This Weekend’s On Patrol: Live Highlights, Commentary, and Social Media Activity

A recap of the August 17, 2024, On Patrol: Live episode (#OPL 03-12), anchored in the NYC studio by host and attorney Dan Abrams, along with co-host Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson, and analysts retired Lieutenant Sean Larkin and Captain Tom Rizzo, appears below.

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An awkward moment occurred during the studio introductions when Larkin seemed oblivious to Wilson’s attempt at a Rizzo-style fist bump.

During the episode, Abrams announces that Sean Larkin will host next weekend’s episodes while the Dan goes on vacation.

Perhaps the highlight of the episode is Sgt. Mike Bryant’s roadside counseling session with an elderly widower who he pulled over in a sketchy area of Daytona Beach. Scroll down for more.

Agency update: Frederick PD is leaving OPL as of this episode.

Note: Click here for the #OPL 03-11, August 16, 2024, recap.

On Patrol: Live Summary for August 17, 2024 (#OPL Episode 03-12)

Please review this important DISCLAIMER.
  • Richland County, S.C. (just prior to air) — Sgt. Garo Brown assists other deputies, such as Sgts. Bryce Hughes and Kenny Fitzsimmons, on a traffic stop on car that initially allegedly fled. Two occupants. Car search. OPL caption: “Synthetic marijuana found.”

Sgt. Brown synopsis: “This looks like a bunch of synthetic-type marijuana that comes in these different packages, mushroom head, and all this Egyptian stuff, and you can smell this; it’s pretty strong. We’re not sure exactly what else we got in the vehicle; we’ll get it searched, but they clearly went some ways before they decided to stop, so we’re gonna see exactly what they got going on, but…they also have some scales, and some other stuff, so we’ll see exactly what we got going on. We’ll still be working on it.” Car towed. According to Abrams, the driver is arrested.

https://twitter.com/jj_jaxo/status/1824975310355415254
  • Toledo, Ohio (pre-recorded segment) — Ofr. Jordan Freimark successfully deploys stop sticks on a fleeing vehicle during a high-speed pursuit by multiple cops. The driver is subsequently detained on a traffic stop. Ofr. Freimark recap: “We found out that the suspect had aggravated robbery warrants, so we were advised by command to continue the pursuits. We were able to get in position to where the pursuit was heading to get stop sticks out. I managed to hit three of the tires. The pursuit continued on for a little bit more, and then eventually stopped. We got him in custody. So right now, he at least has to face the warrant that he had, and then fleeing and eluding, and then I’ll have to reach out to the gang unit to see if there’s any additional charges that are to be put on the suspect.”

Abrams: “…this actually got called off to start.” Rizzo: “Yeah, and often will when a supervisor assesses — we always say, the risk of safety and the safety risks to the public compared to the need to apprehend the person, right? So you’re talking about an armed robbery, well, now we’re gonna reinstate, and that’s exactly what they did because they determined this guy needs to be apprehended.” Abrams: “And…the circumstances were kind of perfect for stop sticks.” Wilson: “Oh, no question. They’re listening to the radio. They’re trying to find his position and be able to lock into a location, and they do. And they find this dark area. They know it’s coming this way. They’re able to get cover and be able to get this vehicle, all four tires…”Abrams: “Right. Because we often talk about the fact that it’s dangerous sometimes throwing down those stop sticks. This was a sort of ideal scenario for them.”

  • Indian River County, Fla. — Cpl. James Ooley responds to a landlord-tenant dispute allegedly involving a changed lock. A man at the scene (who apparently is not the landlord but is affiliated with the property) and who appears to be wearing a Santa costume agrees to unlock the front door so the tenants can get their stuff while deputies standby. Cpl. Ooley: “First it came in as a civil issue, but we’re gonna update it to a standby. There was some discrepancy on who changed the locks on the house. We got an individual here that’s opened up the house now. She gonna get her belongings, and we’ll get her on her way here in the next ten minutes or so. So we’re gonna hang tight, make sure that the peace is kept, and that there aren’t any issues.” Abrams quips that “with that outfit, surprised he went in the front door. Thought he might go through the chimney.”
  • Toledo, Ohio — Ofr. Freimark responds to a report of someone passed out near a food truck at a downtown festival. He is unable to locate anyone needing help, so the report may be unfounded.
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Sgt. Mike Bryant pulls over a truck for not using a turn signal “in a high-drug, high-crime, high-prostitution area.” The elderly driver, a widower, who says he’s on the way home, and was “looking for a friend of mine,” admits he has no license. Bryant to the driver: “In lieu of taking you to jail, I’m gonna take your vehicle because you can’t drive it, and it’s improperly parked…I want you to say it with me…’get my license right and stop with the women of the night.’…” Tickets issued; car impounded. Sgt. Bryant arranges for the motorist to get a ride home.

