# Dropping a Dime, on your neighbor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684 "2010-08-19T00:25:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/181 "2010-08-22T06:10:53Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > “Why so evasive? The question is simple:” > Not evasive,the answer is simpler," I don’t know. I don’t keep count." > If I were to give a “general” answer, my tendency would be to get flip, and I want to avoid that. Ok heres a general answer, Sir, I dont know Sir.":smack: I hate it when that happens. Whatever, dude. I’ve had enough of this bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/182 "2010-08-22T06:17:23Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Whatever, dude. I’ve had enough of this bullshit. I haven’t… sometimes I guess I like to feed trolls. Anyway… back to Nada. Since this seems to be so difficult for you. Last week did you call 911? If so did you call it more than once? How about twice or more? ---
**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/183 "2010-08-22T06:23:33Z")
spud Why can’t you except, " I don’t know." as a simple honest answer? Life isn’t only Black or White. Your free to think as you wish, what you wish. You say I am fond of analogies, I say maybe, maybe not. The 2 I used in the thread were ,as pukymell pointed out not very good analogies. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/184 "2010-08-22T06:34:11Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > spud Why can’t you except, " I don’t know." as a simple honest answer? Life isn’t only Black or White. Your free to think as you wish, what you wish. You say I am fond of analogies, I say maybe, maybe not. The 2 I used in the thread were ,as pukymell pointed out not very good analogies. Because if you stop humoring me I’ll stop feeding you. Here’s another analogy… my kids all play travel sports. I’ll pick my daughter. If I asked her how many goals she has scored she would say “I have no idea.” If I asked her how many she score last season she would respond “I don’t know, I think around 20.” If I asked how many she scored this weekend she would respond “d’uh I’ve got a broken foot so it was none.” If you can’t answer such a simple question I’ll stop posting to this thread. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/185 "2010-08-22T14:31:14Z")
So you’re unwilling to address the fact that these calls of yours result in zero action on anyone’s part, and you cannot/will not even attempt to own how often you do this. This appears more than just disingenuous, you’re coming off as slightly less intelligent than your average conspiracy theorist. What were you thinking was going to happen with this thread? That you’d get a lot of “Well aren’t you a wonderful citizen!” accolades? Really? Instead you sound like a tightass, tattletale who can’t/won’t comprehend that he’s tying up an emergency system with petty bullshit and creating no actual change at all. Knowing you’re not actually causing any action, with your reports, should be the indicator, to you, that this is really all about your ego. ---
**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/186 "2010-08-22T17:39:55Z")
Elbows- What I do know is that regardless of how I respond to detractors their opinions aren’t going to change. “So you’re unwilling to address the fact that these calls of yours result in zero action on anyone’s part, and you cannot/will not even attempt to own how often you do this.” ( Elbows) I don’t know that my calls result in zero action on anyone’s part. I cannot/will not own to how often I do this, simply because I just plain don’t know, For arguments sake I will say, " several times in the past decade." "Knowing you’re not actually causing any action, with your reports, should be the indicator, to you, that this is really all about your ego. " (Elbows) Maybe your right Elbows, maybe it is all about my ego, whats wrong with that? Have any of the previous statements altered your opinion? NadaHappyCamper Kowabunga! ---
**Author:** ![SubliminaLiar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@SubliminaLiar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SubliminaLiar)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/187 "2010-08-22T18:52:24Z")
> [@](#): > > **…“I cannot/will not own to how often I do this, simply because I just plain don’t know, For arguments sake I will say, " several times in the past decade.” "…** Can you at least tell tell us what the last two calls you made to 911 were about? My last two calls were: reporting a boat on fire parked next to a building, in 1986 and… wait, that’s the only time I’ve called 911. I understand that your 911 system accepts non-emergency calls, so I’ll give you my last two calls to the non-emergency number: I reported my car had been stolen in 1996, and I returned a missed call when they called to tell me my car had been recovered, three days later. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/188 "2010-08-22T20:27:59Z")
