coffee shop doesn't want police officer business

[gypsyman]

Seems that a coffee shop in Portland,Oregon, doesn't want LE business. An on duty officer went in for a cup of coffee, and the owner asked him to leave. Doesn't want cops around. Wonder how long it'll take before he gets robbed? Bet it's even longer before the cops get there. I wonder what would happen if he didn't like black people or hispanics. Bet it would be a while before the fire dept. got there too!!gypsyman

[Dee]

I met a lot of folks like that in the 20 years I was a Police Officer. If your too thin skinned you won't be a cop long anyway. If I were still in the business, I would treat him just like I would anyone else, and I would answer a call for help just like I would for anyone else.
If you let personal feelings get in the way of your job, you shouldn't be wearin the badge. I could never bring myself to eat in an establishment that was owned by a cop hater anyway. Ya can't tell the difference in a licked spoon or a washed one. They look the same.
When I ordered to go pizzas I would use a fictitious name, as a lot of teenagers worked in the pizza joints, and I was well know for my K-9 work, and SWAT work. That was before caller I.D. and pizzas are like those spoons I mentioned.
I've also had those same cop haters cry like a baby when an officer caught'em dead to rights on a traffic violation or crime. Ya just smile, and keep writing.

[Cheesehead]

I heard a story of a burger chain that offered free food to uniformed officers that would dine in. Some of the cops would don their uniforms, off duty, just to get a free lunch. The restaurant was ok with that. Not a bad idea.

Cheese

[nw_hunter]

Seems that a coffee shop in Portland,Oregon, doesn't want LE business. An on duty officer went in for a cup of coffee, and the owner asked him to leave. Doesn't want cops around. Wonder how long it'll take before he gets robbed? Bet it's even longer before the cops get there. I wonder what would happen if he didn't like black people or hispanics. Bet it would be a while before the fire dept. got there too!!gypsyman

Nothing surprises me about the peoples republic of Portland!
I live in southwest Oregon.....Sutherlin ,A small, basically conservative community, and the people here like and respect our police officers. (Most of the time lol!). The coffee shops here would feel slighted, if the officers didn't stop by for coffee.

[Bigeasy]

When I was a state trooper back in the 1980's, most all the local diners were more then happy to serve half price, or free.  It was a good deal for them to have a cop there, especially at night.  Kept things peaceful when the bars let out...  Most all of us who ate free would leave a big tip for the waitress, usually equal to the cost of the meal.  I don't remember anyone really trying to take advantage of the relationship.

Larry

[beerbelly]

I wonder if he wanted all cops to stay away or just that cop. Two sides to every story.
                           Beerbelly

[Dee]

I wonder if he wanted all cops to stay away or just that cop. Two sides to every story.
                           Beerbelly

That's a possiblity, but most that take that much effort to eject one, are much like you, in that they hate all cops. Still there are two sides and it may have been just the one.

[williamlayton]

My first thought was---what kind of clientel did he prefer--and why?
Blessings

[Dee]

william youn ever know where or why, the guy developed the attitude toward the cop. It may have been getting a traffic ticket, or even being made to move from a no parking zone. The most rabid many times are the ones that drink and drive. They some how believe that it is their right to do so, and they were always on their way home, and had had only two beers.
Many of my own family were not real fond of cops, and my wife's family most all hated them, and their reasons were quite obvious. Most all had some behavior issues. Old age has calmed them down, and they actually learned to love me. Go figure that one out.

[AtlLaw]

I would treat him just like I would anyone else, and I would answer a call for help just like I would for anyone else.
If you let personal feelings get in the way of your job, you shouldn't be wearin the badge.

Having policed in Atlanta for 20 years I can give this statement a big +1!

But I can't help but note that the same thing could be said about a lawyer!   Matter of fact, you can substitute lawyer for police officer throughout this thread and not change much except the profession! 

sorry,    I know I'm gonna wish I never said that... 

[magooch]

The little Portland eatery in question is a known super-liberal puke hangout.  I don't think the cop was insulted at all when asked to leave.  Why he was there in the first place is a mystery.  Maybe he was just curious, but I think Dee was more than right-on about the caution with food prep etc.  By the way Dee, I am very impressed with your attitude; you had to have been a great police officer.

