# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/101 "2014-07-27T15:44:32Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > I’m not ignoring street crime, I’m distancing myself from it. There isn’t any in my neighborhood during the hours that I am out wandering around. If I saw a guy breaking into a car, first of all, in my neighborhood it’s probably his own car and he locked the keys inside, and second, if he was breaking into a car, he would be long gone before the police could respond, and it would make more sense to try to scare off the perp, and alert other possible witnesses. Since I live in Texas, there is a high probability that another bystander would just shoot the guy. Not me, I don’t leave the house in the morning thinking “maybe today will be the day I get to kill a person”. > > In my part of the country, the “call the police” mentality has turned illegal aliens, who have absolutely no criminal intent, into desperadoes, forced to sneak around and behave like criminals for self-protection. representing a legitimate danger where there otherwise would have been none… In the law this is known as the theory of “clean hands.” The illegal immigrants know they are guilty of violation of a law, which is why they “sneak around.” They have made their bed and they can jolly well lie in it; they were not “forced” into this situation. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/102 "2014-07-27T15:51:28Z")
I will never call the police again barring a life or death emergency, due to a couple very bad experiences where calling to report something like a dumped stolen car in the cul de saq got the police not only accusing me of stealing it but insinuating I had committed other crimes. No thank you sir! ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/103 "2014-07-27T15:56:32Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Because here is how the exact same situation went down in my town: > > Dispatcher: Police Department, what is your non-emergency > > Me: It’s after 11 (official town ordinance cutoff for loud parties) and the people above us have been blasting their music and being extremely loud. > > Dispatcher: Ok, what is the address.? > > Me: My address is… > > Dispatcher: Ok, we’ll send someone over. > > (1-20 minutes later, cop knocking at my door) > > Cop: Hello, what is the problem? > > Me: People upstairs have been partying all night. > > Cop: Ok. Well, we will go over and tell them to keep the noise down. > > Me: Good. Thank you. > > [silence a few minutes later] Huh yea? Try this: Call non emergency line to report loud party at 3am. (cop knocking on door) Me:hello Cop:You called about a party? Me:Yes about an hour ago, which has since split up. Cop:Do you have any ID? Me:Why is that of any matter? Cop:Is anyone else inside? Can I come inside? What are you doing up at this time of night anyway in this area? Do I smell drugs? Blah blah blah, totally not worth it! And no there were no drugs to smell, no one even smoked cigs inside.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/104 "2014-07-27T16:49:56Z")
As a general rule I don’t speak to cops. I did call around 7 years ago when my car was broken into in my drive way. After calling the wrong city at first and finally realizing there wasn’t anything they were going to do or really could do, I just hung up. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/105 "2014-07-27T16:54:01Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > In the law this is known as the theory of “clean hands.” The illegal immigrants know they are guilty of violation of a law, which is why they “sneak around.” They have made their bed and they can jolly well lie in it; they were not “forced” into this situation. EVERYONE breaks the law. You’ve probably committed a felony today. To me, there is no reason that “illegal aliens” are treated any differently than the 300 million or so other law breakers in our country. It’s ridiculous and obvious… ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/106 "2014-07-27T17:03:45Z")
Well, which is it–positive or probable? I would not want to use your argument if I were prosecuting someone! Besides, it sounds as though you are alluding to Romans 3:23. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/107 "2014-07-27T17:31:47Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Besides, it sounds as though you are alluding to Romans 3:23. I don’t know about you, dougie, but this constant allusion to Romans 3:23 really pisses me off. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/108 "2014-07-27T18:44:36Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > In the law this is known as the theory of “clean hands.” IANAL, but I believe the “clean hands” doctrine has to do with plaintiffs bringing lawsuits: a plaintiff may not win a suit if he or she is involved in something illegal related to the claim. For example, someone who is fencing stolen property can’t win against a customer who bounced a check in payment for that property. The clean hands doctrine doesn’t apply to criminal law, as far as I know - the fact that someone has broken a law doesn’t mean that person can’t be the victim of a crime. So just because someone has entered the country illegally doesn’t mean someone can rob him (for example) and get away with it. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/109 "2014-07-27T19:48:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I don’t know about you, dougie, but this constant allusion to Romans 3:23 really pisses me off. :mad: Constant? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/110 "2014-07-27T19:51:58Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > IANAL, but I believe the “clean hands” doctrine has to do with plaintiffs bringing lawsuits: a plaintiff may not win a suit if he or she is involved in something illegal related to the claim. For example, someone who is fencing stolen property can’t win against a customer who bounced a check in payment for that property. The clean hands doctrine doesn’t apply to criminal law, as far as I know - the fact that someone has broken a law doesn’t mean that person can’t be the victim of a crime. So just because someone has entered the country illegally doesn’t mean someone can rob him (for example) and get away with it. Well, I agree with you there; No robber should rely on that as a defense! Talk about not having clean hands… ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/111 "2014-07-27T19:54:16Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Constant? Don’t feign ignorance. If we’re both reading these boards, we’re both seeing it. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/112 "2014-07-27T21:46:11Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Don’t feign ignorance. If we’re both reading these boards, we’re both seeing it. I’m not feigning anything. I had to consult my concordance to get the citation. Why not run it through the search engine? ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/113 "2014-07-27T22:39:02Z")
