(no subject)

[libberding.livejournal.com]

Just an FYI:

So I'm sitting out on my porch a little while ago (just after midnight) on Henry Avenue, and this group of mid-to-late teens (about 6 or 7 of them) come ambling down the street, trying to break into each car.  (Part of me was like, wait, you don't SEE ME sitting here smoking my cigarette and reading my book?  WTH?)

After they turned the corner onto Lexington and were out of earshot, I called the Somerville police non-emergency line, and within three or four minutes, two cop cars were in the area.  (Well done on the response, SPD!)

Just a friendly reminder to lock all doors and remove valuables from your vehicle!

Comments

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

As your neighbor on Lexington, I gotta say first, thanks for calling the cops! But also I gotta ask: why not call the cops while they're in earshot? I mean, I get that you might be hoping the cops will be more likely to catch them if the kids don't know they're coming, but as crime-prevention I'd think "oh, people call the cops the second they hear something" might be more effective (especially if this is just "crime of opportunity" rather than something actually planned) than hoping the cops see something 5 minutes later. That's long enough to cut through the park over to Morrison, and be gone. Also, I'm all for not abusing 911, but maybe "attempted robbery-in-progress" could actually be considered a police-emergency? I'm not sure which way I'd go on that choice either though, if I had heard it.

Thanks for being someone who will actually make the call! YaY for Neighbors!

[libberding.livejournal.com]

Well, me rabidly avoiding confrontation aside, 7-to-1 is not so good on the odds. Even if they were 'just kids'. I'll admit it - I scare easy, and had they known it was me, they know where I live, as I'm sitting on my own front porch looking all comfy with my pjs and such.

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

Um, casually step inside and make the call the from there?

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

I understand not calling immediately, but I think this would be an ok reason to call 911 instead of the non emergency number.