Lexi,

Like you I've lived in both New Yok and L.A.[and Miami and Colorado too]. Queens was predominantly a white immigrant area, but I once talked my way out of a situatiion with 3 black guys on the street. So yes, at times your own attitude can help defuse situations.
However, I lost my way in L.A., and ended up in Watts. Now that scared me. No white faces, all the stores had iron bars across the wondows, and broke the speed limit to get out of there.
Went into a restaurant in Bayou country, and was told to go look somewhere else to eat. This was for black folks only. Tried the nice approach, but all it got me was the door opened for me to leave.
This made me aware that when any ethnic group congregate in one area, it can cause problems. In america it is mainly a black/white problem, but in this country it is more a religious problem.
In Perth there was a predominately aboriginal area. When the black
[muslim africans with their pangas]and the middle eastern muslims were housed in that area, conflict arose between the groups, and it was the the aboriginals who moved away. This is now an area we avoid.
Being nice doesn't work because most of them can't even speak our language.

Dear worldwatcher,

My car broke down driving through Watts in Los Angeles
and I went into a nearby house and asked to use their phone.
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. I didn't have a problem -
and received the help I needed plus a cup of tea.

In New Orleans the taxi driver was black and when it came
time to pay him, we stopped at a garage and asked for change.
When the garage owner saw our black driver - he told us
that he couldn't help us with the change. We ended up
paying the driver with what we had - even thought it was
less than the price of the fare - he told us not to worry
about it.

In Los Angeles, I worked at the University Library (Reference
Department)
of the University of Southern California. It was an elitist
University surrounded by a black ghetto area. I used to travel
by bus daily and would end up being the only white-face on
the bus by the time the bus reached the campus. I am well-
aware of the race problem in the United States having lived
and worked there for close to ten years.

A friend of ours was in the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department)
and the stories he would tell were horrific. However, I
looked upon the situation as the result of what disadvantage
can do to people's lives. Especially to people who were not
given a "fair go."

Lexi my dear,

Just goes to show - a pretty face will win 'em over every time [almost].

Somehow don't think a man would get the same result as you did.

Gender as well as age does make a difference in most situations we encounter.

Hi there LEXI...

Thank you again for your response, and I do appreciate what you're telling me. Often a smile, a kind word, a deed, in fact the many other kindnesses we do unto others, can soothe and pacify the savage beast in most of us ? Not all, I'm afraid.

The several instances you've kindly cited herein, both here in Oz, and in the United States, we've/I've had to deal with an a single shift ! Whether it's the uniform, our presence or simply a combination of testosterone/drugs/booze/ or straight out sheer evil, I don't know. But deal with it , we must. Because if it's not us, then who ?

I do agree - everyone, particularly coppers should always try the softest approach first. When that fails, and fail it usually does, particularly when the offender(s) have an audience of their peers all yelling in their own language, diplomacy simply flies right out the window !

You mentioned Watts, Compton, Rampart and other districts in South Central LA, where there exists many social wrongs, and issues. Nothwithstanding the Rodney King (dec) affair, these social problems are the making of government. Not police. It's police who often have to clean up the mess.

I've spent several shifts with that agency (LAPD), doing what's called a 'ride along', an observer if you like. I found the place, in the mid eighties at least, was a veritable war zone.

Similarly, I did the same in Elizabeth, NJ (described as the 'arm pit' of the East Coast). And with the NYPD also, where I was consigned, as a 'foot' or beat observer, within the 'Projects' (housing) precinct, in Brooklyn. Often police in the US MUST take an agressive posture, or the crooks will walk all over them. Sadly it's all too true. US police really earn their salary.

Sometimes, I get so very weary, and tired, trying to continually defend and justify police ? I often wonder if their many critics and detractors had their way, and could 'shape' them into the model they desired. I wonder then what would happen ?

O sung wu

'I often wonder if their many critics and detractors had their way, and could 'shape' them into the model they desired. I wonder then what would happen ? '

you would end up with Police Commissioners leading Mardi Gras and going out for dinner while the State burns.

o sung wu,

You have to have been there to experience it, don't you? They earn every cent they are paid!

A very good friend of mine was a homicide dectective in New York, and had previously been one in the drug squad.

One humorous story he told me was regarding him trying to dissuade a drunk woman wearing spiky high heels from getting in her car and driving. He offered to call her a cab, and his was reward was being stomped by said heels. She ended up going to jail.

Yes, they do have to have a tough attitude in New York. They can't afford to be any other way as it is regarded as weakness. You would have probably noticed that the petty small time criminals may not have liked them, but they did have respect for 'the man'.

The average life expectancy was 52 for detectives. My friend only made it to 49. After being shot and stabbed at various times while on the job, he succumbed to a heart attack.

This was a good man who had joined the force with the belief he could make a difference.

I still have his gold shield, given to me by his relatives to help me remember our friendship.