> That's so funny! US cops really do hang out in donut shops? I always thought that was just in the movies.

Donut shops, pizza stands, diners... You might find police officers in any place that has decent coffee and a place to relax for a few minutes. It also gives the police officers a chance to be known by local merchants. It's probably a better way of making their presence known and giving a feeling of security than driving around late at night.

But it varies from community to community. Over in the town where I live (or rather, house my stuff and sleep in), I've seen police officers hanging out (for lack of a better term) in a few residential-area shopping areas. Back in College Station, Texas, the police would just cruise around and around...

-Faux "mmm... donuts" Pas