The latest Cleveland police controversy hit the presses this week when one resident woke to the sounds of laughter and glee outside his window. He peered through the blinds and quickly grabbed a camera because, as he describes it, several police officers were “in the middle of the street in a damn snowball fight.”
WEWS is carrying Rob Gregory’s video of the wintry fun, which is hilarious. Some of the comments are even funnier.
The snowball fight has many, including Gregory, furious over what seems to be a waste of taxpayers’ money and time. Gregory paints it thusly during his video: “This is why we can’t get no work done in Cleveland because this is what the police spend their time doing.” (Emphasis ours)
Now, Scene is certainly no police apologist, but the uproar spiraling from this video is an interesting case study in Cleveland’s penchant to flip out about small things while ignoring the bigger things. The first factor to consider, as many are certainly are, is what these upstanding snowball warriors could be doing with their time:
– Setting up their illegal traffic cameras *in other cities*
– Forming nothing short of an army to chase down unarmed civilians and shoot them to death
– Sleeping on the most significant kidnapping case this city has ever seen
– Filling out the ranks of the mayor’s personal police beat
– Garnering the mistrust of an entire region
Snowball fights don’t look so terrible now.
Mayor Frank Jackson told the news station, “We’ve looked at the video. It looks like the officers were relieving a little stress with a snowball fight that lasted a very short time. We’re not aware that it resulted in any harm or put anyone at risk.”
Here’s the WEWS lede: “Is it a waste of tax pay dollars (sic) or just some cops having fun?”
And here’s Fox 8’s lede: “Inappropriate or innocent fun?” You can almost feel the ghoulish sense of foreboding curl up inside your cubicle as you read that. Maybe.
Those sorts of less-than-thought-provoking questions, darkened with the air of controversy, are fairly typical for TV news stations. But the response shows a strange tendency to mold mountains out of mole hills, even in the face of truly disturbing police actions like the ones listed above.
This article appears in Dec 11-17, 2013.
Who cares. You never have breaks at work? You try driving around for 8+ hours. I would rather have these guys helping and protecting me than some uptight cops. Relax people.
Those cameras are doing a fine job. I suggest one at the back entrance Memphis Ave to Save a lot and bank machine besides Cinema Loung. Or maybe a annual Snow ball fight . THEIR HIDING IN PARKED CARS COVERED IN SNOW. TO ROB PEOPLE GETTING IN THEIR CARS. 1 WOMAN AND HER!
Oops and her buddies!
Maybe if they they had more snowball fights they’d have less bum fights like Fullerton, Ca where they beat a homeless man to death. I say let it snow.
Good for them. Sounds like they had a few minutes of enjoyment….
It has to air on Ridiculousness.
Sounds like the person who videotaped the was the only one who had an issue here and also too much time on his hands what kind of job do you have.
Unreal……..This is what is wrong with this COUNTRY…..People Bitching over a Snowball Fight!!! Those Officers put there life on the line every night! Who cares if they have a little fun on the JOB……You know Damn well WE ALL HAVE! Lighten up People its CHRISTmas…There now I probably hurt someones feeling for using CHRIST in CHRISTMAS!
In my opinion these officers were doing some light “in the field” training. Testing their agility and mobility in full uniform and gear. Everyone needs a moment to have fun. If anyone has an issue with this situation deserves a snowball or two.
People lighten up for Gods sake…get a life
Big deal. I used to run into them drinking at bars while on duty back in the 70’s and 80’s and I know longer see that. I’d say we’ve made progress!
And we need to be able to edit our comments. I know the difference between “know” and “no!” Damn!
This is what comes down to. “911” Yes I have a problem I have a code 12. Officers being human. Please Send back up right away. This is ridiculous now there engaging using snowballs. O my, man down hurry he is laughing!!! Really!!!!! Come On!!!
Dear Rob Gregory:
Good effort but unfortunately this was a swing and a miss. Your 15 minutes is up. No movie or book deal is coming your way. Dr. Phil will not be interviewing you because you obviously “own” your pettiness. You are now the official Scrooge of Cleveland. Lighten up. Your halo will still be there tomorrow!
I think its cute. they deserve a moment like that. everyone does
Give me a break!!! People need to grow up. Cops having fun, oh no!!! News at 11. People wonder why cops have such a negative attitude all the time. Anytime we show our human side we get thrown under a bus. And shame on the sharks at the news. Trying to make an issue out of nothing. Maybe they should focus their attention towards Washington if they want to find where our tax dollars are really being wasted.
Seriously, give me a break. Half my family has been or is on the force and if people knew half the stuff they have to deal with every day, having a couple minutes of fun is hardly a crime.
These officers risk their lives on a daily basis to fight America’s problems on the streets. They deserve a friggin’ break. God knows what call they just got back from before this. Child Abuse? Person shot? Neighbor found dead? They need a stress reliever, so give them their 5 minutes to play for god’s sake.
Oh no. A 2 minute snowball fight.
Who cares.
There are far too many videos of cops getting in trouble for serious things. This isn’t one of those things.
Have fun with your 2 minute snowball fight, Cleveland PD.
You guys have it hard enough the other 364 days, 23 hours, and 58 minutes every year.
Maybe the news should follow Rob Gregory around for a while and make sure he’s not wasting any time at all while he’s supposed to be working.
I really don’t see the big deal with the officers having a snowball fight. Actually, I think it’s hilarious and cool that they were doing so. It’s ironic, too, that you have what are essentially highly-trained warriors participating in something as innocent and child-like as a snowball fight. If that’s how you choose to take a break on the job, then I think you made a pretty good call.