(UK) Cops to eat at McDonald's to reduce crime.

The Plainsman · September 19, 2002, 11:11 AM

Cops encouraged to go to McDonald's
- - - - - - - - - - - -
By Ed Johnson

Sept. 18, 2002 | LONDON (AP) -- Big Mac, fries and a burly police constable please.

Officers are being encouraged to eat at McDonald's and other fast food outlets while on duty to help cut street crime, police officials said Wednesday.

Police chiefs in Birmingham,central England, have issued officers vouchers to eat at McDonald's, in an effort to increase their visibility and save time in walking or driving back to the staff canteen.

In nearby West Bromwich, officers have been encouraged to take meal breaks in public places. The force said the move had been warmly received by local fast food outlets and supermarkets _ police cars parked on the premises helped deter thieves.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, which has pledged that street crime will be under control by the end of September, said Wednesday it backed the initiative and was studying how to extend it nationwide.

An ICM opinion poll published Wednesday by the British Broadcasting Corp. found 53 percent of respondents thought street crime had risen in the past six months and 28 percent said they had never seen an officer on the beat in their area.

The government has dedicated $168 million since April to target 10 crime hotspots. Earlier this month, it announced that street crime had fallen by 14 percent since April in those areas.

Chief Superintendent Bruce Gilbert, who is based in West Bromwich, said the public had welcomed the initiative.

Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation Glen Smyth said he could see the benefits but wondered how police across the country would respond to it.

"Sometimes you just need five minutes to yourself, but you are not going to get that if you are on show when you take a meal break," he said. "But having said that, it is maybe advantageous to officers in some cases, and I can see there will be benefits for the public too."

Most respondents to the opinion poll believed street crime had become worse despite the government's crackdown.

The poll suggested that 24 percent of people 55 and above were too worried to leave their homes at night for fear of being mugged, and 32 percent of parents with children ages 10 to 16 were too worried to let them out after dark.

Responding to the poll, a spokeswoman for the Home Office said the latest figures indicate the crackdown is a success, but the public may not notice the difference until a sustained and long-term drop in the offending rate.

The ICM poll surveyed 1,009 people across the United Kingdom age 14 and over between Sept. 9-12. No margin of error was given.

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2002/...cds/index.html

agricola · September 19, 2002, 11:14 AM

lol

Dave P · September 19, 2002, 11:19 AM

Have I got a deal for you! Wear your uniform on your public lunch break and I'll give you a price break

While they're at it, why not just require the bobbies to wear uniforms even on their off hours? ANd we won't pay you an extra dime! That will keep the sheep happy!

And I liked this tidbit: "The poll suggested that 24 percent of people 55 and above were too worried to leave their homes at night for fear of being mugged, and 32 percent of parents with children ages 10 to 16 were too worried to let them out after dark. "

That's some rough neighborhoods!

Airwolf · September 19, 2002, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, which has pledged that street crime will be under control by the end of September...

This is the best example of how out of touch and deluded the powers-that-be are about this whole situation.

Given the submissiveness of the British people, I wonder if they will ever awake from this nightmare of their own creation?

Futo Inu · September 19, 2002, 12:17 PM

How is it going to reduce crime when the criminals will know that the lard-butts are too fat to chase them down?

CMichael · September 19, 2002, 12:20 PM

Some way to reduce crime make the police officers fat so they can't chase criminals.

I remember some time ago when I lived in NYC there was a big controvery that when officers went to lunch at a diner they wouldn't be charged for their food.

Finally, it became sandal and now they do pay for their lunch as they should.

Michael

Kirk Keller · September 19, 2002, 12:43 PM

Ag, do they by any chance have a Dunkin' Donuts in your neck of the woods?

D.W. Drang · September 19, 2002, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, which has pledged that street crime will be under control by the end of September...

And it will be, too, just wait and see. As for changing definitions and massaging data, well, ignore the man behind the curtain...

