Re: Questions answered here
Here we can't do anything about getting the old #1 sign. It usually causes more traffic problems if we run lights to a call. Everyone slams on the rakes and watches us instead of the road. But being on a call, we would still have to obey certain rules of the road. Tailgating and cutting off traffic is not acceptable.<br />In 88spl case, I agree the officer could sit back and see what happens. BUT what happens if it is a child molester, how could I as an officer live with myself if I wait for an assault to happen? By that time the most traumatic experience a child could have has happened, and there is no way to reverse that. Also if he is up to no good, like an assault or worse, he pulls in to do the deed, see's the patrol car and acts innocent, then leaves with the victim. I have not only allowed him to do whatever, I have done nothing. I don't know the area he lives in but here is someone pulls into the park after 8 they are usually up to something. <br />I understand your point of view, and don't like intruding into peoples lives, but I also have to live with my decision. My position is not to be popular, it is to protect. 99% of the time peoples actions are innocent good fun. But that 1% is when people get hurt. <br />About 2 years ago at the local mall a man pulled up to a young girl walking into the mall. He came driving fast and slammed on the brakes near her. Everyone thought he was just having fun messing around. He grabbed her, she yelled. All of the witnesses just looked and walked away because they thought it was a couple of kids messing around. It wasn't until she pulled away, he grabbed her and punched her in the face twice that anyone thought different. They found her alive in Montanna over a week later. Because nobody wanted to interfere until they knew for certain his intentions, she had to endure a week of repeated sexual assaults and beatings. It was citizens not officers, but they were all less than 30 yards away. She was able to use speed dial on her cell phone and dial her parents, that was the only way they knew who she was the victim. One witness followed them for a few blocks thinking he had witnessed a domestic assault, but stopped when the suspect shot at him. <br />If the witnesses hadn't waited to see what would happen, they might have been able to stop this. Probably not, but how will anyone know for sure. I respect your opinion, and agree to a certain degree, but from my point of view I would rather go in, check it out, then leave. BUT I would definately be friendly about it. Even simply saying have a good night as he left would have been better than just walking away. We can check on peoples activity without really interferring or disrupting their fun.
I agree with the cops actions, just feel like they should have followed through a little better. A little conversation at the last would have helped you understand what they were doing and why.
