Inspired by VRS - I ask the same thing

[Qaeria]

Reading this thread by VRS remided me a story from about 15 years ago.

One of my first jobs was to manage a modest resort in southern Alberta. We had campgrounds, RV lots with full hookups, and river front Cottages. The cottages went for an insane rate I always thought, and that is what seems to bring out Homo Entitlus Whorus Sapiens in droves. For some reason, whenever a vacation, etc is a 4 digit amount, the EW's seem to think that they should be granted special status.

River Front does have an extensive beach, and we try to ensure the cottage has privacy on beach, but on peak times, even their beaches can get a little packed. Also, in Canada, ANYTHING considered to be waterfront is crown land. So even though you own the land that is waterfront, you do not own the beach, nor the waterspace. </bs>

SC= You know
Me=

Me: Tyvm for calling valley resort, this is Q, how may I help you?
SC: Yea, I am in cabin 5, and there is a bunch of people on MY fscking beach!
Me: Well ma'am this is a resort, and with the tempurature pushing 35 degrees, the beach is rather full today. We make every effort to give you more privacy, however we cannot guarantee your exclusive use.
SC: I don't care! You get someone down here to get rid of this riff-raff! I paid $2000 for this vacation, and I cannot believe you would allow fscking people to just take over my beach.
Me: Ma'am, you paid that rate for use of the cabin, and all amenities, not for exclusive use of the beach.
SC: Whatever. These are tresspassers, and if you won't do something about it, I will!!!
Me: I'm sorry you feel that way Ma'am, but...
SC: (click)

I was about to inform her as to the laws with waterfront, but of course she hung up. Jebus, I was starting to get that sinking feeling in my gut, but I thought whatever. If she makes an ass out of herself, it will be her folly. Life went on, and back to the grind I went. In comes a Police Constable to the office. I thought they were setting up for a checkstop (To nab drunk drivers) and were just checking in.

Cop: So I hear you are having problems with some people tresspassing?
Me: Un, not as far as I am aware.
Cop: Oh, we got a call from someone complaining that people were illegally on the resort.
Me: ok, I think I know what is going on. (So I tell him the story above)
Cop: didn't you tell her about rule of waterfrontage?
Me: She hung up before I got the chance.
Cop: You mind locking up here then, and we'll go down and see what is going on.

So the Constable and I head out for the other end of the resort. as we approach the cabin, we hear screaming. Lots of people screaming. So the cop heads out to see what is going on. When I look over the beach, I see SC running after people on the beach with a baseball bat. This lady is swinging with all her might. All the while screaming, "This is my fscking beach I paid for it!!! Y'all tresspassin' on my property!!! Get out, or I'll kill the lot of ya!!!!!" Cop is on the radio calling for backup, then assesses the situation. He finally decides that he can take her down without having to have backup there, so he pulls out his baton, circles around to her rear so she can't see him coming. He takes off, and BOOM!!! A tackle worthy of an NFL highlight reel, and the SC is face down. Oh, boy, did she lose it. She was able to squirm out from under the cop, grab her bat, and was about to swing it at the cop. She stopped though, as a Glock 9mm was aimed right at her chest, and she was given 2 options. Drop bat, or be dropped. Finally, she was arrested without incident, and was taken away. She faced charges for Assault, Aggrivated Assault with a weapon, Uttering Threats, Assault of a Peace Officer, Attempted Murder, Criminal Negligence, Criminal Negligence causing bodily harm, Mischeif, Disturbing the Peace, and Littering (This one made me laugh).

The most laughable part was the judge took the most condescending tone with her at sentencing to fully explain waterfront law so that even a toddler could understand. It was then, that all concerned got a genuine apology from her, and she finally showed remorse.

The following year, we demolished or sold the cabins, and expanded our RV lot.

[ShadowTiger]

Thread made me proud to read it. *salutes beach jockies everywhere*

[telecom_goddess]

Well I hope she is having fun in her jail cell now

[Sheldonrs]

Kind of ironic that increasing the trailer lot helped to END that kind of behavior.

[Qaeria]

Well I hope she is having fun in her jail cell now

Surprisingly, by Canadian Justice standards, her sentance was rather harsh. She got 15 years, but we have a faint hope clause in our Criminal code that allows for parole to be granted after 7 years served. She was released after the 7 years. I did see her at the Parole hearing, and what a difference the grey bar motel can make. She was soft spoken, empathic and kind. Thank goodness she rehabilitated, and not got worse.

[mikoyan29]

35 degrees...Isn't that a bit cold for the beach?

Wow....all of those charges....

[technical.angel]

That's 95 degress F to us Americans.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

35 degrees...Isn't that a bit cold for the beach?

Wow....all of those charges....

Not in Celsius, I think.

Assault, Aggrivated Assault with a weapon, Uttering Threats, Assault of a Peace Officer, Attempted Murder, Criminal Negligence, Criminal Negligence causing bodily harm, Mischeif, Disturbing the Peace, and Littering

Long lists of charges are ALWAYS more fun when you tack on Littering at the end.

[cawaker]

wow that seems kind of a harsh sentence for some mild threats of violence. i mean did she really nail anyone with the bat?

maybe i'm just desensitized from all the rich people getting off so easily.

[telecom_goddess]

She might not have actually hit anyone with the bat but it wasn't for lack of trying! It sounds like her full intent was to clock some people.

[Jester]

...Mischeif, Disturbing the Peace, and Littering (This one made me laugh).

If someone pisses cops off, oftentimes they will tack on minor charges just to be petty. Not that they make up the charges, mind you....just that they find ways to charge the culprit with as much additional stuff as possible, just to return the favor, as it were.

[Qaeria]

She might not have actually hit anyone with the bat but it wasn't for lack of trying! It sounds like her full intent was to clock some people.

Unfortunately 5 people sustained injuries from the bat attack. One was hit in the head so severe that the victim was in Intensive Care for 6 months. That is where the attempted murder charge came from. Our Criminal system is similar to the UK, in that the Crown Prosecutor is the one, in the end that charges a suspect. Police can only recommend charges for things that they know to be, and can prove is a criminal offense. at the time of her arrest, the charges were just Assault on a Peace Officer, and Aggrivated Assault with a Weapon, and the Littering.

Cops don't string a mass amount of charges up here to just be petty. The prevailing thought is to charge with as many offenses possible to practically guarantee a conviction. The littering citation was done because she took the bat to everyone's picnics and beach gear that she could see, and the beach was an absolute disaster.

Still, it proves a point not to piss off law enforcement too much.

[tropicsgoddess]

I think this was the first SC thread that I can truly say that justice was served!

[telecom_goddess]

Unfortunately 5 people sustained injuries from the bat attack.

Oh jeeeeesus I didn't realize that. So she DID clock some people.

Well in that case then I don't think the sentence was too harsh at all......and it's good to see she came out of there a little more contrite.

[Munkie]

35C is frigging HOT and unless there's a breeze coming in off the water, even on a still day, thats not accounting for the humidity, which could make it feel even hotter still.