Encounters With the Police

I have had two experiences with the police- both times were with officers of the Westlake Police Department. The first time an officer asked me to consider not being out with my cross immediately following school hours and someone called the police a few days ago while I was out saying I was making gestures.

With both encounters, the officers made it clear that what I was doing was not wrong, and the second time the officer said they have no problem with what I'm doing. After the officer told me why he had stopped and I told him that I hadn't been doing the things alleged, the officer left.

So far, I have only had positive experiences with the police. When I am approached by the police, I am not nervous and am friendly with the officers. I know I'm not doing anything wrong and there is nothing for me to be nervous about. I also understand the police are here to protect and serve and are just doing their job, even if it someone lied about me making gestures.

I am assuming they were said to be obscene gestures- I occasionally wave or give a thumbs up to people who give them to me, but I can't see the police responding to a call because the "cross guy" smiled and waved to me. Making obscene gestures while holding a cross would contradict the message I am promoting, and I'm sure the police know that and just have to respond to the call. After this officer left, I stood with my cross for another hour and a half with no problems.

If you are out on the streets with a cross or evangelizing, know your rights if you are approached by law enforcement, but please also be respectful of the police. I know that I am not doing anything illegal and there is no reason for me to be nervous when the police approach me. I also understand they are just doing their job. I will probably be approached by the police in the future, and I want to make it a habit to thank the officers for their service to the community.

Remember Romans 13:3-4: "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." If you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about.

First Time Questioned By Police

Today, I went back to Dover Center and Detroit. I incorrectly wrote that I went here yesterday, but I was actually at Dover Center and Center Ridge. The last time I was at this intersection was about 2 weeks ago on 9/4/09. I arrived at 2:30 and today started out great.

One woman motioned for me to move my sign so she could read it (it was pointed at moving traffic at the time) and she replied, "Any time!" I had a high school student cross Detroit and told me what I was doing was awesome. I gave him a tract and he said they have the same tracts at his church.

A little later, a woman pulled up and gave me a sheet of paper, told me she had come across it and just wanted me to take a look at it and that I've inspired them. It was from TruthForLife.org, an Allister Begg website. I often times hear Begg on Wretched Radio and am quite a fan of him. On it, she wrote, "To the young man on the corners.. you inspire me! Praise the Lord!!! And may He bless you!" It was an email she had received from their "Truth For Life Daily" series. Here is a link to the devotional. It talked about using creative methods to reach the lost. I really appreciate receiving things like this and it is truly a blessing. I gave her a gospel tract as she left.

Another man pulled up and told me that he saw me on Center Ridge and had to go home and look up the verse on my cross. He said, "The time is fulfilled!" I gave him a gospel tract and encouraged him to read the back side of it.

Around 3:15, a Westlake police officer pulled up. He asked me what I was doing, and I told him promoting the gospel. He asked if he could see my license just to make sure I didn't have a record (I don't). He asked me if this was my job and I told him I was just doing what was commanded in the Bible. He told me he hasn't seen people with these kind of signs and I told him that only 2% of Evangelicals do share their faith.

He was concerned that kids would be distracted by reading my sign when they were crossing the street- which is a valid concern, but I quickly pointed out that there are signs everywhere. He told me I could display the sign any other time, but he preferred not between 2:30 and 3:30, when school kids are walking home. I understand this concern, but I also know this a very high traffic time and a lot of people are seeing the sign.

I told him I would consider what he was saying and that I would pray about it, because there are a lot of people that need saved, but I also understand his concern for the safety of the students. He suggested holding my sign farther away from the intersection. I asked him if he was ordering me to move, and he told me he was not. He inquired about my tripod, and I told him that I like to document where I go.

After our conversation, the officer left and left me pondering what to do. He wouldn't take a gospel tract- he said he couldn't take anything. I placed my sign flat down on the sidewalk, set up my tripod, snapped a picture with my sign, and went home. On my way home, I was praying about what I should do. Should I heed the officer's advice and only go after school hours? Legally, I do have a right to be there, but I am also concerned for the safety of others.

I see the people driving by when I stand at these intersections- people on their phones, people looking down when the light turns green, and people texting while driving. I have seen the girls in skimpy clothing promoting car washes for their schools. I have seen the furniture companies with their signs advertising sales practically every weekend.

There really aren't that many kids that cross in the crosswalk at this intersection or even at the one at Dover Center and Center Ridge. There is not a cross walk guard at this intersection. One idea I had was to assist the people in the crosswalk while I am there. I don't know if I would be legally allowed to assist people crossing the street without being an official crosswalk guard. Or should I just not go at those hours?

Monday was my first time open air preaching with John- I was not doing that today. I don't know if that was a good thing or not.