Gone in 60 seconds
Thieves stole the car of one of our photographers this week. Several thousand dollars worth of camera equipment was in the trunk. When she called police, she was told that an officer would get back with her. After awhile, an officer returned her call and took the report over the phone. That's it. Both auto and cameras remain at large.
I know that the investigation by phone is common practice -- same thing happened to me a few years ago when I was robbed -- but that doesn't make it any less disconcerting.
Comments (6)
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A while back, a friend of mine both expereience break-ins of our cars. I lived in the county and was visited by a Sheriff's Deputy, who took fingerprints, photographs, and a statement - overall spending close to an hour with me. My friend in the city was advised to call in a report next business day.
Not exactly good customer service by the city. That's an area the police could improve upon; however, it would take money which I am afriad the city would never give them.
Posted on January 7, 2006 6:36 PM
Individual experiences vary, but when my wife and I had to report a theft, we called the non-emergency number and answered basic questions a few hours later when someone called us to take the preliminary report. The case was then assigned to a property crimes detective assigned to work the area of the city in which we live.
Fortunately, there was plenty to work with in our case, and an arrest was made about a month later. The guy goes to trial in a week from now.
Posted on January 8, 2006 2:49 PM
She should have told them there marijuana in the car. They would have sent out a task force.
Posted on January 8, 2006 4:46 PM
Welcome back, Libby. Where you been?
Posted on January 8, 2006 7:27 PM
Thanks John. I've been around but I've been taking care of a two year old who never sleeps for twelve hours a day so I mostly lurk. I rarely have time to post comments.
I like the way your experiment is evolving by the way.
Posted on January 10, 2006 10:41 AM
the Telephone Response Unit handled your case. They aren't sworn officers, just operators. The other option would be to send out the Crime Scene Unit, another non-sworn unit. Police don't take reports anymore, the current administration doesn't want them too. It's actually good for you though, the last two police academies have put out the most unintelligent officers i've ever seen.
Posted on January 14, 2006 8:06 PM