A Cop just told me, "Freedom doesn't exist anymore."

[OgNasty]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am and this was well within that time frame).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking along with some other discussions, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

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[jayce]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

That's why nowadays people want to be a policeman. Not to catch a villain, help society, or secure the area where you are living. They want to do anything what they like, because they think that they have right to do that. If we don't accept their wish, so they will show their gun and arrest you for "don't want to cooperate with police against crime". Their deed make the people don't like all of police officers, even to nice police that really helped society.

[Beliathon]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

You didn't need to record it, you only needed to get this civil servant's name and badge number and report it to us here. Then some of us might have believed your story. 

[MCHouston]

Maybe he was just being an ass, and he knows of another law.

For instance I have a sound ordinance as well from 10PM-7AM 58dba, but there is also a noise ordinance for residential areas that is effect during the day.  65dba 50ft from the property line.

My miner exhaust measure 51 dba @50ft

Edit: Most residential have both, and I bet a leaf blower violates both.  He is kind of right though I have many friend cops, and they all say there is always a law you are breaking.

[mrcashking]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

So sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident this morning. The cop is right though. We are not in the 60's anymore. Freedom as we once knew it has vanished and been replaced with a fake freedom that fooling most everyone.

Did you tell the cop that you knew freedom aint what it used to be or did you just let him talk your ear off then go back to your leaf blowing.

[--Encrypted--]

the more I hear about this matter about freedom in the US and some other countries, the more grateful I am for not being born there.. it is just sad that fewer and fewer AND fewer people can stay happy without making others suffer

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

You didn't need to record it, you only needed to get this civil servant's name and badge number and report it to us here. Then some of us might have believed your story. 

we might believe a story from a well known member, but he'll get a dark eyes from that cop's department if he didn't have a solid proof.  

[OgNasty]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

You didn't need to record it, you only needed to get this civil servant's name and badge number and report it to us here. Then some of us might have believed your story. 

Is this story unbelievable?  I didn't think so.  I wanted to record it because a clip of a police officer saying freedom doesn't exist would have been gold.  Whether or not people believe me never crossed my mind.

I wasn't doing anything illegal or breaking any laws.  The police officer was 100% in the wrong.  You don't have to believe me though.  There will inevitably be those who are ignorant and short sighted who will support a police state.  I just wanted to share this story.  I guess without a clip of the cop saying it though, this is just the ramblings of an irritated citizen.

[Beliathon]

So sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident this morning. The cop is right though. We are not in the 60's anymore. Freedom as we once knew it has vanished and been replaced with a fake freedom that fooling most everyone.

Yeah, I'm sure women and minorities LOVED living in the 60s. Oh wait, I forgot we were all supposed to behave as clueless male libertarians on these boards. My bad.

I guess without a clip of the cop saying it though, this is just the ramblings of an irritated citizen.

Without at least a name and badge number it surely is. You're aware you can ask for this information and they're required by law to provide it, correct?

[OgNasty]

Did you tell the cop that you knew freedom aint what it used to be or did you just let him talk your ear off then go back to your leaf blowing.

He didn't have much to say.  He just said that next time he comes out someone will go to jail.  Basically I have lost the right to use a leaf blower on my property.  The time of day really had nothing to do with it.  It's sad.  I own my property and I am not allowed to operate a leaf blower on it.  While his statement was shocking, it did prove to be true in this instance.

[Beliathon]

He didn't have much to say.  He just said that next time he comes out someone will go to jail.  Basically I have lost the right to use a leaf blower on my property.

First world problems meme generator delivers again.

[OgNasty]

I guess without a clip of the cop saying it though, this is just the ramblings of an irritated citizen.

Without at least a name and badge number it surely is. You're aware you can ask for this information and they're required by law to provide it, correct?

I know my rights.  I don't have any intention of fighting the police or reporting the incident though.  I know they have more important things they should be doing and I know it would only draw negative attention to me.  I'm simply sad at the state of the government and police in my country.  

Again, this was not a noise issue.  There was no noise complaint.

[Beliathon]

I guess without a clip of the cop saying it though, this is just the ramblings of an irritated citizen.

Without at least a name and badge number it surely is. You're aware you can ask for this information and they're required by law to provide it, correct?

