Show A Little Respect

To the Editor:

When I called the police at approximately 1:45 am on Saturday May 26, I was disappointed at their response.

I phoned to complain about noise coming from the Hot Shots parking lot, as I and my neighbors have done before. The officer I spoke to did not seem too concerned. He asked my name, phone number, and address and whether I wanted to speak to the responding officer. I said no, I did not do that last time and that I just wanted them to drive through the Hot Shots parking lot to check it out.

Imagine my surprise, when a short time later, a patrol car comes flying up my driveway after I just told the first officer that I did not need to speak to anybody. This sends my dog into barking fits thinking that there’s an intruder and wakes up the whole house. I was not too happy, but thought, well, he’s just doing his job. But when I went outside to speak with him I felt that I was the one being questioned and causing a problem. He was condescending and disrespectful. After I explained why I called, he shrugged and was kind enough to point out that I do live next to a bar, implying that I should have to put up with whatever nonsense goes on in the parking lot. I am well aware of where I live, and I don’t think it means that I need to put up with people blowing air horns at 1:30 am, or yelling and screaming. I don’t know why this officer had such an attitude with me. I was not the one possibly about to get behind the wheel after drinking. I was not the one yelling and disturbing the peace in the wee hours. Maybe there should be more of a police presence at closing time — particularly on Tuesday nights and weekends.

I respect and admire the work that our police officers do. But when a taxpaying citizen calls with a justifiable complaint, please don’t treat it as trivial. As I’ve said before, I’m sure most of those people whooping it up have had their fair share to drink and are now going to get behind the wheel. Please treat people who are calling with a complaint with respect.

Thank you,

Janet McKeown

10 Hillcrest Drive, Newtown                                            May 29, 2007