Sgt. Bryant initial analysis before making a final decision: “Let’s face facts. I’ve been doing this for a long time. He’s out here looking for a woman of the night. He’s circling the area. He’s not using his turn signals. He’s got no valid license. So we’re gonna see how bad his suspension is, and if it’s pretty bad, probably gonna take him to jail. Maybe give him some citations as well. Sure. But if he’s like, ‘DUI, they took my license, I’m not allowed to drive,’ and he knows it, he’s probably gonna get arrested tonight.” Bryant subsequently determines that the man’s license has been suspended for about five years; the motorist says it could be as long as 10 years. Abrams subsequently asserts that “again, just to clarify, the only violation here is the license issue. That is why his car is being towed, and he is being allowed to go home.”

Listen to some of the interaction between Sgt. Bryant and the gentleman:

“I want you to say it with me…’get my license right and stop with the women of the night.’…”

Listen to Sgt. Bryant’s further interaction with the motorist, plus his further explanation about the incident(“He was very honest with us about the license situation…so I’m gonna cut him a break tonight on taking him to jail, which I could easily do, and we’re gonna go ahead and take his vehicle to jail instead. He’s gonna have to get his license squared away and leave the ladies walking around…to themselves”…):

  • BOLO segment — Seattle, Wash., smash-and-grab trio.
  • Fontana, Calif. — Ofr. Cody Chick assists a neighboring agency on a highway pursuit of an alleged stolen car. Other units stop and detain the driver and recover the vehicle.
  • Fontana, Calif. — Ofr. Jon Gearhart and other units conduct a traffic. Two occupants, plus a dog. The driver is allegedly on probation which enables a lawful car search under a 4th Amendment waiver. Meth pipe allegedly found. OPL caption: “Drug paraphernalia found.” Citation issue for the pipe.
  • Hazen, Ark. — Chief Bradley Taylor and Sgt. Clayton Dillion initiate a traffic stop on the highway for speeding.
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Sgt. Bryant responds to report of a fight and interacts with subjects on scene. He mentions that “we get calls in this area often,” an area that includes some abandoned houses.
  • Triple Play #3 — Miami, Gardens, Fla., pursuit.
  • Toledo, Ohio — Ofr. Lindsey Erhart and other units respond to a report of a stabbing in a residential neighborhood and search for a suspect.
  • Brookford, N.C. — Sgt. Corey Fey, assisted by Cpt. Ray Ollie, conducts a traffic stop on a truck. No tag. Revoked license. Nothing found in a vehicle search, and the driver is subsequently released.
  • Toledo, Ohio — Ofr. Erhart is re-dispatched from the previous call to a burglary in progress and, with other units, canvases the area outside an apartment complex for a suspect. Ofr. Freimark summary: “So made contact with the caller. She lives in the apartment here. She’s been having issues with a friend of a friend. And I guess she came over here and was banging on the window and threatened to break her window to her apartment., but no window was broken. She never made entry into the apartment…and I just advised her if she does come back, just give us a call, and we’ll come deal with her.”
  • Everett, Wash. — Ofr. Brian Setzer spots a man sitting on the ground allegedly smoking drugs. He and colleagues detain the subject. The subject’s two companions are released.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Sgt. Bryce Hughes investigates some sort of alleged disturbance at a residence.
  • Indian River County, Fla. (pre-recorded segment) — Dep. Tony Lee and another unit investigate a disturbance. Abrams introduces the segment by asserting that Dep. Lee “attempted to get to ‘the bottom’ of a mystery involving a lost set of car keys.” A man whose vehicle allegedly has a mismatched tag is detained. Car towed.

Dep. Le recap: “So he’s gonna go to jail for no DL, unregistered motor vehicle, and no insurance, and then we’ll question him about the disturbance that he was involved in. Driving with no license since 2021. Been a habitual suspended driver, which means he’s been pulled over multiple times and cited multiple times for driving with no license in the state of Florida…[someone] just texted me and said, quotes, he ‘key-stered’ it. I guess they found them, with the keys up his butt at the jail, so for whatever reason, he decided that he wanted to shove his keys in his butt and hide it from us, but regardless, it’s getting towed.” Tow truck driver: “They put everything up their butt now, keys, licenses, and all that stuff…” Abrams: “It does make you wonder whether you have to get a locksmith to get that out of there.” Wilson: “Or a Keystone Cop.”

