Maybe it is my diminishing patience with holdovers born of the anti-police movement that causes me to notice residual negativistic commenters clinging to hatred like barnacles on a boat’s belly, even when there is zero reason to be vile.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office recently posted on its social media platforms, portraying Sheriff Rick Staly hand-signing a mass production of bobble-heads depicting his image in uniform, all destined for marketing, the proceeds of which are slated to fund less fortunate families whose children might otherwise have nothing gifted at Christmastime.
(Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.)
“Bobble-heads are being signed and selling fast! All proceeds benefit the Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities! Purchase [price also] covers the cost of shipping.”
Soon after publishing the announcement, a narrow-viewed sarcastic individual posted the following comment:
“I can sleep well at night knowing that the streets of Palm Coast [in Flagler County] are safe with our men in uniform hard at work signing bobble-heads. Keep up the great work gentlemen!”
In the sheriff’s office post, only Sheriff Staly is autographing bobble-heads depicting an image of him garbed in a pine-green uniform. There are no “men in uniform,” no plurality whatsoever, only the sheriff personalizing the product.
Also from that acerbic commenter, the allusion that only males occupy the profession of deputy sheriff in Flagler County may be telling. I’ve spent time in Palm Coast. Female deputies are taking on perilous, life-threatening challenges, wrapped in protective vests, using cover and concealment far more formidable because it beats hiding behind a computer keyboard and slinging a dour attitude.
In the same hour, yet another arrogant individual deposited two cents, saying, “Who the hell paid for this?”
This type of behavior from phantom-like sources is nothing new to law enforcement officers protecting and serving in the United States.
It is evident in law enforcement responses to this brand of police antagonists that level heads prevail. Thus, the sheriff’s office setting the record straight (educating commenters who prematurely insert foot in mouth) is laden with professional demeanor, mature tone, and fact-based details…
The “Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities [is] a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization. No taxpayer money was used. This is all being done as a fundraiser for Shop with a Cop this December so kids can go shopping that might otherwise have nothing in December to smile about.”
Standing with optimists crediting where it is due, opine favorably and without acid-laden verbiage:
The good-hearted people who make this happen are “mostly volunteers who will buy said product, so the proceeds give kids a Christmas experience. Why don’t you look up these things? Not only do those proceeds help those children [but] those cops donate 100% of their time to take those children shopping and make them feel important.”
Trolling to Taunt and Tantrum
The guy who blurted “Who the hell paid for this?” decided to spar with others praising the Flagler County law enforcement agency personnel for being great human beings whose hearts are golden due to giving.
In response to someone politely hoping for his attitude adjustment, he replied, “At least it’s not my tax dollars. There is always plenty to smile about in December, it’s 40 degrees cooler outside. Life isn’t about shopping.”
That garnered, “Try telling that to a 7-year-old that doesn’t understand why everyone got presents but them. So no, it’s not only about shopping but it’s pretty important.”
There is more back-and-forth banter…but you get the gist.
In July 2020, the National Fraternal Order of Police addressed today’s topic:
“These keyboard-warrior losers trolled the daughter of a fallen officer. That’s where we are in 2020: the constant drumbeat from some politicians & some in the media of the anti-police rhetoric/false narratives are the cause for many of these attacks on law enforcement.”
In August 2020, the Florida Police Benevolent Association endorsed who they wanted in the White House, saying, “We’re getting used like a punching bag and we’re tired of it and President Donald Trump has been there for us. He supported us.”
And the beat goes on…
Barbs and Bullets
Lately, I’ve noticed a growing number of law enforcement agencies whose online presence formerly engaged with citizens…have “turned off” comments. Who could blame them?
Unfortunately, closing the door on Negative Nancies and Jerky Joes means police-supporting citizens who value public safety professionals and wish to share their pro-cop sentiments are unfortunately squelched due to the ugliness of arrogance and denigration spewed at bona fide heroes.
Several shootings of police officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies around America were met with online easy-peasy commentary (aka cowardice) from degenerate-minded individuals praising cops being shot. Their comments are laden with the usual cop-centric jeers and epithets.
LEOs hear the noise every day!
The NYPD is a prime example of some people in society habitually confronting cops, sneering in their faces, spewing all manner of expletives, and making an already difficult job that much more strenuous. The useless harangues stack up in a metropolis known for 24-hour din. Poor politics factor into how some citizens treat (abuse) their cops.
Like antsy race car drivers stacked at the starting line, all waiting for the flag to wave them on, law-and-order deniers trek Gotham and accelerate bad attitudes toward NYPD officers, hurling nastiness and instigating conflict. Like Indy pace cars, cops maintain stability as best possible despite the verbal browbeating from hotheads armed with acerbic tongues.
The media throws fuel on fires, fanning these adversarial encounters, catering to the morons who live to have their brief cellphone-captured footage going viral. With dime-a-dozen choices, the media cherry-picks the sensational episodes depicting gory behavior of people with nothing better to do…not the selfless, righteous, heartfelt, gift-giving law enforcement personnel whose presence serves those they do not know personally, pretty much anyone who needs a helping hand.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is one example among many, whereby cops do what they can for those who can’t, indicating how desperately we need law enforcement professionals in our society, despite naysayers’ words wrapped in barbed wire.
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