A few times, not 911 though. When we lived in an area that was going through gentrification , it still was a prostitute stroll. I was up and heard a glass break, looked out the window, a man was naked putting his pants on. He had been ‘serviced’ in the back of a panel van. I called the non emergency number. Because we lived close to the state capitol building we got the city and capital police. No arrests. Called on dogs left in hot cars numerous times. In Qatar, I was hit buy a semi truck. Called the Qatari police. That was fun,( not) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/114 "2014-07-28T04:04:12Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > I’m not feigning anything. I had to consult my concordance to get the citation. Why not run it through the search engine? Ezekiel 25:17, my good man. Enough said. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/115 "2014-07-28T04:32:39Z")
Color me unsophisticated, but I fail to see the connection. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/116 "2014-07-28T04:42:26Z")
I think it depends on where you live. Some places don’t publicize a non-emergency contact number for the police, in which case I think it’s reasonable to call 911 for something requiring a non-emergency response. Things like “I’ve been waiting forever at McDonalds” and “my kids is talking back” and “My phone is out of credit” are strictly your own problem, though. I’ve called 911 three times. The first time, I was a teenager home alone for the weekend and someone tried to break into the house (failing, and apparently getting scared off when our ancient dog finally woke up). The second time, someone tried to mug my roommate right outside our apartment and succeeded in getting hit in the face and spilling his beer. The third time I witnessed a low-speed hit-and-run on the interstate. A few days after the third event, someone called 911 on me, when a series of embarrassing events led a gas station attendant to believe I was possibly drunk and definitely driving a stolen car. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/117 "2014-07-28T07:04:08Z")
Several times, but mostly in the course of work in the bar and hotel business. At one point, I had an undercover narcotics agent “casing” a client, whom I _knew_ was selling drugs from his room, and possibly manufacturing them in said room. (The CNT agent never was able to pin him down, because the guy was considered low-priority for surveillance. A few weeks later, though, the dealer was arrested for some little minor stuff - kidnapping another dealer and that dealer’s kid, shooting at a federal law enforcement officer, etc.) Another night, I spotted lights on at a fast food restaurant across the road from my property - divided 4-lane with a wide median, so I couldn’t really see what was going on, but I couldn’t see anyone inside the restaurant. I knew that the lights shouldn’t have been on so late - BK closed at 11, and the dim, interior-only lights that stayed on while the crew closed and cleaned were still on at 1:30 am. I tried to call the non-emergency #, but it turns out that it was only manned during business hours, so I was redirected to call 911 via a recording. I felt like a bit of an idiot, explaining the situation to the dispatcher (“I don’t see anything, except lights, but those lights shouldn’t be on…”) Turns out that there was a robbery - inside job/former employee - and the closing crew was locked in the cooler. I felt like less of an idiot after that! Most recently, I filed a police report after my elderly neighbor deliberately cut our phone/internet cable at the box over Memorial Day weekend. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/118 "2014-07-28T15:17:14Z")
> [@PurpleClogs](#): > > Would you call for any of the situations I listed? Maybe I’m wrong for feeling the way I do. > > And, story time! Have you ever called the cops for anything? In Pittsburgh, 911 is your only choice if you want to see a police officer; they pulled the “local numbers” of the different zone offices out of the phone book years ago. As a result you get everything from “there is a stray dog wandering the neighborhood” to “my neighbor just got shot several times” I’ve called the cops (911) several times for cars blocking my garage. Once upon a time I would have considered knocking on some doors and trying to find the owner. But since this one guy once opened his door shotgun in hand I figure the car getting a ticket and/or towed gets the message across better. Before there were a lot of “repeat offenders” ------ now no repeaters at all. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/119 "2014-07-28T17:42:41Z")
You have to wonder what people are thinking when they block a driveway/garage. There was plenty parking on my side of the street ad everybody had big driveways. I could fit 10 cars in mine easily. Across the street was the projects so most of those people didn’t have cars. Yet it never failed, I’d walk out of my house to an almost empty street and somebody would be parked across my driveway. I so wanted to get a tank and hang a big sign on it saying _PLEASE DON’T BLOCK THE DRIVEWAY_ ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927/120 "2014-07-28T17:45:13Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In my part of the country, the “call the police” mentality has turned illegal aliens, who have absolutely no criminal intent, into desperadoes, forced to sneak around and behave like criminals for self-protection. representing a legitimate danger where there otherwise would have been none… How do you “call the police” on an Illegal alien, they don’t wear a sign or anything, they look just like anyone else.:dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-called-the-cops/693927.md?page=7)