I know my rights.  I don't have any intention of fighting the police or reporting the incident though.  I know they have more important things they should be doing and I know it would only draw negative attention to me.  I'm simply sad at the state of the government and police in my country.  

Translation:

"I know my rights, but I'm too afraid of government retribution to exercise them."

No judgement here friend, it's not at all unwise to fear the police these days. But what use are rights if we're all too cowardly to make use of them? Do we even truly have them at that point?

[OgNasty]

I guess without a clip of the cop saying it though, this is just the ramblings of an irritated citizen.

Without at least a name and badge number it surely is. You're aware you can ask for this information and they're required by law to provide it, correct?

I know my rights.  I don't have any intention of fighting the police or reporting the incident though.  I know they have more important things they should be doing and I know it would only draw negative attention to me.  I'm simply sad at the state of the government and police in my country.  

Translation:

"I know my rights, but I'm too afraid of government retribution to exercise them."

No judgement friend, it's not at all unwise to fear the police these days. What use are rights if we're all too cowardly to make use of them?

Hence my post.  Police make and break laws on a daily basis.  I'd rather rant on an online forum than exercise my rights and end up in jail for doing so.  Your "rights" are the way it's supposed to be, not the way it is.

[edric]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

At least that Policeman had the courage to say the truth. At least he did not try to hide this fact or shield like politicians do. We are actually living in a tied-up free environment. All the control is being done either by politicians or business tycoons.

[erikalui]

The story doesn't sound convincing and the statement is not completely true. Freedom never existed in the first place, nor earlier and not now. When there's a Government, it automatically makes us all their bonded laborers who have no freedom. All Policemen are not that bad but 99% are and if they even finds you walking on the street, they threaten to arrest you and extort money. Unless one is powerful like a Lawyer or Minister or someone with a high authority, the person is just slaves.

[Beliathon]

Hence my post.  Police make and break laws on a daily basis.  I'd rather rant on an online forum than exercise my rights and end up in jail for doing so.  

Here you've captured the problem with the american anti-government movement. Most americans have very [materially] comfortable lives, full of privileges we fear to lose. We refuse to risk anything, we refuse to make any sacrifice for the greater good. Even those of us who despise the state and the violence it employs won't sacrifice much of anything to better it.

Sacrifice. This is the difference between people like you and I and people like Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning. We are revealed as selfish cowards when held up to that standard.

[OgNasty]

Hence my post.  Police make and break laws on a daily basis.  I'd rather rant on an online forum than exercise my rights and end up in jail for doing so.  

Here you've captured the problem with the american anti-government movement. Most americans have very [materially] comfortable lives, full of privileges we fear to lose.

We refuse to risk anything, we refuse to make any sacrifice for the greater good. Even those of us despise the state and the violence it employs won't sacrifice much of anything to better it.

Sacrifice. This is the difference between people like you and I and people like Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning. We are revealed as selfish cowards when held up to that standard.

Perhaps.  Something tells me the users who have BTC tied up in my escrow services appreciate my choice not to cause trouble and risk my "freedom" which according to the police, doesn't exist anyway.

[Beliathon]

Hence my post.  Police make and break laws on a daily basis.  I'd rather rant on an online forum than exercise my rights and end up in jail for doing so.  

Here you've captured the problem with the american anti-government movement. Most americans have very [materially] comfortable lives, full of privileges we fear to lose.

We refuse to risk anything, we refuse to make any sacrifice for the greater good. Even those of us despise the state and the violence it employs won't sacrifice much of anything to better it.

Sacrifice. This is the difference between people like you and I and people like Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning. We are revealed as selfish cowards when held up to that standard.

Perhaps.  Something tells me the users who have BTC tied up in my escrow services appreciate my choice not to cause trouble and risk my "freedom" which according to the police, doesn't exist anyway.

Sage Carlin on "Rights" - TLDR there's no such thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9-R8T1SuG4

[spazzdla]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

That's why nowadays people want to be a policeman. Not to catch a villain, help society, or secure the area where you are living. They want to do anything what they like, because they think that they have right to do that. If we don't accept their wish, so they will show their gun and arrest you for "don't want to cooperate with police against crime". Their deed make the people don't like all of police officers, even to nice police that really helped society.

This guy gets it right here..

