Quick, call the 'bling police'

Just say no to … bling? We know that’s rapper Common’s stance. In an article published this past weekend about the death of flashy hip-hop styles, he told the Image section: "I think it's great that [bling] is gone. That really didn't exemplify style. It was just like, 'I have the money to buy this.' And that ain't what style's about.”

It seems some Brits, however, haven’t caught on to this subtler style trend – and that’s making them a target in the county of Gloucestershire, in Western England. According to Christopher Werth’s Marketplace report on Tuesday, police are asking members of the community to call in if they see someone wearing a “suspicious amount” of bling. The program’s slogan: "Too Much Bling, Give Us A Ring." Is it possible to tell by looking if there’s ill-gotten gilt involved when a commoner dials up the dazzle? (We get the sense that the queen, say, could never be too “blingy.”) Some are crying foul, saying the program will intensify racial profiling and create a Big Brother-esque society. What do you think? Is this more reason to retire the bling?

-- Alexandra Le Tellier

Rapper Common leads the way in dialing back the bling

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Comments

[Jason]

This is ridiculous. I was walking my dog the other day and a lady stopped to pet my dog. She had a 5-carat diamond wedding ring, and few yellow canary diamonds in her ears.

Should I call the cops on her?

[S to the T]

Yes, you should report her to the police. As soon as possible.

[Jay]

Depends - do you live in Malibu or Pacoima?

[robert]

I think you have the right to be suspicious , if you are in a really bad neighborhood and you see one of these bling out dudes wearing over 50grand in diamonds i would be calling the cops this guys are not makin money by doing real state or anything like that

Most people who are in the ghetto and have more bling that's worth more than their house that is something to look out.. for our kids is a bad example to make easy mone and put it on our necks that's not very working class

[megan]

Excessive bling can be an indicator of stolen property, or at least, ill-gotten gains. Yes, "give the police a ring".

It's always suspicious when appearances do not match economic surroundings.

[**gorgeous**]

ok you guys are all wack !! first and formost who cares how you got it as long as it yours ! some people dont understand just how ruff "ghetto" life may be ! you have to have a supplemental income just to servive and not all bling is acquired threw drug money ! alot of my jewlery is pasted down from generations and there big gold chains and medalions that hold sentimental value and if i wanna wear some gotti guido type stuff .... thats on me ! and by the way ... no one likes a snitch ! you get shot for stupid stuff like that !

[chris]

Too much bling usually indicates a persons insecurities about themselves and a need to try to impress others.