On Patrol: Live Summary for July 8, 2023 (#OPL Episode 01-94 )

The docuseries On Patrol: Live — i.e., Live PD 2.0 — premiered on the Reelz channel in July 2022 and generally follows the same basic format as its A&E network predecessor in which videographers accompany cops on night patrol in real time.

An On Patrol: Live recap, including studio host Dan Abrams’ puns, analysis, and banter with co-hosts Sean Larkin and Curtis Wilson (retired Tulsa, Okla., cop and Richland County, S.C., deputy sheriff, respectively), along with the often-snarky or playful social media reaction, follows. 

Greensboro, N.C. PD Capt. Cory Flowers is sitting in for Larkin on this weekend’s shows.

NOTE: Please review the important DISCLAIMER.

[Click here for the OPL 01-93 recap]

  • Richland County, S.C. — Master Deputy Jamal Christian makes traffic stop for expired registration. He is re-dispatched to assist Capt. Danny Brown and other officers in detaining two men at another traffic stop for a mismatched plate. The driver initially fled on foot before Brown subdued him. Car search. Some of the dialogue is bleeped. Dep. Christian: “So it seems like this individual here in the sedan decided to stop at one point and then continued to run…and then tried to leave the vehicle, and then tried to fight it on the ground. So we’re gonna try to figure out what the charges are other than just the failure to stop. And also try to get our people identified because they don’t want to provide any names. But either way, they’ll still gonna end up going to jail on whatever charges we have here on this stop.”
  • Fullerton, Calif. — Cops may have spotted a possible hand-to-hand drug deal and detain two men on bicycles. Amidst a lot of bleeping, one of them denies any drug transaction and insists that cops had no reason to search him; the other man appears not to talk. Abrams: “His story evolved a little bit from ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ to ‘I gave him money for a hotel room,’ so we shall see what happens there…certainly not helping his case with his tirade”

Cpl. Brandon Ramek indicates that in the course of the investigation, officers found “a powdery rock substance” that could be fentanyl. He goes on to explain that “We rolled up because we saw an exchange. I saw him hand him money, and then in exchange he had that envelope in his hands. It could have been possible that he was able to put this away before we got here or to be possible that he’s selling to him. But I saw narcotics exchanged; that’s why they got stopped. Ultimately, the other male had that knife concealed in his sock. It’s called a dirk or dagger. You can’t have a concealed knife like that even if it’s in a sheath, and it’s concealed readily available to use, in the state of California — to be charged as a felony. So he’s gonna go for that. He’ll go for the possession, and I think he’ll also has a…pipe that Officer Vega found…and we’ll continue searching this stuff.” Baggies of meth also allegedly found.

Capt. Flowers: “When drug dealers brand their product, when a user gets a good high, they become loyal to that dealer. However, in a situation like this, it makes for pretty easy probable cause when the suspect and the guy that he’s selling are holding the same exact brand.”