Skunkabilly · September 19, 2002, 02:53 PM

I think it's a great idea!

People openly carrying guns = cuts down crime? Hmmmmm.....

Well, DUH!!!

Leatherneck · September 19, 2002, 02:55 PM

Quote:

...eat at McDonalds to reduce crime...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...Oh, they crack me up, those Bobbies!
TC

Kharn · September 19, 2002, 02:57 PM

IIRC, the whole thing about cops and donut shops came about because donut shops kept getting robbed, so some offered free coffee and donuts to cops. A cruiser in the parking lot and/or the knowledge that a cop might stop in for a refill at any second cut down on robberies.

Kharn

C.R.Sam · September 19, 2002, 04:21 PM

Protection for sale.
Buy it from the mob
Or buy it from the bobbies.

Protection for those who can afford it.
Denied to those who can't.

Sam

**Marko Kloos** · September 19, 2002, 04:45 PM

Moved to Legal & Political.

USAFNoDak · September 19, 2002, 04:58 PM

Quote:

The government has dedicated $168 million since April to target 10 crime hotspots. Earlier this month, it announced that street crime had fallen by 14 percent since April in those areas.

What happened in the other areas not within those hot spots. Need Inpuuuuut. How big are those hotspots? If I wass a police chief who had been given $168 million dollars to lower the crime rate in 10 hot spots, I would roust the criminals out of 10 crack houses. The crime rate in those crack houses would go down significantly, and I could use the leftover $150 million to buy a whole bunch of new toys for my officers. My PR would look good, and everyone would be happy as clams, (except the crack tenants). I am not saying this is what's going on, but we do need more data than to just say the crime in those 10 areas is down 14%. What about the overall crime rates? If the crooks just move their operations, and crime goes up in other areas, was spending $168M a good investment?

agricola · September 19, 2002, 05:02 PM

80% of all street crime was in those areas, and 50% was in London.... the Met's fall being the biggest (i think) of all

September 19, 2002, 11:11 AM	#1
The Plainsman Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2000 Location: Kansas Hill Country Posts: 446	(UK) Cops to eat at McDonald's to reduce crime. Cops encouraged to go to McDonald's - - - - - - - - - - - - By Ed Johnson Sept. 18, 2002 \| LONDON (AP) -- Big Mac, fries and a burly police constable please. Officers are being encouraged to eat at McDonald's and other fast food outlets while on duty to help cut street crime, police officials said Wednesday. Police chiefs in Birmingham,central England, have issued officers vouchers to eat at McDonald's, in an effort to increase their visibility and save time in walking or driving back to the staff canteen. In nearby West Bromwich, officers have been encouraged to take meal breaks in public places. The force said the move had been warmly received by local fast food outlets and supermarkets _ police cars parked on the premises helped deter thieves. Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, which has pledged that street crime will be under control by the end of September, said Wednesday it backed the initiative and was studying how to extend it nationwide. An ICM opinion poll published Wednesday by the British Broadcasting Corp. found 53 percent of respondents thought street crime had risen in the past six months and 28 percent said they had never seen an officer on the beat in their area. The government has dedicated $168 million since April to target 10 crime hotspots. Earlier this month, it announced that street crime had fallen by 14 percent since April in those areas. Chief Superintendent Bruce Gilbert, who is based in West Bromwich, said the public had welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation Glen Smyth said he could see the benefits but wondered how police across the country would respond to it. "Sometimes you just need five minutes to yourself, but you are not going to get that if you are on show when you take a meal break," he said. "But having said that, it is maybe advantageous to officers in some cases, and I can see there will be benefits for the public too." Most respondents to the opinion poll believed street crime had become worse despite the government's crackdown. The poll suggested that 24 percent of people 55 and above were too worried to leave their homes at night for fear of being mugged, and 32 percent of parents with children ages 10 to 16 were too worried to let them out after dark. Responding to the poll, a spokeswoman for the Home Office said the latest figures indicate the crackdown is a success, but the public may not notice the difference until a sustained and long-term drop in the offending rate. The ICM poll surveyed 1,009 people across the United Kingdom age 14 and over between Sept. 9-12. No margin of error was given. http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2002/...cds/index.html

