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I called the Aurora police department for help twice. Never again.
First time (2011) someone kicked in my window. Next day, I needed to file a report. Non-emergency said they needed to dispatch someone. I'm standing in front of my house in a hoodie. In February. In Colorado. https://twitter.com/joyannreid/status/1290880764733792256
First time (2011) someone kicked in my window. Next day, I needed to file a report. Non-emergency said they needed to dispatch someone. I'm standing in front of my house in a hoodie. In February. In Colorado. https://twitter.com/joyannreid/status/1290880764733792256
I see two officers approach from my front, I take one hand out from the hoodie, wave to signal (yeah, it's me). They don't wave back. Then I notice 4 more officers have approached from behind, then they command me to show my hands.
I obey, but try to explain that a. I'm the one who called...the homeowner in fact and b. the crime occurred like, 14 hours ago. The zeal is misplaced!
They ask for ID, see that I live there. 4/6 are immediately disinterested, leaving the other 2 to actually write the report.
They ask for ID, see that I live there. 4/6 are immediately disinterested, leaving the other 2 to actually write the report.
Second (last) time I called Aurora Police
*sigh* this is actually a great story with lots of twists, but tl;dr
A white dude broke into my car and was doing meth in my passenger seat when I accidentally locked him in the car. He and I then both discovered he was too high to escape
*sigh* this is actually a great story with lots of twists, but tl;dr
A white dude broke into my car and was doing meth in my passenger seat when I accidentally locked him in the car. He and I then both discovered he was too high to escape
This is 2am, mind you. I call APD for help while standing outside of my car.
It takes forever. 7 1/2 minutes. This may not be a normal eternity, but imagine the situation any see in my shoes this took F.O.R.E.V.E.R.
I finally see APD vehicle approach...and then kept driving.
It takes forever. 7 1/2 minutes. This may not be a normal eternity, but imagine the situation any see in my shoes this took F.O.R.E.V.E.R.
I finally see APD vehicle approach...and then kept driving.
I'm in a good sized freak out, and I tell the operator "he drove past! Tell him to turn around!"
Then, on everything, operator said: "oh, he said he sees you, but he's hiding someplace safe until his backup arrives."
I began to laugh hysterically
Then, on everything, operator said: "oh, he said he sees you, but he's hiding someplace safe until his backup arrives."
I began to laugh hysterically
This story goes on, and has lots of fun turns...my favorite was when they tried to imply the meth was mine. 
Here's my point...in both instances the officers I encountered had several opportunities to help and apparently preferred not to.
Here's my point...in both instances the officers I encountered had several opportunities to help and apparently preferred not to.
These examples...these moments are silly and small. They don't matter.
But the video of that family? The terror in their voices? The nightmares those kids will have for years to come?
That matters. Any moral person can see it is wrong. No conscious person cannot feign surprise
But the video of that family? The terror in their voices? The nightmares those kids will have for years to come?
That matters. Any moral person can see it is wrong. No conscious person cannot feign surprise
No one in Aurora is surprised by this new story. No one is shocked that the same department who murdered Elijah McClain and who has bullied and brutalized activists in our community... NO. ONE. IS. SURPRISED.
So, to summarize the lessons we (I) learned: don't call the cops. Definitely not in Aurora, CO.
We need to defund the police.
We need to keep seeking justice for Breonna Taylor.
We need to defund the police.
We need to keep seeking justice for Breonna Taylor.
