House robbery

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Today, my pole buddy and I are eating lunch at a little pizza shop off Crenshaw Blvd and 405 in CA. I looked across the street and noticed some kids looking in the windows of this house. One of the kids jumped over the fence to the back yard and the other ripped the screen off one of the windows. I told the girl behind the counter to call the police. She said it was none of her business and walked away. I called the police as well as the shop owner next door did. The three kids heard the sirens coming and took off. I got the plate number and make of the car as they drove off. The cops arrived and searched around the house but found nothing. I gave them the info and they said they didn't need it because no visible damage was done. I aimed a few choice words in their direction and started to walk away. As I was leaving one of the cops told me I had a sh*tty attitude. I turned around and saw him crumple up the paper I gave him and throw it to the ground.



I feel really sorry for the residents who live in these areas. People pay good money on taxes for these officials to do their job. What a disgrace. I know that breaking any law is illegal, but I feel something like this needs more attention than single drivers in the car pool lane.

 

[scootergmc]

Well, look at it this way. You stopped a possible crime. But what would the cops do if they caught up with them? Arrest them for what? They really didn't commit a crime. None that any cop on Crenshaw Blvd. would deal with. I can guarantee the LAPD has bigger fish to fry. Sounds like your "choice words" helped the situation though.

 

[SHobbs]

Unit number, badge number and name and give it to the local paper and tell them what happened.

 

[GFritsch]

Today, my pole buddy and I are eating lunch at a little pizza shop off Crenshaw Blvd and 405 in CA. I looked across the street and noticed some kids looking in the windows of this house. One of the kids jumped over the fence to the back yard and the other ripped the screen off one of the windows. I told the girl behind the counter to call the police. She said it was none of her business and walked away. I called the police as well as the shop owner next door did. The three kids heard the sirens coming and took off. I got the plate number and make of the car as they drove off. The cops arrived and searched around the house but found nothing. I gave them the info and they said they didn't need it because no visible damage was done. I aimed a few choice words in their direction and started to walk away. As I was leaving one of the cops told me I had a sh*tty attitude. I turned around and saw him crumple up the paper I gave him and throw it to the ground.



I feel really sorry for the residents who live in these areas. People pay good money on taxes for these officials to do their job. What a disgrace. I know that breaking any law is illegal, but I feel something like this needs more attention than single drivers in the car pool lane.

Know what you mean. Last summer I was driving by one of my jobsites (no work going on as it was Sunday). 2 kids were breaking the glass out of grading equipment. Chased the kids first by truck, then by foot. Not being as young or as fast they got away. Called the cops and gave a description, then drove around the neighborhood and found them again. Called the cops again and had them arrested. Cops told me I was in danger as these kids were gang members. Give me a break. Sad thing was I was never contacted regarding testifying etc. Grading contractor ended up buying the new glass. Sometimes I wonder what the cops are really doing for us.

 

[guava]

Unit number, badge number and name and give it to the local paper and tell them what happened.

Never help. You've got two basic types of crimes. Crimes against people and crimes against property. The ones against property is controlled by the insurance companies who know you will just pay higher rates for insurance to cover the loss. And your taxes dollars are going to the other tyypes of crimes.



Crimes against people get total priority. But even if they catch someone (rare) people complain. Cops were mean. Cops didn't come fast enough. Cops ran a red light and scared my cat... . on and on. No one likes a cop and there is ABSOUTELY NO incentive to do a good job.



Believe me, they want to do a good job just as they would want someone to help them. But after the first few years of seeing how truly messed up the 'system' is, you give up and collect your paycheck just like every other working stiff out there.



How many of you tolerate every jerk in the world interrupting your coffee break or lunch for some sob story about how they got screwed over. Its a job... with the same rights and priveledges as a truck driver, rivet popper or any other type of work. The big difference is if the cop does his job, he gets sued for everything under the sun because they disagree. ie. Preventing Ms. PETA beech from throwing paint on someone wearing a fur coat. You know, preventing Ms. PETA from excercising her right to protest. Civil rights have been violated and now the FEEBs got to get involved... ... ... .....



You don't like it, take the job yourself and risk your life for people you don't know and won't care wether you die or not. And if you live, they'll complain cuz you didn't die saving them or their property.



I can't begin to tell you how therapeutic this rant has been.

