cop freebies
There are some local eateries that at one time or another have offered discounts or free breakfasts to law enforcement people. I have heard of some abuses by cops and bad feelings so I just made it a habit to pay my way. Stopped at mcdonalds one day last week ordered a sausage buscuit. The cashier remarked as I proffered my money `you gonna pay for it?` I said well ok. Two days later stopped and ordered another. No cashier in first window this time. Got a big glare from the attendant at pick-up window;decided to ignore her. She handed me the package and before I could reach it she says `YOU`RE WELCOME!`slams the window and flounces away. So, for 2 bucks I get to be yelled at? As someone once said, I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken. Back to paying my own way,my integrity and a friendly smile are worth more than that.I think discounts for cops are a nice gesture but end up having the opposite effect. My 2cents.......
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In the area I work now it is a rarity for any place to offer even a discount, which is fine by me. The ones that do offer a discount generally make a scene of letting everyone know you are getting a discount, not that they are being rude, but they want everyone to know they are happy to give cops a discount. That embarasses the hell out of me, and makes be feel guilty knowing the schmo behind me is paying full price.
I've also been to a couple places that the employees gave a very grudging discount, but still refused to take full price when I tried to pay. More than once I've left extra money on the counter and walked away, at least then I know I tried to pay my way.
In Chicago on the other hand it seems like cops expect a discount, at Mc Donalds I've even seen cops walk behind the counter and just pickup the food from the slide down holding slots. This was not just a one time thing mind you, it was EVERY time I was at McD's in ChiTown and a CPD of Cook County cop came in.0 -
When I was 16 I worked the counter at Mr. Donut in Omaha. I always gave the cops free donuts and coffee. It was an unwritten company policy at the time. Never felt bad about doing it either.
Got Guns?0 -
quote:In Chicago on the other hand it seems like cops expect a discount, at Mc Donalds I've even seen cops walk behind the counter and just pickup the food from the slide down holding slots. This was not just a one time thing mind you, it was EVERY time I was at McD's in ChiTown and a CPD of Cook County cop came in.
Now that is just plain wrong...almost sounds like extortion.[V]0 -
Where is benetau when we need him??
I'm sick of policeman bashing.
Doug0 -
Many restaurant chains in Orange county Cal have a policy of giving employee discounts to the cops, about 50%.
Our Chief at the time didnt like that and sent letters to all the offending restaurants, demanding that the officers pay full price.
A couple of the restaurants sent letters back to him basically saying "dont tell us how to run our business" and we wont tell you how to run the Police Dept.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
quote:In Chicago on the other hand it seems like cops expect a discount, at Mc Donalds I've even seen cops walk behind the counter and just pickup the food from the slide down holding slots. This was not just a one time thing mind you, it was EVERY time I was at McD's in ChiTown and a CPD of Cook County cop came in.
Now that is just plain wrong...almost sounds like extortion.[V]
it's called graft and it is illegal0 -
As a young soldier I worked a second job at a convenience store (midnight to eight). I always gave the cops free coffee even thought the owner specifically told me not to. It kept them coming back often which was greatly appreciated. I got caught (by the owner) and told her I'd just pay for it myself. The cops always had money out, I just wouldn't take it. 0 -
When I worked at a gas station third shift I always gave the cops free slushies (they didn't drink coffee). Now that I work security, I eat lunch every day at a place that refuses to take my money (in the building I work, not allowed to go off site so I am stuck) and stop at the gas station for coffee every morning for coffee. 50% of the time they charge me full price, the rest of the times it is free. If it is free I say thank you, if they charge me I gladly pay.
Last time I went to Chipotle, they gave me 50% off. I was not in uniform, but the manager recognized me as I am a frequent customer there and have been there in uniform.0 -
Free stuff for police, when the same items are not free to everyone else, is unacceptable in my view.
Many private businesses feel that they are making a nice gesture when they do this, but it doesn't pass the "integrity test" IMO.0 -
Given a culture that demands...and gets..Peace Officers..I think that there would be little problem with offering said officer a sincere 'Thank you' for a job well done. Perhaps in the form of a discount on a meal, or a cup of coffee.
Would I to run a business, I would do so.