“…so for whatever reason, he decided that he wanted to shove his keys in his butt…”

Listen as Cpt. Rizzo discusses a similar-ish incident that he investigated involving a thumb drive:

  • Indian River County, Fla. — Sgt. Chris Lester joins in a search for a fleeing alleged DUI driver. At first, cops lose track of the car in the pursuit, but the abandoned vehicle is subsequently located (with an airbag deployed from a previous incident,) and they set up a perimeter for the search for the driver who apparently bailed on foot. K9 and a helicopter participate in the search. Sgt. Lester and other colleagues later go to the apartment unit where they believe the subject lives and try to make contact. No one answers. Abrams: “So they know his name, they have his picture, they know where he lives, now just want to find him.”
  • Frederick, Md. (pre-recorded segment) — Ofr. Andrew Coady initiates a traffic stop after a call “regarding a driver who apparently left dinner after having one too many,” according to Abrams. The driver says that he consumed “just a couple of drinks — just beer” at a restaurant. After field sobriety testing, cops arrest the driver for alleged DUI after field sobriety testing. Car towed. The passenger is released but becomes argumentative with the officers that apparently included an erroneous civics lesson (seemingly confusing Thomas Hobbes with John Locke).

Abrams: “The driver refused to blow, resulting in an automatic suspension of his license. And it is a fair question the guy on the side was asking, which is every police officer is supposed to know about Hobbes’ Second Treatise of Government. I would assume that that’s a requirement when you guys are studying to become cops.” Larkin: “First week of the police academy.” Rizzo: “You carry that in your breast pocket. Just walk off…” Wilson: “So you have that thick skin; you can’t have what people say bring you into that conversation.” Abrams: “And by the way, it would have been great if there was someone who actually knew about it…”

  • Toledo, Ohio — Cops search a residential neighborhood on a report of shots fired. Ofr. Erhart mentions that a neighbor said it sounded like firecrackers.
  • Hazen, Ark. — While on a traffic stop (and the driver had a suspended license), Chief Taylor and Sgt. Dillion are re-dispatched to a higher-priority call where an officer needs backup. Apparently there was a disturbance at a residence. Chief Taylor knows the homeowner and interacts with her amicably.

“…I think we’re all calm now. I know most everybody…”

Chief Taylor recap: “I guess there was an altercation with one of the local officers from DeValls Bluff. I really can’t make heads or tails of what happened there. He was fighting or arguing and called for assistance. At some point in time, somebody got tased…he’s taken him to jail for disorderly conduct. Some of the parents or kinfolk got upset. I think we’re all calm now. I know most everybody. Talking them them down…we’re gonna get out of here and go back to work.”

  • Missing segment — Elk Grove, Calif.
  • Frederick, Md –– Ofr. Frank Donato makes contact with a complainant who apparently says a maintenance man allegedly showed up at his home intoxicated. Ofr. Donato encourages the complainant to contact the subject’s boss.
  • Fontana, Calif. — Ofr. Gearhart and other units respond to a report of burglary in progress at a junkyard and detain a man who seems to indicate that he’s a mechanic. The suspect is very forthcoming in conversation with Gearhart.

Listen to Ofr. Gearhart’s discussion of the incident:

  • Richland County, S.C. — Sgt. Brown and other deputies respond to single-vehicle accident. A motorist struck a pole in a shopping plaza. A traffic unit is summoned to the scene to conduct field sobriety testing as a standard procedure. The motorist had told Sgt. Brown that she’s not drunk, however.

Sgt. Brown summary: “Looking at the damage on the vehicle, she hit the pole pretty hard. And a passenger actually smacked her head on the glass and shattered the windshield, so I’m glad that she’s okay. But some of the other deputies here that actually witnessed the accident have reason to believe that she’s intoxicated. So we’re gonna have a unit come and check her out and just make sure that she’s not. So we’re gonna stand by until it happens, and we’ll just see where it goes from there.”

Abrams: “So it sounds like the traffic unit will be coming, Curtis, in Richland County. Talk to us about that unit.” Wilson: “And they’re gonna do the SFST to make sure that she’s okay. But, of course, the person who hit that windshield, I think EMS needs to come out and check [her] out because you might have a concussion that you may not feel at this moment, ‘so I’m okay.’ But still, that was a hard hit. And, again, our traffic unit will come out and see whether or not this individual had anything to drink.” Abrams: “But again, people, I think, forget sometimes that this is this is specialized…training that people go through. Captain Rizzo, you’ve talked about this before.” Rizzo: “Well, not only that, this is an unoccupied parking lot. So right away, you’re gonna start to think, well, something may be more to this, right?, if you hit the pole. So now, all of a sudden, not necessarily you have to smell an odor of alcohol or a beverage coming off somebody. There’s a lot of other intoxicants. So I think they’re just gonna make sure they cross their T’s, dot their I’s, on this as well.” Larkin: “Among other things, this is on private property. And a lot of different agencies, we don’t work accidents on private property unless there’s alcohol involved, something like that. So they would definitely work it because of that.” Wilson: “In Richland County, Highway Patrol is gonna work the accident. They’re just gonna check to see whether or not she was intoxicated.”

Update:

  • Frederick, Md. — Ofr. Garrett Hall and other units respond to an accident at an intersection. Abrams: “Everyone is stunningly calm considering the accident that we are looking at right there. The good news is no one’s seriously hurt.”