Local Letter to the Editor - long

[Punisher]

I just read a letter to the editor which was published in one of the local newspapers. It bothered me and I'd like to get some input from the members of this board.

The letter was as follows:

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Police failed to help stranded motorist

Sat, Oct 19, 2002

A few days ago while on my way to Salt Lake, my tire blew apart on the freeway. I pulled over as far as I could, turned on my hazards and got out to change it.

A few minutes later a sheriff"s deputy approached. I waved wildly, and as he passed me he honked. I told my husband on the cell phone not to worry, I would have help soon.

A few minutes later a city officer drove by, and I waved again. He didn"t stop either. I was just about to call 911 for some much-needed help when a very helpful man, Craig Malan, stopped and helped me.

I am not helpless; I can change a tire, but I would have liked an officer to at least stop behind me to warn the oncoming traffic of a stranded motorist. A third officer drove by about 10 minutes later, and he didn"t stop or send help either!

My husband and I own a restaurant, and we give half-off to uniformed officers to show them how much we appreciate their services. Is this the thanks we get in return?

After 40 minutes along the side of the freeway, a Davis County paramedic stopped and turned on his lights. We were finished by then, but I appreciated the fact that he cared enough to stop and see if we needed help.

Thank you, Craig. You are a guardian angel, and I will never forget the help that you unselfishly gave me when no one else would.
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Now, the part that bothered me was the 1/2 price off she and her husband give to uniformed officers at their restaurant and her apparent expectation for special service because of it.

I'm a reserve officer at one of the local police departments here and have been to restaurants/gas stations/etc. that give discounts to police officers and haven't thought twice about it. But because of this letter, I seriously don't think I'd every except any discount food or free coffee again if the public has this kind of attitude about it.

Comments? Suggestions? Am I wrong to ever have accepted it in the first place?

[Stump]

Actually the part that bothered me more is the fact that she didn't even mention the fact (or maybe it didn't even occur to her) that maybe the officers were responding to emergency calls. If she is not helpless, then why did she feel the need to "wave wildly" to the cops? Why did she want to "call 9-1-1 for some much-needed help" if she could change the tire herself? 9-1-1 is for EMERGENCIES, not to change people's tires. That is AAA. Also, hazard lights are for warning motorists of a disabled vehicle. There would be more of a chance (in my opinion) of an accident if people saw the flashing police lights - the rubbernecker theory.
(That reminds me of a call I took about 2 months ago. We were having a riot in our city and the city police held over all the officers from 3rd platoon, and about 1/2 the officers from 1st platoon were there (about 100 officers total). Anyway, I get a call from a woman upset about loud music coming from a house. I explained the civil disturbance downtown and the long wait time, and she just couldn't understand why the officers couldn't just drive by and tell these people to turn their music down.)
I am sure they don't give 50% off just because they appreciate officers. The police presence at their place of business is a benefit to them. I don't think you were wrong to have accepted it in the first place. I do think, however, that people expect special treatment because they are "friends" of cops. You wouldn't believe how many times people name-drop when they call 9-1-1, even if they barely know the cop.

[Punisher]

You're right, Stump. Her wanting to call 911 for help in changing a flat tire is just...dumb. I'm sure it didn't occur to her that the officers who drove by her on the road might have been busy on high-priority calls.

I don't know how it is in other parts of the country, but here, there is a definite idea of "I'm more important then anyone. My problems should come first even if they're incredibly minor." As well as the ever-popular, "I'm a helpless female...blah blah" (one of my pet-peeves...but that's another story).

In fact, I'm so used to that attitude that the majority of her letter (why didn't the cops stop to help ME!) was not even a surprise.

As a dispatcher, what percentage of the calls you get would you classify as "Non-emergency" calls? IE, calls that should not have been made to 911.

[lnichols]

I think most people are to stupid to realize that their is a non-emergency number to call, or to lazy.

[navyfiveo]

Hmm..this is kinda touchy with a lot of officers. Where I am from, if you didn't stop and someone happeded to call the Sheriff or report your car number, you would be riding up and down the interstate for a month changing tires. I guess that fits into the Public Service aspect of things. As for calling 911, a big KISS MY AZZ goes out to you. 911 is for more important things. Try *HP next time. Offering 50% off to uniformed cops. Hmmm, my guess is that if you didn't, officers probably wouldn't eat there.