Anyway, I have a feeling that the Black and White Cafe, or whatever the name of the place is in Portland, won't be attracting a lot of conservative clientel.  The Portland police have sort of gotten a notorious reputation for shooting first and asking questions later.  I think it is a rap that has more to do with some of the poopulation they are forced to deal with than any attitude on their part.

[williamlayton]

When in a rattlesnake den, politness will get you killed.
In some spots, in any city--the same rule applies.
Blessings

[Dee]

I would treat him just like I would anyone else, and I would answer a call for help just like I would for anyone else.
If you let personal feelings get in the way of your job, you shouldn't be wearin the badge.

Having policed in Atlanta for 20 years I can give this statement a big +1!

But I can't help but note that the same thing could be said about a lawyer!   Matter of fact, you can substitute lawyer for police officer throughout this thread and not change much except the profession!  

sorry,    I know I'm gonna wish I never said that...  

Richard I won't blast ya, but I'll poke at ya. You know where I'm comin from, cause we both been there, and been back. You also know my general opinion concernin lawyers BUT! You also know why I feel that way. That's what makes you different. You don't talk down, or in an all knowin attitude, or phraseology when you give an opinion. In other words you don't act like I'm stupid, cause I ain't. Your one of the few I would back all the way. Your regular folks that have the mis-fortune of havin a law degree. We both have a pretty good education, but you, like myself don't wear the damn thing like a bright red neck tie, so everyone will notice it.

[billy_56081]

Guys like this shop owner are the first ones to cry "where were the police" when something does happen.

The cafes here give the police free meals so they are hanging around when the bars close.

[mechanic]

The cops often do a "park and watch" in my neighborhood, a much needed service because we have had several home invasions in the neighborhood.

They know they will have coffee, tea or soft drinks delivered from my house as well.   I'm always glad to see them, and can't understand any store owner not wanting them around. 

I figure it's highly unlikely someones going to break into my house, or the store down the street while they are present.

I've also found it pays to be friends with as many cops as possible, and maybe even a lawyer or two every now and then..........

[southernutah]

I would treat him just like I would anyone else, and I would answer a call for help just like I would for anyone else.
If you let personal feelings get in the way of your job, you shouldn't be wearin the badge.

Having policed in Atlanta for 20 years I can give this statement a big +1!

But I can't help but note that the same thing could be said about a lawyer!   Matter of fact, you can substitute lawyer for police officer throughout this thread and not change much except the profession! 

sorry,    I know I'm gonna wish I never said that... 

son and nephew both LEOs, been Sheriff Search and Rescue over 30 years............don't ever compare LEO to a bottom feeding lawyer.....

[GH1]

william youn ever know where or why, the guy developed the attitude toward the cop. It may have been getting a traffic ticket, or even being made to move from a no parking zone. The most rabid many times are the ones that drink and drive. They some how believe that it is their right to do so, and they were always on their way home, and had had only two beers.
Many of my own family were not real fond of cops, and my wife's family most all hated them, and their reasons were quite obvious. Most all had some behavior issues. Old age has calmed them down, and they actually learned to love me. Go figure that one out.

 Maybe the diner owner's old lady was bangn' the cop. Nevertheless, a business that craps on cops deserves to get robbed.
GH1

[torpedoman]

Could be he was thinking of the 4 police officers that were shot at their morning coffee stop in wash not very long ago. But he is still a jerk.

[Dee]

Actually guys he's exercising his rights as a business owner. Folks that have worked hard, and taken the financial risks to start a business SHOULD be able to decide not to serve folks they don't want to serve. It's much like states coming in, and saying you can't allow smokers in your restaurant or bar. The state should not be allowed to mandate such. It should be up to the owner, and his customers can decide if they want to come in due to the smokers.
Looking at it from the owners side, he should make that decision, and looking at it from the cop's side, he probably hasn't really missed anything by not going in anyway.

