Tuesday evening at 6:40 PM I was the victim of a crime. While walking from an apartment building my boyfriend and I noticed two young adult males loitering near our car at the edge of the parking lot. When we got in, we realized our stereo had been stolen, and then that the passenger side lock had been forced. I have no proof that they were involved, but their behavior was suspicious.
I immediately called 911. The dispatcher told me to wait and that an officer would be there soon. We waited in the car. A half an hour went by. We were less than five minutes from downtown, and only a few blocks from a police station. The dispatcher told me they still had my call, and that as soon as a squad car was free, it would be there. I began defending the police in my head. Perhaps there is a big bust going on. Perhaps there are murders being solved. Maybe there was a big accident. Maybe someone was robbed – oh wait, some one was…
At this time I would like to express that when I originally called I did not expect that the crime would actually be solved. I am very aware, having been a victim of petty crimes in the past, that they are very hard to solve and do not have a high priority. What I did expect was that someone would be available to document the event for insurance purposes and my own peace of mind.
After waiting in the cold, feeling angry, violated, and extremely frustrated I called the dispatch again. It had been over an hour. I asked when I could expect an officer to come, and if there was any reason for the wait. I was told they are very busy and was put on hold. When the dispatcher came back on the line, she said, "It looks like it is going to be awhile, why don't you call the non-emergency line tomorrow to report it."
Feeling incredibly discouraged, I left the parking lot to drive the half an hour home. Less than a half mile away, I passed a squad car driving down the street in no apparent hurry. Inside are two officers.
It was frightening to realize that I did not matter. I had been basically told that for the last hour every single police officer in downtown St Paul had been too busy to swing by the scene of a crime. Where were the neighborhood patrols? Where were the men in blue that were suppose to be looking out for me?
I think it is ridiculous that I live in a city where people cannot expect anyone in power to take action over supposed "petty crimes", and that perpetrators of these crimes can expect to get away with them.
Call me naive, but I shouldn't feel more frusted at the police than I am at the criminals.