Just for kicks, I’ll recount some of my police calls in the past year or so in reverse chronological order. It may help to know I live in a house very near a public park with a liquor store nearby. 1. Called police non-emergency number to report someone walking from the park had stashed a paper bag suspiciously in some bushes at my neighbor’s house across the street. It turned out to be empty beer bottles, but I figured if it was just trash, he would have used the trash can right by the bushes. 2. Called 911 to report a 5-on-1 fist fight in progress outside my house. 3. Called 911 to report more fisticuffs in progress outside my house (man vs. woman - turned out to be a “domestic” issue.) 4. Called 911 to report a hit & run in progress outside my house (city garbage truck vs. car). The car sat for a few minutes then the driver decided to flee the scene. 5. Called 911 to report a car vs. car hit & run ion progress near my house where the fleeing driver abandoned his (probably stolen) car right outside my house and ran away on foot. I gave a description of the driver and his direction of travel. 6. Called 911 to report a big pickup truck driving through the public park, doing donuts in the grass, in progress. 7. Called non-emergency number to report someone was leaving voice mails at the local political party office threatening to kill me. The cops made a report and recorded some of the voice mails. The person making the threats had gone crazy, basically. Her family found out and intervened, hopefully getting her some professional help. In sum, calling the police is something I don’t take lightly and the circumstances are quite memorable… for me anyway. ---
**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/189 "2010-08-22T21:57:05Z")
How many times do you hear of the Police **preventing** a crime? I can guarantee not too often. Mostly their duties revolve around patrols, domestic disputes, handing out traffic infractions, and reports etc., Occasionally they get a serious call such as armed robbery in progress or perhaps a hostage situation or high speed pursuit. Bearflag70, I am happy for you that your memory is more acute than mine. That **maybe** the reason I call 911 when I am on the road instead of waiting till I get home and calling the local police. I will try to list the types of calls I remember, now keep in mind I don’t know how many or time frame of most of them. 1. as I mentioned earlier on, **stranded or broke down motorist** I would have to say quite a few in the past more so then present day. 2. Debris in the roadway of a high speed multi-lane freeway. 3. Pedestrians walking along a freeway, if for instance the ped., is carrying a gas can I let it pass, also large animals. 4. Vehicles (sometimes its the vehicle,not the driver) who pose an iminent physical threat to other roadway users. Were I to see a commercial vehicle that I felt was poseing a threat I would try to contact what ever entity was in charge of the vehicle.Its more difficult to contact the owner of a private vehicle, in that case I call the emergency number. NadaHappyCamper ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/190 "2010-08-22T22:17:54Z")
If you’re calling 911 so often you can’t remember how often or what the last call was…maybe it’s time a stern but lovable ethnic character started driving you around to the Piggily Wiggily. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/191 "2010-08-23T00:47:24Z")
```php Elbows- What I do know is that regardless of how I respond to detractors their opinions aren't going to change. I don't know that my calls result in zero action on anyone's part. I cannot/will not own to how often I do this, simply because I just plain don't know, For arguments sake I will say, " several times in the past decade." Maybe your right Elbows, maybe it is all about my ego, whats wrong with that? Have any of the previous statements altered your opinion? NadaHappyCamper ``` Um, I don’t think they are detractors. They are people who responded to “I would also like to see responses from other Board Members about their thoughts on this.”, and your calling them detractors would seem to indicate that, what you really wanted, was the thoughts of only like minded persons. A 911 responder has posted that they always say thank you and then circular file such complaints, up thread. So I’m not understanding this; “I don’t know that my calls result in zero action on anyone’s part.” or why your OP contained this, “I would like to hear from any 911 employees whether or not there is any follow up when I call and report someone and am able to supply a lic. plate number, or does my report go directly to the circular file?”, when you ignore it when you get it. If you seriously can’t guestimate how often you make such calls, not even a ball park figure, you perhaps shouldn’t be operating a motor vehicle. Or you’re being incredibly and overtly disingenuous. As for changing my mind, I wasn’t aware you were trying to convert everyone, your OP said you were wanting our thoughts on this, so we offered them. I am still curious as to what you were hoping for, when you began the thread? Did you imagine you’d just get more ego stroking on what a great citizen you are? Or perhaps you imagined we’d all rally over your concerted effort to improve the world? Seriously, what were you hoping for here, I’m confused. And I have no issue with it being all about your ego, truly. But let’s not be presenting ourselves as a caped crime fighting hero when really we’re just stroking our own ego, reporting rule infringements to authority figures. Perhaps when I’m in my dotage I’ll be happy not knowing that people are just humoring me, too! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/192 "2010-08-23T00:48:34Z")
