One night last week, my wife & I were driving home on a surface street when a police cruiser flew past us going well above 50, in a 35 mind you (I have been ticketed for this), and no lights or sirens on.
Prompted by recent events, something rose up inside of me, and I called 911 to report it.
To my great surprise, the 911 operator was immediately apologetic, and without hesitation assured me that she was looking into it immediately. She even reported the identification number of the vehicle, informed me that the officer was responding to a stolen car alert nearby, and explained that they sometimes avoid sirens/lights when responding to reports of crime.
I thanked her, and am still pleasantly shocked by her reaction (I was expecting defensiveness and/or disregard) as well as how much information she openly shared with me.
Civilian oversight is one of our most powerful assets as citizens!
Thanks for writing this. Some of these terms were eye-opening and enraging. I discovered you through a Substack search for “voting,” and I look forward to more from you! You are inspiring me to start my own newsletter for Phoenix AZ.
Civilian oversight is far under-leveraged.
One night last week, my wife & I were driving home on a surface street when a police cruiser flew past us going well above 50, in a 35 mind you (I have been ticketed for this), and no lights or sirens on.
Prompted by recent events, something rose up inside of me, and I called 911 to report it.
To my great surprise, the 911 operator was immediately apologetic, and without hesitation assured me that she was looking into it immediately. She even reported the identification number of the vehicle, informed me that the officer was responding to a stolen car alert nearby, and explained that they sometimes avoid sirens/lights when responding to reports of crime.
I thanked her, and am still pleasantly shocked by her reaction (I was expecting defensiveness and/or disregard) as well as how much information she openly shared with me.
Civilian oversight is one of our most powerful assets as citizens!
Thanks for writing this. Some of these terms were eye-opening and enraging. I discovered you through a Substack search for “voting,” and I look forward to more from you! You are inspiring me to start my own newsletter for Phoenix AZ.
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