Police update
So, yesterday early evening, I got a call from a member of our Safer Neighborhoods team who had my complaint forwarded to him. He was very concerned (and rightly so) a)about the fact that we had a legitimate emergency and no one came and b)that there has been an increase in "anti-social behavior" in our neighborhood in general.
Turns out the reason that they didn't have any officers available was that there were no more than three major incidents in our area that night, which is highly unusual. Somehow knowing this makes me feel marginally better, not a lot, but at least it is more understandable. Not excusable, but more understandable. Anyway, he did promise to go back and review the 999 call log and see about how communication could be further improved and working that out internally.
Then, he apologised for the fact no one came. None of these wishy-washy "I'm sorry you feel that way" - an actual apology. Which, odd as it seems, makes me feel substantially better, because it means that at least someone recognises that what happened to us was wrong. A long step from where we were previously.
The conversation from there moved on to discuss other aspects of policing they'll be incorporating over the next 2 or 3 days, most notably, visable patrols between the hours of 8pm and midnight in our neighborhood. He's also going to be in touch with the housing association to discuss working more closely with them as well.
So not only did I get an explanation of some important background and an apology, but the beginnings of an actual plan for dealing with this going forward. *nods* Good steps forward those. I guess now we wait and see. . .and get our hot water heater fixed!!
Today is shaping up to be a good day.
EDIT 11:30am: The police team has been, taken the statement and gone, and to no one's surprise, there's not a whole lot they can do at this point. They were very thorough and understanding about it. Evidently, the crime report will just give more ammunition to allocating more patrols to our area, which is good. The likelyhood of anything done against the kids (or even finding them) are slim to none. *sigh* Not an ideal outcome by any stretch, but as much as could be done given the long lag. I guess we just see what happens going forward from here.
Now, if only the hot water guy will show up. . .
EDIT #2 12:30pm: Hot water guy has been and gone and I got a hot shower. Talk about nearing the divine. Really looking forward to washing my hair tonight too. Now, am off to work.
Turns out the reason that they didn't have any officers available was that there were no more than three major incidents in our area that night, which is highly unusual. Somehow knowing this makes me feel marginally better, not a lot, but at least it is more understandable. Not excusable, but more understandable. Anyway, he did promise to go back and review the 999 call log and see about how communication could be further improved and working that out internally.
Then, he apologised for the fact no one came. None of these wishy-washy "I'm sorry you feel that way" - an actual apology. Which, odd as it seems, makes me feel substantially better, because it means that at least someone recognises that what happened to us was wrong. A long step from where we were previously.
The conversation from there moved on to discuss other aspects of policing they'll be incorporating over the next 2 or 3 days, most notably, visable patrols between the hours of 8pm and midnight in our neighborhood. He's also going to be in touch with the housing association to discuss working more closely with them as well.
So not only did I get an explanation of some important background and an apology, but the beginnings of an actual plan for dealing with this going forward. *nods* Good steps forward those. I guess now we wait and see. . .and get our hot water heater fixed!!
Today is shaping up to be a good day.
EDIT 11:30am: The police team has been, taken the statement and gone, and to no one's surprise, there's not a whole lot they can do at this point. They were very thorough and understanding about it. Evidently, the crime report will just give more ammunition to allocating more patrols to our area, which is good. The likelyhood of anything done against the kids (or even finding them) are slim to none. *sigh* Not an ideal outcome by any stretch, but as much as could be done given the long lag. I guess we just see what happens going forward from here.
Now, if only the hot water guy will show up. . .
EDIT #2 12:30pm: Hot water guy has been and gone and I got a hot shower. Talk about nearing the divine. Really looking forward to washing my hair tonight too. Now, am off to work.