Letter of the week

For years, I have heard and read disparaging remarks about the Huntington

Beach Police Department. Their reputation of being aggressive, hard-nosed

and overly zealous is well-known. Their exploits on numerous Fourth of

July “celebrations” have been documented. However, until now, I did not

fully believe all of the stories. On those rare occasions when I had the

opportunity to talk to a police officer (even while receiving a fix-it

ticket), these officers were polite and even friendly.

Unfortunately, the other night I experienced firsthand the other side.

My husband and I were patronizing a Downtown restaurant and bar on Sunday

afternoon. We, along with a dozen other patrons, were outside during a

break in the entertainment. A fire engine pulled up -- for the second

time that evening -- because the fire alarm had gone off. A police car

with two officers had also pulled up and parked next to where we were

standing.

My husband was joking with the firemen, saying things like, “You guys

just keep coming back because you want to hear the band.” The firemen

were smiling and joking back while going about their business. I’m going

to point out here that my father is a retired battalion chief with the

Huntington Beach Fire Department. He was, and still is, highly regarded

in the department. Many of the firemen are known to us personally.

Suddenly, the police officer riding shotgun got out of the car,

approached my husband and said, “Is there a problem here?” My husband

answered, “Excuse me?” The policeman said, “We don’t need any loudmouths

standing around on the sidewalk. Why don’t you just go on back inside

now? Oh, and don’t forget to put your cigarette in the ashtray. I’d hate

to have to arrest you for littering.”

Needless to say, we went back inside. However, what had been a fun

evening up to that point was now tainted.Our City Council wants its

citizens to frequent local establishments. I would like to suggest that

more people might do that if they felt welcome rather than intimidated.