# Have you ever called the cops? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 24, 2014, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927 "2014-07-24T12:42:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/21 "2014-07-24T15:21:44Z")
I once summoned airport security, which at O’Hare is the Chicago Police. Men’s room stall, little boy loudly and repeatedly sobbing, “NO, NO, I WANT MOMMY!” I agonized over whether this was just a normal meltdown or a parental kidnapping, but something about the tone of the wailing convinced me to err on the side of caution. They apparently left, though, while I went out to look for help, because there was no one there by the time the police arrived. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/22 "2014-07-24T15:22:58Z")
I have called 911 to report some Evel Knievel lane splitting the Jersey Turnpike at 100+ MPH and a likely drunk driving a red pickup up a local bike trail. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/23 "2014-07-24T15:25:11Z")
> [@PurpleClogs](#): > > I listen to police radio while I’m online pretty often. Usually local stuff, but Chicago is always active and very entertaining. One thing that surprises me is how many Chicago people call 911 for trivial things that IMHO waste police resources. I don’t see how that’s an issue. It’s up to the police to decide how to allocate their resources, not me. I’m just providing them with information. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/24 "2014-07-24T15:46:24Z")
One thing that annoys me is that the cops don’t publicize their non-911 number very well at all- you have to go dig it up on their website. So a lot of calls that might not otherwise be 911 calls end up that way because people don’t have the non-911 number handy. That said, I’ve called 911 once- on myself, after I fell and hurt my knee such that I couldn’t stand up. I actually called the non-emergency number and they transferred me to 911 for an ambulance. Outside of that, I haven’t called the cops many other times- maybe once or twice in college when I had some knuckleheads on my floor who weren’t listening to me to take it outside (I was an RA), and who threatened to wreck a lot of shit with their fight. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/25 "2014-07-24T15:47:13Z")
Staying at a motel in Tennessee one night about 1 AM a woman and man were having a heated argument on the outside 2nd floor walkway. They were getting loud and I head the guy tell her if she didn’t shut up someone was going to call the cops. Sounded like a fine idea to me, so I did. They were there in a few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/26 "2014-07-24T15:54:16Z")
Been tempted to call the cops on bad or possibly impaired drivers a few times. But I think I’ve only called twice. Once to report a break-in. The other was more amusing. I was driving a twisty back road on a dark, rainy evening and came _this_ close to hitting a stray cow which would have converted my trusty Datsun into accordioned scrap. The cow was black with a few white patches and it was only the white patches that saved me. Clearly a dangerous situation and this was way before cell phones so I called the local police from a pay phone to have them do something about the stray. But they asked where I was calling from, and it happened to be a pay phone at a bar. So when I responded “The something something Pub”, I could hear the officer on the other end of the line lose interest. I hope the cow wandered off on its own, because I’m damn sure no officer ever showed up. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/27 "2014-07-24T15:59:04Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I cannot imagine what would warrant a call to the FBI. Calling the cops, who then call the FBI, sure. But a direct call? > > Some vague details, maybe? Husband and I called them once. There was a sketch of a guy who was robbing banks being circulated by the police (they had stopped in at the bar we were at and were passing out the flyer to business in the area - that was the area the guy who they thought it might be was living) - we recognized him and told them where they could find him (he had moved). Why husband didn’t call the cops who would then call the FBI, I don’t know - he does strange things sometimes. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/28 "2014-07-24T16:11:51Z")
I called the police routinely when I was at work but that was just part of the job. The only time I’ve ever called the police outside of work was when I was burglarized. I’ve never used the 911 line. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/29 "2014-07-24T16:21:23Z")
The off ramp from the beltway on the way to work was so overgrown it was nearly impossible to see if cars were coming to merge safely. So I called the cops and dang sure enough a couple days later the growth was mowed down. Did not call 911 though… I know the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/30 "2014-07-24T17:28:56Z")
I have a few times but most recently was when a woman drove her car up onto my front lawn and then disappeared. I called the non emergency number because no one was injured and other than my garbage being spread along the snowbank there was no real damage to anything of mine, I just wanted the car gone and since the streets were clean and dry the potentially impaired driver found. Turns out she was just a moron. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/31 "2014-07-24T17:47:42Z")
