Umbrella problems

Tiddlywinks

dampsquib wrote: »

Some years back where I live, in a relatively crime-free county, a chap with a low IQ (if I remember correctly) was shot dead by the police when he refused to put a "gun" down, following a report from Joe Public about "a man with a gun". It turned out to be an air-pistol - but the police didn't know that until it was too late.

It doesn't even have to look like a gun...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/oct/04/ukcrime.martinwainwright

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3965207.stm

Yes, in one of the stories the Officers were found to be at fault BUT the chap is still dead.

Sadly, the Officers that attend an incident from a call will already have an expectation of a lethal weapon based on an eye witness account from the concerned member of the public. They will then deploy to protect the public (and themselves) from the reported threat to life.

These situations can be noisy, busy and chaotic - would this 19yo be able to react in a way that shows the 'sword' was not a threat? Or would he reach for it (possibly whilst near another member of the public) in order to demonstrate it was only an umbrella? Would the Officers know that he was only reaching for an umbrella, given that they had been called to attend an incident of man+sword?

Is is worth the risk?

ETA: in an operational situation, an Autism Alert card may not be that useful. The 'weapon' will still be on his back so the reported 'threat' will still exist - only the 'offender' will have different characteristics.

meritaten

could you perhaps make a cover out of clear plastic? the one it's in is concealing that it is an umbrella. The way it is worn on the back also doesnt make it clear its a brolly. could he not carry it like a normal umbrella?
I understand the Autism and that he is attatched to it. but perhaps using a clear cover and not slinging it over his back would attract less attention?
failing that - I can only suggest that he leaves it at home (adorning his bedroom wall) and finds another umbrella whose handle he finds acceptable?

Savvy_Sue

Would it help to cover the handle in the coloured towelling tape you can use for tennis racquet handles? Or can you get fluffy handlebar covers for bikes, preferably with ribbons coming out the end ...

And I think the hi-viz tape would help, tbh. The black adds to the menace!

But I thought Samurai swords were curved, anyway.

andthethreebears

I don't have anything useful to input but do you know where he got it? My hubby has wanted one since he saw a picture online! (not sure it's be worth it if it brings trouble though!!)

tyllwyd

I agree that it is a shame but maybe carrying it on his back isn't practical. Could he maybe just take it on short walks when it is already raining, so he only uses it as an umbrella rather than carrying it?

I wondered if a small fold up umberella which he could carry in a backpack would be an alternative for him? Not as stylish though, which is a shame.

Chakani

I would suggest making a cover for the handle out of fabric - preferably in a non-threatening colour. I think it's the shape and length of the handle that makes it look threatening, as it's not a usual shape for an umbrella. A simple tube of fabric, closed at one end would do it, and would be easily removed for use if he doesn't want to adulterate his brolly.

arbroath_lass

It's described on Amazon as a Samurai umbrella so it IS meant to look like a sword. Sorry I can't see any way to make it look less like that.

Lara44

Strange suggestion, but can he wear it upside down, with the handle facing down? That might make it look less like a sword in a scabbard, because the sword would fall out - might make enough of a difference to stop the flak from police and yet still keep the item as is.

BTW - I do think the police should have talked to him first, rather than just grabbing it off him.

Peanuckle

many thanks for all your suggestions. I'll try to respond to as many as I can.

We live out in the middle of nowhere so it's at least a mile walk to the nearest bus route so as you can imagine a strong umbrella is a requirement. I am going to look for some fabric to make a cover for it (with a flap to cover the handle) which should reduce the visibility a little. It only slips into a fabric tube cover so wearing it upside down would just result in it falling out. The alternative it buying him a golf umbrella and making a case for that and keeping this one for special occasions when I'm with him?

I'm not going to forbid him to use it or lie to him about breaking it, he's 19 years old and isn't stupid so I intend to stick to the truth after all I've taught him lying is wrong. We discussed the best way to respond if he is challenged and he stuck to that when the police van stopped. He's been told not to reach for the handle and to keep his hands by his sides whilst explaining that it's an umbrella. He is to request permission to take it off his back to hand it over to them, handle first, if required.

As the station officer stated, it's not illegal at all (he did say he would mention it to the beat officers as they should have asked and certainly not reacted as they did towards someone stood peacefully waiting for a bus), in fact his words were, "it was only be a problem if it was being used as a weapon but that applies to anything from an umbrella to a banana. If it's used with intent to injure then it's a weapon."

They're easily available if you google samurai umbrella, I believe she bought it from Firebox, they actually have a compact version but I doubt that would last as long.

anguk

Lara44 wrote: »

Strange suggestion, but can he wear it upside down, with the handle facing down? That might make it look less like a sword in a scabbard, because the sword would fall out - might make enough of a difference to stop the flak from police and yet still keep the item as is.

BTW - I do think the police should have talked to him first, rather than just grabbing it off him.

Maybe but look at it from the police's point of view, they see someone carrying what looks like a sword, they don't know it's an umbrella so have to assume it's a weapon.