Why?

To get in good with the law. Bribery?

No, not that. It's just something about human nature, that wants to be in with the cops. It's like being on the winning team. In case you get in trouble, you have a friend. I don't blame them, but it puts us on the spot. You just have to be friendly, courteous, and let it go at that. Sometimes it's hard. You get awfully attached to people who are nice to you every day. You bat the breeze, even for a minute, and pretty soon you know all about them.

On highway patrol, do you see the same people very often?

Certain ones, yes. You're always stopping in for coffee, and gas, like that. I eat different places, too.

Do you know the gay spots in town?

Oh, sure.

Do you talk to the gay boys? Oh, sure. They all know me, talk to me.

Do they know you're homosexual?

I've never said as much, no. I talk their language, some of them tell me about their love affairs, their petunias, and the pants they've just run up on the machine.

Aren't some of them afraid you're vice?

I've never turned any of them in, or betrayed a confidence. They know that. I've straightened a couple of them around, got after them about their conduct at the bar, but that's all.

Are newcomers frightened?

Oh, yes, for a few minutes. Then I greet the bartender, or waitress, and they know it's not a raid. Or the regulars will 'Hi' me like a long lost brother.

Do you think it's good for a cop to be friendly in a place like that?

It's good for the place, yes. Those who are there on legitimate business will be OK. Any dirt in the place, might think twice before pulling something. Not just because a cop's around, but because his victim may know the cop, and talk. Have any of them told you about dirt?

Yes. A couple of times. Does it help the police?

In one case it did. We were looking for this certain guy on other charges, and learned he was active around here. We got him later on the other charges.

Is there danger to the ordinary, well-behaved homosexual, from

the law?

If he's well-behaved, he's not going to come to our attention, unless he goes to a gay spot, such as a gay bar. There, he's not disturbed, but he might be picked up in a raid, if that ever happened.

When is a homosexual investigated?

When someone makes a complaint, or he breaks the law, such as groping or exposing himself in public, where he'll be noticed by plain clothesmen.

Do they set traps?

Yes, they do. A person will never get caught in one if he behaves. Don't grope or let anyone grope you. Don't make propositions to go home, or to have sex. To go home and have coffee, yes. But just to go home? What for?

What problems have you had, and how did you solve them?

I've gotten along easy, as I say, because of my looks. Besides that, I'm extremely careful what I take up with, extremely. Wouldn't it be ironical for a cop to take up with dirt, huh? Wouldn't it? He couldn't even go to the police.

Thank you, Pat. From this interview it would appear that there is no one "type" of homosexual, nor

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