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Lenslinger
03-06-2007, 10:33 PM
Things I learned (but already knew) at today's Grow-Room Bust (http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=2589779&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1)

The effort, energy and technical prowess required to set up an illegal grow room in your basement could easily bring you a fine salary in any number of electrical, botany or engineering fields - with no fear of prison sex.

Though not nearly as jumpy as when taking down meth labs, certain rural deputies will don bunny suit, gas mask and even hip waders before entering a smelly basement full of half-grown weed.

No matter the education, ethnicity or income level - two out of ten motorists cannot physically restrain themselves from yelling “WHOO-HOO!” when passing live truck encampments. Waving is optional.

No amount of incense will mask the smell of 134 reefer trees in your cellar. Try Stick-Ups.

Electrical linemen aren’t as macho as they look and, even while disassembling a dope grower’s elaborate power system, will still stop Fox affiliated news crews to ask about American Idol.

Undercover cops will repeatedly warn camera crews not to film them, then saunter, strut and preen through every possible camera shot in a three mile radius.

Law enforcement officials notoriously overestimate the street value of confiscated pot plants, employing the exact same kind of fuzzy math that stoner behind the counter at the local Stop-N-Rob uses to count back change.

No matter how many pot pulls, round-ups and drug busts you’ve collectively covered before, someone in the electronic media will always, always jokingly ask if they can take home a sample...Tee-Hee!

Shootblue
03-06-2007, 10:43 PM
I have it to be more like 1 out of 5 motorists.

Frank McBride
03-07-2007, 12:14 AM
"Undercover cops will repeatedly warn camera crews not to film them, then saunter, strut and preen through every possible camera shot in a three mile radius."

This truth above the others rang my bell. It must be something they snicker about among themselves. But they're cops, so we have to play the game.

By the way, did you bring some back for me? Bwahahaha!

FMc

pre-set
03-07-2007, 12:33 AM
No joke, dude. It must be a running gag among undercovers to pull that stuff.

I think my belated New Years Resolution will be to shoot and air AS MANY plain clothes and undercover cops as I can find at all the scenes I find myself at this year.


Yep. Consider it done!

Sportsguy
03-07-2007, 01:03 AM
The one that cops get in major trouble for here in my neck of the woods is when they're caught without their "Smokey Bear" hats on. Apparently, their superiors really don't like to see them on the news sans chapeau...

f11vid
03-07-2007, 06:54 AM
The last Superintendent of police in Chi was nuts about hatless cops,too.I would always remind them to put on their covers before I started rolling.

dig-n-it
03-07-2007, 11:42 AM
I like it when the cops, riding in a marked unit, wearing the windbreaker with "POLICE" in big bold letters across the back ask you not to shoot them 'cause they're undercover. I usually respond to them with a question while pointing to the crowd that has gathered 'round the ole spit & whittle session: "Which one of them thar wannabees ya think hasn't made you yet?"

CHIEFPHOTDOG
03-07-2007, 01:42 PM
It must be the same tale in every city, they always come up right as you get there and warn you not to show them because they don't want to lose there cover. These guys stick out, lick a sore thumb. Come on what drug dealer wears Oakleys and a fanny pack, come on man or maybe your an undercover junky, I get it, it's pretty common to see junkies wearing Levy's and New Balance footwear, I just rack em and if I must I'll show their superiors my footage, why burn a bridge I don't have to. I've gotten complaints from agents telling that they caught my shooters drooling over a load of grass.

ishoot
03-07-2007, 05:36 PM
and if I must I'll show their superiors my footage, why burn a bridge I don't have to. .

If the cops want to see my footage they will need to watch the news or get a court order..

INLANDNEWS
03-07-2007, 09:43 PM
If the UC's dont want me shooting them...they better not stand around in the action I am shooting. I tell them to go hide in their unmarked units with the tinted windows so I can get my b-roll and leave. I had a UC yell at me for shooting a crowd at a press conference. 7 Camera's and 10 UC's in the crowd. Probably not a good idea to be hanging around a presser. Makes me wonder how much these guys think sometimes.