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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I called up the local police...
...to come "guard" a newspaper prediction during my show last Friday. I had previously used a prediction that was sealed in an envelope and taped to the wall until the moment of truth. For a kids' show I did on Friday, I went all out. I had my prediction sealed in a zip-loc bag, stuffed into a jar of almonds which was taped shut, and put into a Tinker-Toy can full of packing peanuts. The Tinker-Toy can I spray-painted silver. I drilled holes in the top and sides (in 2 places) and put pad-locks on the can to seal it. It looked just like a large stainless-steel cylinder that was locked at the top with 2 locks... very Copperfield-esque. A policeman showed up about 15 mintes before the show. I had the principal give him the can and I told him "No matter what, do not give it to me. You can give it to a student but not to me." Sure enough, during the show I tried to get the can from him. The kids loved that he would not give it to me. I had to get two volunteers from the audience to come up and open up the can and read the prediction. Too bad my prediction was wrong...just kidding. Anyway, my point is this... "Call the Cops". They might be willing to help especially in a kids' show. I also plan on sending them a thank-you letter this week in appreciation. Frank
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
That's great Frank! Something that would have never occured to me. I'm not so sure the police would be so willing from my area. I sometimes have to contact the police with my "day job" and just trying to get them to return a phone call is hard enough!!!
Mark |
Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Also an excellent chance for some publicity. Hope you got a picture of this and sent it to the local community newspaper. While they won't print it as a matter of course it does have the making of a good photo story. You involved both the local school and the local police. In short a real community interest story.
By the way: I like your first name.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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Jon Gallagher Veteran user Elmwood, Illinois 395 Posts |
In my Just Say No school shows, I always ask if the DARE officer can be present, and if so, use him/her in the show. DARE officers are usually big hams anyway, and I've never failed to have fun with one.
During a routine with an arm chopper, one reminded me "I DO have a gun... and I can shoot either handed." Gulp. |
Jordan Piper Veteran user British Columbia, Canada 309 Posts |
Perhaps it would be more appropriate to have some one dressed as a police officer (an actor), as I am sure the real police have more important things to tend to.
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Dragona Regular user New Jersey 159 Posts |
Not in my area, and if I remember correctly, not in Davis either. But if you are going to get an actor to do this, make sure he has the proper approvals to play the officer as it is against the law here in the good old US of A.
How about this, you have the cop hold a can of silly string "mace" and then you try to take the can from him. How the kids would laugh when he sprayed you with it.
I have the breath of dragons and the soul of a human.
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khuber Regular user SLC Utah 125 Posts |
I am a DARE officer and I can pretty much guarantee that if you ask the DARE Officer at the school you're at he or she will help!
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
A good story Frank, but as Mark said it wouldn't work over here. In the UK unless you were going to do your kids' show next to the coppers' desk or in a speeding car you've got no chance of seeing a policeman.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Fast Eddie P. Veteran user Maryland 323 Posts |
I am also a police officer. I'm sure if you set it up ahead of time a DARE officer would be willing to help.
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RayBanks Special user Nassau Bay, TX 533 Posts |
In Houston most every police substation has a Community Liaison officer. His job is to work with the various community associations and Crime Watch to encourage crime prevention.
They are usually more than willing to do something like this with a little advance notice.
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Pick a card, any card...No. not THAT one...THIS one Ray Banks |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi Emazdad,
I think it depends where in the UK you live. We have bobbys walking the beat here in Milford Haven. I used to regularly be a part of a lock in at a local establishment with a CID officer and a couple of regular bobbys that were in our darts team. I think if I wanted to I could get one to a show. But I would not bother for a kids' show, it would have to be a major event with good press coverage. Phillip |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-05-19 22:04, thekernel wrote: Good point! I'll never do it again...NOT!!! Actually, I did ask for an off-duty officer but the sergeant said that they would not be available. He said it would be easier to send over an on-duty officer as long as things were slow. One of the important things police need to do is to offset the "cops are bad" rap that gang-bangers, Hollywood, TV, and rap music give these hard-working individuals in our communities. Kids need to know that police are here to work with us, not against us. In my opinion. Quote: Why is that?
On 2003-05-20 02:51, Emazdad wrote: Frank
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Mago Mai Elite user Venezuela 485 Posts |
Frank:
Very nice of you calling a policeman. You might even try to call a fireman or the postman. Don't forget to appreciate their help in front of the audience. And thank them for their job. Mago Mai
I invite all of you to share some of my magic on videos.Please, CLICK HERE
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nalu_magic Loyal user Paradise 297 Posts |
Great idea, Frank. Thanks for sharing.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Thanks for sharing.
My day job as a Nearly Normal counselor/drug prevention counselor puts me in contact with a lot of great officers including D.A.R.E Officers. You reminded me of two fun times with police officers. The first time was during a Red Ribbon Assembly at a middle school. I followed a K-9 "4 legged Patrolman" and his officer. The police officer, in describing how a dog will usually will go after an arm or leg will occasionally get the suspect in a place he called the "nether region". During my Nearly Normal Strait Jacket Escape, I got a good call back laugh when I referred to the dog and owner, as the vice principal buckled the middle strap along my "nether region." The second thing it reminded me of was at the Kansas City Spirit Festival. I had a police officer assist me during a walk around bit prior to my set show. I had her do an assistance check which was a repeat after me sequence. She balked when it came time for her to say the alphabet backwards. Then I went into the old turn around gag, saying the abc's after turning around, and then really did my zyx's. (Thanks David G. for the alphabet bit.) You are all appreciated by, Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Your lucky Phil, a bobby on the beat is an alien concept to the Devon and Cornwall police. I only ever see a policeman around here when he's loading the film in the tax collecting machine (speed camera) on the road near me. The main police station for my area is only 1/2 a mile away and shuts in the evening and weekends.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
mystic shriner New user Midwest, USA 64 Posts |
I'm just imagining an episode of "C.O.P.S.: Bad Magicians"— "Bad Magician, Bad Magician, what you gonna do, what you gonna do when dey come for you". The magician wetting his pants, putting his hands in front of his face, props flying everywhere...
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