeding once where the cop acted like he wanted to physically fight me right away. Very aggressive attitude and actions (like quickly placing his hands in my car). There was no way I was going to talk him out of that ticket.

	27-07-2005 22:41									#14
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Depends on what type of male police officers we have in mind.

doughnut-eating, soda-guzzling officers: I get repulsive feelings

physically fit officers: I get turned on

	27-07-2005 22:43									#15
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When those two cops walked in on me and my friend, with two bags of weed and a homemade hooka sitting there in plain sight, I didn't exactly welcome their presence at all.

Now, 15+ years later, I don't really care.

	27-07-2005 22:49									#16
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Usually indifferent or good. It's generally nice to see them patrolling streets sometimes, as that's what they are supposed to do - especially in the old city, the tourist-heavy areas, etc. I do also rather trust that most people who succesfully graduate the academy and become uniformed officers genuinely want to help people.

	27-07-2005 22:52									#17
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When I was in college there were a bunch of really fat dudes that were cops, Davis wasn't exactly "bad". There was also this really hot chick, but she had one of them attitudes that she had to prove herself because she was a hot chick. There was also a midget, who was really kewl, and was actually a really good fighter. No one messed with the midget, but the hot chick was messed with a lot. She eventually moved to Reno.

	27-07-2005 22:53									#18
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Did the midget move to Finland?

	27-07-2005 22:53									#19
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During my college days, I would be nervous

But now, It doesn't bother me, especially since they usually call me "sir".

I still dislike it when they're following me when I'm driving.

	27-07-2005 22:55									#20
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quote: I still dislike it when they're following me when I'm driving.

Guilty conscience ?

	27-07-2005 22:57									#21
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They're checking your plates Ming... meaning that you are driving a nicer car than they think you can afford.

	27-07-2005 22:58									#22
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Most people I know feel guilty when police drive behind them, regardless if they've done anything wrong. Hmmm maybe that's why that guy turned into a runner.

	27-07-2005 22:58									#23
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quote: Originally posted by Japher They're checking your plates Ming... meaning that you are driving a nicer car than they think you can afford.

When did Ming post here?

	27-07-2005 22:59									#24
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I meant rah... all I saw was the red "staff" button.

	27-07-2005 23:00									#25
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Well it depends....police on bikes and horses make me smile. It's kinda cute.

Riot gear and automatic weapons kinda make me nervous.

Where is the option for "slightly nervous(korean full riot squad) to scared shitless(one single US state trooper who just read your anti-war bumper sticker)' in your poll?

After all I don't dislike them, somebodies gotta do it, but all the same a dozen yelling heavily armed 20 somethings tells me to be really really careful and maybe time to quietly melt into the backgroud.

	27-07-2005 23:01									#26
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It depends on the reason for their presence.

For instance, at an Airport, I feel like it's a show of force, all sound and fury with no significance.

At an outdoor event, if it's not too excessive, I appreciate it, in order to keep order--too much, and it starts feeling like Big Brother.

	28-07-2005 01:00									#27
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In Britain, safer.

In foreign countries, less safe. They are all hotheads on the continent.

	28-07-2005 01:05									#28
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quote: Originally posted by rah But now, It doesn't bother me, especially since they usually call me "sir".

I've always been called "Sir" by the cops in Canada.

	28-07-2005 01:14									#29
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It depends on the equipment they carry and how they carry it.

The Capitol Police have started to carry automatic rifles, which I dislike. It has been very atypical in the US for police to display such firepower. They only flash automatic rifles in other countries, not the US, right?

On the other hand, there are secret service snipers that go around this city to protect government officials. They try to keep their equipment out of sight, and I don't mind them doing their thing at all, even though I can guess (and hope) they're carrying some powerful equipment.

Pistols don't bother me at all and generally I feel safer when police are around and armed with pistols.

	28-07-2005 01:24									#30
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People with guns creep me out.