(Geeze, I don’t even know what I did there, crap. Sorry for the fancy colours and scroll bar, can’t explain!) ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/193 "2010-08-23T07:44:49Z")
> [@Add99](#): > > Darth, sorry if you took offense to the Martin Luther King Day thing. > > Fact is, it was Martin Luther King Day. I don’t know what that means where you live, but here, every black guy takes Martin Luther King day off, as well they should (although I have seen employers take it badly). > That means everyone was milling about who would normally be working. I thought it was a shame to honor Rev. King by stealing a copier, that’s the only reason I remember what day it was. It dawned on me when I rounded the corner and saw 50+ people hanging around on the street. > > So, yeah, Cinco de Mayo would be a bad day to chase homies into the barrio. I don’t believe you, and I’m fairly convinced that you are a profoundly racist asshole. Only black guys take MLK day off where you live? White folks don’t get that free day off? Really? ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/194 "2010-08-23T08:14:53Z")
> [@Darth\_Nader](#): > > > [@Add99](#): > > > > Darth, sorry if you took offense to the Martin Luther King Day thing. > > > > Fact is, it was Martin Luther King Day. I don’t know what that means where you live, but here, every black guy takes Martin Luther King day off, as well they should (although I have seen employers take it badly). > > That means everyone was milling about who would normally be working. I thought it was a shame to honor Rev. King by stealing a copier, that’s the only reason I remember what day it was. It dawned on me when I rounded the corner and saw 50+ people hanging around on the street. > > > > So, yeah, Cinco de Mayo would be a bad day to chase homies into the barrio. > > I don’t believe you, and I’m fairly convinced that you are a profoundly racist asshole. Only black guys take MLK day off where you live? White folks don’t get that free day off? Really? Did he say white folks don’t take the day off? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/195 "2010-08-23T13:07:34Z")
As I noted in post #99, King county, which operates Auburn’s 911 system, posts information on its website which directly contradicts the Auburn 911 information. I sent an email to King county to that effect, and I have received a reply. I sent this email (BTW, I lied and said the OP was “my friend”): > [@](#): > > I am trying to discourage an Auburn resident from using 911 to report > minor traffic violations such as tailgating and illegal lane changes. > > However, it seems the Auburn city webpage about the 911 system has > information which conflicts with the King County information. > > The Auburn web page is: > [http://www.auburnwa.gov/emergency/police/Calling\_911.asp](http://www.auburnwa.gov/emergency/police/Calling_911.asp) > > It says, “You should call 911 whenever you have an emergency, need to > speak with an officer or file a report.” My friends sees this as > justification for her 911 calls. > > The county website says, “9-1-1 should only be called if you need an > emergency response from police, fire or emergency medical personnel. For > non-emergencies call your local police or fire department or other > appropriate agency.” > > As I understand it, King County runs the Auburn 911 system. I hope you > folks can reconcile the instructions that are given to citizens, and > perhaps my friend will stop making unnecessary 911 calls. I just received this reply: > [@](#): > > Mr. XXXX, your inquiry about 9-1-1 was forwarded to me for response. > You are correct that King County encourages people to only call 9-1-1 if > they need an emergency response. The 9-1-1 system is a countywide > system that includes all of the cities as well as unincorporated areas. > Our office coordinates with the various 9-1-1 centers and their cities > in an effort to provide a consistent message about 9-1-1 to the public. > I will follow up with the city of Auburn to encourage them to update > their website. > > Thank you for your interest in the appropriate usage of 9-1-1! > > Marlys R. Davis > E-911 Program Manager > King County E-911 Program Office > 7300 Perimeter Road S., Rm. 128 > Seattle, WA 98108-3825 > Phone: (206)296-3911 > Fax: (206)296-3909 > Email: [marlys.davis@kingcounty.gov](mailto:marlys.davis@kingcounty.gov) ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/196 "2010-08-23T13:34:18Z")
I’m sure the people of King County would thank you directly if they could. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/197 "2010-08-23T13:41:47Z")
