As quirky as the setting may be, a neighborhood yard sale in
Off-duty Deputy Tom Zilg with the Cumberland Co. (NC) SO and his wife were perusing the sale when Tom, illustrating the second step in the Cooper Color Code chain (see below), looked over into the yard next door and spotted something odd. There, growing in a garden, were 25 huge pot plants which others had presumably written off as legitimate vegetation or just weeds. Tom, a DEA trained-drug spotter, called in the troops and 30-year-old Cornelius Shaw was arrested. It turns out that Shaw told his grandmother the plants would yield tomatoes. In truth, they would have yielded $25,000 in drug money on the street.
Remember that wherever you are, even off-duty, it pays to stay in Condition Yellow. This will not only make you less susceptible to danger but will help keep your police skills and instincts in play should you glance over and see something worth investigating.
The Cooper Color Codes
Condition White: Unaware, oblivious.
Condition Yellow: Relaxed but aware. You should always remain in this mental state.
Condition Orange: Heightened awareness with a focus on something in particular that catches your attention as a possible threat.
Condition Red: Mentally prepared to fight.
Some have suggested the addition of a fifth condition as well: Condition Black, characterised by debilitating panic. You should never be in Condition Black.
