How to create more RP based interaction with the LSPD

[Str84it]

Hello everyone,

Don't post often these days but there is something on my mind I would love to see some feedback on.

I have had a completely legit character that I enjoyed over the course of a year, deciding to go the other end, I created Fast eddy, a 'criminal' with a scrapyard some of you might know.
Over the course of about six months I came to realize that more often than not we are untouchable in our criminal endeavors.
Not because what we do is legal, nor because of the fact I didn't reach out to our fine city services.

The fact is that we RP our activities. Meaning we have raided pillbox hospital, stole a CAT scan  and 3 duffel bags of pills.
Unhinged, lifted and dismantled the radio antenna from the roof of Rebel radio. Got 600 feet of full copper cable wiring out of the subway system.
Bought about 300 stolen cars, stole 30 license plates, uniforms of police and EMS services. 
I can go on, but the point is, we do not follow the mechanics that are in place for criminal activities. 
All our activities have stories and reasons that do not involve your classic behavior..

I do not rob stores, I do not do drugs, I do not chase, shoot or beat any one up.
Our non violent white board criminal activities involve a lot of people, but not the LSPD... why?

I have experienced that it is not because some officers lack the creativity, neither is it because they are not looking for this interaction.
But that situations like this have lowest priority, no guidelines or freedom to support this kind of RP enough.

I understand an officer can not spend hrs on a case. I also understand there are players robbing a store, expecting a response.
That a kidnapping is more important than a couple of racehorses being stolen from the race tracks. But it's all about having fun right?

Allowing a little bit more freedom towards RP in regards with the rules, the possibility to follow up on this kind of RP in the city.
Developing tools with this in mind, creating an evolution where RP is accessible on all levels. 

I would love to hear if we are the only one's enjoying this kind of criminal RP, if there are other players out there experiencing the same thing.
If there are officers that are open, to respond and deal with these kind of things. If our benevolent leaders have this in mind for the future.

The fact is we have reached out quite a lot but the response has been minimal.
Partially due to how things work and what the expectations are towards RP.

This is not a complaint, more a concern and reaching out.
It might be just me after all. I am also not looking for the LSPD to raid my yard every day

Any positive feedback, idea's or insight from the community and staff regarding this evolution would be great.
You will get a nice discount at the scrapyard and free coffee voucher!

Cheers all 

[Mia]

I'm glad you brought this up!  I feel like I'm often short changing your group (which is giving me amazing and unique non-violent roleplay experiences and a long-term case to work on, exactly what I've been looking for). I'm always excited to respond to your calls but usually end  up having to leave for violent emergency calls. I brought it up with with members of senior pd who have let us know that we do not need to take every call or rush through the call we have to get to others. However, we still need to be available to assist in pursuits, armed robberies or anything where another officer is requesting backup. Additionally, I've been wanting to bring you down for a voluntary interrogation at MRPD but again, other crims end up getting priority because they have a right to a lawyer and there is minimal space for conversation.

One possible helpful tool would be a separate and longer lasting police file where other officers can see information that has been collected on active cases; if I log off and there is no one else on duty, there's no way to pass on the information, or receive information from cops who had taken previous 911 calls from your group.

Another point would be that in a lot of ways, our Sops are designed for catching people who usually don't want to be caught, and that evidence from the more creative rp crimes can be difficult to collect without certain tools.

I'm not sure what the solution is but I just wanted to put out there that I'm appreciating what you, Flori, Victor, and Mr. Joe Hall are doing, thanks for giving me my favourite pd experiences so far, and I hope other groups get inspired to try something like it, or that I run into more groups who already are bringing that story-based long-term rp without shooting at every scene.

[Str84it]

You are absolutely right @Mia. 
With right I am not talking about the compliments. 

I have always enjoyed your interaction and fully understand how things are. 
Do hope you will run into more stuff around the city, outside of looking into a gun barrel.
The idea of having longer lasting consequences on a file/crime is great.

The chance for officers, who feel inclined to, to pursue a certain case, catering to RP based criminality that isn't within a pre-set frame..
Allowing all parties involved to take it as far as they see fit, of course without interference on regular police duties.
This will probably be done by higher ranks as they earned a certain freedom to do so. 

Like you said you do not have a database. and unfortunately the high speed chases seem to be rampant.
Regarding tools to collect evidence etc, when it comes to RP, it's mostly a 'battle' of wits, creativity and connecting on the same level.
If all parties involved, agree, understand and create together. There is no limit nor a need.

I do have to say tools can help.. a lot!! 

A solution might also be if the conditions are right. Like enough officers on duty etc.
You may conduct actions and dedicate some time towards an RP driven story. 
If 8 people are involved in fun RP story, active with the LSPD. Maybe not everyone needs to go after that one guy that decides to joyride.
But safety first!

Thanks for your reply! 

