The Policeman is your FRIEND!

Homelessness for Stupid People

The foibles of the most pampered homeless population in the Bay Area...

Some nights classic things happen. Wednesday evening I attended the Mayor's State of the City Town Hall which was surprisingly enjoyable, I must say. But Michael Harris, our new Police Chief, was there and I'd wanted to introduce myself to him since I'd heard he'd taken over the job and I had a question or two to ask him, but that's neither here nor there.

My friend Robert and I were hanging out outside the Library after the event and I noticed Chief Harris was speaking with a woman inside still, they were the last two in the room and I thought it would be a great opportunity to have a word. Fabulous, right? Right!

Anyway, so my friend Robert was looking at me sideways as if I was plotting something horrible... c'mon, Robert, Really?

No matter... eventually, with the library about to close, one of the staff came in and probably informed the chief and the woman of this, so, they came outside. I took that opportunity to introduce myself and he excused himself to continue his conversation with the woman.

Robert and I went off a few yards away to let the two of them complete their business...

Now, Chief Harris is built... he's tall, and looks to be a pretty powerful guy. I'm 5'10”, not tall, but he towers over me. His uniform enhances this effect. Plus he was wearing what appeared to me to be a field uniform complete with his piece on his belt, nevermind the four stars on his collar, he looked like a well groomed Patrol Officer who could easily handle whatever.

So, Robert and I are waiting patiently, and up strides Nick. Nick is former Air Force, and also tall, but lanky. He's wearing his seabag on his back, probably about fifty or so pounds of stuff he carries, and there we are... Nick is the only Nick I've ever mentioned in this blog. He's a close, personal friend and one of those people who truly gets it... but for a moment, just a moment, things got... well, funny.

Now, imagine, you see a couple of your friends in the distance. Between you and them is a Police Officer talking to a well dressed woman, with Robert and I looking our dischevelled selves sitting on the bench a few yards behind.

I wished I'd had a camera. Nick's face went visibly pale and seemed to elongate at once. He stopped dead in his tracks and appeared as if he was about to turn around and hurry away.

It was all Robert and I could do to keep from busting up laughing.

Poor Nick obviously thought we were in some kind of trouble... of course, his experience is this, any time the police are around any of the homeless, that's what it usually means.

In any event. Chief Harris said goodnight to the woman and approached. I re-introduced myself and introduced Robert and Nick, then posed my questions to the Chief.

Just so you know, Chief Harris was very gracious to us and very personable and my impression of him on a personal level is favourable. I hope I have opportunity to speak to him at length at some point.

I think I took about ten minutes of the Chief's time, we said goodnight and he left for home or whatever business he had, and Robert and I proceeded to tease Nick about his reaction to the circumstance.

Nick... you and I already agreed, the Policeman is your FRIEND! Don't forget!