Oh no, its the po po!

E

elnino

Full time elf
Joined
Aug 1, 2014
Messages
142
I had the cops rock up last night. One of my neighbours complained to them because he could not get to his house for a few mins, then when there was a clear path floored it through. Anyway, the discussion with the officer went as such:


Cop: Who owns that house? (pointing to the house across the road from mine)
Me: I think the guy's name is Ian
Cop: Well what's all this then? (pointing to my house, still not knowing who's house it is)
Me: It's christmas lights
Cop: What for?
Me: Ummm, Christmas, you know, people decorate their houses in lights...
Cop: So Who are all these people then?
Me: Umm, people that have come to see the lights.
Cop: Well they can't be here it's blocking the road
Me: You're welcome to tell them to move on (The lineup was about 30 cars long lol) (He told one car to move)
Cop: So who's house is it?
Me: That is my house
Cop: So how do to they know to come here?
Me: Word of mouth mostly but the power of the internet is amazing these days
Cop: Well you have to take it off the internet and tell everyone on the internet they can not block the road
Me: Yeah, ok, i'll do that (in a sincere tone)
Cop: Well, if you don't I'll have to order you to shut down the lights.
Me: Well there is not too much I can do for tonight but I will tomorrow.
cop: Ok, I'll be back to check tomorrow!


He truly was a weird one. There was more to the conversation than that but it's a fairly accurate description of that part of the conversation. I was polite etc but all that cos one neighbour complained, the only one I have not spoken to (ever, his house is a dive and is not very visotor friendly - you can't get to the front door). Funny thing is, his car is all decorated with Tinsel etc. He's spreading the christmas love, just don't block his road! I get it, it's frustrating for him I spose but have some patience!


My street has an awkward kink in it and it's not overly wide, this makes it hard to 'go around' the traffic.


I just hate that:
a) He never bothered to say anything to me about it
b) His first and only resort was to call the cops.
c) it's now irrelevant because he is home
d) It's christmas and only for a couple of days, get over it!
 

Attachments

  • traffic jam.jpg
    traffic jam.jpg
    77.1 KB · Views: 111
thats just hilarious the cop will shut your lights down hehehehe on your own property and totally legal lmao hope he was wearing his hat and his full uniform lol
my suggestion
1 more lights
2 make em brighter
 
It would be very hard for him to enforce. Not sure on the legality of him doing so. At the end of the day, I am not doing anything wrong, the visitors are. However, I am the 'cause' of the problem. I'm sure there is something they could get me for and force me to shut it down but if i can get through tonight, I don't really care if they do.


I'm hoping the guy just had a bad day or something and it will be ok tonight. I only plan to run the show till the end of the weekend anyway, traffic depending.


** He was a traffic cop, no high vis (compulsory i think?) and no hat.. Meh, go catch some drunk drivers!
 
I have a parking lane on either side of my road and I block the lane off with witches hat I bought from bunnings. The cops came past and asked who put the hats out. I said I did so no one would park there and if kids step off the footpath it's not into on coming traffic looking at the lights. The copper said "well that's a good idea, good thinking" he then radio'd in for back up and I had 6 cop cars watching the show.
 
I only have about 1.5 lanes total :( i.e barely fit 2 cars AND it's a no-through road...
 
Ohno you have a real grinch in your street . My biggest thing would also be that he wasnt man enough to personally tell you his problem . Hope it goes well for the rest of the weekend and doesnt escalate. We have been very lucky here never had any complaints from Neighbors just compliments . And have had police here many times first time was worried as they all got out of there cars was 3 cars and as it turns out they are just on their rounds and come too see the lights and wished us merry xmas and promised too keep an eye on things in neighborhood and our display . Hope we dont get a visit like yours though as we are constantly blocking traffic here
 
I had a cop car pull up about 12days ago.. an watched the show..
i was tempted to stop the show an pack it all up..
as there not the type of people i want to attract to my show..lol