[Kota]

The LOST MC pretty much make up our own crimes and content as well this is why we have the reputation of standing around the MC not doing anything... And it's not that we are actually not doing anything it's that we just aren't doing drugs and the mechanical crimes in the city. I hate we have that image but I totally agree I wish there was more of a way we could bring cops into roleplay that's not the typical robbery call or what have you.  Like we have domestic abuse calls we do bar brawls we do Raids on the FIB building we chop up bodys and hide them in the lake up north... We do massive group to group drug trades which (would be fantastic for cops to bust by the way) Where we have two groups meeting up like a movie in a run down location and trade off huge amounts of drugs...  Fact is cops due to SOP's don't care too much as there is nothing they can do about such things within their SOPS and it's not really their fault at all. 

[Str84it]

Thanks @Kota Taylor for your reply   Its great to see people like yourself having fun that way too. Hope to bump into you guys.
To hear you also miss a certain level of interaction with the LSPD, means we can improve.

Cheers!

[Kota]

I mean it's not really the cops fault like I said I am not trying to blame PD as they're not really trained to help with those sorta calls and interactions. But maybe some awareness can get a conversation started as to how this could improve. 

[Flori]

Just now, Kota Taylor said:

I mean it's not really the cops fault like I said I am not trying to blame PD as they're not really trained to help with those sorta calls and interactions. But maybe some awareness can get a conversation started as to how this could improve. 

This post is not to bash on PD, I personally wanted to have an idea if we were the only ones doing it lol and then if there is enough players that are looking for the same kind of interactions to warrant a debate about it, that's all  

[Cleetus McSkeeter]

4 hours ago, Str84it said:

Unhinged, lifted and dismantled the radio antenna from the roof of Rebel radio. 

So thats why rebel radio hasn't been working for Cleetus, only station he listens too!

On a more serious note I completely agree

[Thorgs]

2 hours ago, Kota Taylor said:

Fact is cops due to SOP's don't care too much as there is nothing they can do about such things within their SOPS and it's not really their fault at all. 

I wouldn't say the SOP's are to blame for this they are basic rules to abide by but every officer views things differently. We really have tried to KTS but sometimes you have to go beyond that cause some cant use what should be common sense has to be put in black and white.

3 hours ago, Mia said:

I brought it up with with members of senior pd who have let us know that we do not need to take every call or rush through the call we have to get to others. However, we still need to be available to assist in pursuits, armed robberies or anything where another officer is requesting backup.

And yes this is correct more so with fewer officers on as we still need to police the city but you shouldn't rush any RP once engaged with some exceptions as you stated the other part to this is were on a public server rather than a whitelisted one where there would probably fewer crime calls cause more would be engaged in RP more. I'm always open for more in-depth RP or allowing other officers to do so as well just keep me apprised to the scenario your engaged in so we know what's going on and inform who we need to.

[Str84it]

Thanks a lot  @Thorgs! For your input. 
Of course it goes without saying that SOP's carry weight and are guidelines to ensure, that a structure works coherently.
It's impossible to put everything in black and white.
Regarding common sense I agree too.  Not always a guarantee. And everyone takes input differently.

I consider a long term RP engagement a consensus between all parties involved.
In which case what is considered common sense, can be determined by the participating players and should always be set within the boundaries of what senior PD deems sensible.
Maybe  set a general frame that states more clearly why and how an exception for RP benefits can be made.

As a Civ I am not up to date in general practices and SOP's. So I appreciate the view on your side.
I hope we can find a way to reward all players with the excitement of LSPD interaction.
Possibly offering officers the time to weigh and balance their response to calls.
Inciting others to interact with our proud force in blue in different ways. 

Just happy to hear we weren't on an island ;P If sentiment is shared, things can evolve, like the city always does.
So thanks for response mate! That's why I opened this for discussion.

and lol @Cleetus McSkeeter was only interrupted very briefly mate. I do apologize, brought us some trouble, 
youre not the only one loving Rebel Radio.

[Coach]

I think what it comes down to is timing. I've had many times where i try to initiate an "unofficial" crime. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt, just depends how many cops are around and how active the city is at the moment. One of my favorite scenarios was when we took a hostage down to LifeInvader and made him hack into their system so we could download everyone's creditcard info that used the service. We sent in a 911 call in the form of an automatic security alarm that detected a breach. We used the NPC employees as hostages since they dont run when you aim guns at them. All in all it was a great police interaction and was much more fun than the standard store robbery. I understand this isnt exactly the type of thing OP is talking about, but i think the best way to go about it is to do something small that is "on the books" illegal and make the strictly rp illegal activities tie into it.

[Str84it]

Can imagine that must have been fun! Thanks for the feedback. You can take a SOP regulated crime and expand on that. Making sure you get the interaction you look for. Good tip. 

And yes, timing, the officers on duty, crime activity.. etc.. are important factors. 

Great to hear they responded in this case. PD got an silent alarm notice from LifeInvader. Maybe one day that will be enough for a full follow up.

Sound!

Thanks for the story! @Coach 

 

Edited June 5, 2019 by Str84it