A few times. One of the more memorable ones, I found a guy who had his car stuck in the ditch in a snowbank, so I grabbed a tow strap and pulled the car free. After doing so, the guy puts his car in reverse, nearly runs me over, and hits my car. I suddenly realized the guy is completely crocked at 11 am and called the cops, who had me follow him until a squad car was close enough to take over. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/32 "2014-07-24T18:20:19Z")
Called 911 several times - I’ve witnessed two crashes on my corner, a couple of weeks ago an old person collapsed on the street right when I was getting onto the freeway (I pulled over on the fwy, called 911 and stayed on the phone until they confirmed emergency services was on-scene…that was fast), once to report a suspicious vehicle. Last time I can recall specifically needing the cops right away was when a lady got mugged in broad daylight. I was on the phone with 911 while running across a parking lot chasing after the guy. We had a merry parade going - myself, several other people who joined in chasing after the crook, the victim, a Target security guard and within a couple of minutes several police cars went zooming by (they caught the guy). My favorite part of that story is that the mugger ditched his coat in an effort to alter his appearance, however he did it right in front of me while I was on the phone talking to the 911 dispatcher, so I just described what he was wearing, etc. The security guard picked up the jacket and in the pocket we found a letter from the owner’s parole officer, complete with his full name and address. I was still on the phone so I said “I’ll make this real easy, here’s his name and where he lives”. Not exactly a criminal mastermind. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/33 "2014-07-24T18:37:15Z")
> [@bump](#): > > One thing that annoys me is that the cops don’t publicize their non-911 number very well at all- you have to go dig it up on their website. So a lot of calls that might not otherwise be 911 calls end up that way because people don’t have the non-911 number handy. Many localities prefer that residents only use 911 for all calls and purposely don’t promote the non-emergency number. I live in such a town and have called 911 a bunch of times to report suspicious looking dudes, joyriders, and one happy little fellow who tried to break into my car. A cop was nearby and actually caught him trying to break into someone’s car down the street. The happy little fellow was less happy, but he thought if he showed the policeman his karate moves he’d be happy again. Nothing doing, and he also found out that a knee to the back hurts like hell. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/34 "2014-07-24T18:52:03Z")
No. I consider the police to be the enemy, and I keep my head down. I don’t want them to have a dossier on me. They can find plenty of people to turn over to the for-profit prison-industrial complex without my assistance. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/35 "2014-07-24T18:56:40Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > I have also called the FBI on occasion. > [@kayaker](#): > > I cannot imagine what would warrant a call to the FBI.? Not to mention ‘on occasion’, meaning it was done more than once. I have never called the cops or the FBI. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/36 "2014-07-24T18:58:59Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > I once summoned airport security, which at O’Hare is the Chicago Police. Men’s room stall, little boy loudly and repeatedly sobbing, “NO, NO, I WANT MOMMY!” I agonized over whether this was just a normal meltdown or a parental kidnapping, but something about the tone of the wailing convinced me to err on the side of caution. They apparently left, though, while I went out to look for help, because there was no one there by the time the police arrived. Why didn’t you pound on the door or something? Now I’m going to worry that that little boy was abducted and might still be being abused. ☹ I’ve called both the emergency and non-emergency numbers a few times when I felt it was warranted. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/37 "2014-07-24T19:13:25Z")
I have called them just once - when I discovered an unmarked brown paper bag on my doorstep (no, it was not on fire). It turned out that somebody working for some Meals on Wheels organization had delivered somebody’s dinner to the wrong address. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/38 "2014-07-24T19:52:25Z")
We were driving on the New York State Throughway during a driving rain and saw a large barrier that had blown from the side of the road into the right lane. I hope they got to it before someone hit it. ---
**Author:** ![ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/39 "2014-07-24T20:10:34Z")
I’ve called them about bar fights that have gotten past the point of control by myself or the rest of the staff, as well as ones that have spilled onto the street. A few calls for people hurt in or around where I was working. Bar fights, accidents, medical emergencies. Once because someone flashed a gun at me. A couple of times for car accidents I witnessed or was involved in. I’ve also had them called about me a few times. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/40 "2014-07-24T20:19:47Z")
Quite often. My most marginal was calling 911 to report a ladder on the Freeway, but when Mr Roadshow gave me his blessing, I figured it was OK. San Jose does have a 311 # to call, but man the phone tree is slow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927.md?page=3)