Lunch and memories of pretty lights

Today, I had a lunch meeting at the bar association. As it happens, the bar association is right across the street from the county executive building—this is where I worked for several years.

I hadn’t been in the neighborhood for a while, so some memories came back to me as I visited the area. I remembered some of the fun I had when I was a Deputy County Attorney and also remembered some of the headaches when I was the county’s HR Director.

The HR Director’s job was a powerful position, but the boss was a pain, and the job had many, many headaches. So, as I drove away from the area, I felt that life was better since I left that role.

Then came a reminder of one thing from the job that I really wish I still had. As I was driving back to work, this moron in her little car cut into a turn lane a couple of cars in front of me. I assure you she wouldn’t have gotten in had she tried it right in front of me. Unfortunately, she found someone less offended (or more timid) than me and managed to cut the line—and it was a long line waiting for that light!

So what did the old job offer that would help with something like this? It offered a company car. As a concession to my 24-hour-a-day job and my responsibilities, supervising a work force of 15,000 (including a police department, hospital, etc., etc.) and a recognition of the ground I had to cover, they provided a car.

Well, not the usual type of company car. You see, like my current vehicle, it was a Ford. Unlike my current Ford, however, this wasn’t an Explorer. No, this model was called the “Crown Victoria Police Interceptor”. Neat name, huh? That’s the actual model name. Yes, the county provided me with an unmarked police car!

It came nicely equipped, courtesy of my colleagues in the police department—lots of pretty lights, a neat radio, etc. Oh yes, in those days, people either behaved around me or I scared the shit out of them.

On the way to work one day, this woman ran a red light, cut me off and then yelled at me when I had the nerve to blow the horn. She was literally yelling at me…right up until the moment I hit the red lights. Then she proceeded to cry. She actually burst into tears! The funny part was the other drivers in the intersection practically applauding me.

The truth is, it took a lot for me to do anything. I only occasionally used the fun toys, and it was usually for something more than a driver-attitude correction. One time, I helped an ambulance weave through tight traffic on the parkway (and it’s amazing how many people are oblivious to red lights and a siren—pull to the right, people!). Another time, part of police headquarters was on fire, and I had to coordinate assistance from other departments once the flames were put out, so things could keep running.

Even so, there are moments when I really miss those pretty lights—like today when I really wanted to tell that woman what a selfish bitch she was!