an off-topic rant about crime

[nachoman]

tonight I was sitting in my back yard, and I heard a few loud thumps. It kinda sounded like someone throwing a sack of something into the bed of a pickup truck. After I heard the third thump, I got up from my chair and looked over my fence and saw two juveniles fooling around under the carport across the street. I went inside to get my phone just in case i saw them trying to break in. I wasn't sure if they lived at the house or not so I wanted to be sure before I called the police.

After watching their behavior for about a minute, it was clear they were trying to break into a storage room off from the carport - so i called the police. I gave the dispatcher a description of the individuals, and said I saw them trying to break in, but had not seen them carrying anything away. The dispatcher told me she had notified police, and the police were on the way. She said call back if I actually see them removing anything or leaving. Well, not 15 seconds later, i saw one of them carryiing something around the corner to the alley behind the house. So I called again. She said she would "escalate" the call. i guess that means, she was placing a higher importance on it. She assured me the police were on the way. I told her if they get there soon, the will catch the theif because they were still in the act.

Well, the police showed up, about a minute too late. They didn't get out of their car running, or didn't even pull up that fast. They got out of their car, kinda walked around the house with flashlights, and investigated as if this was a crime that happened an hour ago rather than a minute ago. About 15 minutes later when I talked to the police, they asked me if I actually saw them take anything, because from what they could tell nothing was missing and the homeowner wasn't home to verify. They said they would patrol the nieghborhood, and that was the last I saw of them.

This kinda stuff drives me nuts. So close to catching these scumbags, yet somehow they slipped away...:curse::curse::curse:wall1wall1wall1

Kevin

 

[Tim Crowe]

I don't think things are much better where ever you go. A lot of things in the U.K. are now not recorded as a crime. Hey Presto! crime figures are down.

You could always do what that guy in Texas did recently when he saw two people break into a neighbours house

 

[RonP]

I don't think things are much better where ever you go. A lot of things in the U.K. are now not recorded as a crime. Hey Presto! crime figures are down.

You could always do what that guy in Texas did recently when he saw two people break into a neighbours house

Not in Canada you can't...

Anyways being an officer is like any other career.
People get complacent and loose the reason why they decided on the career shortly after being let down a few times by the system.

 

[N Gauger]

Then there's that e-mail joke that runs around every so often

Man: There are 2 people breaking in to the garage next door
Dispatcher: We have 3 emergencies, the police will be there as soon as they are available

5 min later
Man: They are sill in there - are the police on the way?
Dispatcher: they are still not available - they will be on their way soon
Man: ok - I'll take care of them - I'll get my gun
Dispatcher No, (Hears man hang phone up)

The man waits about half a minute and here come the police....

Police get the thieves.... find out man has NO GUN!!
police: I thought you said you were gonna shoot them
Man: I thought you said you weren't available........

 

[nachoman]

I guess I can't really blame the cops because I don't know their situation. I could have probably yelled over there, and the thieves probably would have took off and ran, But I figured the police could have the area surrounded in a matter of two minutes, and then they would catch the guys in the act.

I don't know the police's situation. There could have been another simultaneous crime in which human life was at risk. Or, they could just be short-staffed due to budget cuts. All of the officers seemed pretty young and were probably new to the force, so maybe a lack of experience made them a bit more cautious. I am a little shocked that they didn't come over and talk to me more and ask me to file a report or a better description. It just made me think that for whatever reason, they werent very determined to catch these kids.

Kevin

 

[ezdays]

There's no doubt that they are interested in stopping crime and putting the bad boys away, that's their job. No, I think it's a matter of priorities and the significance of the crime at hand. Like Mikey says, shooting always bring a quick response, because it is a life threatening issue. About ten years ago we had our pickup truck taken from our driveway. Since there was no crime in progress, the Phoenix PD just called me back later that day to take the report over the phone. The first physical contact I had with the police was a few days later when they found the stripped-down hulk near downtown. Auto theft in our area is so commonplace that it's not a high priority, I guess unless it's the mayor's Beemer or something... Why, even the police chief here in Surprise had his wallet, gun, badge, uniform and, oh yeah, his unmarked SUV taken a few days ago while he was at the gym. Now that got their attention.

There was a similar incident to what you just encounter, probably a good 25 years ago in North Phoenix, where when the neighbor approached the buglers they took him into his house and killed both him and his wife. So on general principals, I wouldn't try to scare them away.

 

[jbaakko]

You know, they have this nifty new technology, called a camera. If the cops seem unconcerned, I flip open the lens on my cell phone & start recording.

 

[Mountain Man]

Then there's that e-mail joke that runs around every so often

Man: There are 2 people breaking in to the garage next door
Dispatcher: We have 3 emergencies, the police will be there as soon as they are available

5 min later
Man: They are sill in there - are the police on the way?
Dispatcher: they are still not available - they will be on their way soon
Man: ok - I'll take care of them - I'll get my gun
Dispatcher No, (Hears man hang phone up)

The man waits about half a minute and here come the police....