 

[nickleinonen]

i still wonder what i will do if i catch someone in my home stealing stuff. . now i know of many places to hide a body where it will never be found. you just beat the person and let them go and they turn around and file the lawsuit for assault. if they didn't tell anyone where they were going to be, and they just vanish... burn it, pulverize it, burn it again and it makes great concrete filler...

 

[KBennett]

I feel your pain. When a rock was thrown through the window of my truck last year while parked in my driveway I called the police. They didn't even send someone out, just took a report and said "probably just some kids".



After thinking about it later on it must have been retaliation for the Bush sign in my yard

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

But after the first few years of seeing how truly messed up the 'system' is, you give up and collect your paycheck just like every other working stiff out there. QUOTE]



Maybe that's how you live your life, but don't think you're speaking for the rest of us. I get paid for 12 hours a day and I do about 15 hours worth of work reguardless how messed up the "system" is. It's my job, that's what I get paid to do.

You don't like it, take the job yourself and risk your life for people you don't know and won't care wether you die or not.

QUOTE]



I risk my life for customers like you and them everyday. Why, again, it's my job. I knew the risks of my job when I took it just as they did.

 

[GFritsch]

But after the first few years of seeing how truly messed up the 'system' is, you give up and collect your paycheck just like every other working stiff out there. QUOTE]



Maybe that's how you live your life, but don't think you're speaking for the rest of us. I get paid for 12 hours a day and I do about 15 hours worth of work reguardless how messed up the "system" is. It's my job, that's what I get paid to do.

You don't like it, take the job yourself and risk your life for people you don't know and won't care wether you die or not.

QUOTE]



I risk my life for customers like you and them everyday. Why, again, it's my job. I knew the risks of my job when I took it just as they did.

Well said. Too bad more don't share your pride and work ethic.

 

[guava]

But after the first few years of seeing how truly messed up the 'system' is, you give up and collect your paycheck just like every other working stiff out there. QUOTE]



Maybe that's how you live your life, but don't think you're speaking for the rest of us. I get paid for 12 hours a day and I do about 15 hours worth of work reguardless how messed up the "system" is. It's my job, that's what I get paid to do.

You don't like it, take the job yourself and risk your life for people you don't know and won't care wether you die or not.

QUOTE]



I risk my life for customers like you and them everyday. Why, again, it's my job. I knew the risks of my job when I took it just as they did.

Very well said. Check back in a few years and I sincerely hope you keep the same outlook.



I'm happy that you do what you do and have the qualifications to do it. I started out thinking you were working in the same business. My assumption was wrong. Maybe when the squirrels start firing rounds off at you while your trying to do your normal work of keeping the lines working, you have more of an understanding.





Something to consider: Do you realize that as a public servant, it is cheaper for the 'powers that be' to pay the civil servant life insurance payout in the event of death than to pay off any civil suit brought about by anyone in the general public.

 

[ndennis]

scootergmc: Last I remember, prowling, tresspassing and vandalism are still arrestable offenses in this great state of Kalifornia. Now granted, they are probably misdemeanors, but still are arrestable... especially if TRAMPLINEMAN was willing to effect a citizen's arrest. I feel TRAMPLINEMAN's disugust when it comes to public employees shirking and/or kissing off the duties of their job because they are too busy or have more important things to deal with it. Whatever TRAMPLINEMAN said to the cops on the scene, remember it was the officer's apparent lack of concern, lack of professionalism, and lack of willingness to follow up on info supplied to him by an on scene witness that caused the exchange of words. Rather than overlook TRAMPLINEMAN's frustration at their unwilingness to take a witness's information on a possible crime, the officer did the next best thig he could do: Escalate the antagonism between the officer and witness. That is truely great PR work there. A complaint to stupidvisor would be the next step towards getting this officer some charm school training. Note: I know I was not there during this situation, but I have all too often personally observed this same type officer in action... . very disappointing for a profession that I would really like to respect.

N Dennis

 

[BigEasy]

my advice to guava... if it's THAT bad where you work, MOVE!

 

[guava]

my advice to guava... if it's THAT bad where you work, MOVE!

We weren't talking about me or my work ethic. I was offering another opinion to someone who was a tourist in a situation far from his normal environment.



I'm sure everyone knows how to do their job better than the rest of the 'observers'. Lineman probably doesn't let the local cops tell him how to do his job or in what order to prioritize things I'm guessing he isn't in a position to tell the local police in L. A. how to do their.



