Police working for catholic church? (North Side) (Wells: wedding, schools)

[Dopo]

I'm not attacking anybody, I'm just trying to find out what's going on here?

I usually drive on Thousand Oaks between 281 & Jones-Maltsberger,
close to 281 & Thousand Oaks there's a Catholic church,
I would imagine that it would be difficult to drive in and out of there because the road is very curvy (can't see far) and people drive by there doing about 45MPH.

I've driven by there on Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon and there's usually 3 police officers standing next to the entrance, I'm guessing to stop the traffic and let somebody drive in or out.

Here's my question,
Anybody knows the story behind this?
Can any church request police officers to help people drive in and out of their parking lot?

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by Dopo

I'm not attacking anybody, I'm just trying to find out what's going on here?

I usually drive on Thousand Oaks between 281 & Jones-Maltsberger,
close to 281 & Thousand Oaks there's a Catholic church,
I would imagine that it would be difficult to drive in and out of there because the road is very curvy (can't see far) and people drive by there doing about 45MPH.

I've driven by there on Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon and there's usually 3 police officers standing next to the entrance, I'm guessing to stop the traffic and let somebody drive in or out.

Here's my question,
Anybody knows the story behind this?
Can any church request police officers to help people drive in and out of their parking lot?

I'm assuming that the church is paying for this service...it's quite common.

[ashbeeigh]

I don't know if this is still the case at University United Methodist Church (and I know some CDers do go there and could probably clear that up for me), but they used to have police officers in between De Zavala to control crossing traffic to let the congregation cross the street after services.

I'm sure this church is similar in that they're somehow contracted through the city and probably some how related to the traffic flow.

[sapphire]

The church pays for it, and it's not a Catholic-only thing. There is no sacrament of Traffic Control.

[ged_782]

Yes, it is quite common for churches and some businesses to hire uniformed off-duty law enforcement officers to direct traffic at or near their establishments.

Churches usually do this when there are going to be large numbers of people arriving or departing at about the same time. Business will usually do this at times when heavy traffic on the road(s) outside their establishment may make it difficult for customers to enter and exit.

[dweej]

Officers accept these positions as small "second-jobs" to make a little extra cash. Totally legit and not at all denomination-specific.

[ZeroTX]

Methinks the OP is a little slow on the up-take, hehe, and or has lived in a small hole for the last 30 years. There's certainly no Catholic favoritism, hehe, the church simply pays uniformed officers to do this for them on Sunday to keep parishioners safe getting into and out of the parking lot. It prevents a lot of wrecks there I imagine.

As mentioned, this is a common practice with churches, businesses, schools and major events. Do you think the uniformed officers that you have seen doing funerals, guarding a car dealership at night, or keeping the peace at a wedding are there out of the goodness of their hearts or on tax-paid salaries? Nope, private funds. These are hours above and beyond their regular police dept. schedule and are paid by private parties.

[Dopo]

Thanks for the info.

Anyway something like this could be done at 281 & Evans

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Thanks for the info.

Anyway something like this could be done at 281 & Evans

You gonna pay for it?

[sapphire]

Careful what you wish for.........we have some at Culebra and 1604 that just make a mess of a mess. They are only doing the few Wells Fargo bank customers a favor and jacking with everyone else.