After posting the news story and video "Tough Granny Attacks Robber in Convenience Store" I remembered a couple of incidents from my own experience….
Neighborhood Watch
Until four years ago, I'd always felt safe in my hometown. Late one night, however, I heard car doors close. It was not a familiar night time noise on our street, so I looked out my front door and saw a man in my husband’s car, digging through the console, presumably for change. He probably reaped a whopping $1.50 in coins, but his act of larceny angered me.
I flashed on the outside lights and charged out onto the porch yelling “What do you think you’re doing in that car? You creep! Put back what you took.” He ran, but not very far. Seeing no one else around, I reconsidered the wisdom of my angry dash outside. I slipped back inside, locked the door and called the police.
This was not a smart thief. He was unable to start his car since he'd accidentally set off his own car alarm and was unable to shut it off. (Here’s your sign, loser!)
A few neighbors came out. A quick look into the thief’s car was enough for them to discover a car stereo, two laptops, cell phones, wallets, CDs and other stolen personal belongings. That car had more goodies than Santa’s sleigh. Police took the thief and his treasure away.
I was served with subpoenas by the court three times over that incident. Each time the case was postponed. I never got my $1.50 back. I don't even know the final resolution of the case.
A few months later, someone stole my daughter’s car stereo. Since the Woodward Dream Cruise was coming up in a few days, the police told me they were too busy to take a report. My tax dollars were clearly mis-allocated.
Soon after, I observed a man sitting in his car on our street late at night. I heard glass break, so I called the police again. The officer asked if I could describe the man. I said “No, and I’m not going any closer. You’re on your own. You can do your job without help from this granny.”
Whether you confront a criminal or call the police, every neighborhood needs "nosey neighbors" and preferably, an organized neighborhood watch team. Local police will be glad to help you form a team and provide advice. If you don't start one in your neighborhood, who will?
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Comments: 34
I am glad you were not harmed by the criminal that was in your husbands car. He could have had a gun!
You never know if the criminal has a weapon.
Keep up the good work in your windmill fighting, m'dear! Just be cautious!
What people in the neighborhood is another store, and the police procedures, well one can just forget about that in my opinion.
Turn out, our nosy neighbor across the street called the cops when he saw our dinner being delivered. He said a big black man was at our door, and we were in Pittsburgh with our family celebrating Christmas, which is why he called the cops. And here's why I despise nosy neighbors:
* We're Jewish.
* I don't have family in Pittsburgh.
* Not only were we home the entire time, but we had had visitors over every night of Hanukkah - 7 nights in a row! - except this last night of Hanukkah.
* Our idiot nosy neighbor didn't notice the giant advertising on the delivery car? Or the big jacket with whatever pizza shop we used?
So if you're going to call the cops for suspicious activity, please remember the following:
* The police will arrest FIRST and just let a court figure it out. Their job is to make arrests, not discover the truth of a situation.
* If you do call the cops, MAKE CERTAIN OF YOUR ACCUSATION. One call to the police and an improper arrest WILL destroy the life of the accused, AND THEIR FAMILY. This is without regard to what happens with the charges filed against them! Once someone is arrested, even if it's for a completely false accusation, it doesn't matter - people will assume you're a crook for *something* and will never look at you the same way ever again.
So before you call the cops, be absolutely certain of what you're seeing. Use critical thinking. Do NOT be emotionally swayed from the facts - make absolutely certain of what you're seeing.
The situation I described happened to us 2 years ago, and while my husband doesn't have any ill effects (we now snicker about it), my daughter is still petrified of police and won't go near them for any reason whatsoever. Not exactly the response I want from my 3-year old daughter! Thanks a LOT, nosy neighbor!
we have moved since then!
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Wow!!! my gutsy friend,,,I Bless you to safely be strong,,, that took so much courage,,, God Bless you,,, I have been robbed too years ago,,, I came home from work before my husband and found a whole lot of heartache,,, so much was taken,,, Police never did find who did it,,,
Hugs my dear,,,