Fifty bucks says Nada will either never return to this thread to admit he was wrong or will come up with some delusional reason why this is not correct and will continue calling. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/198 "2010-08-23T14:08:12Z")
> [@NadaHappyCamper](#): > > Hi, > Here’s the story, lately I’ve become tired of watching drivers that break the law: illeagle lane changes; following too close; using a cellular phone whilst driving, etc. I have started reporting these people to the authorities via 911, oh I also call the employers of drivers if possible and inform them of their employees poor behavior. For instance I called one delivery trucks company and reported the driver for following too close at a high rate of speed, oh yes before I go further let me state I only do this when the malfeasant driver is impacting me,in other words I am not trying to be a Highway hero and report every errant driver that I see. I would like to hear from any 911 employees wether or not there is any follow up when I call and report someone and am able to supply a lic. plate number, or does my report go directly to the circular file? > Please keep in mind i don’t call at the drop of a hat , when I call these peolpe have done somethiong that is totally agains the law. > I would also like to see responses from other Board Members about their thoughts on this. Speaking for the Metro area where i work.. we never respond unless its an accident. There’s a question of probably cause/suspicion.. because you saw them drive like an ass doesn’t mean that an officer can initiate a traffic stop. Also.. by the time the call is dispatched.. the offending driver is either across county lines or into the city proper.. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/199 "2010-08-23T14:10:35Z")
I once called the police non-emergency number to report an armored car that drove out of a 7-11 parking lot and down the wrong side of the street, into oncoming cars that had to divert onto the shoulder, and then ran a red light. The police were not interested and told me to contact the armored car company to complain about their driver. “What if he’s not driving, but tied up in the back?” I asked. Honestly, doesn’t sudden crazy driving by an armored car full of money (especially after the vehicle was stopped in a public place where someone could have gotten into it) sound like something the police might want to look into? No, apparently it does not. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684/200 "2010-08-23T15:13:10Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > As I noted in post #99, King county, which operates Auburn’s 911 system, posts information on its website which directly contradicts the Auburn 911 information. I sent an email to King county to that effect, and I have received a reply. > > I sent this email (BTW, I lied and said the OP was “my friend”): > > > [@](#): > > > > I am trying to discourage an Auburn resident from using 911 to report > > minor traffic violations such as tailgating and illegal lane changes. > > > > However, it seems the Auburn city webpage about the 911 system has > > information which conflicts with the King County information. > > > > The Auburn web page is: > > [http://www.auburnwa.gov/emergency/police/Calling\_911.asp](http://www.auburnwa.gov/emergency/police/Calling_911.asp) > > > > It says, “You should call 911 whenever you have an emergency, need to > > speak with an officer or file a report.” My friends sees this as > > justification for her 911 calls. > > > > The county website says, “9-1-1 should only be called if you need an > > emergency response from police, fire or emergency medical personnel. For > > non-emergencies call your local police or fire department or other > > appropriate agency.” > > > > As I understand it, King County runs the Auburn 911 system. I hope you > > folks can reconcile the instructions that are given to citizens, and > > perhaps my friend will stop making unnecessary 911 calls. > > I just received this reply: > > > [@](#): > > > > Mr. XXXX, your inquiry about 9-1-1 was forwarded to me for response. > > You are correct that King County encourages people to only call 9-1-1 if > > they need an emergency response. The 9-1-1 system is a countywide > > system that includes all of the cities as well as unincorporated areas. > > Our office coordinates with the various 9-1-1 centers and their cities > > in an effort to provide a consistent message about 9-1-1 to the public. > > I will follow up with the city of Auburn to encourage them to update > > their website. > > > > Thank you for your interest in the appropriate usage of 9-1-1! > > > > Marlys R. Davis > > E-911 Program Manager > > King County E-911 Program Office > > 7300 Perimeter Road S., Rm. 128 > > Seattle, WA 98108-3825 > > Phone: (206)296-3911 > > Fax: (206)296-3909 > > Email: [marlys.davis@kingcounty.gov](mailto:marlys.davis@kingcounty.gov) LOL Nice work. I wonder how he’ll respond to that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-a-dime-on-your-neighbor/550684.md?page=11)