Our cops are paid in the top 5% of the entire country... the waiting list is YEARS.. YEARS not months YEARS long.....  Pigs in my country are pampered beyond pampered and believe exactly this.

We are "civilians" aka dirt, peons, nothing.  People of no value or importance.

[mrcashking]

Did you tell the cop that you knew freedom aint what it used to be or did you just let him talk your ear off then go back to your leaf blowing.

He didn't have much to say.  He just said that next time he comes out someone will go to jail.  Basically I have lost the right to use a leaf blower on my property.  The time of day really had nothing to do with it.  It's sad.  I own my property and I am not allowed to operate a leaf blower on it.  While his statement was shocking, it did prove to be true in this instance.

At least if anything comes of this situation you found yourself in this morning its a good BCT thread.
 

[(oYo)]

Did you tell the cop that you knew freedom aint what it used to be or did you just let him talk your ear off then go back to your leaf blowing.

He didn't have much to say.  He just said that next time he comes out someone will go to jail.  Basically I have lost the right to use a leaf blower on my property.  The time of day really had nothing to do with it.  It's sad.  I own my property and I am not allowed to operate a leaf blower on it.  While his statement was shocking, it did prove to be true in this instance.

Of course the time of day had EVERYTHING to do with it. Use your blower at noon time and I'm positive NO-ONE will give you any flak for it.

I think the noise by-law is from 11pm til 8am in Toronto. If I was your neighbor I can guarantee you I wouldn't be happy with having to hear your blower at 7:30am. I wouldn't call the cops or anything, but I might mention to you that I wasn't happy waking up to your noise and ask you if you wouldn't mind doing it a bit later in the future. Personally, I think the noise by-law should be from 8pm til 10am.

[ibminer]

Your telling me a cop just walked up to you and said this without no official noise complaint from a neighbor or someone around you?

---snip---
I wasn't doing anything illegal or breaking any laws.  The police officer was 100% in the wrong.  You don't have to believe me though.  There will inevitably be those who are ignorant and short sighted who will support a police state.  I just wanted to share this story.  I guess without a clip of the cop saying it though, this is just the ramblings of an irritated citizen.

People who support police are not short sighted and ignorant. They are worried about their safety and want someone to protect them, their family, and their community from bad people. That being said, there is a correct way to have a police presence and an incorrect way, and unfortunately a lot of police departments are swaying towards the incorrect way (all with "good" intentions, but failing badly and jeopardizing freedom in the process). Politicians are a large part of the problem.

Your situation is a little hard to believe without a complaint from someone else though... unless there are details being left out, like did you forget to get dressed before you went out and started leaf blowing?    

"Hate the cops?  Next time you need help, call a crackhead"  

[gentlemand]

And others should have the freedom not to be woken up by some annoying ass buzzing first thing in the morning.

Whether we like it or not mutual consideration needs to enforced by someone or something otherwise the world would be a shower of shit. It's too densely populated to be any other way these days.

[OgNasty]

And others should have the freedom not to be woken up by some annoying ass buzzing first thing in the morning.

OK.  I should give more back story since I see the folks are getting hostile against me.  Also keep in mind it is a week day and at no point was the time of day mentioned as a factor in the conversation.

I went outside shortly after 7:30.  I cleaned up some debris, trimmed my tree, cleaned up after my dog out back, put my trash can on the curb for the trash man, and then turned on my leaf blower for 5-10 minutes (second time I've ever used my leaf blower).  The interaction with the police officer was after 8:30 and then I immediately wanted to document somewhere what I had just heard (hence the hot headed thread).  I also live in the desert.  It is bright outside by 5am and by 10am it is too hot to be working outside (according to the news, I am not scared to be outside).  That is why the noise ordinance is so early here.  Hearing leaf blowers at 7am is not uncommon in my area, nor is it illegal.  While I don't especially like it, houses here are new and built with so much insulation you can barely hear it inside anyway.  The point of the post wasn't about my unhappy yard cleaning experience, it was that a cop told me to my face that freedom doesn't exist anymore and threatened me with jail if I use a leaf blower (within 5 minutes of the cop leaving, one of my neighbors started blowing off his property).  The cop urged me to install cameras with audio all around my property and to report any of my neighbors for suspicious behavior.  It was a conversation I wish I wasn't a part of.  My comment of, "I'm more of the freedom and privacy type" is what brought out his response.

