Home security
Just a few facts to ponder. First of all Brian, if you remember, I think it was sometime last year when a couple of dogs mauled a person in ''their yard'' The news played it up pretty good, however they never did give you the outcome. That was because the dogs owners were held responsible so according to recent history you may be held liable.
I am not trying to tell anyone what they should do or not do about their own house/security, I am just trying to make you aware of the laws/facts/concerns surrounding our actions.
Second, It seems to me by reading these emails over the last few weeks, that our neighborhood may have a sour taste about the Police. Example, the mail theft etc. Well, just so you know, a standard sized city like Mesa runs approximately one officer per 5,000 people. Now take into account this is at full staff. Now, pull one officer off the street to make an arrest, and that means that one other officer is now responsible for 10,000 people. I myself work in a city of 40,000. We operate with 4 officers on the street at one time. An effective investigation on say a residential burglary with no suspects, from start to finish takes 2 to 3 hours just for the patrol officer. This includes follow up, and report writing. I respond on 6 to 8 calls of the same time requirements on a 10 hour shift. Now, where does that leave time for me to do pro-active police work, ie. patrolling the neighborhoods, chasing down drunk drivers. It just doesn't work. This is the same scenario in just about every city, the police are understaffed and overworked. I am not making excuses, but put yourself in our shoes, and when someone is not willing to assist in prosecution, it makes it difficult to ''care'' about the crime. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, I care about my job and the citizens I protect and I would do anything, including giving up my life, to protect the people I serve, but we can only do so much without your help. And it doesn't stop with the police. Just last week I arrested a guy who held up a Wal-Mart at gunpoint. Let's see...Armed Robbery a class 2 Felony. The very next day I arrested the same guy for burglary. The Judge released him the day before, now tell me that didn't pop my baloon. I spent 14 hours on that case, interviewing victims, witnesses, etc. only for him to be released to offend again the next day.
It is very frustrating, but we keep pluggin' along the best we can. So please don't criticize us to much, were doing the best we can.
PS. If the ''Dig'' on not using my own name or email was directed at me, I am only protecting my family, because I have no idea who reads these emails, and I would rather not have anybody know exactly where I live because not everybody likes cops :O) I am sorry if it offends you.
By Mcgruff
Just a few facts to ponder. First of all Brian, if you remember, I think it was sometime last year when a couple of dogs mauled a person in ''their yard'' The news played it up pretty good, however they never did give you the outcome. That was because the dogs owners were held responsible so according to recent history you may be held liable.
I am not trying to tell anyone what they should do or not do about their own house/security, I am just trying to make you aware of the laws/facts/concerns surrounding our actions.
Second, It seems to me by reading these emails over the last few weeks, that our neighborhood may have a sour taste about the Police. Example, the mail theft etc. Well, just so you know, a standard sized city like Mesa runs approximately one officer per 5,000 people. Now take into account this is at full staff. Now, pull one officer off the street to make an arrest, and that means that one other officer is now responsible for 10,000 people. I myself work in a city of 40,000. We operate with 4 officers on the street at one time. An effective investigation on say a residential burglary with no suspects, from start to finish takes 2 to 3 hours just for the patrol officer. This includes follow up, and report writing. I respond on 6 to 8 calls of the same time requirements on a 10 hour shift. Now, where does that leave time for me to do pro-active police work, ie. patrolling the neighborhoods, chasing down drunk drivers. It just doesn't work. This is the same scenario in just about every city, the police are understaffed and overworked. I am not making excuses, but put yourself in our shoes, and when someone is not willing to assist in prosecution, it makes it difficult to ''care'' about the crime. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, I care about my job and the citizens I protect and I would do anything, including giving up my life, to protect the people I serve, but we can only do so much without your help. And it doesn't stop with the police. Just last week I arrested a guy who held up a Wal-Mart at gunpoint. Let's see...Armed Robbery a class 2 Felony. The very next day I arrested the same guy for burglary. The Judge released him the day before, now tell me that didn't pop my baloon. I spent 14 hours on that case, interviewing victims, witnesses, etc. only for him to be released to offend again the next day.
It is very frustrating, but we keep pluggin' along the best we can. So please don't criticize us to much, were doing the best we can.
PS. If the ''Dig'' on not using my own name or email was directed at me, I am only protecting my family, because I have no idea who reads these emails, and I would rather not have anybody know exactly where I live because not everybody likes cops :O) I am sorry if it offends you.
By Mcgruff