September 19, 2002, 11:14 AM	#2
agricola Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2002 Location: cymru Posts: 941	lol __________________ pete wylie: " I've never had a fight in me life. But after 40 years of living as a half-decent human being I gained a criminal record for doing my Joe Pesci thing. But it was Joe Pesci played by Michael Crawford."

September 19, 2002, 12:17 PM	#5
Futo Inu Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 1999 Location: Oklahoma City, OK, USA Posts: 3,629	How is it going to reduce crime when the criminals will know that the lard-butts are too fat to chase them down? __________________ "You are NOT Joseph's father, Hank. You are not supposed to take over until Dale is gunned down by federal agents - that is the agreement." --Peggy

September 19, 2002, 12:43 PM	#7
Kirk Keller Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 804	Ag, do they by any chance have a Dunkin' Donuts in your neck of the woods? __________________ Proud TFL Alumnus "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." - T.R. North Carolina Police Combat Pistol League

September 19, 2002, 02:53 PM	#9
Skunkabilly Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2001 Location: Land of stinky cabbage and potable rubbing alcohol Posts: 2,136	I think it's a great idea! People openly carrying guns = cuts down crime? Hmmmmm..... Well, DUH!!! __________________ Skunky's World of Mud and Guts and Barbecue Sauce: www.skunkabilly.com "Stupid American! There's no bloody sales tax for tea in Hong Kong. Didn't you start a war over a tea tax?" -- Hong Kong tea merchant

September 19, 2002, 11:19 AM	#3
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Location: Melbourne, Florida Posts: 793	Have I got a deal for you! Wear your uniform on your public lunch break and I'll give you a price break While they're at it, why not just require the bobbies to wear uniforms even on their off hours? ANd we won't pay you an extra dime! That will keep the sheep happy! And I liked this tidbit: "The poll suggested that 24 percent of people 55 and above were too worried to leave their homes at night for fear of being mugged, and 32 percent of parents with children ages 10 to 16 were too worried to let them out after dark. " That's some rough neighborhoods!

September 19, 2002, 12:20 PM	#6
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,097	Some way to reduce crime make the police officers fat so they can't chase criminals. I remember some time ago when I lived in NYC there was a big controvery that when officers went to lunch at a diner they wouldn't be charged for their food. Finally, it became sandal and now they do pay for their lunch as they should. Michael

September 19, 2002, 02:57 PM	#11
Kharn Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,532	IIRC, the whole thing about cops and donut shops came about because donut shops kept getting robbed, so some offered free coffee and donuts to cops. A cruiser in the parking lot and/or the knowledge that a cop might stop in for a refill at any second cut down on robberies. Kharn

September 19, 2002, 04:21 PM	#12
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,876	Protection for sale. Buy it from the mob Or buy it from the bobbies. Protection for those who can afford it. Denied to those who can't. Sam

September 19, 2002, 04:45 PM	#13
Marko Kloos Staff Lead Join Date: January 12, 2000 Location: Enfield, NH Posts: 5,471	Moved to Legal & Political. __________________ "The right to buy weapons is the right to be free." --A.E. Van Vogt, The Weapon Shops of Isher the munchkin wrangler.

September 19, 2002, 05:02 PM	#15
agricola Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2002 Location: cymru Posts: 941	80% of all street crime was in those areas, and 50% was in London.... the Met's fall being the biggest (i think) of all __________________ pete wylie: " I've never had a fight in me life. But after 40 years of living as a half-decent human being I gained a criminal record for doing my Joe Pesci thing. But it was Joe Pesci played by Michael Crawford."