PolkMoms.com

Ladies, do any of you have connections to a local police department?

This should fall under the park that we decide, so we need to make that decision soon, or we can decide the park based on an officer being with us.

I have had SEVERAL moms give concern to me in Private Messaging of whom they feel is an extreme poster showing up at an event and being disruptive.

I would certainly hope someone would not be disruptive in public especially in front of a crowd of families and children.

If we are out and about at an event, I have no qualms or doubts in calling the police if there is an incident or a disruptive person that I feel should not be there. I hate drama, especially in front of children and would do this as a last resort or out of concern for our safety. I of course would point out to that person that we are in front of children and it would be best for them to leave with the end result being local PD on speed dial on my cell if they did not.

I then thought we could make this a combo trip. We can play at the park and try to arrange an officer to be there with us so the kids can meet a pillar of the community. This keeps speed dial unnecessary, a police officer is already there with us.

What do you ladies think?

Anyone have a family member, relative, connection, or is law enforcement themselves that would like to spend a little park time with PolkMoms?

I want this to be a fun gathering for us. I don't want anyone to disinclude themselves to our event because they feel uncomfortable.

I might have a police connection, and I like your idea of having the kids meet a police officer. I know the wife of the chief of police for Lakeland and maybe we could see if they would have a k-9 officer do a demonstration. Let me know and I will touch base with her, but will have to do it by next week.

My husband is a deputy w/ the sheriff's office, I can ask him what he suggests.

Have I missed some drama or crazy posts?? I can't remember seeing anything. Not that it matters, but I was just curious who the extreme poster is. Hope it wasn't me!

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Originally posted by Rella123:
Have I missed some drama or crazy posts?? I can't remember seeing anything. Not that it matters, but I was just curious who the extreme poster is. Hope it wasn't me!

I initially thought the same exact thing! lol

It was a bit disconcerting seeing "police at our upcoming outing" but it would be good for the children to have a "meet and greet" with a Community Helper, as our family calls officials we would go to for help. It makes it easier to differentiate between strangers who help us and other strangers. Very helpful with teaching children about strangers and those we may need help from.

Just a note in reference to the "extreme" poster. He is more passionate and ready to arm with information than harmful. The use of computers can sometimes be a culprit adding to a situation in a negative way than helping, from lack of ability to hear intonation, inflection, tone, along with seeing or knowing one's body language and personality, etc.

From my own personal experiences with other forums, they were run and dealt with very differently. People attacked and were attacked, slandered and were slandered, and no amount of defending, explaining, or sincerity seemed to matter. So if someone is used to attacking or defending, they will (at least to begin with) when in a new forum.....until, as they will discover with Polk Moms, they realize the need no longer exists.

Anyway, I hope that helps calm some anxiety - shows a different view???

I appreciate everyone here, meeting some already and hopeful to meet more in the future! I, too, like the idea of a monthly meet up, different cities would be nice, too. We don't mind a drive.


Shawn, didn't I tell you that I'd get over that shy thing soon enough??!!

Michelle

quote:

Just a note in reference to the "extreme" poster. He is more passionate and ready to arm with information than harmful.

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Agreed, as I said on another thread, I have good friends who are also friends of 18watt. He's just a tad overzealous sometimes with the sharing of info, but he's evidently a very nice fellow from all I've heard.

And I'm real happy there's not been the same style of posting as I've seen and dealt with on the other forum. Within a week or so of my beginning to post on the other one I was pretty badly slandered without due provocation. I know exactly how it feels. I'm glad this forum is gentler, and it really should be, (although, nowhere should one have to worry with slander.) it's Mom related stuff primarily.

Although, I will say, I learned pretty quickly how to handle any poster who tried to unduly mess with me. (I'm skilled at word/Fu, hehe.)

Although, not sure how that skill would work out in a real life Western style duel, lol.

I do not want to convey that I feel we need a police officer at our outing. I think it would be neat to have someone in that field there so the kids could steer to. If it does make some families feel a little more secure in coming and sharing a fun day, then that would be good to.

I agree with Shawn. Although the "extreme poster" does make his opinions strong in writing I really don't think that there is any danger of a disruption from this person. I think that he means well, as guitarjee said earlier, some people just have different ways of expressing opinions and it can come off as rude or bully-like, without them even knowing it.I too have been on the other forum and have seen some posts that are very strongly stated and even degrading at times, not nessecarily from this person, but in general. I too was bashed on the very first thread I posted to in The Ledger Forums, which is why my first post there was my last.. I am so happpy that they have a great woman like Shawn heading up this forum as I feel so comfortable expressing my opinions and giving and getting advice, all of you mommies on here are wonderful!!!! I can't wait to meet all of you at the upcoming outing!!!

Shawn, thank you for making this place so great!!!

Just an added thing, I know an officer with Bartow PD that I believe is still over the k-9 unit I will see if I can catch up with him soon.........I also know an officer with Winter Haven PD and an officer with the PCSO k-9 unit, is there a set park yet by the way??

Hi Ladies, sorry I haven't been on here in forever but I work with a really awesome K9 officer and he is blessed with a beautiful dog. I don't know when/where the function is but he's certainly one to go above and beyond call of duty and I am sure that if this event were on his day off he'd be more than willing to do it! If you haven't found a dog yet and are interested I HIGHLY recommend him (can you tell he's my friend, too? LOL) just private message me :-)