Cops cant do you for xmas lights.. as everyone does it..
they can order you to shut down your show if you have speakers blaring out music..
(an if you refuse they then have the right to take your show away)

as for the traffic well technically thats not your issue.. thats the council an for the police to sort out..
if that cop thinks there is a traffic issue.. then tell him he's now on traffic duity for the rest of the night an he better call for reinforcements to do the job correctly..

all you can do is ask people not to park over the driveways..
if people do then its not your fault.. its there's an the cop can fine then..

it can get more technical , but in a nut shell.. that cop sounded like a tosser an you should of offered him a lolly pop to suck on..lol
 
I haven't actually seen any cops here, but I know they are doing the rounds as a few of the locals had a heap of there cables cut about a week ago. The cops were just as mad as the owners I think and said they were going to step up their patrols.
 
It is amazing how much keeping the neighbours informed can do. If you sent out a letter before the display opens explaining that you will be having a lighting show and that you expect that there may be some inconvenience created due to the traffic. Then give them your contact number and say that if they have any issues with access then to call and you will be happy to manage the traffic to allow them to get access into their house.

I can understand someone getting very frustrated because they have had to wait ages just to get into their own driveway.
 
If you are attracting that much attention, perhaps get a charity involved and set up a donation tin/bucket.

No doubt the media would then jump for a story about the people who are trying to have it shut down :)
 
marmalade said:
If you are attracting that much attention, perhaps get a charity involved and set up a donation tin/bucket.

No doubt the media would then jump for a story about the people who are trying to have it shut down :)
Click to expand...

This is a good point to also mention in the letter that you are raising money for charity. because it can make the difference between someone tolerating it instead of calling the police on you
 
marmalade said:
If you are attracting that much attention, perhaps get a charity involved and set up a donation tin/bucket.

No doubt the media would then jump for a story about the people who are trying to have it shut down :)
Click to expand...

I have the local gymnastic's club girls to collect (means i stay inside under aircon)
they arrive on the 20th an automaticly start collecting,
(helps cause there is a alley way next to me where they park there cars an monitors there kids)
the kids love it , cause there raising money for there club, for the last 2yrs they pulled in $900 over 5nights.
But it has caused a Side effect,
people donate ,watch for a minute an leave,
But thats a good effect as it keeps traffic flowing on the busyest nights.. :D
 
We are out from day 1 to control traffic, but in reality it's only the week before Christmas that is a big issue. We tell people to move if they are blocking the street, we make sure driveways are not blocked, and we actually do a letter drop for people affected saying it might be better coming this way (and we put a map) as the cars are less likely to be blocking the access. If they do come the other flash your lights and we will drop what we are doing and come to get any offending cars out of your way.

Cops here are great, with one last year telling a resident to "pull his f'ing head in" when he complained about the traffic as he was just as much to blame as me, as the person in question had like $30 worth of lights on his house, and cars were parking opposite his and walking up to my place :)

We refuse to let others do our fundraising work - how the hell can they answer questions about the lights, or do anything but shake the tin. Hell we have people here for 30+ minutes, not watching for a few before moving on. We have people come here on dates, and at least one proposal that I know about. Actually get out and talking to people is 90% of the work - only time I'm inside is after 10pm, or when it's wet.
 
lithgowlights said:
, and at least one proposal that I know about.
Click to expand...

Its amazing how lights can bring out the romance. We had at least 5 marriage proposal go up on the Sydney Christmas tree ribbon for Christmas and one of those was supposed to make the news but got dropped the last minute.
 
Fasteddy said:
lithgowlights said:
, and at least one proposal that I know about.
Click to expand...

Its amazing how lights can bring out the romance. We had at least 5 marriage proposal go up on the Sydney Christmas tree ribbon for Christmas and one of those was supposed to make the news but got dropped the last minute.
Click to expand...

Geez what marriage proposals thats what got me into this mess! My beautiful bride wanted blinky lights and now look at me there is never enough and will never be finished as every year is newer better stuff . Lol. But yes is a credit too you guys for creating the romance
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top