[stuohn]

after reading this post i must say what nerve that lady must have had. i mean come on a police officer stop and help her there job isn't to actually protect and Serve is it? can someone please give me the news paper that this ran in so i can write this lady back and ask what she was thinking. and before any of my newly aquired friends get on here calling me immature or telling me that i have alot to learn about law enforcement. i know enough about law enforcement to know that one could have stopped but, all of you can keep on taking the 1/2 off or free stuff that you receive and then make all of the excuses that you want as to why you do not have to help someone. i have heard of officers having the us verses them attitude but you people take the cake .

p.s. i do agree with the fact that it would have not been smart to call 911 for this kind of situation.and i am not saying that there are not any good LEOs out there ,i am just trying to get a point across.

[Stump]

"if you didn't stop ... you would be riding ... the interstate for a month changing tires."
----- Yes, but if you were on your way to an emergency call, you had good reason not to stop. If you weren't, then you deserve to get knocked down a peg.

"most people are to stupid to realize that their is a non-emergency number to call, or to lazy. "
----- Our non-emergency number works only within our city limits. I would rather have someone call 911 if they weren't sure. I wouldn't say a person is stupid or lazy, but just ignorant. We just had a meeting today and one statistic that was mentioned was that the average person calls 911 only 3 times in their life. (hard to believe, but true)

"I'm a helpless female...blah blah"
----- Ok, I admit it. I have never changed a tire in my life. I do, however, have AAA, and would call them if I had a problem. I don't rely on strangers or police to help.

"what percentage of the calls you get would you classify as "Non-emergency" calls?"
----- That is hard to answer. I can't really say % myself because that is something you can't have statistics on. Example: a 12 yr old arguing with Mom because Mom tried to discipline her and she didn't like it calls 911. Mom isn't beating her, just trying to ground her. Is that an emergency? Another: Joe calls 911 for the barking dog in the city. Animal control in the city here is dispatched by 911 center. Emergency? Loud music from a vehicle. Hmmm.... The elderly woman who doesn't know why her electricity has gone out.... People call us for phone numbers, legal questions, to make "statements" to us to say how they think things in the world are going.... The mentals call us all the time, confused elderly people.... I don't answer phones that often (we have phone operators), but you would be amazed at some of the doozies I get when I do work on the phones!!!

[Stump]

"i know enough about law enforcement to know that one could have stopped"
----- How do you know that? Were you there? Have you ever even done a ridealong to understand what kind of things officers do?The thing is that I am sure an officer would stop to help that lady, but they have to prioritize. I have heard officers call out that they passed by a disabled vehicle enroute to a job, and I add that job to the list of jobs waiting. So maybe instead of blaming the cops, you can blame me since I am the one who prioritizes the jobs holding.

"take the 1/2 off or free stuff that you receive and then make all of the excuses that you want as to why you do not have to help someone."
You missed my point. Re-read my early post. People expect SPECIAL treatment because a cop gets a cup of coffee there every so often.

"i have heard of officers having the us verses them attitude but you people take the cake."
I haven't heard any Us vs Them attitude on this thread at all. Give me an example of an Us vs Them attitude.

[navyfiveo]

Maybe I should have been more clear. Had it have been me riding by, YES, I would have stopped for her safety and the safety of others on the highway. If I had of been on an emergency call, I may have radioed for someone else depending on the situation. Now maybe stuohn can take his smart a** sarcastic comments back and go back to being a security guard. Don't come here and knock me until you have even ridden somewhere in a police car besides the back seat.

[rkysoo]

First, Pardon me if anything written goes wrong, i am not good in english as you'll

OK first, Jason, if i am not mistaken you are over reacted? It seems to me that you have some fire in your mind ahahahah. Cool down ok!

Well in my country first of all, if such case happen, no cops will stop and if cops does stopby and offer help, the first thing i would do is to call 999 (911 number) as the person definitely got problem, they won't be doing such thing, It is already on the news as such case you should call your automobile associates, and by the way, toll truck will be the first to reach there and wanted to slaughter the customer. So most i could say they have signed with Automobile Assistant Company which offers 7 x 24 support free of charge with a certain amount paid a year.

And secondly, i assume that most of the driver out there in USA or in other country (same does apply to malaysia) don't really know how to change a flat tire especially female, (well male also have the percentage out there) but then, can you imagine how a female is gonna change a flat tire if they happen to drive a Land Rover or so? No way! And most of the car out there should have something like the triangular signal in your car, so incase of any emergency you can put the triangular signal say 500 meters away from your car, this will do the job.

