My Town's Crack Police Force!!!!!

[Italiahaircolor]

This is insanity.

I've come to realize that nice only gets you so far...so, I suppose, unless you've been doing whatever to their "pump" for however long, it's time to raise a little holy h*** and get results. We're not talking about a stray dog running the streets, we're talking about your safety...it's their JOB to take you seriously.

This isn't something to toy around with. It's just not. If the detective isn't taking issue with this phone stalker, I'd go to whomever signs his paychecks. You pay taxes and you're not going be little woman'd into just not answering the phone because that lightens his case load.

As a matter of fact, I'd GO to the police station. I'd ask to speak to the Chief of Police directly. First I'd lodge my complaint with their so called public servant and then I'd explain the situation and ask "now what"...

You're supposed to feel safe in your home...and if or when you don't, that is why there are police...

 

[Arkteia]

The police should take care of issues for every citizen, not just the ones that "prime the pump". They are not taking care of Amber St. Clare, who is in a serious situation, and it should not matter whether or not she has volunteered or baked for them. It's their job.

I must ask CUSO because I'm curious; do you take this same approach with other agencies or offices? The local hospital or the mayor for example? I imagine one would be snowed under with volunteering and baking endeavours, and not to mention the overdose of cupcakes and eager volunteers the cops/nurses/firemen etc would receive were all citizens to behave this way! I'm sure they wouldn't complain

The safety of my family is parmount. My 1st thought was that I just wanted the local police to know me and my family. I then figured if I scratched their back they would do the same for me. The probably deal with tons of scum bags every day with little thanks, very few people show genuine appreciation regularly, so I stand out, therefore get better service. Only good things can come from being friends with all of the police in your city.[/quote]

I understand volunteering, and it helps the community, too, but are the policemen even allowed to take cookies or refreshments from public? I mean, they are officials.

Several years ago, it was norm for doctors to accept small gifts (pens, etc) from drug companies. Now it has become unacceptable because it has been shown to alter our prescribing practices. I think creating a situation when police will give "preferential treatment" to some citizen is very serous. And what about a poor resident who does not have money for cookies and refreshment? Should he be treated as a "scumbag"?

Several years ago residents of my town received letters from the police department asking for donations for Christmas gifts for the police department employees. Several days later the chef of the police sent letters to all of us saying it was a scam and the police had never asked for donations. I believe it was a scam, but some of my friends still believe that the police was trying to collect money from the public.

Amber - good luck! I think you should take your husband with you when you go to talk to the chef of the police department. I'd buy a gun and practice it regularly otherwise it can be used against you. (Same with the MACE or pepper spray. You have to practice). I'd also carry your cell phone in your pocket all the time, even at home.

 

[diva rose]

This is scary. It's creepy he knows your name.

Can you change your number?

I would take precautions. Things like this should not be taken lightly at all.

However the police probably can't do anything - that's why they suggested not picking up.
They are limited due to the law how much they can investigate someone.
Also - they probably have a lot on their plate already. Usually concerns like this are the bottom of their list unfortunately.
I blame government funding - lack of resources and staff.

I would make sure you have security alarms at your house. If you get a new number - take your name and number OFF white/yellow pages. Any public information sites. This creep can be some random who looked you up in the directory

Hope everything turns out ok - big HUGS & dust for you!

 

[summerlove6]

