Can the Police be Trusted to Do the Job That Taxpayers Pay Them to Do?
by The police to whom we delegate our individual power in a free and civilized society are obligated to serve us, but to foolishly believe we get our money’s worth all the time is wrong. They often are just as weak and prone to temptation as the offenders they arrest. They often drop the ball, or fail to carry out their duties appropriately, and are not caught or questioned. In some cases, their derelict of duty harms someone so outrageously, that they need a real awakening. Being sued helps them to wake up. It seems to be the only punishment they recognize.
My home was burglarized two times in a period of two weeks in the winter of 2005. To gain entry, the culprits smashed a glass pane of a very expensive patio door the first time, and kicked in the front door the second time. Both break-ins occurred in broad day light.
The burglars were caught in a nearby County during a State Police stakeout. It was discovered that the two individuals, a man and woman, had burglarized upwards to 300 homes in several counties.
They stole roughly 18 plastic bags nearly full of coins of all denominations and age (I had saved this money all of my life), several bank deposit type bags full of money, paper money from all around the world, military money from when I was in the service, a couple very valuable old and rare coin collections and a couple very old pocket watches that passed on to me when my father passed away (one coin collection and the watches were from his father), and a similar rare and old coin collection that passed on to me when my sister lost her long, hard battle with cancer.
They took all but two bags of coins. Each bag probably weighed around 30 to 40 pounds. (I know I should have had this valuable money and things in a safety box, in some bank, but I just didn’t think something like this would ever happen.)
They also stole a laptop computer that contained all of my business and personal records, and a digital camera that had pictures in it of my sister just before she died. It is hard to calculate the monetary value of all the money and coin collections, but my gut guess of the “face value” would be at least 20,000 dollars. The “true value,” may be as high as a hundred thousand dollars.
A neighbor of mine witnessed the woman struggling while dragging a couple bags of money out of the house. When this woman saw the neighbor, she and her companion jumped into their car and sped away.
They returned again a week later (and in broad daylight), kicked in my front door – probably to get the two bags of money they had left behind the first time, but because I had hidden them so well, they were not able to find them
Both times, they left my doors smashed and wide open to the elements. This occurred in the middle of winter when the weather was very bad and cold. I was working a late shift both times abnd I didn’t get home until close to midnight. Consequently, due to the exposure to cold temperatures some of my plants died, and my furnace burned out of control for hours.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post Commentnina
On September 2, 2008 at 9:37 am
OMFG! Wow! This is ridiculous. They should track down who purchased the stuff at auction. I’m tired of the police not doing their jobs. It’s completely out of control. Unless you’re being stabbed, raped, or shot at, they’re not gonna waste their time anymore.
Mary Contray
On September 27, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I can sooooo realate to this article. My ex was a policeman. So many of them (him included) think that they are above the law, that they can treat people badly, look the other way or do ill themselves. It’s very sad. I use to sit and listen to a bunch of them at lunch, and it was horrifying what they would admit to. Hence part of the reason why he is now my ex!!!!
Christy Tuller
On November 20, 2008 at 11:02 am
I have to say to this article that not all police officers are like that. Yes, you had a very bad experience and I am sorry for that. The police in your town were obviously not doing their job. Personally, after the first break-in, I would have had an alarm monitoring comapny come out and alarm the house. When you have that much valuable stuff in one place it is always a target for burglars, especially if others know about it. I have law enforcement in my family and none of them would do anything like what you said. I hope your experience has not given you a poor opinion of ALL police departments.
Westbrook
On November 20, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I am not naive enough to think all police personnel are wicked and incompetent, but I am smart enough to know that many abuse the powers we delegate to them. This isn’t the first time that I have known about police departments being corrupt. I too have had friends and family involved in this kind of work, but that does not change my mind that power goes to the head and corruption can flourish as a result. I could tell you tons of stories about police corruption but will reserve that at this time. As far as an alarm system is concerned, who knew lightening would strke twice in the same spot in a matter of a couple of days? However, I had already asked for someone to come to the house and discuss the matter with me. An alarm system was installed the next day after the second break in, unfortunately, just a little too late.
Darla Smith
On November 25, 2008 at 11:06 am
Wow! I’m really sorry to hear about your bad experience.
Westbrook
On November 25, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Thank you
Daisy Peasblossom
On January 28, 2009 at 8:22 am
Wes, that is horrible! Bad enough to lose cash and coin collections, but to lose your personal data and pictures … well, words fail. To top it all off, with the items RECOVERED and then sold–that just puts it beyond belief.