Pretty crazy morning for just wanting to do a little yard work.

[Jason]

"Hate the cops?  Next time you need help, call a crackhead"  

[brendanjhwu]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking by leaf blowing my property, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

That's why nowadays people want to be a policeman. Not to catch a villain, help society, or secure the area where you are living. They want to do anything what they like, because they think that they have right to do that. If we don't accept their wish, so they will show their gun and arrest you for "don't want to cooperate with police against crime". Their deed make the people don't like all of police officers, even to nice police that really helped society.

I don't get how people always get into these confrontations with police, they're all pretty nice. Well maybe, because I'm Canadian but still... when I got pulled over in New York, the officer was pretty chill. Where do you live?

[countryfree]

Again, this was not a noise issue.  There was no noise complaint.

Are you sure about that ?
Some neighbor may have called the cops to complain without the policeman telling you about it.
Besides that, if there's a noise regulation, you can't blame a cop for enforcing it.

Now regarding freedom, you may have heard of thousands of African migrants coming to Europe. If those people were free, there would one thousand of them lining up your street, begging for food.

[Gronthaing]

The cop urged me to install cameras with audio all around my property and to report any of my neighbors for suspicious behavior.  It was a conversation I wish I wasn't a part of.  My comment of, "I'm more of the freedom and privacy type" is what brought out his response.

That's very weird. Basically asking you to spy and report on your neighbors. Has there been a lot of criminal activity in the area? Or any reason for him to ask that? Not that it justifies it but maybe there is some investigation going on in the area?

Besides that, if there's a noise regulation, you can't blame a cop for enforcing it.

Did you read his post? That happened after 7:30. Not before 6am when it would be illegal.

Now regarding freedom, you may have heard of thousands of African migrants coming to Europe. If those people were free, there would one thousand of them lining up your street, begging for food.

Sure. Fuck freedom. Help cause the problems by bombing and robbing others, then give up liberties to stop them trying to get their lives together.

[johnyj]

Police in bad mood! Sometimes a policeman has just been upset by some criminals and want to find some ordinary guy to beat 

[freeyourmind]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking along with some other discussions, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

I guess you're supposed to be happy that you didn't get the shit beaten out of you for no reason along with the many other youtube clips.  To serve and protect right?

[(oYo)]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking along with some other discussions, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

I guess you're supposed to be happy that you didn't get the shit beaten out of you for no reason along with the many other youtube clips.  To serve and protect right?

"to punish and enslave..."

[pureelite]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking along with some other discussions, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

Of course it doesn't. You are on internet, you are accepting that everytime you log on to some social network, or search something. We are slaves, that's the truth.

[freeyourmind]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking along with some other discussions, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

I guess you're supposed to be happy that you didn't get the shit beaten out of you for no reason along with the many other youtube clips.  To serve and protect right?

"to punish and enslave..."

lol that's amazing.

Since it is "public service", it would be interesting if the tax payers were able to pick the slogan for government services.

[Beliathon]

And others should have the freedom not to be woken up by some annoying ass buzzing first thing in the morning.

This!

[Beliathon]

And others should have the freedom not to be woken up by some annoying ass buzzing first thing in the morning.

What if I work nights and sleep days? Do I get the same rights or am I a second class citizen because I have a different shift?

Also banks, post offices, and most other businesses will be closed when you're not working. You're a second class citizen because you have a nightshift. That's life.

[gentlemand]

And others should have the freedom not to be woken up by some annoying ass buzzing first thing in the morning.

What if I work nights and sleep days? Do I get the same rights or am I a second class citizen because I have a different shift?

You are a second class freak. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

I'm almost completely nocturnal too but the majority of the world isn't so I just have to suck it up.

[Beliathon]

So... you are comparing a sound ordinance enforced by the local authorities with businesses' hours of operation?

I'm not comparing them, I'm only pointing out that the rest of society doesn't alter itself to suit your personal convenience.

Some of you guys have a weird understanding of "rights".

Mine is pretty clear.

[Beliathon]

I'm not comparing them, I'm only pointing out that the rest of society doesn't alter itself to suit your personal convenience.

We weren't talking about "personal convenience", we were talking about freedom. If you just want to lump them into the same category... well, never mind.