Police get the thieves.... find out man has NO GUN!!
police: I thought you said you were gonna shoot them
Man: I thought you said you weren't available........

That would be even funnier if it weren't so true!

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Happened here.
Some kids were breaking into a house. The neighbor, hearing the ruckus, looked out the window and saw them. He went, called the police then grabbed his digital camera. While the kids were grabbing thier booty, he took a pic of the car complete with liscene plate and then waited. When they came out the front door, armfuls of electronics, jewlery and cash, he yelled out "SMILE", and took their picture. They bolted, dropping the some of the loot jumped in there car and sped off. When the cops got there a couple of minutes later, he gave the cops a copy of the pics.
They were caught a half hour later...Denying they broke in...Til the cop showed them the pic of their car, and the portrait of both of them with the loot in their hands, and a surprised looks on their faces!
What a moment that must of been!

 

[Ralph]

Frustrating outcome but you did the right thing Kevin. I'd be glad if you were my neighbor.
Ralph

 

[Mountain Man]

shooting always bring a quick response, because it is a life threatening issue.

Not in rural Colorado, where noone responds at all until you report someone has actually been shot. :cry:

Want extremely rapid [police response? Tell them there are free coffee and doughnuts...

 

[train1]

Speaking from the receiving end of the "war" on crime - it's a just a big revolving door. The jails are bursting at the seams with the same clientele and the same cast of characters. I've been in the biz for 24 years and have grown up along with half the guys who come in and out - and have basically been doing time with them. Except I'm getting paid for it.
The problem with the Police response is symptomatic of todays culture. There's too much of it. There's not enough Police or jails to properly handle crime. The sentences are too lenient and there is no deterrent. It's too easy to claim a loss on insurance than go through the court system ( which is another topic in itself ).
Crime for the criminal is too simple - and society makes it that way. No accountability.
And the law abiding pay up through taxes - higher prices - and you name it.
I'll put my soapbox away now.
The banner - which was coincidently on the top of the page as I write - " get a degree for a Police job online ?". What kind of a dedicated officer are the public going to get with that ?

 

[lester perry]

A few years ago I called the police because someone was in my back yard with a flashlight at about 2:00 am. they responded quickly and quietly. They told me not to worry as my neighbor had reported seeing the infamous cougar they were pretty sure it was him looking for the cougar. so the unsnapped thier holsters told me to wait inside and walked into the dark abyss. a few minutes later they returned. they told me it was him and warned them that they had arrived just in time because I had a rifle getting ready to welcome the trespassers. A few days later I spoke with my nieghbor and he asked me about it . I replied the the officers told me don't be in such a hurry next time. It is not legal for me to protect my property with deadly force. He bought it. I don't even have a gun not even a bb gun. one more for you. This past Thursday, If I got the story straight
. the Pastor at my church was helping a needy person who was with him in his van. He stopped at the church for something, ran in for just a second. the man stole his van. before you say he was dumb for leaving the keys. You probably would have done the same on a hot summer day, A/C.
Les

 

[Biased turkey]

In Montreal you just have to mention "wife beating" and you''ll have 5 police cars ( for a total of 5 policemen and 5 policewomen ) the next minute.
Next time try that trick Kevin.

Jacques

 

[Colton_modeler]

About a month ago, there was a lot of police activity around my house / neighborhood starting at about 3am (we later learned that a chase ended at the end of the block when the suspects rammed the police car and took off on foot - their assualt on the officers with their car 'escalated' the response). My wife and I could tell that a manhunt was on, and watched things unfold from within our house. The 'perps' snuck through our backyard and our dogs started barking at them, so I went out front & told one of the cops, then went back into the house, expecting the force to swarm into the yard and catch the guys - the helicopter lit up the yard after a few minutes, but nothing really happened, and it took another two hours to catch the guys, in the back yard next door, where, after jumping our fence, they broke into that garage to hide out and set off the alarm. At least my alerting the officer did narrow the search area...and my dogs are in the record as the heroes.

 

[KentBy]

Kevin, sometime they don't get away.

Last Friday driving home from work about 1 mile from my house. I was following a delivery van for some miles and as we went into a tight corner on the country road a little red pickup came speeding around from the other direction. Even if the van was not there, I don't think that he would have made the corner.
The van swerved trying to avoid the collision, but didn't succeed. The van was going about 20 mph and the pickup about 40. I was back far enough that I could stop without problem. After setting for 30 seconds trying register what had just happened, I slowly pulled to the right of the van to see what needed to be done.
The man in the van was alright and was starting to get out on the passenger side. I looked forward to the pickup as the driver jumped out and started jogging away!
He went down a side street and I drove after him as I got my camera out to take his picture. I hollered had him to get him to turn around to take the picture, but he just turned off the road and went in between two buildings. I took the picture of his back-side as he disappeared. I didn't feel that I was young (or brave) enough to chase him down, so I returned to the seen of the accident.
Police showed up about 5 minutes after being called. After getting a 20 second description of the guy he took off. Came back about 10 minutes latter with no results.
About that time a man from the neighborhood showed up and asked if the police wanted to find the driver. He was hiding under the trees in his orchard.
Police left again and came back 5 minutes latter with the guy in the back of his car.
They didn't need my picture, but I feel better having taken it. I thanked the officer for his work. The wife of the driver of the van had shown up so I went home.