Given the society we have evolved into..I think perhaps Peace Officers ought to pay the tab. Just to make it quite clear they are not part of the Kings Men.0 -
A local convenient store in town offers free coffee to officers who are on duty. The officers get a freebie, and the store gets protection just by the officers presence. Novel idea, in my book. 0 -
There are a few business in my area that have discounts for "uniformed" people LEO, Fire, EMS, Military.
Being EMS and not getting "breaks" as we are always on call during our shifts. Most place try to get our stuff out as fast as they can, with out slowing other customers. Many times I have had to run prior to getting my food. Every time they had fresh food made when I came back.
I always use my manners.
I am not a person that expects this or special service and the people that do make all of us look bad [:(!].0 -
I worked graveyard shift at a hole in the wall convienence store out in the middle of nowhere for a while.
Passed word along that I'd make a fresh pot of coffee on the hour every hour, and had lots of LEOs, EMS workers, and paper delivery folks in and out all the time. High traffic made me feel much safer (as did the pistol and big knife I carried)...0 -
quote:Originally posted by lt496
Free stuff for police, when the same items are not free to everyone else, is unacceptable in my view.
Many private businesses feel that they are making a nice gesture when they do this, but it doesn't pass the "integrity test" IMO.
+1 A cup of coffee is not worth your integrity.0 -
I always paid for any food I ate, I did not want to be beholden to the store or company as they would expect preferential treatment in exchange for a two dollar burger! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by lt496
Free stuff for police, when the same items are not free to everyone else, is unacceptable in my view.
Many private businesses feel that they are making a nice gesture when they do this, but it doesn't pass the "integrity test" IMO.
How does it rate on this "integrity test" of yours if a business extends such courtesies to all on-duty emergency services personnel? This is company wide policy with some businesses. It's not as if these people owe that clerk or manager any favors.
One way or another, if I own a business it's no one else's affair if I want to hand out discounts or freebies to anyone I please.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Txs
quote:Originally posted by lt496
Free stuff for police, when the same items are not free to everyone else, is unacceptable in my view.
Many private businesses feel that they are making a nice gesture when they do this, but it doesn't pass the "integrity test" IMO.
How does it rate on this "integrity test" of yours if a business extends such courtesies to all on-duty emergency services personnel? This is company wide policy with some businesses. It's not as if these people owe that clerk or manager any favors.
One way or another, if I own a business it's no one else's affair if I want to hand out discounts or freebies to anyone I please.
Many departments have regulations about their officers accepting a gratuity from a person or a business. Your right, in that you as a business owner don't have to charge LEOs, you can give away all the stuff you want; but its LEOs choice to take it or not.0 -
I work as a volunteer at a local Gun Club Range - It is my personal policy to never let a LEO pay for range fees, targets, or food or drink from the "honor" store. I have nothing but respect for the hard job they do, and even though I pay my share of Taxes, I want to encourage them to come and practice, and don't want money to be a consideration. I do the same for any Active Duty Military.
Whenever I am at a Lunch or Breakfast spot, if there are Military diners in uniform, I try to buy their meals for them. It is not a bribe - I expect nothing in return. I just feel it is something I can do to tell them that they are appreciated.0 -
quote:Originally posted by acm1288
Many departments have regulations about their officers accepting a gratuity from a person or a business. Your right, in that you as a business owner don't have to charge LEOs, you can give away all the stuff you want; but its LEOs choice to take it or not.You seem to have missed my point.
As a form of support for a community's public safety workers, these same food/drink discounts are normally offered to more than just the cops. Should firefighters or medics be catching this same flack? After all, they might not arrive as quickly because the business didn't give them that free cup of coffee.
On more than one occasion I've seen businesses provide free food and drinks to public employees at the scenes of large fires or other local catastrophes. Instead of questioning their motivations, I support these businesses for being civic minded.
As for the individual accepting these, what if people were complaining that military discounts or freebies are unfair? Many people will never be eligible for these due to religious beliefs, so are those who accept them contributing to unconstitutional discrimination?0 -
Free or even discounted food, no. Free coffee, yep. Heck restaurants, most, give free refills anyhow, so what's a cup of coffee? 0
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