  • Berkeley County, S.C. (pre-recorded segment) — Dep. Bryson Fowler and other officers conducted a traffic stop at gunpoint after a driver fled from the initial stop. Four occupants plus a baby. Car search. Gun and drugs allegedly found in vehicle. Driver arrested for failure to stop for blue lights, drug possession, child endangerment.
  • Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Traffic stop; “completely illegal” tinted windshield. Two bags of weed allegedly found. Five occupants apparently cited and released. Ofr. Rich Olshefski, who affably interacts with the group during the investigation, explains Pa. weed law to them, and informs the driver that no, the weed won’t be returned. Abrams: “This is the reminder as to why you shouldn’t have excessive tint on your car so you don’t get pulled over.”
  • Nye County, Nev. — A landlord allegedly illegally bulldozed a tenant’s temporary dwelling. The tenant is there trying to find some prescriptions and a pet cat. Dep. Cody Cunningham at the scene: “So it looks like when they tried to evict these people, they took a bulldozer to the actual makeshift residence that they were living in and toppled it and destroyed it, which is against the landlord-tenant laws here. You have 30 days before you destroy or remove property. You have to get a written notice. So there’s been a report pulled about that. That’s being handled.”
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Lt. Richie Maher responds to a school alarm. Maher: “The gate could have been very well left open by an employee this week, but when it comes to the security of our schools, we take it very seriously. I want to make sure that none of these are unsecured and someone is inside the building. None of the doors look unsecured. I’m just gonna check the rest of the property down here to the south. The north looks fine…” He adds that it is “wicked dark” outside.
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Traffic stop (reason unclear).
  • Fullerton, Calif. — Traffic stop on SUV in what cops consider a local area known for narcotics use. No license. Expired registration. Drug baggies allegedly found. Cpl. Luis Ramirez explains that “it looks like it was actually in between [the driver’s] boxers and his pants, a common area where a lot of people try to hide stuff because, especially like newer officers, don’t necessarily like searching those areas too well. It’s actually a good amount, more likely leaning in towards like sales of narcotics.” Abrams: “I cant imagine the seasoned officers really enjoy those kind of searches a whole lot either.” Flowers: “No; you draw straws.” Driver also gives consent for vehicle search.
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. (pre-recorded segment) — Driver fled on foot from a traffic stop. Det. Selina Puentes and other officers locate subject in bushes and take him into custody. Drugs allegedly found. Cops also search to see if the subject dumped any contraband. Paramedics summoned in case the driver, who seems to be in distress, ingested something.

Det. Puentes: “When I started challenging him and telling him to come out with his hands up, or show me his hands, whatever it was, he said ‘I’m running from my girlfriend, dude.” In a bush? I don’t know where his girlfriend did to scare him, but I mean, obviously he’s lying…we’re just gonna call medical to check him out…he’s obviously playing the games. He might have swallowed something back there. But we don’t know, so he’s gonna have to go to the hospital. His vitals seem pretty normal right now, but just in case, he’s gonna get the medical attention he needs at the hospital, and then he’s going straight to jail. A lot of people like to play the game. At the end of the day, they’re still going to jail.” Abrams: “And nothing was found to be wrong with the suspect. He was released back to the officers a couple of hours later and taken straight to jail.”

Flowers on the tactics: “When the detective came around the corner, you’ll note she didn’t keep her flashlight on constantly as she was searching for a possibly dangerous suspect. She used it when she need to move and then she would black out so as to not illuminate her position. Keeps it safe. And then as she was coming around the final corner, anticipating maybe another officer coming down the other corner, she actually says the word ‘blue,’ which is how we de-conflict, especially, saying, ‘good guy here, good guy here, I’m coming around the corner.” Wilson: “Also, too, coming down that ‘fatal funnel,’ we call that coming down that alley, because you never know if that criminal is running, and then he’s gonna stop and hide and wait for the officers to come around.”

  • Volusia County, Fla. — Traffic stop by Dep. Dijhon Knight on slow roller. The registered owner has a suspended license according to the police database. The apologetic driver says he was just trying to get food and was not eluding. Driver is released with criminal citation for the license issue as well as ticket for an open container.
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Cpl. Devante Smith is flagged down by a citizen for a puppy on the loose. After several attempts using treats, he finally is able to catch the dog, who was joined by another pooch. Animal Control summoned. Captions: “Not tricked by treats,” Pup-lic enemy number one,” “Collared!,” “Pup-spects in custody.”
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Traffic stop; improper right turn. Lt. Maher: “The young man is super-proud of his vehicle. It’s got a few unique things. He’s got an actual rose that someone had cast into resin as his shifter. And he was very honest with me. He said he’s just ‘feeling himself’ in the car. He loves his car. He obviously worked real hard to buy the various aftermarket parts for his car. He’s had it for about a year. I’m gonna look at his driving history because if it’s not clicking in his head just yet that what he’s doing is not safe. My main concern is that he makes it home in the morning, and if it takes a citation to get that across to him, then it’s unfortunately what we have to do.”

Wanted segment — Lehi, Utah.

