328 replies to this topic

[ChipShot]

Stealing is stealing. They knew they were doing something illegal, they knew they were entrusted with the public trust, they knew that they were the ones who are responsible for preventing this from happening. Would you still think it was nothing if they were stealing candy bars at the liquor store too? Are you giving license to our law enforcement to commit small crimes?

-Robert

Well said.

The problem these days is that some of them actually do feel they are above the law. Same with politicians. You give them a little power, and it goes directly to their head.

I feel he should be terminated, but he probably will be promoted.

[Darthvader]

he probably will be promoted.

They just made him your boss, didn't you get the memo???

[jafount]

Stealing is stealing. They knew they were doing something illegal, they knew they were entrusted with the public trust, they knew that they were the ones who are responsible for preventing this from happening. Would you still think it was nothing if they were stealing candy bars at the liquor store too? Are you giving license to our law enforcement to commit small crimes?

-Robert

Due to the fact that historically restaurants have paid to have this stuff removed and it's never been a problem or considered stealing until this new circumstance arose, I'd say you're comparing apples to fire trucks. Instead, I'd analogize it to diving the dumpster behind the restaurant and recovering plastic bottles and aluminum cans to redeem them for their CRV value. Is taking discarded items the same as stealing it? It's refuse, not property.

Having said that, IF and only IF this officer had specifically been made aware that a third party company was now paying the business for the refuse, then he should be reprimanded. However, IF he made contact with the restaurant owner and asked if could take some of the grease, that is between him and the owner, NOT him and the rendering company. The owner of a business has the right to sell-or not-whatever they want to.

[jafount]

I feel he should be terminated

Shocker

[Dave Burrell]

Due to the fact that historically restaurants have paid to have this stuff removed and it's never been a problem or considered stealing until this new circumstance arose, I'd say you're comparing apples to fire trucks. Instead, I'd analogize it to diving the dumpster behind the restaurant and recovering plastic bottles and aluminum cans to redeem them for their CRV value. Is taking discarded items the same as stealing it?

I also don't see it as stealing unless the rendering company can prove they have a contract with malabar and are paying $350 per week for their used grease (their cost for labor and transportation doesn't factor in because we're talking about a stolen item from the source, if it was stolen from the rendering company then the cost of transportation could be factored in but not here in this case)

and really, if there is any victim - shouldn't it be malabar since it was their used grease to begin with? the Sacramento rendering company did not have it in their posession, they are at this stage merely claiming they owned it - they need to prove the contract

I think the only person(s) who should have any right to make a claim to that used grease is the owners of it - Malabar....and how do we know they did not give the ok to the officer to take it but the rendering company got bent and decided to make a bogus case out of it - maybe they just hate cops like chip does?

[asbestoshills]

So, who put this cop's name in the media? If it is a misdemeanor why such attention....If he stole some grease, does this mean his kids' have to be embarrassed at school and his wife ? He shouldn't have done it, but still is this how we treat regular people by putting a Scarlet A on their chest...You know his family still has to live here. It's not like he was charged with stealing a car or even a candy bar...He stole grease, probably for that car he has that runs on french fry grease...Was it for personal use or was he selling it? To me, the Dept. must have wanted him humiliated and fired....It's funny how society looks at crime...If he was an alcoholic or drug user and got caught at work he could just use his health plan and go to rehab and still keep his job, but if made a poor choice and took some used grease, he loses his career??? Just a thought....

[Dave Burrell]

So, who put this cop's name in the media? If it is a misdemeanor why such attention....If he stole some grease, does this mean his kids' have to be embarrassed at school and his wife ? He shouldn't have done it, but still is this how we treat regular people by putting a Scarlet A on their chest...You know his family still has to live here. It's not like he was charged with stealing a car or even a candy bar...He stole grease, probably for that car he has that runs on french fry grease...Was it for personal use or was he selling it? To me, the Dept. must have wanted him humiliated and fired....It's funny how society looks at crime...If he was an alcoholic or drug user and got caught at work he could just use his health plan and go to rehab and still keep his job, but if made a poor choice and took some used grease, he loses his career??? Just a thought....

+100! that was exactly my point too, this just ain't right, something about this case doesn't jive

[ChipShot]

maybe they just hate cops like chip does?

Pffffff...Nice try at baiting!!!

I don't hate cops, but I do believe they need to be held to a higher standard. If we don't hold them to a higher standard, how then can we expect them to uphold the law within the job they perform??

Sorry to pose such a rational response to your nonsensical one.

[Dave Burrell]

Pffffff...Nice try at baiting!!!

I don't hate cops, but I do believe they need to be held to a higher standard. If we don't hold them to a higher standard, how then can we expect them to uphold the law within the job they perform??

