Documenting the Truth and Making Jewelry

Photo Cops

Police cars. My camera strapped across my chest. I move cautiously to the back lot of the Holiday gas station. Wind whipping trash around me. I carefully pull my camera out of its case. Darn! The batteries are low....Click....got the pictures of the two different license plates that read "POLICE".

Oh, oh, five police officers are now in the back parking lot of the Holiday gas station. Hands on their hips. "Ma'm why are you taking pictures of our squad cars?" asks the tall, bald officer who does not have his hands on his hips. I stumble nervously, "jewelry, I make jewelry out of license plate images." I quickly gulp for air. He looks mad. "Smile", I grin, "I want to take your picture." "

"Jewelry, you could make jewelry from my picture?" he asks gleefully. Now I have to take his picture. "My daughter makes jewelry but can't make a living off it", he offers. "Do you live in the area?" he snaps, remembering that he is a police officer wanting to enforce the law. "I've seen you in the area."

Suddenly I notice the sign on the door of the Holiday gas station. It reads....."Shoplifters will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

It is then that I realize these Metro Transit police officers are totally afraid of me. They are afraid of me, and my camera, documenting the truth......You see....I come into this Holiday gas station almost every morning, and what are these officers doing? They are eating the donuts from the pastry racks. Yes, they are afraid I will document their over-consumption of the Holiday gas station donuts. Perhaps even mailing copies to their superiors or perhaps their wives.