A Police Cruiser

So as I said in the last post, I saw something interesting that led me to Belle Isle.

As I was heading to the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to catch the Michipicoten on the Rouge River, I passed a police SUV leading a pair of men jogging.  One of those men was carrying a US flag.  They were being followed by the police car above.  That police car was being followed by a vehicle with a banner that said, "Old Glory Relay".  I should have taken a picture then but I had other fish to fry.

While I was waiting for the Michipicoten to appear on the Rouge River, I looked up this "Old Glory Relay".  Apparently, they are taking this flag to different cities in six states, Detroit happens to be one of those stops.  Apparently, he was going to jog into Belle Isle.  So I headed there.

I didn't pass them as I drove down Jefferson Avenue, so I thought I missed them.   So I circled the island in the hope that they were doing that.  I didn't see them.  As I was leaving the island, I saw them jogging up the bridge.  I thought they were going to take the long way around the island, which is why I ended up catching the G3 Marquis.  The didn't.

As I went to the spot where  they were gathering, there was a little crowd there, so I couldn't get a picture of the flag bearer but this police car was in a position for pictures.  So I snapped one.  I would have liked the flag guy, I guess I should have went with my initial instinct.

 

A Michigan State Police Post

As I was heading home on US-12, something caught my eye.

 This style of police post used to dot the state.  I think they are in the process of replacing these, so it was kind of nice to see one in use.  The Michigan State Police was founded during World War I as a temporary domestic security force.  In 1917, Governor Albert Sleeper formed the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force.   In 1918, they started to enforce Michigan's status as a dry state.  In 1919, they became a permanent force.

 The current style police post was created in the 1930's.  For the most part, they are pretty standard.  Like I said, this style has been getting phased out in favor of a modern looking police station.

 The Michigan State Police uses the Dodge Charger (among other cars).  The sign on the front of the car dates back to the days when the police would pull beside a car to tell them to pull over.  In the day, it would pop up and at night it would be illuminated.  The police no longer practice this but the sign remains.

Some of the details on the station.