Obviously if i am a police, i would stop by and have a look on what is happening. But then if i am attending important calls, i will go according to priority.

Another point, here i would like to state clear, I am not talking that police officer should have special discount! But don't you think you can do something a little better to offer your regular customer.

There's alot of people out there expecting a favor return if they offer you 50% discount on your meal. Well if they offer without asking for favor then it's fine, just because i am a regular customer, not because i am a LEO.

I always get special discount whenever i go, because i am a regular customer (McD and KFC those don't mention)

If they was just like offering a special discount and wanted a favor in return, I can say that, there's alot of stores out there, why them?

At the end, based on my humble opinion, i cannot actually judge who is right or who is wrong. Since the lady can own a restaurant with her husband and can afford for a vehicle, i dont forsee why she cannot pay a little amount on joining something like Stump say AAA. I think if stump can get it, most of the people out there can get it as it's not that darn expensive.

Second don't ask for return if possible on what you actually did, you will irritate the person if you do that too often.

If she is not happy on offering 50% discount to COPS just don't do it; dont just write a letter and send to the press for printing and so, it's like you have nothing better to do. I should also ask her to fine a life to live on!

[Stump]

Let me clarify something. I would be capable of changing a tire. I have never done so, but I have been taught how to do it. I am not a helpless female by any means.
Secondly, Rkysoo, some of the posts you make offend me, but I think it is just because of the differences in cultures, language barriers, etc. I do not take personal offense. Just don't use me as an example.
Thirdly, about Jason 'overreacting'. It is difficult to sit back and listen to people knock cops or offer opinions on things they don't know about firsthand, etc. Everyone here is guilty of opining about things they aren't 100% familiar with, but the point of these forums is for different opinions to be shared.

[rkysoo]

Oh no! Sh*t! I say something wrong again!

First, thousands appologies to stump, well i do think when a person say something another person intepret it wrongly.

About automobile association that actually helps people on this case, toll-truck and change flat tires, change flat batteries.

I assume everybody that is working can actually afford for it, because the membership is not that expensive. I dont really know how much does that cost in USA, but all my friends in USA seems to be comfortable with the fee pay out to get the membership. (I asked them on the ICQ before i actually post it out)

That's all i mean, and well true also, if they are not wearing the same pairs of shoes. (For Jason over-reacting case)

Sorry again Stump!........ McD on me ok?!

[txinvestigator1]

I WAS going to leave this thread alone, but now I am going to have to put in my two cents.

I will start with the writer of the editorial's comment about the 1/2 price. That is part of the reason that officers accepting discounts is just a bad idea. It sets up a reasonable expectation of preferential treatment. Not that the expectation is reasonable, but that it is reasonable for the general population to feel that way.

Officers I suggest you pay full price.

ANy officer NOT on the way to a call greater than a report call should at least stop and offer some assistance. If the officer is one the way to a priority 2 call, and quick stop and advisement that the officer is on the way to a call, but he has called for assistance should be offered. Keep in mind, that when the officer sees the vehicle, it may be too late to safely stop.

It is reprehensible for an officer not on a call, or just going to a report call not stop. If you do not want to change the tire, or make the repair fine, but stop and offer some assistance. This simple act will go a long way towards public relations.

Remember that the citizen has no way of knowing if these officers were on the way to calls or not. The reaction of this person is normal, I am not saying it is right, just normal.

She needs clarification and explanation, not criticism.

[resqr1]

Stuohn,
It seems to me that you actually know very little about law enforcement. To have made such naive statements doesn' appear to be too smart. First, maybe the officers thought she was ok because she was waving. In certain circumstances, ie. at 65 mph, a waving hand could be an assurance of being ok. Second, they could have been going to another call that had been waiting and was important enough to call 911 and thinking she was ok, not call for anyone else to help. Third, I don't care how good your eyes are, you are not going to be able to tell if this lady is the one who gave you your food for 1/2 price at 65 mph. It doesn't matter anyway. As far as I'm concerned if she is giving our brother officers a discount expecting special favors, she should cease the practice. Fourth, a lot of us have to pay for our own uniforms and cleaning. If I ruin a pair of pants helping a able-bodied discount giver, can I send her a bill for my new pants??! NO. She should have called a tow truck. That's what they get paid for. And they have the proper equipment to do the job quickest and safest. I know because I used to work for AAA.

[resqr1]

I forgot to add that it is my department's policy to stop if available. We do not change tires, but will call someone who will and stand by until that help arrives or we receive a higher priority call.