Sorry to pose such a rational response to your nonsensical one.

Nice try chip with the usual goofy baiting of your own, but we can all read what you write about the police and ascertain your feelings about them

[Robert Gary]

I also don't see it as stealing unless the rendering company can prove they have a contract with malabar and are paying $350 per week for their used grease (their cost for labor and transportation doesn't factor in because we're talking about a stolen item from the source, if it was stolen from the rendering company then the cost of transportation could be factored in but not here in this case)

Your argument is offensive to reason. If I can prove that the old car parked in front of your house is worthless, you would have to pay someone to come get it, its ok for me to just walk up to your house and steal it? How about all that junk in the garage? I'm sure none of that is worth much; I guess I can just go into your garage and take anything that I don't think you can prove has value.
This is getting ridiculous. You shouldn't have to prove that your property has value in order to have the law prevent people from taking it from you.

The botton line is that these officers knew they were stealing, they knew they were in violation of the law, and they knew they were entrusted with upholding that law. Its ok to hold them to a higher standard because of their position. I would feel the same way if they were stealing candy bars at the grocery store.

-Robert

[Dave Burrell]

Your argument is offensive to reason. If I can prove that the old car parked in front of your house is worthless, you would have to pay someone to come get it, its ok for me to just walk up to your house and steal it? How about all that junk in the garage? I'm sure none of that is worth much; I guess I can just go into your garage and take anything that I don't think you can prove has value.
This is getting ridiculous. You shouldn't have to prove that your property has value in order to have the law prevent people from taking it from you.

The botton line is that these officers knew they were stealing, they knew they were in violation of the law, and they knew they were entrusted with upholding that law. Its ok to hold them to a higher standard because of their position. I would feel the same way if they were stealing candy bars at the grocery store.

-Robert

Your reasoning is no better - you're comparing what most people refer to as trash - USED GREASE - to a car and items in a garage? Let's try and keep things in perspective here.

Plus how can you claim they were stealing when Malabar (the owner of the grease) wasn't the one that called in the theft?

Why does the rendering company have claims on the grease? that's why I said they would need to prove they have a contract - aka ownership of the used grease - is that too much to ask to have substantial evidence that there really is a crime and a victim? - if they do indeed have a contract with malabar - then they parties are indeed guilty - period.

I'm not asking for too much and I'm sorry you don't like my opinion, but I prefer logical reasoning with facts and evidence.

[ChipShot]

Nice try chip with the usual goofy baiting of your own, but we can all read what you write about the police and ascertain your feelings about them

Yes, and in this case, the guy performed an act of thievery, plain and simple.

You don't have a rational, legal leg to stand on, and you know it.

Like Robert said, your argument is offensive to reason.

[irish1]

Your argument is offensive to reason. If I can prove that the old car parked in front of your house is worthless, you would have to pay someone to come get it, its ok for me to just walk up to your house and steal it? How about all that junk in the garage? I'm sure none of that is worth much; I guess I can just go into your garage and take anything that I don't think you can prove has value.
This is getting ridiculous. You shouldn't have to prove that your property has value in order to have the law prevent people from taking it from you.

The botton line is that these officers knew they were stealing, they knew they were in violation of the law, and they knew they were entrusted with upholding that law. Its ok to hold them to a higher standard because of their position. I would feel the same way if they were stealing candy bars at the grocery store.

-Robert

Yes, R.G. you are right on point...!!

[Dave Burrell]

Yes, and in this case, the guy performed an act of thievery, plain and simple.

You don't have a rational, legal leg to stand on, and you know it.

Like Robert said, your argument is offensive to reason.

OK then heck I think we need to start arresting all the homeless people and recyclers who go thru all the trash cans around town too

Lets start filling up our courts and jails with thousands of people who are "stealing" trash

yeah that makes a lot of sense

[supermom]

Your argument is offensive to reason. If I can prove that the old car parked in front of your house is worthless, you would have to pay someone to come get it, its ok for me to just walk up to your house and steal it? How about all that junk in the garage? I'm sure none of that is worth much; I guess I can just go into your garage and take anything that I don't think you can prove has value.
This is getting ridiculous. You shouldn't have to prove that your property has value in order to have the law prevent people from taking it from you.

The botton line is that these officers knew they were stealing, they knew they were in violation of the law, and they knew they were entrusted with upholding that law. Its ok to hold them to a higher standard because of their position. I would feel the same way if they were stealing candy bars at the grocery store.

-Robert

+ 1

I was about to say that, you beat me to it.

but---if this is a simple misunderstanding and the cop used to be "allowed" to take it--then I think it's another story.

I kinda wonder though---why Malabars? Didn't they just change to a new name within the last year or so? Have they had a recent management changeover--and certain "ways of doing things" were not known?