Many including me want the cops to do more and be effective. Every cop I know wants to DO more and most have the ability. There is just a lot more to it than Lineman's observation.

 

[tugboatphil]

I do contract work for companies that service the mortgage industry. I get a work order that a property has been vacated, and I go to change locks, drain and clear water lines and heater, board broken windows, cut the 4 ft. tall grass and so on (oh yeah, clearing the fridge that hasn't had power for several weeks/months. ) I go to $800k houses and I also go to "Cracktown. " I represent the mortgage company when the Deputy serves an eviction.



So when I show up, given that the house is actually vacant, I find the easiest way to enter. Lots of times the door is left unlocked. It might be kicked in. Or in some cases, they locked everything from inside, nailed doors and windows to the frame and climbed out the 2nd floor window. Why? I guess they planned on going back sometime. And just because a house hasn't had water, electric or gas for several months, doesn't mean someone isn't living there.



So other than walking through the door, the easiest way in is to pop a window lock and climb through the window. In several years doing this, I have only had 3 people ever come up and find out what I was doing. And in all the houses I have entered, I have only had the law called once. I was working out of state and the heighborhood had suffered a series of break-ins. After climbing in the kitchen window, opening all the doors, hooking my water hose to the heater and draining it down the driveway, and filling out my work order as to what the property would require for transfer... . I heard a voice behind me say, "I take it you are NOT a burglar. "



I turned to see an adrenaline boosted Deputy Sheriff holstering his sidearm. I replied, "Yes Sir. You are correct. I am NOT a burglar. Would you like to see my work order?" I'm sure as he was speedily responding to the call, without siren, he envisioned that promotion for catching the "whatever burglar. "



But in all my times of being confronted by winos and crackheads, the thing that has scared me the most was being behind my truck, with only my aluminum clipboard in hand and hearing a woman say, "Brutus, come back here. " I looked up to see an adult pit bull about 15 feet from me, walking slowly toward me. She kept calling and I realized that I shouldn't have left the gun in the cab. I figured that I could try to sever a jugular with the edge of the clipboard as he chewed my other arm. But he walked right up to me, sniffed my arm and turned to walk away. I went home to change scivvies.



Don't know that this really applied to the topic, but I was a professional B&E contractor. I don't do the securing work anymore. I just do inspections to find out when they go vacant. Thanks for letting me share.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Do you realize that as a public servant, it is cheaper for the 'powers that be' to pay the civil servant life insurance payout in the event of death than to pay off any civil suit brought about by anyone in the general public.

Very true!!

 

[scootergmc]

scootergmc: Last I remember, prowling, tresspassing and vandalism are still arrestable offenses in this great state of Kalifornia. Now granted, they are probably misdemeanors, but still are arrestable... especially if TRAMPLINEMAN was willing to effect a citizen's arrest. I feel TRAMPLINEMAN's disugust when it comes to public employees shirking and/or kissing off the duties of their job because they are too busy or have more important things to deal with it. Whatever TRAMPLINEMAN said to the cops on the scene, remember it was the officer's apparent lack of concern, lack of professionalism, and lack of willingness to follow up on info supplied to him by an on scene witness that caused the exchange of words. Rather than overlook TRAMPLINEMAN's frustration at their unwilingness to take a witness's information on a possible crime, the officer did the next best thig he could do: Escalate the antagonism between the officer and witness. That is truely great PR work there. A complaint to stupidvisor would be the next step towards getting this officer some charm school training. Note: I know I was not there during this situation, but I have all too often personally observed this same type officer in action... . very disappointing for a profession that I would really like to respect.

N Dennis

There is no Prowling on the books. Vandalism and Trespassing, yes. Sections 594 and 602 of the Penal Code, respectively. As for a tresspass, you have to prove they didn't have permission to be there, and it would be a misdo. As for vandalism, what did they damage? Sounds like they removed a screen. No charge. But then again, I wasn't there either... . IF he had effected a citizen's arrest, the cops would be required to take the citizens arrest... and then the cops would've released them. I guarantee it.



But some of you need to take a trip down to LA and get off the 405 at Crenshaw. I guarantee the cops have better things to deal with.



And if you would like to respect cops, go ahead and try it. There are plenty of good cops out there. But apparently rotten apples spoil the bunch, eh?