Well, you're the one conflating the two.

[gentlemand]

Absolutely not. The dude said that people have the freedom to not be assaulted by noise pollution in the early morning.

I asked if the same freedom applies to those on a different schedule.

You respond with some silliness about banking hours.

What's the potential solution then? I work all night and sleep until the afternoon. I know perfectly well that the majority of humanity doesn't operate with those hours. Because of that I have to put up with their noise and me moaning about it isn't going to wash because my lifestyle choice doesn't fit. That's just the way it is.

[hedgy73]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning (granted 7:30am might have been a bit early) when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking along with some other discussions, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

Its understandable you we're 'told off' for operating a leaf blowing machine much earlier than the time allowed 'to make noise' where you live. 10am is pretty late though, is it like an old peoples retirement complex that you live in?

I've also been 'told off' for using my work equipment before 8am which is the time in the UK where I live that you are allowed to start making noise. However this doesn't seem to apply to the dustbin men who regularly make lots of noise outside my house at 7am. Still I'd rather that than not have my rubbish collected .

[newflesh]

What's the potential solution then?

However this doesn't seem to apply to the dustbin men who regularly make lots of noise outside my house at 7am. Still I'd rather that than not have my rubbish collected .

The reason they collect so early is so they don't hold up traffic in the road. It's even louder when they're collecting the recycled glass bottles (used to live near a pub where I'd hear this on a daily basis )

[OgNasty]

Again, time of day had nothing to do with it.  Weird that people are so focused on that.  Perhaps most people don't understand the need to get yard work done early when it will be 115 degrees outside.  I'll say it one last time, this was not an issue of noise or had anything to do with the time of day.  If it was something so trivial, I wouldn't have felt the need to post it.  This was a cop probably 10 years younger than me who made a bad judgement and used the threat of jail to cover his tracks and intimidate.  I just wanted to highlight that.  If you want to take the police officer's side for why I'm at fault for clearly not breaking any laws, I'd venture to say you are what is wrong with America.  Even police officers have to follow the laws and can't threaten people with jail based on their opinions.

Edit: I was blowing dust off my driveway which a rake wouldn't help.  Quite normal in the desert.  I heard 2 neighbors do it this morning at roughly the same time I did.  It is so common that me being confronted by police for doing it and then urged to install cameras on my property gave me such a strange feeling I felt the need to post it online somewhere.

[newflesh]

Again, time of day had nothing to do with it.  Weird that people are so focused on that.  Perhaps most people don't understand the need to get yard work done early when it will be 115 degrees outside.  I'll say it one last time, this was not an issue of noise or had anything to do with the time of day.  If it was something so trivial, I wouldn't have felt the need to post it.  This was a cop probably 10 years younger than me who made a bad judgement and used the threat of jail to cover his tracks and intimidate.  I just wanted to highlight that.  If you want to take the police officer's side for why I'm at fault for clearly not breaking any laws, I'd venture to say you are what is wrong with America.  Even police officers have to follow the laws and can't threaten people with jail based on their opinions.

Edit: I was blowing dust off my driveway which a rake wouldn't help.  Quite normal in the desert.  I heard 2 neighbors do it this morning at roughly the same time I did. 

Fair enough mate, I think it's insane that a cop wasted the time and effort to lecture you about 'breaking the law' (even though you didnt) for making noise on your own property. Not sure what it's like in the US but in the UK the cops have to make a certain amount of arrests/stops per month (though they don't admit it publicly) so they tend to go for the easier violations than go after the real criminals.

[hedgy73]

Again, time of day had nothing to do with it.  Weird that people are so focused on that.  Perhaps most people don't understand the need to get yard work done early when it will be 115 degrees outside.  I'll say it one last time, this was not an issue of noise or had anything to do with the time of day.  If it was something so trivial, I wouldn't have felt the need to post it.  This was a cop probably 10 years younger than me who made a bad judgement and used the threat of jail to cover his tracks and intimidate.  I just wanted to highlight that.  If you want to take the police officer's side for why I'm at fault for clearly not breaking any laws, I'd venture to say you are what is wrong with America.  Even police officers have to follow the laws and can't threaten people with jail based on their opinions.

