Contact with Bellingham Police (and it went well)

I walked outside to pee the dogs this morning and low and behold, the neighbors front door is wide open. Now this is not a usual call for alarm, but they were out of town and had a housesitter. I released my weapon but did NOT take it out as I walked slowly to the door. I rang the bell several times and yelled "Hello in the House" several times. No answer. I popped the pups in my house and called 911. I told her (911 OP)what went on and that I was armed. 911 OP asked what I had armed myself with and I told her I open carry a pistol in a holster. I had four police vehicles in less than five minutes. They approached the house, went in with lasers bright and found the house sitter sleeping in the basement with the bedroom door closed. She heard the bells, but thought she was dreaming untill BPD woke her up with weapons drawn. She apologized. Only one officer looked at my holster and no one commented on it. I did get a couple of "Thank yous" and one "attaboy". No hassle.

Good job looking out for your neighbors.

How did that happen, I hear Bellingham PD is the worse when it comes to contact with open carriers!

Great Job and Nice Encounter, maybe this will undo some of the misconception about open carriers in that area.

Lessons learned...

I'm sure the lessons learned from previous law suit hit it home.

BPD had to pay out for hassling a fellow OC'er a year or two before.

With more encounters, just reinforces the "training bulletin" they must of gotten after the incident last year and... the more positive encounters the better.

Good job!

good job and looking out for neighbors is what we need more of.

Yea they know it's legal, and there isn't a lot they can do to stop it. And a few of the officers are supportive. Especially the older one with gray hair, he shook my hand and said thanks to me they know it is legal at a Starbucks once.

In my business I have always carried weapons. I have walked thru McDonalds with an M16 in sling over my shoulder (caveat, I was in Army uniform). Nada. I may be stating the obvious, and I believe SVG has said: Act like you always do, look like you belong. People ( and that includes LEOs ) will not perceive you as a threat unless you are a threat. Now I do have a bit of a 'Lee Ermy' attitude about us all getting along, my reasoning for OC. I do NOT think it is us against them. I believe it is us against the uninformed/uneducated.

BigDave said:

How did that happen, I hear Bellingham PD is the worse when it comes to contact with open carriers!

Great Job and Nice Encounter, maybe this will undo some of the misconception about open carriers in that area.

Click to expand...

I believe that at this point (thanks to SVG) that Vancouver and PCSD have assumed the top spot.