[gypsyman]

Dee, I totally agree with you. But, can you imagine the outcry, if this guy would say to a black person,American Indian, Hispanic, sorry, get out of my shop. Don't want your business. Arn't cops a minority? I just hope this comes back to bite him in the butt big time!! gypsyman

[Dee]

Dee, I totally agree with you. But, can you imagine the outcry, if this guy would say to a black person,American Indian, Hispanic, sorry, get out of my shop. Don't want your business. Arn't cops a minority? I just hope this comes back to bite him in the butt big time!! gypsyman

gypsyman, I AM a card carrying American Indian (Cherokee). My Grandfather, and Father moved out of Oklahoma cause they were looked down on for being a "damn Indian". Back in the fifties when we would go to visit relatives, I became a "damn Indian". I wore it like a badge of honor, and have never asked anyone to give me anything I didn't earn.
The fact of the matter is, if he doesn't want to do business with me cause I'm a cop, or an American Indian, why on earth would I want to do business with him? I already know he isn't going to be straight up with me. I'm gonna have to watch him like a hawk every minute I'm around him. There are other folks that will be glad to do business with me if I'm a cop, and pepper mint striped.
When someone's rude to me, I may say somethin back but, I don't hold a grudge. I just don't have anything to do with'em anymore. I have seen all I need to see.

[wreckhog]

I delivered pizza as a kid. That job involves constant illegal u turns and speeding. We gave free pizza to the cops, girlfriends, hotties, garbage men, Chinese restaurant, parents, whatever. It usually paid off. In the case of local cops, they would just wave as you were flying through the u turn. The garbage men would just dump all those full used oil containers in the truck. We always charged fireman though. Go figure.

[Victor3]

I heard a story of a burger chain that offered free food to uniformed officers that would dine in. Some of the cops would don their uniforms, off duty, just to get a free lunch. The restaurant was ok with that. Not a bad idea.

Cheese

 As a kid during Summer vacations I worked at a McDonald's in Santa Monica, CA. Cops always got whatever they wanted for free. The manager would call them aside and get their stuff ASAP or have it ready to pick up if they called in an order.

 The city was (and still is) a 'homeless-friendly' place. When we needed one cleared off he was quietly whisked away, sometimes without even having to call it in. We had an attempted strong-arm robery one night and three cop cars were there immediately; they tackled the guy in the parking lot and beat the snot out of him.

 The owner told us he'd gladly supply the cops with prime rib Big Macs if need be...

[ironglow]

Maybe the guy isn't a cop hater, but it was just a business decision in this day and age...the uniform was driving away clientele.? Don't know...could be in this day and age.


..TM7
.

  TM may well have spotted the issue..probably things were going on there which they would rather the cop not observe.

  As Dee and others said though, why would anyone frequent a place they are obviously not wanted ?...Probably will not be treated right anyway.

[DDZ]

Maybe the cafe is a front for an illegal business like drug dealing. I guess if I was selling drugs or something illegal I wouldn't want cops around either.

Maybe its a hang out for homosexuals, and the owner wouldn't want some of his 50 year old clientele offering 20 something year old un-uniformed cops money for sex. Then again maybe that is legal in Oregon.

I know if I owned a coffee shop I would be offering the local police all the free coffee they wanted. It just would make sense to do so.

[Dee]

Maybe the cafe is a front for an illegal business like drug dealing. I guess if I was selling drugs or something illegal I wouldn't want cops around either.

Maybe its a hang out for homosexuals, and the owner wouldn't want some of his 50 year old clientele offering 20 something year old un-uniformed cops money for sex. Then again maybe that is legal in Oregon.

I know if I owned a coffee shop I would be offering the local police all the free coffee they wanted. It just would make sense to do so.

DDZ, maybe the guy just doesn't like cops. It could be, and many times IS, just that simple. I ain't gonna accuse him of somethin that hynous just cause he doesn't like my past profession.

[DDZ]

Yes dee, its possible that he just doesn't like cops, but usually there is some underlying reason for that. Not really accusing him of anything, just throwing out some maybe's.

[ToadHill]

When I was young I worked for a guy who had a collision shop/ tow truck/ ambulance service.  He always had coffee and doughnuts free for all the local police.  They all stopped at his place and guess who they called when an accident happened in the area?

[Hairtrigger]

I say big deal... find another spot to hang out

To each their own

[Dee]

I say big deal... find another spot to hang out

To each their own

That would be my pick.