Burgers, Guns and Candy: A Day in the Park with JPSO

Life is the same old, same old with occasional excitement sprinkled in so we don’t fall asleep in our soups. We have, finally, hit that wall of being so hot that if you stay out too long you get sick, literally. I was doing fine with the weather, lately, but this weekend proved that summer can kick your ass with one little day in the park. A park void of shade. Must write the city and ask where are all the fucking trees.

This weekend our lovely police department decided that they wanted to show off their toyscrime fighting tools .  They, also, did a demonstration that was nothing like what you have seen on TV, movies or the NEWS. It was all a little too calm for me. No one yelling, “DOWN ON THE GROUND, SCUM!” Although, the firing of the really big gun (like my technical terms?) on the S.W.A.T vehicle were enough to give me a coronary. I had told NOLA that the police certainly wouldn’t fire their weapons in a park full of civilians. She swore up and down that, of course, they would and she refused to go. WUSS!!!

We arrived toward the end of the festivities, but still got to see the show, along with touring many of JPSO (Jefferson Parish Sheriff Office) massive toys equipment.  I have seen some of these vehicles at such events as Mardi Gras parades, but I was never privileged, or unfortunate enough?, to get an inside view. 

The vehicles of JPSO:

This appeared to be the older of the 2 helicopters that our police force have.
The kids seem to have no complaints, though.

Oh, look this one has doors.  Well, up front.  Those of you in the back, hang on.

Here is where I wiped the drool off of my husband’s face and told him,
“NO!  You may not have one!” 
Action figures are not included.

An inside look of the S.W.A.T unit.  Just imagine a line of guys in very hot gear
ready to jump out and save the day.
And the center is perfect for sneak attacks or, in this case, trying out your modeling
poses.

Size comparison.
Wee little boy vs massive scary looking vehicle.
I don’t think his head even came to the top of the tires.

This is how you get around in South Louisiana. Helicopters are good for places like the other L.A.,
but around here if you want to catch the bad guys you better be able to ride the water.
I am not positive, but I think this is a swamp boat, mainly because of the huge fan in the back. 

The boat must match the water situation.

Demonstration:

Load up guys.  You know the drill.

Hey, wake up over there.  Get ready to kick some ass!

Our target for the day?
This innocent looking car parked in the middle of the park.
Here is where it gets good.

The copters do their part.

Then they call in S.W.A.T.
Now, you are gonna get it!

Remember that sneak attack I mentioned.
Well, here is where I jumped right out of my skin, because I am blind and didn’t realize
that, yes, there is a man that will peek out of that little porthole and blow something away.

Here is where I expected to hear stuff like, “Freeze SCUM!” or “Say goodbye to your MAMA!”
But no, they were perfect gentlemen.
Perfect gentlemen with big guns and severe back up.
I suggest doing what they ask.

Oh, look they got their man! 
Somehow I knew they would.

Now, they check the trunk.  They didn’t let us in on what they found, but it looks
very interesting.

Look at that smug look on that perp’s face.  It is almost like he knows he will never
see the inside of a cell.

One more fly by, then everyone piles on.

And they ride off into the sunset.

It wasn’t all loud noises and busting bad guys:

Look a puppy!
Somehow I don’t think he is your average pet.

There were fun games like fingerprinting the little ones for future reference.
Sam was on to us and refused to participate.
Actually, this was quite cool. They put the fingerprint on a balloon and then blow it up.
You get to see the print in detail.
Now, Amber’s fingerprint is flying high over the greater New Orleans area.

I would have had more pictures of all the other fun stuff, like eating burgers, drinking a gallon of water to cool off from billion degree temperatures and arguing with Amber about why I didn’t tell her to bring her bathing suit so she could run through the water bouncy.  At one point, I really considered tearing off my clothes and running through it myself.  Then I remembered there were children around and tons of cops. I would have rather not been arrested for a crime against nature or maybe, abuse of small children or maybe, public nuisance or just for scarring the public beyond help. After about 2 hours with the sun about 5 inches from my face, I packed it in and sat in the car to wait for my husband to tear himself away from all the toys police equipment and find me melting away in the car.

Thanks to the JPSO and all the officers who endured heat in their massive gear to show us a little bit of what their job is like.  Also, for being very polite whenever they show up at my door for a false alarm and are greeted with me in my pajamas completely frazzled from these crazy kids and never ending barking dog.

We appreciate all you do for our community.