Most popular place to eat for cops?

[JC]

The discounts merchants give out develop good will. The cop discount gives them motivation to be there with the cop car out front. It limits meal time robbery and makes for a repeat customer.  Some places give military discounts. I get discounts cause I'm over 55 in some resturants. It only makes me come back to eat there again. I've gotten employee discount rates in the eating places when building hospitals.  I've gotten discounts at Beals cause I'm old. I've gotten discounts at the appliance store cause they want my repeat business. I get discounts at the drug store too.

Discounts are not unusual.

Yeah, like when you get a discount for being over 55 its because a business owner is trying to entice a private citizen to buy their goods.  Who was paying you and were their any potential conflicts of interest?

[floridaforester]

I've been to Larry's in 5 Pts and they offer discounts to any officer, firefighter/EMT or hospital worker.  As a Realtor working strictly on commission, my thought is if you're going to offer discounts to workers who know they are getting a paycheck every 2 weeks also offer it to the ones that don't know exactly when they are getting paid again (ie-sales prof.)!  Honestly, it makes me want to patronize another establishment.

I was in Tampa recently and a bar & grill in Hyde Park had foreclosure fridays for real estate professionals.  I'd like to see that being offered somewhere in the area b/c, lord knows we could use a discount!  I think it would bring in a lot of folks for some enterprising business.

[buckethead]

Yeah, I don't see anything amiss about the relationship between the merchants and the police.  Its always volunteered, and never asked for, expected, or required.

Its what people should do.  Back in the old days, people baked them pies and made them lemonade and iced tea sheerly out of appreciation.

SchlaBAMM!

I agree wholeheartedly. There will always be variance in motivations for merchants and Policemen alike, but it is a win - win. Cops aren't hanging out at these places neglecting their duties, and they get a bit of a perk as part of a difficult and thankless job.

I oppose a "Police State" as much as any Birkenstock wearing, dreadlock armpitted anarchist but I see the need for a police force. You get yer good, bad and indifferent, just like everything in life but all in all, Cops are good people and vital to communities and businesses.

[JC]

I am not arguing whether its right or wrong to give food or whatever to police.  What I am saying however is that it is possible for the law to be enforced in a different way, albeit subtle, based on perceptions police may or may not have which can be affected by what free stuff they receive. 

[cline]

As a Realtor working strictly on commission, my thought is if you're going to offer discounts to workers who know they are getting a paycheck every 2 weeks also offer it to the ones that don't know exactly when they are getting paid again (ie-sales prof.)!  Honestly, it makes me want to patronize another establishment.

If a place I went to offered discounts to realtors, it would make me want to patronize another establishment.  Policemen are needed in their community.

[Traveller]

I often see police officers sipping coffee at the Starbucks in Roosevelt Mall.  As has been pointed out, it's an effective crime deterent.  I've been told many apartment complexes give discounted rent to cops who park their squad cars out front for the same reason.

[Shwaz]

I am not arguing whether its right or wrong to give food or whatever to police.  What I am saying however is that it is possible for the law to be enforced in a different way, albeit subtle, based on perceptions police may or may not have which can be affected by what free stuff they receive. 

Such as?

[JC]

I am not arguing whether its right or wrong to give food or whatever to police.  What I am saying however is that it is possible for the law to be enforced in a different way, albeit subtle, based on perceptions police may or may not have which can be affected by what free stuff they receive. 

Such as?

Such as what?

[Shwaz]

I am not arguing whether its right or wrong to give food or whatever to police.  What I am saying however is that it is possible for the law to be enforced in a different way, albeit subtle, based on perceptions police may or may not have which can be affected by what free stuff they receive. 

Such as?

Such as what?

Such as examples of how the law could be enforced in different ways than offering police discounted food... as you alluded in your previous post?

[Steve]

I often see police officers sipping coffee at the Starbucks in Roosevelt Mall.  As has been pointed out, it's an effective crime deterent.  I've been told many apartment complexes give discounted rent to cops who park their squad cars out front for the same reason.

+1 - that was always my understanding as to why they did it.  Unfortunately, while I have some real estate agent friends, I'm not so confident that they could stop a crime by and large

[JC]

I am not arguing whether its right or wrong to give food or whatever to police.  What I am saying however is that it is possible for the law to be enforced in a different way, albeit subtle, based on perceptions police may or may not have which can be affected by what free stuff they receive. 

Such as?

Such as what?

Such as examples of how the law could be enforced in different ways than offering police discounted food... as you alluded in your previous post?

I guess I would go with minor stuff like parking and traffic violations.  I am speculating here, remember that.  However, it is easy (for me) to see how this could turn into a back scratching relationship.

[Shwaz]

I am not arguing whether its right or wrong to give food or whatever to police.  What I am saying however is that it is possible for the law to be enforced in a different way, albeit subtle, based on perceptions police may or may not have which can be affected by what free stuff they receive. 

Such as?

Such as what?

Such as examples of how the law could be enforced in different ways than offering police discounted food... as you alluded in your previous post?

I guess I would go with minor stuff like parking and traffic violations.  I am speculating here, remember that.  However, it is easy (for me) to see how this could turn into a back scratching relationship.

For someone who is so adamantly against the capitalist regime I would think you'd be ecstatic about anyone getting something free from a company like starbucks.

[CS Foltz]

Most eateries(not all) either give a discount or free food to the police just to have police presence at no cost! A very cheap way to have their presence at irregular times!

[JC]

For someone who is so adamantly against the capitalist regime I would think you'd be ecstatic about anyone getting something free from a company like starbucks.

Seriously?  That's your answer?  How lazy of you to resort to sarcasm in the middle of a discussion. 

[Shwaz]

For someone who is so adamantly against the capitalist regime I would think you'd be ecstatic about anyone getting something free from a company like starbucks.

Seriously?  That's your answer?  How lazy of you to resort to sarcasm in the middle of a discussion. 

I'm sure you're being facitious.

But as a serious response; you're charting into Bosrant territory if you're suggesting a business that doesn't offer police discounts leads to an unholy amount of ticketed customers.