Edit: I was blowing dust off my driveway which a rake wouldn't help.  Quite normal in the desert.  I heard 2 neighbors do it this morning at roughly the same time I did.  It is so common that me being confronted by police for doing it and then urged to install cameras on my property gave me such a strange feeling I felt the need to post it online somewhere.

I'm sorry I misunderstood the severity of the conversation and certainly didn't realise he'd threatened you with jail! He sounds like a nasty piece of work .

You're right, it would have gone viral by now if you'd recorded it, it's shocking.

[ibminer]

Again, time of day had nothing to do with it.  Weird that people are so focused on that.  Perhaps most people don't understand the need to get yard work done early when it will be 115 degrees outside.  I'll say it one last time, this was not an issue of noise or had anything to do with the time of day.  If it was something so trivial, I wouldn't have felt the need to post it.  This was a cop probably 10 years younger than me who made a bad judgement and used the threat of jail to cover his tracks and intimidate.  I just wanted to highlight that.  If you want to take the police officer's side for why I'm at fault for clearly not breaking any laws, I'd venture to say you are what is wrong with America.  Even police officers have to follow the laws and can't threaten people with jail based on their opinions.

Edit: I was blowing dust off my driveway which a rake wouldn't help.  Quite normal in the desert.  I heard 2 neighbors do it this morning at roughly the same time I did.  It is so common that me being confronted by police for doing it and then urged to install cameras on my property gave me such a strange feeling I felt the need to post it online somewhere.

Did you get the impression he actually thought you were breaking the law and got aggressive when you corrected him?  or do you think he was just making up a false charge just to harass you?  ....I guess the latter is what I thought you were saying with the OP, but the bolded statement makes sense to me and this is definitely not a good reaction to the situation by any police officer, or human being for that matter.

I'm also curious what the 'other discussions' mentioned in the OP were that went on before he made the comment?
I just want to clarify that you didn't come up to him throwing up gang signs and saying "wha wha mother$*#$, I know the law $*#*$, get out of my face!" and had some level of respectfulness?  

In any case, I would hope this is an isolated incident... I'm not sure how old you are, but it sounds like the cop might have been a newer police officer?

If it were me, as long as I am within my legal right to do so, I'd be out there the next morning leaf blowing, with a recording device and/or witnesses, but would still have a level of respect in the situation... the same level of respect I would give to any person, not just a cop.  

[BADecker]

I was blowing leaves off of my property this morning when a police officer confronted me.  He told me that I was breaking the law (where I live the noise ordinance is from 10pm-6am and this was well within that time frame).  When I let him know the law and asked what law I was breaking along with some other discussions, he responded by saying, "This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore."  He had a straight face and was dead serious.  It is a sad day when not even the police believe in freedom anymore or respect the laws.  I just wish I had been recording the interaction as it would have been youtube gold.

He just married a woman cop and is finding out that she wears the pants in the family.   

[OgNasty]

I'm also curious what the 'other discussions' mentioned in the OP were that went on before he made the comment?
I just want to clarify that you didn't come up to him throwing up gang signs and saying "wha wha mother$*#$, I know the law $*#*$, get out of my face!" and had some level of respectfulness?  

In any case, I would hope this is an isolated incident... I'm not sure how old you are, but it sounds like the cop might have been a newer police officer?

If it were me, as long as I am within my legal right to do so, I'd be out there the next morning leaf blowing, with a recording device and/or witnesses, but would still have a level of respect in the situation... the same level of respect I would give to any person, not just a cop.  

I was very calm and nice actually.  It wasn't a heated discussion from my end at all.  I was just shocked that he said that.

I have spoken to my neighbors and apparently this is the 3rd police run in this week.  I guess there have been some property disputes between two of my neighbors and police were just called the day before because one of them complained that the other was storing boxes of leaves and then throwing them on his property in the night (true story).  It is quite possible that they were checking up on the situation and mistook me for one of the neighbors involved in the dispute.  That makes more sense to me as to why he would threaten to take me to jail for using a leaf blower.  Still not cool, but at least I don't feel like I was randomly selected to be harassed and threatened by police.

[aikunsatu]

He's so right,  money has put humanity second.

[cryptocoiner]

This isn't the good old days, freedom doesn't exist anymore.

Nice one. America has lost independence and freedom. Maybe you should leave America and go to some place where absolute freedom still exists? Like Somalia for example.