A number of years ago myself and several other officers were conducting a wanted check for some guy that needed arresting. I don’t remember who he was or what the warrant was for. What I do remember is that I ended up with a front row seat to an age-old principle of human behavior.
Wanted Check
We checked on an address in the inner city where the apartment buildings were all packed pretty close together. The particular building we were headed for was set back from the buildings closest to the road. As a couple other officers approached the rear, I was headed to cover the front. I positioned myself at the corner of the three-story building nearest the road so that I had decent cover from the far building that contained the target apartment. (That’s called tactics, son).
Flying Weed
Just as I was getting into position, a gigantic freezer bag of marijuana flew out of a third-floor window and landed on the walkway several feet in front of me. Weird. The building the weed flew out of wasn’t even the target building! I called it in and maintained my position until the wanted check was over.
Afterward, I secured the marijuana and headed up to the third-floor apartment to have a chat. A middle-aged guy answered the door and ultimately admitted that the marijuana was his. (Since he was the only one home, it wasn’t that hard to figure out). When I asked him why he threw it out the window, he simply explained that he saw all the cops outside and thought we were coming for him.
Only we weren’t.
Imaginary Pursuers
Oddly enough, the Bible has something to say about that. In Proverbs 28:1 it says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (ESV) Isn’t it funny how people who are up to no good behave when they see the police around? Speedy drivers slam on their brakes, someone who just picked up dope does an about-face, toilets start flushing when the SWAT team shows up, and the shoplifter suddenly doesn’t need those items any more. Behaviors change the second our presence is acknowledged. It’s a physical manifestation of a guilty conscience.
The Wicked
Our mere presence reminds the wicked that what they are doing is wrong. We are like a mirror showing them their flaws, the spinach in their teeth, or the mustard on their tie. People who are involved in wrong-doing don’t want reminders, they want concealment and they want anonymity. And that’s one of the reasons why they don’t like us and why their behavior can suddenly change when we’re around.
The Righteous
And as for the righteous? They smile and wave, and keep doing what they are doing. There’s nothing for them to worry about.
Be Vigilant
When you’re out there patrolling, running radar, watching a drug house, or just driving from Point A to Point B, watch for the wicked fleeing when no one is pursuing. And be ready, because it could be a whole lot more than a bag of weed flying your way.
___________________________
- Has something like this happened to you?
- What were the circumstances?
- Why do you think the situation played out the way it did?
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