Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Liv'smom - I don't think you need a wake up call regarding your parental supervision. You obviously have always felt safe with your children playing in their own yard in your safe neighborhood. But I think the sheriff definitely needs a wake up call. I'm sure he would not be pleased knowing his officer on patrol was taking time out of his work day to play with small kids in the patrol car and freak out their parents.

Thank you steeleing1. It's all good. I know what kind of parent I am. I expected a little holier-than-thou when I made the post. I did and do feel safe there, but times they are a changin', right? Thank you again for the kind words.

Liv's mom, not to mention the fact that the times they are a confusin'. Once upon a time, "Stranger Danger" was the order of the day; parents were urged to teach their children to beware of anyone they didn't know and to look out for scary lookin' folk. The scary folk got smarter, the Internet developed great big arms that reached into almost every household, and then parents were told the old Stranger Danger concept was a thing of the past; the scary folk now looked like normal folk and also could hide their scary selves behind a computer screen. I can't imagine a more confusing, conflicting message than to have a child faced with a uniformed police officer (= safe), inviting a child into his car (= unsafe). Heck, that's practically higher math.

You are right RO- when we were growing up- checking out the sheriff's car would have been cool.

Trains run through the town I grew up in- they run out to the Ford truck plant, then back in. When we were little, there was a liquor store by the tracks, and every day the engineer would stop the train, hop out, and buy a 6 pack. My brother and his friends would wait for this guy occasionally, and get to ride out to the plant and back. The engineer would drink 3 beers going out and 3 beers coming back, then he would stop and let his passengers out of the engine cab. Gives a new meaning to drinking and driving! Mom never really gave it a thought.

If Will did something like this today- I would die of a panic attack.

:shock: Wow! Time sure have changed :funn:

You are right RO- when we were growing up- checking out the sheriff's car would have been cool.

Trains run through the town I grew up in- they run out to the Ford truck plant, then back in. When we were little, there was a liquor store by the tracks, and every day the engineer would stop the train, hop out, and buy a 6 pack. My brother and his friends would wait for this guy occasionally, and get to ride out to the plant and back. The engineer would drink 3 beers going out and 3 beers coming back, then he would stop and let his passengers out of the engine cab. Gives a new meaning to drinking and driving! Mom never really gave it a thought.

If Will did something like this today- I would die of a panic attack.

I have a different take on this. As usual, I have not read the whole thread but several posts on the 1st page. So this may have been stated by someone else

In this day that action by the officer does seem a little strange. But several years ago we would have thought nothing of it. I remember years ago an Electric Power Board guy giving me a ride in his cherry picker. You just can't do that these days. Maybe he was just being nice thought the kids would get a real kick out of seeing the inside of the cop car (especially from the front seat ) and pushing all the buttons. Maybe he just had a Mayberry moment . I don't know. I wouldn't get all that uptight about it. I think its good for kids to see the warn and nice side of officers instead of the stero type. JMHO

I agree somewhat. When I was a kid, my parents would not have minded me checking out the cop car, esp. since my cousin was the Sheriff. However, today is much different.

Let me ask you this, How, or would your reponse be different if the cop was an undercover officer in an unmarked car?

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I guess it is probably illegal for me to beat the crap out of the undercover cop. But that would be my first instinct.

I agree somewhat. When I was a kid, my parents would not have minded me checking out the cop car, esp. since my cousin was the Sheriff. However, today is much different.

Let me ask you this, How, or would your reponse be different if the cop was an undercover officer in an unmarked car?

Thank you steeleing1. It's all good. I know what kind of parent I am. I expected a little holier-than-thou when I made the post. I did and do feel safe there, but times they are a changin', right? Thank you again for the kind words.

Do NOT let your guard down just because you live in an "undeveloped" area of SoWal.

The SoWal population includes A LOT of transients--vacationers, maintenance folks, construction workers. You know, by the sinking feeling you felt in your gut when you found out that your 9 & 2 year old children climbed into and out of the car without your knowledge, something was amiss. You've been given the gift of a do-over; you've obviously learned a lesson.

As much as the cop wanted to be "officer friendly," his lack of judgement needs to be addressed by his superiors. He should be made to visit area schools and pre-schools (on his own time if necessary) and present lectures on "Stranger Danger."

I also mourn the loss of the safety and security we once felt not so long ago--but like you said, the times HAVE changed. A couple of days ago a man exposed himself to a girl at Destin Target. The nuts are out there, and they come in all varieties: tourists, cops, teachers, wealthy retirees, construction workers, and Florida Congressmen. Sadly, we must put tighter restrictions on our children in order to protect them.

You got that right sister/brother?!!!

Any adult, whether a policeman or not, should know not to ask a child to get their car without the parents present.

:clap_1: I agree with steeling1.

Wow, this thread got me upset. You have to report this man. What was he doing driving around your neighborhood anyway if there is no one or anything going on? Reporting this will ensure that he is watched further. You may prevent this from happening to another child who may not be so lucky. He could be building trust, and then who knows, he shows up at your child's school and because she has seen him before gets in the car with her friends.
This kind of warning isn't just for children either. Soemtimes adults have to be leery of the police as well.
I reported an officer that didn't sit right with me (won't get into the details) but had I not ID'ed him, he may not have been caught for commiting a horrific crime.
Ok, I am done ranting. ;-) Going to take a walk on the beautiful SoWal beach now.

When I was a kid, living in the "world's most famous beach", my mother had the bad fortune of being caught in the middle of a 7-11 robbery. The police had the horrendously poor judgement of driving one of the suspects to our neighborhood, dragging him "literally" out of the squad car, and standing him up in our front yard. The boneheaded explanation was that they needed a quick ID. My father was so upset, I thought he was going to be arrested. I believe this "officer" needs a written reprimand and an interview with a professional who could screen him for pedophile tendecies. Walton County should also have a letter of warning from your attorney.

I'm not sure I agree...would you rather have them sitting at the local donut shop? They should be driving around making sure things are status quo. Being pro-active.