At least sometimes it work the way it should.

Kent

 

[iis612]

Having been a police officer and a 911 operator I can offer some information.
First: If you call the police, DON'T GIVE FALSE INFORMATION, EVER!! That can get someone killed, not to mention it is a criminal offense. Let me give you an example, if you tell the 911 operator that you saw a person with a gun rather than someone breaking into a car police are going to swarm the area with guns drawn. They are going to be scared, adrenalized, and looking for the wrong thing. If someone comes out of their house to see what the ruckus is about they are likely to stare down the barrel of a cops gun. There have been instances where folks from the area wanted to be a good samaritan and help the police so they come out in there yard with gun in hand, that can get that person shot.
If the wrong information was called in, when the police catch the person breaking into the car, the situation is seriously intensified and that person could wind up dead because someone told the police that they saw a gun. Not to mention the police resources that have been taken out of service answering a call that should only require 2 officers.

Second: Police departments (at least in the states) are under-funded, understaffed, and overwhelmed. There used to be a time when police departments would get thousands of applicants a year to fill 1 or 2 positions, now there is not a quarter of the people interested in the job. Lets say you have 25 people apply to be a police officer 4 won't get past the physical agility test, 4 won't get past the written test, 4 won't get past the drug test. Now you have 13 left. 6 won't get past the oral board interviews, 5 won't get past the background check. Now you have 2 applicants that are sent to the police academy. In the academy the recruits are shown videos of officers being killed, beaten, etc. Of the 2 that made it to the academy 1 will probably decide that they don't want to face that kind of danger and quit. Then, if we (as citizens) are lucky the remaining recruit will be smart enough to handle the academics of the academy.
Police officers are seriously underpaid for what they do. They are required to put thier lives in peril for an unappreciative society who will jump on the media bandwagon and crucify them if they make a mistake. Once a man or woman pins that badge on they are no longer allowed to be human. They are supposed to be robotic superheroes that never tire and always make the right choices. Granted, the media hangings are brought about by a handful of officers who did something malicious or illegal.

Now, let me cross the "Thin Blue Line" for a minute... There are officers out there that don't care anymore. They are burnt out but don't know what else to do with their proffesional lives. There are cops out there that should have NEVER been given a badge and a gun. The thing is, they are a VERY small group. Most people who are cops want to be. They love their jobs and do it to the best of theor abilities and resources.

Matt

 

[ezdays]

Matt,

I think you're emphasizing that which we already know, but we need to be told again. I don't think anyone here is advocating telling the operator that there are guns when there isn't, since that is a crime in itself, but they are trying to make light of a situation that we all know too well does happen. We seem to put more importance on even a minor crime then the officials do at that time. If something is happening now, or has happened to you, you wonder why can't we get better, faster and more compassionate response? It's hard to believe, but in our state, if someone gives you a bad check and screws you out of say, $200, the county doesn't have the resources to go after them, even if you know who and where they are. There is some magical number that they have that if the check is over that amount, then they will prosecute. Even if the cumulative value of bad checks this person writes exceeds that number, it's not a crime in they eyes of the county attorney. They make it a civil matter, not a criminal one. A pity, but I guess until the legislatures decide that crime fighting and prevention is more important than pay raises for themselves, and junkets to foreign countries or Hawaiian and Las Vegas conventions paid for with tax money keep happening, then there might be enough resources for the police and prosecutors to do their jobs.

And yeah, there are bad cops all over for the reasons you state, but there are those of us that trust anyone in a uniform... yet there are many who don't trust anyone in uniform and I guess with good reason. Again, is it the lack of resources that make this situation what it is?

We here in Maricopa County, Arizona, have our world famous Sheriff Joe. I need not describe his exploits, everyone already knows of him and I cannot change anyone's mind about him either. You either love him or hate him, but one thing for sure, he does do his job and makes sure his deputies do likewise. He's up for re-election this year, and I'm betting he wins by yet another landslide.

 

[iis612]

Don,

I have never been to Arizona, but I think Sheriff Joe is someone who's intestinal fortitude and drive should be a model for many others in elected positions. I hope he does win by another landslide. I might not agree with everything he has done but I admire his determination and inventiveness.

Matt

 

[Colton_modeler]

Me too. If we could get a guy like that elected in southern California, I would have been less apt to leave.