Amber, I lived through this same nightmare a few years ago. I would get phone calls on my cell phone from a restricted number and at first I would answer them because my parent's home phone is restricted. It was an older man who sounded inebriated or like he was trying to disguise his voice saying how he wanted to see me and some stereotypical "heavy breathing"; like your caller he also knew my name. I had my husband answer the phone and the caller would just hang up. Finally I stopped taking the calls, but the calls didn't stop and the creep even went so far as to leave voice messages! It's hard to understand the fear this type of harassment invokes unless you are the victim; I was so scared that it was a neighbor who could be watching me, or someone else who knew where I lived or worked that could potentially take this harassment to the next level. I was constantly on edge and anxious and you better believe I jumped every time my phone rang! I worked around the corner from the police station so I would frequently spend my evenings after work waiting to document the calls/messages with a detective. The police told me that they would need to subpoena my cell phone carrier for the records of the calls to reveal the phone number. Within two weeks of initiating contact with the police I received a call from them-- the calls were coming from the residence of my ex-boyfriend, but this was NOT my ex calling me, it was his father! The officer had already called the home and asked some questions of the father, who of course blamed his son and denied making the calls himself, but the officer had heard the recorded messages and knew that he was the person calling me. The officer wanted to know if I wanted him arrested, but I declined. The officer called my ex's father back and warned him that he would be arrested if he called again. I felt thoroughly disgusted but also relieved to know who it was. If you are diligent about reporting the calls and emphasize your fear for your physical safety I am sure that someone (maybe not the officer you initially worked with) on the police force will take the threat seriously and will uncover the source of your obscene phone calls before there is an escalation in the type of harassment, or a need to arm yourself with weapons. I wish for you a rapid resolution and most importantly, peace of mind!

 

[AGBF]

You could hire a private detective, too.

Deb


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[movie zombie]

the phone company can and will trace the call. in this day and age of terrorism, the techniques are even better than when i had to have this done in the early 1980's.......all that is required is that police report number when you call the phone company. and, of course, a real human to talk to at the phone company that will get the proper paperwork completed and forwarded. i was also getting calls at work........but the trace equipment was hooked up for the residence phone only. get that trace on your phone NOW. the police will notify you of who the perp is and will also "visit" the perp. charges can be pressed and a sentence handed down.

MoZo

 

[aviastar]

Lots of good advice here about precautions to take! Whether or not you decide to record the calls...you should absolutely record that they happened! Keep a log of when and how often the calls come in and what is said if you answered and if your husband was home at the time, that way when it comes to pressing charges it won't be he said/she said, you will have hard data that reflects the frequency and nature of the harassment, as well as a good indication if they are tracking your husbands comings and goings!

When I was in college, my roomate had a boy she had gone out with once start coming by the apartment and leaving notes on the car and the door in excess of several times a day. We reported to the police who said they are often legally unable to pursue a case until there is a threat of violence, but the best thing (aside from locking doors/windows and going places together) we could do was make the initial police report, keep all the notes, and document every time he called so we could really PROVE that his contact went beyond what a reasonable person will do. Also- note every time you answer and specifically tell the caller to STOP CALLING, so you have record that it was not misunderstood that this is unwanted attention.

Our wonderful neighbor at the time, who called himself 'Wild Bill', and his wife were much more straighforward- he said, "I can hear you if you scream and I have a chainsaw."

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Thank you for all your comments and suggestions. I've printed them out. I'm much more comfortable reading hard copies than a computer screen.

Here's the update:

My husband has lived in our town all his life and he kows EVERYONE. It took a couple of phone calls and I got a call telling me the case hadn't been closed it was just a "suggestion" that I not pick up that particular call {"private"}. Hey, I have a life and a kid and i need to be able to use my phone.

My husband also happens to work for the phone company we use for our house phone so he has done all the tech and paper work when it comes to dial 77, 57 and whatever. I have deactivated the call block because I have a recording device and I want the creep to call and I want to get his voice on tape. Maybe my husband or son can recognize his voice. Or maybe if I hear it enough I can.

re: Safety. I'm in the process of getting pepper spray. I really liked the idea a previous poster had about using ant and roach spray so I have a a can of that by my bed and in my car. I also have an alarm system in my house. The only room in my house that is open so that people can see in is my kitchen--and Mr. St. Clare is putting up shades as I type. I used to like to drink my morning tea looking out the window and watching the squirrels and birds play but no more. There are a couple of more precautions I'm taking, but I'm not going to talk about them because you NEVER KNOW who's out there.



Again, I want to thank you for your support and excellent suggestions.