Wilson: “This is a great lesson to everyone out there not to leave your garage-door opener inside your car when you’re away, or better yet, disconnect your garage-door opener anytime that your on vacation. And also, you may even want to take that registration out as well.”

  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Deputies pursue fleeing stolen vehicle. Car wrecked out, and driver fled on foot into the woods. Sgt. Steve Zubkoff along with numerous other officers along with K9s conduct a search of the area. Cops find suspect’s shoes and shirt. They also ID the subject.

Abrams: “They were just talking about whether he should be in his ‘pocket.’ What does that mean? Flowers: “The sergeant is asking the hander if he wants him in his pocket. So basically, the handler is an expert on his dog, so the handler is only looking at his dog and his dog’s response to the world. The sergeant now ‘in his pocket’ is looking at everything else in the environment, so he’s effectively covering the handler as they move through the woods.”

The suspect got away, but Abrams points out that “the problem is he left is ID in the car. They know who he is…they know that he’s got a previous warrant, but now he’s got additional problems. When they know who the guy is, and they know where he lives, most of the time you can find him.” Wilson: “Just a matter of time.”

  • Nye County, Nev. — Det. Mike Connelly and colleagues respond to domestic incident between a man and a woman at a residence and grapple with a male in his late 60s inside the front door who appeared to be resisting. Some dialogue is bleeped. Paramedics summoned. Wilson: “It’s common that when there’s an incident that takes place, the male aggressor — a situation like this when they’re arresting him and so forth — then the victim turns on the cops because of the fact of what they’re seeing happen to this individual here. So it’s common when that happens.”
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Lt. Maher, Ofr. Brandon Ramirez, and other units respond to a report of a car theft in progress at an apartment complex that seems to be a false alarm. Before that determination is made, Maher explains that “we’re a ways out…When we get a little bit closer, we’re gonna shut down our lights and siren so that that the individuals stay in the complex — they’re easier to apprehend.”

Ramirez: “Our reporting party is calling in on two tow-truck drivers that are here to repo vehicles. So I’m assuming that they’re probably trying to repo the reporting party’s car so she called 911 stating that they’re attempting a car break. So this is not going to be a car break. Definitely a suspicious incident at most…”

  • Nye County, Nev. — Traffic stop on truck. Dep. Cunningham allegedly spots brass knuckles on dashboard which he says is still considered a dangerous weapon under state law. Driver gives consent for vehicle search. Drugs allegedly found. Driver detained and Mirandized. Abrams: “Brass knuckles? How retro.”
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Cpl. Smith and colleagues respond to a robbery call in a residential area. The suspect, who allegedly tried to break in to a trailer in a homeowner’s yard, had already fled on foot. During the investigation, a backpack is found containing evidence, particularly a ticket issued to the alleged suspect, that could lead to a subsequent arrest. Witnesses ID the alleged suspect via a mugshot pulled up on Smith’s computer.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Traffic stop in parking lot. Capt. Brown smells weed and spots open containers. The weed is confiscated; the two female occupants are released with no charges.
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — “Bologna” update. He is reportedly subject to several outstanding warrants and is still at large. Cops are on the lookout for him.
  • Crime of the Night — Lauderhill, Fla.

Abrams: “This is one of those situations where it’s a good thing there was a body cam there from the very beginning because there might have been some conflicting stories what had led to it had there not been a body cam there to show exactly what had happened.”

  • Volusia County, Fla. — Deputies respond to report of a fight outside of a bar supposedly involving 20 people. During the investigation, they make contact with a man whose face is blooded and obtain his side of the story. Much of the dialogue is bleeped. According to Dep. Knight, “he’s looking like the person who initiated and started the whole entire dispute. So right now, he’s gonna be placed under arrest for battery.” Abrams: “That explains that.”
  • Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Ofr. Bill Wilk responds to two-car accident. None of the occupants appear injured.
  • Missing segment — Boise, Idaho.
  • Toledo, Ohio — Multiple officers and K9 respond to a report of a burglary in progress at a residence. They clear the house. Possible suspects apparently had already left the scene.